Video & Transcript : 'direct care' :

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AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/04/2026 - Senate Health and Human Services

Senate Health and Human Services COR

Transcript Highlights:
  • system and to contribute to the greater health care environment.
  • And to contribute to the greater health care environment. Thank you all for being here.
  • Every unnecessary administrative requirement diverts staff from patient care.
  • Every unnecessary administrative requirement diverts staff from patient care.
  • That's where their babies are, and they will be taken care of best.
Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met and first recognized Physical Therapy Day at the Capitol, welcoming Arizona physical therapy leaders and students. The committee then took up several bills related to SNAP, health care regulation, child welfare, dementia services, and safe haven newborn surrender. SB 1334 would bar DES from seeking or renewing SNAP work-requirement waivers for able-bodied adults without dependents unless required by federal or state law; supporters said it would curb administrative expansion and opponents argued it would reduce flexibility during high unemployment and harm food-insecure Arizonans. The bill received a do-pass recommendation on a 4-1 vote. SB 1333 would require DES to reduce the SNAP payment error rate to 3% by 2030, with annual reporting, corrective action plans, Auditor General oversight, and possible funding penalties if targets are missed. After adopting a committee amendment changing reporting to quarterly updates and replacing a forensic audit with a special audit, the committee approved the bill as amended on a 4-1 vote. SB 1331 would require able-bodied adults under 60 receiving SNAP to participate in mandatory employment and training unless exempt; proponents said it would strengthen work expectations, while opponents and DES raised concerns about administrative burden and food bank impacts. The bill passed 4-2, with members explaining no votes due to child care, rural access, and food insecurity concerns. The committee also advanced SB 1162, which clarifies DHS’s role in licensing and monitoring health care institutions and, as amended, requires DHS and AHCCCS/Access to coordinate to reduce duplicative oversight and report periodically to the legislature; it passed 6-0. SB 1017, requiring additional signatures and witness verification on emergency informed consent forms for surgical procedures, passed 4-2. SB 1149, which adds reporting and procedural requirements for DCS periodic review hearings, passed as amended 5-1. SB 1249, designating DHS as the lead agency on Alzheimer’s and dementia and creating a state plan and services program funded through lottery monies rather than the general fund after amendment, passed 6-0. Finally, SB 1253 clarified that a parent may surrender a newborn at the hospital of birth without leaving and returning, and requires updated safe-haven reporting; it passed 5-0, after testimony from hospital and safe-haven advocates in support. The committee then adjourned.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

GVO Informational Briefing 12-16-2025

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • &gt;&gt; Sharing<00:40:42.720><c> is</c><00:40:42.840><c> caring.</c> &gt;&gt; Sharing is caring.
  • &gt;&gt; Sharing is caring.
  • So we will take care of our our stuff. So we will take care of this. this. this.
  • So we going to be taken care of too.
  • I just want we're taking care of that.
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The Senate Committee on Government Operations held an informational briefing with the State Procurement Office on its small business procurement program. SPO staff described the program’s purpose as expanding access to state contracting for small businesses, including veteran-, Native Hawaiian-, and women-owned firms, and said they are seeking to make the current five-year initiative permanent before it ends in June 2027. They reported outreach efforts, a new website and newsletter, statewide surveys, draft administrative rules, and a 38% increase in small business registrations in the HANS database. They also explained that the program is intended to support outreach, education, certification, compliance, and a statewide database to connect agencies with qualified small businesses. Committee members focused heavily on whether the program is producing measurable contract awards, not just registrations. The chair and senators questioned the definition of “small business,” noting that SPO currently relies on SBA standards in HANS and is considering a Hawaii-specific definition based on employees, revenue, and Hawaii residency. Members raised concerns that the data showed only a small number of registered businesses receiving awards and that the database does not yet track awards well enough to evaluate performance. SPO responded that the database has had funding gaps, that the position was only filled in February 2025, and that the agency is still building the system and rules needed to track outcomes accurately. A major theme was how to make the program more effective for very small or “micro” businesses and how to reduce the complexity of state procurement. Members discussed the difference between set-asides and bid preferences, with SPO explaining that set-asides are generally tied to RFPs and preferences to IFBs. The committee suggested that future rules should make participation easier, provide more training and hand-holding, and possibly create pathways for micro businesses or groups of small businesses to bid together. No votes or formal actions were taken; the briefing ended with the committee asking SPO to provide more performance data and clearer information on outreach results and database contents.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Mar 24th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • Medicaid-funded health care.
  • directed toward excellence and efficiency.
  • As health care providers, we should be able to use the best available evidence to improve care for all
  • thereby weakens health care in this state.
  • There's worse patient care for Idahoans.
Summary: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee first approved the minutes from February 25 and February 26, 2026, then took up House Bill 928, the Merit-Based Health Care Act. The bill’s sponsor said it would prohibit DEI-related considerations in Medicaid-funded health care hiring, promotion, contracting, and training, while preserving compliance with federal law and allowing certain clinical and quality-improvement activities. Committee members questioned how the bill would apply in practice, especially to hiring and patient preferences, and the sponsor said an amendment would remove certain terms to align with federal code. The committee heard extensive testimony on HB 928. Physicians and the Idaho Academy of Family Physicians opposed the bill, arguing it would restrict evidence-based training, create legal uncertainty, worsen recruitment and retention in a state already facing provider shortages, and interfere with use of social determinants of health and implicit bias training to improve patient care. Supporters, including a plastic surgeon, Idaho Family Policy Center, and the bill sponsors, argued DEI undermines merit and that taxpayer-funded health care should be based on qualifications and excellence. After debate, the committee voted to send HB 928 to the 14th order for possible amendment, with Senators Harris and Wintrow recorded as opposed. The committee then heard House Bill 916, which would create a legislative rural health transformation oversight committee to monitor federal rural health funds flowing to Idaho. The sponsor said the committee would provide legislative stewardship over the money without appropriating funds, while some senators raised concerns that the bill did not require rural representation on the committee and that appointments should reflect rural advocacy. After testimony from a supporter emphasizing oversight and taxpayer stewardship, the committee voted to hold HB 916 in committee. The meeting ended with notice of a two-hour committee meeting scheduled for the next day.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

