Video & Transcript : 'teaching standards' :
Page 417 of 500
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Environmental Quality Committee Apr 22nd, 2026
Environmental Quality
Transcript Highlights:
- The EPA has standards for reclamation.
- the standards for municipal solid waste.
- So again, it doesn't meet California standards for these facilities, but at least meets federal standards
- Because of those standards, you don't just take a piece of land, dig a big hole, Because of those standards
- So again, doesn't meet California standards for these facilities, but at least meets federal standards
Summary:
The committee heard presentations on several energy, environmental, and consumer protection bills while operating at times without a quorum. Senator McNerney presented SB 925, which would direct the California Energy Commission to develop a statewide roadmap for fusion energy, and SB 1350, which would expand the use of green hydrogen in the power sector by allowing renewable portfolio standard credit for power plants using hydrogen. Supporters said both bills would help California maintain leadership in emerging clean-energy industries, attract investment, and create jobs. Opponents of SB 1350 raised concerns about greenwashing, resource shuffling, and increased NOx emissions from hydrogen combustion, while supporters said committee amendments added guardrails against those outcomes. Senator Ashby presented SB 1010, a manufacturer-funded extended producer responsibility program for refrigerants in appliances; supporters said it would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve recovery, while opponents argued existing laws already regulate refrigerants and that the bill could raise costs and disrupt recycling markets. Senator Grayson presented SB 1145 to streamline CEQA and federal reuse procedures for qualifying projects in the Concord Reuse Project Area, which supporters said would help deliver long-planned housing, jobs, and open space, while one housing group sought stronger affordable-housing guarantees. Senator Cabaldon presented SB 1341, which would give CalRecycle authority to reduce processing fees for wine and spirits bag-in-a-box containers when fee collections exceed program needs; supporters said the current fee increase was abrupt and excessive, while opponents warned against giving the agency too much discretion. Senator Padilla presented SGR 13, urging the U.S. to secure enforceable commitments to eliminate transboundary sewage pollution in the Tijuana and New River watersheds during the 2026 USMCA review, and SB 1033, which would require testing and disclosure of heavy metals in protein products; SGR 13 drew strong support from border and environmental justice advocates, while SB 1033 drew support from consumer and health groups and opposition from industry groups concerned about labeling burdens and scope. Senator Caballero presented SB 1183, requiring a state study of the environmental, land-use, and economic impacts of industrial solar in the Central Valley; farm and land-use advocates supported the bill, while solar industry groups opposed unless amended, saying it should better reflect solar’s benefits and existing state analysis. After testimony, the committee took roll and adopted several measures on a 4-0 or 3-0 basis, with bills including SJR 13, SB 925, SB 1350, SB 1145, SB 1341, SB 1033, and SB 1010 advanced on call to Appropriations or, in the case of SB 1010, already voted with a 3-1 result before being held on call.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- c> is</c> federal standard.
- That FLSA standard is federal standard.
- </c> So I think that uh this is a standard So I think that uh this is a standard that<00:48:10.000><c
- So the state standard, the real problem here, the heart of the problem is that the state standard is
- standards and then states can enhance those standards if they wish.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Environmental Quality Committee Mar 18th, 2026
Environmental Quality
Transcript Highlights:
- these levees were built in the 1800s, and many don't have any of the Corps of Engineers' safety standards
- Army Corps of Engineers standard.
- It's to meet air quality standards. It's to meet climate goals.
- So the other assertion was that some of these standards were unattainable.
- That’s exactly the scenario that demands that we set standards for these types of projects.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Nineteen - Wednesday, February 11 - Afternoon Session -
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It has become the standard...
- And the 2009, it's still allowing a standard.” “2009, it's still allowing a standard, and it doesn't
- standard home against a 2021 energy efficiency standard home.
- So the prices are just different between the 2021 standard and a 2009.
- And then from my understanding... ...standard, I guess.
Summary:
The House first established a quorum after several members were absent, then moved into bills for perfection. House Bill 261, dealing with anti-Semitism in public schools and higher education, drew extensive debate. The sponsor described rising anti-Jewish incidents and said the bill would require educational institutions to adopt nondiscriminatory policies, use the IHRA definition as a guide, and treat failures to address harassment as Title VI issues. An amendment from the gentleman from Pulaski was adopted to clarify that protected First Amendment speech, religious expression, and political viewpoints would not be reported or cataloged. Supporters said the bill was needed to protect Jewish students; opponents argued it singled out one group, could chill speech about Israel and Palestine, and created unequal reporting requirements. The House ultimately ordered the bill perfected and printed as amended.