06/09/2026 - Senate Floor Session

Arizona Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • President, I am directed by the House to request from the Senate the return of Senate Bill 14. Mr.
  • Senate Bill 1121, an act relating to health care institutions.
  • Senate Bill 1162, an act amending Title 36, Chapter 4, Article 4.1, relating to health care.
  • Senate Bill 1164, an act relating to the Arizona long-term care system.
  • Senate Bill 1345, relating to health care institutions.
Keywords: 1182, all
WV

West Virginia 2026 Regular Session

Senate in Session Mar 12th, 2026 at 11:34 am

West Virginia Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Our gracious Heavenly Father, we humbly come to you and look to you for guidance and direction.
  • The bill has introduced and enacts the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, which has been enacted by
  • Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 537, West Virginia ALS Care Services Act.
  • The program shall provide for care services, coordination, and support, assistive technology, medical
  • This amendment moves us in that direction. I urge adoption of the amendment. Further discussion?
Keywords: 994, senate, all
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Local Government Mar 11th, 2026 at 08:00 am

Local Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • proactive and kind of meet that where we are so that we can make sure that they're funded and taken care
  • We have, we've taken care of both ends of the spectrum and we're ignoring the middle.
  • First, I support what you guys are trying to do here, but I think we have to be extremely careful.
  • We acted on it, and as a direct result of that needs assessment, our board developed and adopted the
  • We acted on it, and as a direct result of that needs assessment, our board developed and adopted the
Keywords: 959, house, all
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Corrections and Public Institutions Mar 10th, 2026

Corrections and Public Institutions

Transcript Highlights:
  • subsidies, child care providers providing the care for children, as well as, I mean, we were talking
  • for foster care initiatives.
  • We're going in the right direction, I think nationally as well.
  • If you have more questions, just direct him to the senator. I am.
  • We want to take care. I'm not advocating for that one. I think this one steps up.
Keywords: 959, house, all
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Ways & Means Feb 24th, 2026 at 04:00 pm

Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • This would include waterway and debris clearance, recovery support, county risk assessments, and direct
  • Investments in the minor renovation fund can go a long way toward preserving existing child care slots
  • Programs like this one are a direct response to the crisis.
  • Your investment means faster care, fewer barriers, and more comprehensive services.
  • I am the chief medical officer for Bridging Care, representing United CCO.
Bills: SB6003 , HB2353 , HB2431 , HB1983
Committee: Senate Ways & Means
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Elections Feb 3rd, 2026