The chamber then took up House Bill 2384 on housing affordability and building codes. The sponsor said the bill would lower housing costs by rolling back energy-code mandates to 2009 standards, setting clearer permitting timelines, and allowing certain multifamily buildings to use a single staircase. Supporters argued current codes raise costs, discourage builders, and contribute to Missouri’s housing shortage. Opponents raised concerns about local control, preemption of municipal energy standards, and public safety, especially the single-stair provision; the sponsor responded that the design has been used safely in other states and cities. A Pulaski amendment requiring municipalities with online ordinances to keep only one hard copy available was adopted, and after debate the previous question was moved and approved. The House then adopted the committee substitute and ordered the bill perfected and printed.
House Bill 1766, addressing personal property tax, was also perfected and printed. The sponsor said the bill would apply Hancock/CPI-style tax limitations to personal property tax growth, arguing that rapidly rising vehicle values had created a windfall for political subdivisions and unfairly increased taxpayer burdens. Supporters said the bill would slow growth without eliminating it, while opponents argued local governments need revenue to keep up with inflation and that the measure would reduce resources for schools and other services. Finally, the House began consideration of House Joint Resolution 154, which would place into the Missouri Constitution a Medicaid work requirement mirroring federal policy. The sponsor said adults ages 19 to 64 would need to work, volunteer, participate in a work program, or attend school for 80 hours a month to remain eligible, and the discussion began with questions about whether the constitutional change was necessary and how documentation requirements would work.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 03/06/25
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:37:51.480><c> we</c> foster home licensing standards we foster home licensing standards we created
- ><c> standards</c><00:38:08.680><c> so</c><00:38:08.839><c> that's</c> National recommended standards
- </c><00:38:14.720><c> the</c><00:38:14.880><c> standards</c> The standards themselves are common sense
- The standards provide that necessary recommended language to align with recommended standards.
- </c> that meets licensing standards that meets licensing standards Transportation<00:42:53.319><c> mental
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (02/10/2026)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> mandatory baseline or standard of care. mandatory baseline or standard of care.
- </c><01:37:06.159><c> of</c> practicing a reasonable standard of practicing a reasonable standard of
- </c><01:47:05.679><c> and</c> sectors, we have both standards and sectors, we have both standards and
- </c><04:27:41.199><c> that</c> has to meet those same standards that has to meet those same standards
- </c> is so focused on retaining this standard is so focused on retaining this standard of of of used<
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Assembly Select Committee on Biotechnology and Medical Technology and Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee Aug 4th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So there's something called FHIR standards, HL7 standards, data interoperability standards that are open
- So there's something called fire standards, HL7 standards, data interoperability standards that are open
- So I think what is gold standard?
- There are very robust security-related standards.
- ISO standards, 27001, SOC 2 standards, and all those controls are in place not just for the sake of
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture - 01/29/2026
Agriculture
Transcript Highlights:
- I would love a federal standard on this too.
- I would love a federal standard on this too.
- It doesn't create a standard.
- It's not creating a standard. It's just creating a reference. Right.
- It doesn't change any of those standards.
Summary:
The Agriculture Committee met for its first 2026 meeting and took up a full agenda of bills focused on food safety, agricultural programs, consumer transparency, and farm-related policy. Early measures included S.592 on a youth and agriculture entrepreneurship summer employment program, which was reported to finance without opposition, and S.1239E, the Food Safety and Technical Disclosure Act, which would require disclosure of certain food ingredients to the state and public and also ban three substances outright. Senator Kavanaugh described the bill as closing a loophole in federal food safety law; Senator Borrello opposed it as a state-by-state approach that could raise costs and disrupt the supply chain, while Senator O’Rourke supported it as a science-based measure with available substitutes. The bill was reported back to the board with one no vote and one without recommendation.
The committee also advanced S.1783A on liquefied petroleum/propane fee disclosures, with supporters saying it would prevent consumers from being charged for improper or hidden fees and opponents arguing it should not single out state-related charges; the bill moved to the board. S.4041, creating a sanitary retail food store grant program, was reported to finance. S.4162, relating to the Fresh Connect program and local produce purchases, prompted discussion about whether state resources should instead be concentrated on the Double Up Food Bucks program; sponsors said both programs are needed and that Double Up has capacity limits, and the bill was moved to finance.
Later, the committee advanced S.6286A, establishing an agricultural tax viability pilot program tied to agrivoltaics; supporters said it would address a need raised in recent hearings and work with farm groups, while Senator Borrello voted no. The final bill, S.7618 on food safety and quality date label requirements, drew debate over whether New York should act without a federal standard and whether the bill could create confusion or unintended costs, especially for dairy and other perishables. Supporters said the bill would reduce food waste and simplify the many existing date labels without forcing new labeling on those who do not already use it; members also discussed refrigeration references in the bill, and the sponsor said the language could be adjusted. The committee then adjourned and announced that future meetings will be held on the third floor in the new location.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Energy and Natural Resources Apr 10th, 2025 at 10:00 am
Energy and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- National Standards Institute standard A300, Part 7, and the 2023 National Electric Safety Code is what
- They have to meet these standards, which are fairly rigorous in order to get it.
- National Standards Institute standard A300, Part 7, and the 2000 and...
- National Standards Institute standard A300 Part 7 and the 2023 National Electric Safety Code is what
- They have to meet these standards, which are fairly rigorous in order to get it.
Summary:
The House Energy and Natural Resources Committee met with a quorum and took up several bills, beginning with Senate Bill 2267 on on-site wastewater systems. DEQ testified that the bill would make DEQ the sole agency responsible for developing statewide wastewater code and licensing installers, replace local public health unit codes, create enforcement authority and civil penalties, and provide a $99,500 general fund appropriation for implementation. Members discussed whether the bill and proposed amendments adequately protected existing functioning or nonconforming septic systems, and DEQ said it would compare the Senate amendment with the committee’s draft and return the next day with feedback.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 2339, a wildfire mitigation plan bill, and adopted amendment 02001 with a change from “Shell” to “May” on one line. After amendment, the bill passed 9-3 on a do pass as amended vote, despite opposition from members who argued it created a utility carve-out, reduced liability exposure for utilities, and incentivized safety without requiring compliance. The companion study bill, Senate Bill 2340, on fire service operational response needs also received a do pass recommendation, and the committee later agreed it should be handled on the floor before the mitigation bill so the two measures could be explained together.
The committee also approved Senate Bill 2210, a study bill on watershed boundaries, with members noting it would help inform ongoing work on related water legislation. Finally, Senate Bill 2325, dealing with ordinary high watermark determination, received a unanimous do not pass recommendation after members expressed concern that high-water-mark language is difficult to define and may be better addressed in a separate study or resolution. The committee adjourned after noting that DEQ would return the next day with proposed amendments and that work on Senate Bill 2276 would continue with interested parties.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- standards, I'll say that three times fast.
- It's the reliability standard.
- It has established a standard for, is that grid reliable or not?
- hit that reliability standard?
- Using that standard as a basis, as a measuring stick, to hit that reliability. standard.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The standard is ambiguous, subjective, and ripe for abuse.
- The standard in this bill, I believe, is the same standard. Used for judicial notice.
- This is literally submitting based on a judicial notice standard.
- Using the standard for judicial notice provides some protection, because if it's not something that's
- It wouldn't be able to meet this standard. I'm not arguing.
Keywords:
SB 801, birth certificate, birth record, certified copy, homeless, homelessness, unhoused, vital records, state registrar, local registrar, county clerk, fee waiver, identity documents, ID access, housing insecurity, shelter, transitional housing, Health and Safety Code, HHSC, Health and Human Services Commission
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
October 8, 2025 - 08:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- First, standardization. As you know, Florida voters have three voting options.
- That is a standardized form. Once again, something.
- That is a standardized form.
- So we have standardized our uniform ballot design rules. Thank you. Rep. Valdez?
- And thank you for, we are the gold standard here in Florida for elections.