Local Government, Elections and Pensions

Transcript Highlights:
  • We told it to the firemen, we don't care what you think.
  • Your preference is, we don't care what your preference is.
  • Your preferences, we don't care what your preference is.
  • If you care to comment, you can; you don't have to.
  • And this isn't directed at you. It's more about the party. I wanted to express to you.
Summary: The committee first met in executive session and voted to pass House Bill 2125, which drew some concern from Rep. Woods about subpoena power for the Secretary of State, and House Bill 1812, which passed unanimously. The committee then moved to public hearing on House Bills 2387 and 2480, both aimed at reinstating Missouri’s presidential preference primary and adjusting absentee voting rules. Sponsors Rep. Veit and Rep. Banderman argued the primary would increase participation, make Missouri more relevant in presidential politics, and better reflect voter preferences, while also proposing changes to the in-person absentee window to reduce overlap with April elections and encourage in-person voting. Testimony in support came from the Missouri Republican Party, the Missouri Democratic Party, the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, ACLU Missouri, Missouri Farm Bureau, and several individuals. Supporters emphasized broader voter participation, the value of a primary over caucuses, and the need to make Missouri’s presidential process more accessible and visible. Party representatives said they were willing to work on binding language so primary results would inform or bind delegate selection, and Democrats said their rules already bind delegates to primary results. Several members said they would be more comfortable supporting the bills if the primary were made binding by statute and if the primary were closed to party members only. Opposition focused on the fiscal cost, the nonbinding nature of the primary as written, and concerns that the bill could mislead voters into thinking they were directly electing a nominee when delegates are still chosen through caucus/convention processes. Witnesses and clerks also objected to shrinking the excused in-person absentee period from six weeks to three, warning it could create confusion and burden election offices. The committee heard no final vote on HB 2387 or HB 2480 before adjourning.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Finance Jan 27th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • use tax does not apply to items reasonably necessary for the operation of and provision of health care
  • In the end, the only people that really care about the voters are the voters themselves.
  • In the end, the only people that really care about the voters are the voters themselves.
  • It clarifies that temporary staffing does not include direct hires or paymasters.
  • It's health care in essence, and I know that you eliminated or you exempted health care hospital work
Summary: House Finance heard bill briefings and testimony on several tax and property-tax measures. HB 2175 would exempt licensed nonprofit providers of free durable medical equipment from retail sales and use tax on items reasonably necessary to operate and provide care; the sponsor and a nonprofit provider described how the bill would help organizations that refurbish and donate wheelchairs, beds, walkers, and similar equipment, and staff noted a small Department of Revenue fiscal impact. The committee then heard HB 2608, which revises the targeted urban area property tax exemption for nuclear facility projects by requiring labor standards, including submission of a workforce or project labor agreement and related wage/apprenticeship information, and extending project-completion deadlines. Supporters said it would help attract major clean-energy and nuclear supply-chain investment and jobs, while opponents from construction groups, environmental advocates, and some public commenters objected to the PLA requirement, the tax preference for nuclear projects, and the broader policy direction; tribal consultation concerns were also raised. No votes were taken on these bills in the transcript. The committee also heard HB 2227, which expands an existing REET exemption for affordable homeownership sales from self-help housing to other nonprofit affordable homeownership programs, including community land trusts. The sponsor and nonprofit witnesses said the change would lower transaction costs, improve affordability, and support permanently affordable resale models; staff clarified the exemption applies to the initial sale from the nonprofit to an income-qualified buyer, not later resales. HB 2528 would allow cities and counties that fully plan under the Growth Management Act to impose the second local REET without voter approval, aligning opt-in jurisdictions with those required to plan under GMA. Supporters from cities and counties said the revenue would help fund sidewalks, ADA upgrades, water, sewer, and other infrastructure, while opponents argued it would raise home-selling costs and bypass voters. Finally, the committee heard HB 2292, which would subject long-term capital gains from qualified small business stock to the state capital gains tax beginning in 2026. Staff said the bill would affect about 260 taxpayers and raise roughly $1.2 million in FY 2027, while the sponsor and supporters argued the current QSBS exemption mainly benefits very wealthy investors and should be treated like other capital gains; opponents from the tech and startup community said the exemption helps founders attract investment, keep companies in Washington, and create jobs, and warned the bill would send a negative signal to entrepreneurs. The committee also heard HB 2257, a Department of Revenue request bill making technical and administrative changes to the tax code, largely to codify guidance from last year’s sales-tax-on-services law and make other clarifications; DOR said it was intended to provide certainty and had no fiscal impact. School groups testified that the 5814-related service-tax changes have increased costs for districts, especially for staffing and professional learning, and asked for relief or a broader exemption.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Executive Departments and Administration (05/07/2025)

Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:
  • And so I reached out to Charlie House, who directs DAS, and had a conversation with him.
  • DAS and had a conversation with directs DAS and had a conversation with him.<00:50:30.960><c> He</c>
  • or adult care for somebody that they have to leave behind while they go to the meetings.
  • or um get uh child care or adult care<01:02:57.760><c> for</c><01:02:58.000><c> somebody</c><01:02:58.240
  • that they have to care for somebody that they have to leave<01:02:59.119><c> behind</c><01:02:59.520
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Legislative Session Day 38 Feb 18th, 2026

Idaho House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • State of Idaho relating to state-owned land, stating the question to be submitted to the electorate, directing
  • the Legislative Council to prepare those statements required by law, and directing the Secretary of
  • for their kids and so the youth are not permanently dependent on the state after they leave foster care
  • costs, and he wants to make sure those funds are protected when children transition away from state care
  • they do not want to see youth become permanently dependent on the state after they get out of foster care
Summary: The House convened with 61 members present, approved the House Journal, and received several committee reports and messages from the Senate. Committee actions included printing and referral of multiple bills and memorials, and the filing of House Joint Memorial 10 with the Secretary of State. The House also introduced a number of new measures, including bills on child care licensing, foster care, administration services to cities, elections, sex crimes, education certificates, and a constitutional amendment on state-owned land. On the floor, the House considered and passed House Bill 501, which requires petition signature gatherers to disclose on their name tags who is paying them if they are compensated. Members also passed House Bill 558, codifying protections for foster youth survivor benefits, House Bill 608, clarifying the school district facilities fund and repayment rules, and House Bill 636, allowing school district facility funds to be used for lease-purchase arrangements. Each of these bills passed by voice or recorded vote with no title corrections. The House also passed House Resolution 21, related to Transportation Department rules and preserving a manual backup process for electronic registration, and House Resolution 22, which approved Education Committee rules. House Joint Memorial 12 was held on the third reading calendar for one legislative day, and House Joint Memorials 9 and 11 were enrolled and sent for signatures. The session ended with announcements and adjournment until 10:30 a.m. the next day.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session May 21st, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • AB 1906 expands access to preventive care for women and those in health care deserts, helping detect
  • AB 1906 expands access to preventive care for women and those in health care deserts, helping detect
  • We’ve also seen the rapid deployment of AI in health care and pending upheaval in our health care system
  • say that AI makes them trust health care less.
  • If you want to take care of veterans, you've got to take care of the VSOs. It's very simple.
Summary: The Assembly met on May 7, 2026, after an initial delay caused by the absence of a quorum, then proceeded with prayer, a moment of silence for victims of a hate-motivated attack at the Islamic Center in San Diego, and the Pledge of Allegiance. The Speaker pro tempore then moved through the daily file, repeatedly urging members to be on time and at their desks as the House of Origin deadline approached. Procedural actions included dispensing with the journal, deferring some items, and moving AB 1667 to the inactive file. The bulk of the session was devoted to floor consideration of many bills, most of which passed with little or no opposition. Measures approved included bills on artificial intelligence provenance information (AB 2713), community college trustee compensation (AB 2528), transit camera enforcement and privacy (AB 1837), excess proceeds claims in taxation (AB 2705), HOA technical cleanup (AB 1892), hepatitis C treatment access (AB 1843), child care planning in local general plans (AB 1914), greenhouse energy code flexibility (AB 2200), rent-now-pay-later consumer protections (AB 2350), housing cleanup and density bonus measures (including AB 2390, AB 2480, AB 1567, AB 1751, and others), spay/neuter access (AB 2010), workforce housing financing tools (AB 2110), supportive housing and homelessness-related changes (AB 2146), mental health and health plan notification measures (AB 1598, AB 2613), student aid and education bills (AB 1534, AB 1636, AB 1669, AB 1728, AB 1784, AB 1871), public safety and criminal justice bills (AB 1546, AB 1572, AB 1872, AB 1877, AB 1932), and several health and social services measures (AB 1602, AB 1628, AB 1680, AB 1825, AB 1845, AB 1906, AB 1907, AB 1925). Most bills were described as support measures, often with bipartisan backing and no opposition, and passed by wide margins. A few bills drew more discussion, especially AB 1751, a housing/townhome bill that sparked extended debate over wages, prevailing wage, stakeholder engagement, and whether the measure could depress pay for construction trades; despite concerns and an opposition speech, it ultimately passed 44-0. AB 1793, which would allow symmetrical rounding of cash transactions to the nearest nickel in light of the penny’s phaseout, also drew light debate and passed 47-1. AB 1932, an urgency measure expanding community-based crisis response, passed with one no vote on both the urgency and the bill. Several urgency or 54-vote bills, including AB 1534 and AB 1932, required later roll calls or calls to be lifted, but all measures described in the transcript were ultimately approved.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Commerce (05/06/2025)

Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • And um direct deposit, things like that.
  • </c> would like to do direct would like to do direct deposit,<00:41:21.280><c> the</c><00:41:21.520><
  • I don't have direct figures for you today.
  • </c> common secure practices such as direct common secure practices such as direct deposit.<00:52:49.480
  • And in lots in any one direction.
Committee: Senate Commerce
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • The overuse of AI is the direct opposite of this kind of rehabilitation, and it targets not only our
  • And so I think I can bring some strategic direction, some financial discipline, and some guidance to
  • So we have a culture of care, and we are really developing our programs around what the needs of our
  • I'm particularly impressed as a health care technology startup executive myself by the Brooks College
  • This is acute health care workforce shortages.
Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education convened with a quorum and first took up CS for SB 1694 on technology education. The bill would require technology-integrated postsecondary general education core courses to include digital literacy and competency instruction, including use of artificial intelligence tools, and would encourage high school computer science courses that include AI to teach how AI systems use data, their benefits and limitations, and responsible use in academic and personal settings. The bill sponsor and several supporters emphasized preparing students for an AI-driven workforce while teaching critical evaluation and ethical use; one speaker raised concerns about overreliance on AI and the need to preserve real-world skills. Senator Davis supported the measure and suggested introducing similar instruction earlier, possibly in middle school. The committee voted the bill favorably, with Senator Leak later recorded in the affirmative. The committee then heard a large block of confirmations for higher education boards, including appointees to Tallahassee State College, the University of South Florida, the University of North Florida, Palm Beach State College, the College of the Florida Keys, Hillsborough College, Miami-Dade College, Florida A&M University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, New College of Florida, Florida Polytechnic University, and the University of Florida. The appointees generally highlighted backgrounds in education, health care, law, business, technology, and public service, and described priorities such as student success, workforce alignment, affordability, fiscal responsibility, and institutional growth. One nominee to Tallahassee State College was asked about low NCLEX pass rates and said the college had a plan approved by the Florida Board of Nursing. Another nominee discussed Florida Poly’s STEM mission, and several members praised the nominees’ community ties and professional experience. After hearing the appointees, the committee voted to report the block of confirmations favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee. The committee then received a high-level overview of the higher education budget, totaling $11.9 billion, with major emphasis on workforce training and development. Highlights included increases for school district workforce education, the Florida College System, workforce development capitalization, a rural educator recruitment program, funding for the USF Center for Nursing, preeminent research universities, UCF’s community school grant program, UF’s literacy and math initiatives, UF’s autism and neurodevelopment center, and a postsecondary guardian program for campus security. Members asked a brief question about a workforce fund transfer, and the chair explained it was a transfer of an existing program with new funds added. No public comment was offered, and the meeting adjourned.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Housing Committee Meeting - 2025-04-01

Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's a good motion in the right direction. Thank you. Thank you for bringing this forward.
  • The community owner's responsibility includes things like tree care and utility maintenance.
  • Whether I point out that other parks are considerably higher or not, they simply don't care.
  • Some of these people are talking about or not; they simply don't care.
  • I have been to a manufactured park in my city, and these homes are cared for and loved.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
  • I don't care.
  • I don't care. But I am entitled to defend myself.
  • , mental health care.
  • , mental health care, all that.
  • care, all that.
Summary: The committee began with lengthy testimony and affidavits criticizing the Arizona State Bar, with speakers alleging selective discipline, due process problems, and retaliation against attorneys who take controversial cases. Committee members questioned the witnesses and discussed whether the bar and court system properly oversee attorney discipline, but no action was taken on that testimony. The committee then considered several election-related bills. SB 1037 would impose stricter security requirements on voting and tabulating equipment, including no internet access, tamper-proof seals, chain-of-custody documentation, nonstop video at accounting centers, and criminal penalties for violations; it passed 4-2 with one not voting. SB 1038 would require rapid public release of cast vote records, but an amendment changed the timing and transmission process; the amended bill passed 4-2 with one not voting. SB 1040 would expand public access to voter registration rolls through an internet portal and a read-only format; it also passed 4-2 with one not voting. The committee next approved SB 1039, which would allow attorneys who prevail in bar discipline matters to seek damages for reputational harm and lost earnings; it passed 4-2 with one not voting after extensive discussion about bar procedures, interim suspension, and whether attorneys can practice while under investigation. SB 1053, reducing concealed carry permit fees for Arizona residents, passed 4-2 with one not voting. SB 1057, requiring ballot paper fraud-countermeasure features, also passed 4-2 with one not voting. SB 1060, removing a voting exemption for U.S. citizens who have never resided in the United States, passed 3-2 with two not voting. The committee then heard SB 1061, which would lower the fentanyl threshold for enhanced sentencing from 200 grams to 9 grams; testimony focused on whether the bill would sweep in users as well as dealers, but the transcript ends before a vote is taken.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • They care about having 911 access. They care about disability services.
  • They care about maybe Lifeline and the affordability aspect.
  • I don't care what any other state's been doing. I could care less about that part.
  • I don't care what any other state's been doing. I could care less about that part.
  • They don't care about any Californian.
Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) to examine its history, current operation, and possible future changes in California. Chair Tasha Berner said the hearing was prompted in part by AT&T’s 2023 request for relief from COLR obligations and by broader concerns about public safety, affordability, universal service, and access to modern broadband and telecommunications. The first panel featured a telecommunications expert who traced COLR back to universal service principles and explained how states have handled COLR differently, including full deregulation, limited rural obligations, or transition pathways tied to competition and customer protections. Members asked about affordability, federal and state processes for service withdrawal, and whether COLR remains necessary given modern competition. CPUC staff then described California’s COLR framework, explaining that universal service rests on access, reliability/quality, and affordability, and that COLR requires carriers to provide basic service, including voice-grade calling, 911 access, relay services, and Lifeline. Staff said AT&T’s application sought relief in nearly all of its territory, but no replacement COLR came forward during the proceeding, and public participation hearings drew thousands of comments and strong concern from rural and vulnerable customers. The CPUC outlined its ongoing rulemaking to reconsider whether the 1996 COLR rules and 2012 basic-service definition still fit current conditions, with workshops and public hearings scheduled and a proposed decision expected later in the year or into 2026. Members pressed staff on geographic outreach, wireless coverage, whether broadband can be part of basic service, public safety during wildfires, and what reporting and complaint processes currently exist. In the final panel, industry and public-interest witnesses sharply disagreed. A U.S. Telecom representative argued COLR is outdated, costly, and copper-focused, and said reform should allow technology-neutral alternatives such as wireless, fiber, and satellite while preserving reliable voice and emergency access. The CPUC Public Advocates Office countered that COLR remains a necessary public safeguard, especially for rural and low-income customers, and argued that any transition should maintain or improve service, with public benefits such as broadband investment and continued protections for 911, disability access, and affordability. Committee members focused on the difference between an obligation to serve everyone and a mere option to serve, and on whether the Legislature should provide clearer guidance as the CPUC’s rulemaking moves forward.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, March 5, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • They chose a different direction because the status quo simply wasn't working.
  • </c> withholding congressionally directed withholding congressionally directed funding<02:33:36.920><
  • </c> personal financial and Health Care personal financial and Health Care information<03:12:07.600><
  • The only thing they care about is caving to greedy billionaires.
  • </c> debunked a 100 times he says he cares debunked a 100 times he says he cares about<07:55:47.120><
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, January 13, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:07:18.639><c> system</c> connected to the VA Health Care system connected to the VA Health Care
  • c> care</c><00:16:01.399><c> impacts</c><00:16:02.399><c> every</c> States foster care impacts every
  • </c> to improve the lives of children in care to improve the lives of children in care you<00:16:29.240
  • </c> Foster youth transitioning out of care Foster youth transitioning out of care among<00:17:34.840
  • </c> feedback into action so if you care feedback into action so if you care about<00:18:55.320><c> the