Summary:
The Government Operations Subcommittee met to hear a lengthy presentation from Secretary of State Cord Byrd on Florida election administration, with a focus on how elections are handled during natural disasters, election security, and preparations for the 2026 cycle. Byrd described Florida’s response to hurricanes in 2022 and 2024, saying the state works directly with county supervisors of elections to tailor executive orders to local conditions, add or relocate polling sites, extend deadlines, and help displaced voters and emergency workers cast ballots. Members from affected areas echoed that local supervisors had managed storm disruptions well and that turnout remained strong despite major damage.
A large portion of the meeting covered election integrity and security. Byrd emphasized Florida’s use of paper ballots, pre-election logic and accuracy testing, post-election audits, public canvassing, standardized voter-intent rules, and strict vote-by-mail request and signature-match requirements. He said the Department of State’s Office of Election Crimes and Security investigates complaints and refers matters to law enforcement, and that Florida has expanded access to the federal SAVE database to verify citizenship. Members asked about threats to election workers, staffing vacancies, cybersecurity, ballot design, vote-by-mail address changes, and how the state coordinates with county supervisors, emergency management, and other agencies.
Several members raised questions about voter eligibility and returning citizens, and Byrd said the department provides free information to help people determine whether their rights have been restored, while noting that court and clerk reporting practices still create challenges. He also said the department is considering additional legislative proposals, including more safeguards tied to driver’s license and citizenship verification and a possible statewide 100% audit of races before certification. The meeting ended with the chair encouraging members to visit supervisors of elections offices and submit specific ideas for future elections legislation; no votes were taken and the committee adjourned.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 3/5/25
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- So, you know, the standards in California and the EU are still strict standards.
- So, you know, the standards in California and the EU are still strict standards.
- So, you know, the standards in California and the EU are still strict standards.
- So, you know, the standards in California and the EU are still strict standards.
- So, you know, the standards in California and the EU are still strict standards.
Keywords:
lead, cadmium, consumer products, safety regulation, retail restrictions, motor sports, nonoxygenated gasoline, fuel regulations, storage requirements, racing events, HF325, flavored nitrous oxide, nitrous oxide, whippets, laughing gas, retail sales, consumer protection, misdemeanor, commerce, Minnesota Statutes chapter 325F
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Senate Emergency Management Committee and Natural Resources and Water Committee May 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Most homes in the high-risk areas were built before the modern fire-resistant construction standards
- Most homes in the high-risk areas were built before the modern fire-resistant construction standards
- And the report rate. ...wildfire data standards and metrics.
- that state standard.
- I think we need to look at the Western United States creating the same type of data standard.
Summary:
The joint Senate hearing focused on California wildfire resilience funding, the SB 254 report on natural catastrophe resilience, and how the state should better prioritize community hardening, recovery, and financing. Senators emphasized that catastrophic wildfires have driven major property losses, insurance cancellations, and affordability problems, and several members argued that prevention and home/community hardening should receive far more attention than they have to date. Members also raised concerns about CEQA and other permitting delays, the need for ongoing rather than one-time funding, and whether the state should rely more on the General Fund, utilities, or other sources such as polluter-pays approaches.
The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the state has appropriated about $4.7 billion for wildfire resilience since 2018-19, with most funding going to forest health, fuels reduction, and related landscape work, while only about $65 million has been specifically targeted to community hardening. LAO also noted that future one-time funding is likely to decline, that GGRF revenues may be limited under the new cap-and-invest structure, and that maintenance costs for treated areas could be substantial over time. Senators pressed LAO on why wildfire resilience is not more often funded through the General Fund and on whether current spending matches the scale of the risk.
Cal Fire’s State Fire Marshal described the state’s community wildfire preparedness strategy, centered on home hardening, defensible space, and neighborhood-scale mitigation, and said the SB 254 report aligns with Cal Fire’s direction. He said California has roughly 4 million homes in the wildland-urban interface, most built before modern wildfire-resistant standards, and highlighted recent streamlining that approved 383 fuels-reduction projects in under 30 days during an emergency proclamation. Cal OES described the AB 38 pilot and FEMA hazard mitigation work, saying federal approval delays have been a major barrier and that the state has hardened 155 properties so far through the pilot, with many more in process.
The Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force said the state has coordinated more than $6 billion in state and federal investments, treated over 700,000 acres annually, and is shifting toward more regional, data-driven planning and block grants. Task force staff and Cal Fire both said they are moving beyond simple acreage metrics toward models that estimate avoided loss and community risk reduction, but acknowledged major data gaps on parcel-level home hardening and defensible space. No formal votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with members discussing possible future legislation and budget changes, including home inspection reforms and continued CEQA streamlining.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- And a lot of it has to do with the same standards.
- California already has strong home hardening standards developed mitigation standards.
- home standard.
- Alabama funded 10,000 grants; 50,000 homes now meet fortified standards.
- Alabama funded 10,000 grants; 50,000 homes now meet fortified standards.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- You set the standard for 2026. All right. Thank you very much.
- In fact, if we leave the standard as simply a protocol standard that's reasonable and ignore circumstances
- In fact, if we leave the standard as simply a protocol standard that's reasonable and ignore circumstances
- , this is more of an alignment than it is a new standard.
- Same standard of liability, of course, but new venue.
Summary:
The committee heard and advanced several bills. SB 479 would let Berkeley, Long Beach, and Pasadena use multidisciplinary homeless response teams and share specified information across departments; the author and a Berkeley official said current state confidentiality rules prevent effective coordination, and the bill passed 9-0 to Senate Appropriations. SB 46 would bar a person who has served two terms as President from appearing on the California ballot for a third term; supporters argued California has authority to enforce constitutional qualifications, while Senator Niello questioned whether the bill was needed, and it passed 6-1 to Senate Appropriations. SB 99 would improve coordination between civilian and military authorities on military protective orders and restraining orders; the Department of Defense supported it, the ACLU raised due process concerns about MPOs, and the bill passed 6-0 as amended to Senate Appropriations. SB 719 would extend the sunset on Department of Technology reporting on state agency use of high-risk automated decision systems from 2029 to 2032; there was no opposition and it passed 6-0 to Senate Appropriations.
The committee also took up SB 300, which would strengthen California’s new AI chatbot law by requiring operators to prevent minors from being exposed to sexually explicit material or facilitation of such content. Supporters said new evidence shows current protections are insufficient and that the bill is needed now to address harms to children; industry groups opposed the bill as premature, arguing SB 243 had just taken effect and that the new standard could create strict-liability-like exposure and uncertainty. After extensive questioning, the bill passed 9-0 to Senate Appropriations. SB 381 would give adult adoptees and descendants access to original birth certificates and create a nonbinding contact preference form for birth parents; many adoptees and birth parents testified in support, while some members raised privacy concerns for birth parents. The bill passed 13-0 to the Senate Health Committee, with the author noting amendments would be taken in Health rather than Judiciary.
At the end of the hearing, the committee shifted chairs and began SB 33, which would eliminate the sunset on the existing public works contractor claim-resolution process so agencies must continue to respond to claims, pay undisputed amounts, and use early dispute resolution. The author and sponsor said the process has reduced litigation and helped contractors and workers, and the bill was just being introduced when the transcript ended.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- the Biden administration standards as to only two of those chemicals.
- So that is sort of, you know, a standard place in the budget that hasn't been funded recently.
- It's also the gold standard. Point-of-use filtration is not just about safety.
- It's also the gold standard for sustainability.
- On the standard for radon in the air is... The standard for radon in the air is...
Summary:
The hearing covered a broad set of environmental and water-related bills, with much of the testimony focused on blue economy and circular economy proposals, drought management, drinking water safety, flood resilience, and water infrastructure funding. Supporters of bills such as H. 987 and H. 988 described grant programs for blue economy workforce development, research, small businesses, and public education about a circular economy. Other speakers backed measures on coastal erosion research, recreational boating dredging, cranberry water-right transfers, sand mining oversight, and a voucher program for home water filtration in PFAS-impacted communities. Several elected officials and advocates also urged passage of bills to require private well testing, improve school drinking water safety, and address sand mining pollution and PFAS contamination.
Water supply and drought issues drew extensive testimony. Senator Eldridge and others supported legislation to let the state, through DEP and the drought management task force, impose regional water-use restrictions during droughts and make the task force permanent in statute. Advocates from watershed groups, farms, and environmental organizations said the current town-by-town approach is inconsistent and ineffective, and they described drought impacts on rivers, farms, private wells, and wildfire risk. A related bill on private wells was supported as a way to help homeowners test and remediate contaminated wells, especially in rural areas without public water.
The committee also heard testimony on a bill to allow the Lynnfield Water District to join the MWRA, with local officials saying the move would help address PFAS and other contamination and improve supply reliability. Another major panel supported a water infrastructure funding bill, arguing that aging drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems need major new investment, including support for PFAS treatment, sewer rate relief, biosolids research, and regional interconnections. Members asked about costs, funding sources, and the relationship to existing revolving loan funds; witnesses said the bill would need to be paired with future bond funding and new revenue ideas. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chairs repeatedly invited written testimony and noted the large number of speakers.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- All right, moving on to our Labor Standards Division.
- </c> standards division our labor standards standards division our labor standards division<00:24:44.919
- Okay, next we will jump into the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board.
- </c><00:30:08.200><c> Board</c> nursing home Workforce Standards Board nursing home Workforce Standards
- </c><00:32:09.919><c> and</c> with the applicable OSHA standards and with the applicable OSHA standards
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Transportation, Highways and Public Works Mar 16th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Because you have to follow compliance in commercial standards.
- It should remind us why basic safety standards on our roads matter.
- added to the current set of road standards.
- Is it a local standard? Is it DOTD standard? Are we trying to make it look like I-10?
- Is it a local standard? Is it DOTD standard? Are we trying to make it look like I-10?
Summary:
The House Transportation Committee met on March 16 and first disposed of several local bills without controversy. House Bills 590, 679, and 873 were voluntarily deferred. HB 503, allowing certain utility terrain vehicles and golf carts in Golden Meadow, was amended and reported. HB 720, clarifying tacit dedication and public access to waterways and related access points, was reported favorably. HB 856, expanding indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracting authority for DOTD and the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction, was amended and reported. HB 487, increasing penalties for drivers who run red lights by using shoulders or turn lanes to pass stopped traffic, was amended and reported. HB 846, prohibiting obscured or covered license plates, was reported favorably. HB 733 and HB 875, both dealing with OMV reinstatement fees and lapses of insurance, were reported with amendments after discussion of audit findings and fee timing. HB 707, moving liquefied petroleum gas commission functions to Agriculture, was amended and reported. HB 693, creating legislator district signs, was amended and then voluntarily deferred. HB 777, requiring a driver's license renewal knowledge exam, was amended and voluntarily deferred for further work with the department. HB 746, concerning oversized trucking permits issued by local governments, was introduced but not advanced, with the author signaling a desire to work on the issue further rather than force a vote.
Several bills drew extended debate over safety, enforcement, and government overreach. HB 309, which would have penalized pedestrians for looking at cell phones while crossing crosswalks, was amended from a criminal offense to a $25 civil fine but then voluntarily deferred after members raised concerns about enforceability, tourism, free will, and whether the bill targeted the right party. HB 695, requiring permits and QR-code documentation for consensual non-commercial towing of multiple connected vehicles, was heavily questioned over how it would work in practice, whether it applied to single or multiple vehicles, and how out-of-state travelers would know about the requirement; the committee asked the author to work with OMV and State Police and voluntarily returned the bill to the calendar. HB 868, removing the farm exemption from trailer safety-chain and attachment requirements after a fatal accident involving a trailer separation, was amended and reported despite concerns from members and the Agriculture Commissioner about impacts on older farm equipment and the need to preserve flexibility for agricultural operations.
The committee also heard testimony from law enforcement, the auditor’s office, the Department of Transportation and Development, the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and industry groups. Chiefs of police supported the red-light and license-plate bills as common-sense public safety measures, while the Legislative Auditor explained that the OMV fee bills were intended to align Louisiana’s reinstatement fees and grace periods more closely with other states and with audit recommendations. DOTD and the secretary supported the procurement bill as a tool to speed construction and maintenance work. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain supported the propane commission bill and urged caution on the farm trailer safety bill so that older and specialized equipment would not be unintentionally burdened.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate - 03/12/25
Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate
Transcript Highlights:
- I've spent much of my time working with LNG and LNG codes and standards.
- standards standards but<00:42:27.880><c> I'm</c><00:42:28.200><c> oldfashioned</c><00:42:29.200><c>
- </c> that Minnesota's environmental standards that Minnesota's environmental standards must<00:43:05.800
- What's the standard of measurement, and where it is?
- </c> that's a more consistent standard that's a more consistent standard because<01:31:51.520><c> obviously