Video & Transcript Research : 'website accessibility'
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FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
October 15, 2025 - 01:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- We have made our website extremely robust.
- My phone number, my direct phone number and email is on the website.
- to our website.
- Florida HealthFinder is an AHCA-licensed facility, or on their website.
- That's really looking good on the website.
Summary:
The Human Services Subcommittee met to receive an update from the new director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities on implementation of House Bill 1103. The director said APD is working to update the funding algorithm through a contracted study due November 15, 2025, expand transparency on its website, launch an online crisis application by the end of 2025, improve client choice in qualified organizations and waiver support coordinators, and coordinate with AHCA on the managed care pilot and Florida HealthFinder listings for APD providers. He also said APD is working on family resource materials, a monthly newsletter, and stronger transition planning with DCF.
Members asked about whether the new algorithm would include transportation and what services might change, but the director said the replacement model is still being developed and any new methodology would be implemented through rulemaking. Questions also focused on Family Care Councils, including the statewide council’s membership and appointment process; the director said the statute sets the process and APD is helping councils recruit and organize. On transparency, members praised the website improvements and asked for more interactive data tools. The director said APD would consider suggestions and continue expanding public reporting.
The committee also discussed eligibility and waiver notices, including concerns about outdated language in APD letters and how autism cases are reviewed. The director said clinicians and behavioral analysts review cases and asked to see the specific letter. On the pre-enrollment list, the chair asked about the wait list, and the director said APD recently sent 5,612 service offers to people on the list and is working to better distinguish those who truly need services from those who do not. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships Mar 31st, 2025
S/C on Family & Fiduciary Relationships
Transcript Highlights:
- Do not include a blanket blocking of parental access to the records.
- Right, that federal law does not limit parents' access.
- the wording on their website.
- With the federal HIPAA law about denial of access.
- Provision of access to a personal representative or an individual that requests such access is reasonably
Keywords:
electronic devices, family violence, criminal prosecution, protective orders, tracking, harassment, family allowance, decedent's estate, surviving spouse, minor children, inheritance, child support, maintenance, HB 1734, Family Code, Section 155.207, suit affecting the parent-child relationship, SAPCR, continuing exclusive jurisdiction, jurisdiction transfer
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Executive Departments and Administration (01/28/2026)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- So there's two avenues that they have access to that information.
- So there's two avenues that they have access to that information.
- So there's two avenues that they have access to that information.
- In an ideal world, they DS's website.
- unit which seems to be more accessible unit which seems to be more accessible and<00:39:44.000><
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Prairie Public helps educators access high-quality resources about indigenous cultures, helping build
- These Engaging performances make local music accessible to audiences of all ages.
- What site do people go to if they want to access YouTube?
- We also provide access to music, arts, and cultural programming and community connection.
- We provide coverage that is culturally relevant, language accessible, and community-driven.
Keywords:
public television, funding, grants, arts and culture, Minnesota, Minnesota Public Radio, arts education, cultural heritage, community engagement, public radio, community radio, educational grants, community cable, public access, programming funding, civic engagement, ethnic media, public access television, Minnesota Humanities Center, funding appropriation
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- website saying that they changed it. website saying that they changed it.
- <00:53:58.720>
I access it because and that's true. I access it because and that's true. - <01:21:17.440>
to homebased producers who have access to homebased producers who have access - <01:21:19.679>
to capital and who have access to capital and who have access to land<01:21 - <01:21:26.480>
to Whereas people who don't have access to Whereas people who don't have access
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 2/20/25
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- years every Minnesotan can have access years every Minnesotan can have access to<00:04:56.400>
<00:10:42.320>- Minnesota is on the verge of achieving universal broadband access.
indefinitely delaying Broadband access indefinitely delaying Broadband access - It actually is on the website. It will be forwarded to all members.
- It actually is on the website. It will be forwarded to all members.
Keywords:
telecommunications, installation, certification, safety, underground utilities, HF335, Greater Minnesota, economic development, public infrastructure, grant program, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, business development, infrastructure grants, local government aid, general fund appropriation, rural development, site development, utilities, roads
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 1/21/25
Children and Families Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- The American Indian Food Sovereignty Program is a program to improve access and equity to food.
- The American Indian Food Sovereignty Program is a program to improve access and equity to food.
- I did look at this fairly recently on the website.
- I did look at this fairly recently on the website.
- There's also a link to the fiscal analyst department's website and also a link to DCF's website, and
Summary:
The committee met for an introductory overview of its jurisdiction and budget, with the chair emphasizing the committee’s role over a large portfolio of children, youth, and family programs and the new Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). House Research and House Fiscal staff explained their roles and described the 2023-24 reorganization that transferred many programs from DHS, DPS, MDH, and MDE to DCYF, along with a statute recodification and a crosswalk resource for members. Doug Berg then walked through the committee’s budget structure, explaining the difference between all-funds and general fund views, the major funding sources, and how forecasted programs and grant bases roll forward. He highlighted that the committee’s general fund base is a little over $2.1 billion for the biennium, with large federal components such as SNAP and TANF, and noted smaller accounts including child protection-related opioid funds and federal reimbursement offsets (FFP) for administrative costs.
Members asked several questions about federal financial participation, TANF, and the effect of the repeal of the Diversionary Work Program (DWP). Staff explained that FFP generally applies to administrative costs for federally related programs and usually does not change much unless program activity changes, while TANF is a block grant that has been stable for years. On DWP, staff said the program was sunsetted effective March 1, 2026, and that the associated funding and administrative costs were being reworked rather than simply removed. A member also asked about federal funding fluctuations; staff said no changes were currently factored in, though SNAP or other federal policy changes could alter future numbers.
Danielle Penelli then presented on economic assistance and employment supports transferred to DCYF, focusing first on MFIP, Minnesota’s state-supervised, county-administered welfare program jointly funded by state and federal dollars. She explained that MFIP provides cash and food assistance, employment and training services, and related supports, with a 60-month time limit and certain exemptions for illness, incapacity, or other barriers to employment. She also described the program’s income and asset standards, including a $10,000 asset limit with exclusions for homesteads and one vehicle per assistance unit member age 16 or older. Members asked clarifying questions about how the time limit applies and what assets count, and staff responded that the limit applies to the caregiver and does not restart with additional children.
Penelli also introduced support services grants, which fund employment services for MFIP, DWP, and SNAP participants through workforce centers, counties, tribes, and community agencies, and help cover some county and tribal administrative costs. She began outlining nutrition programs under DCYF, including SNAP, the Minnesota Food Assistance Program, the Minnesota Food Shelf Program, the Emergency Food Assistance Program, and the American Indian Food Sovereignty Program. No formal votes or bill actions were taken during this meeting; it was primarily an informational staff briefing and question-and-answer session.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate - 03/02/26
Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:15:56.560>
point <00:15:57.200>to accessible to Senator McEwen's point to accessible - <00:23:16.440>
our non-profit organizations access our non-profit organizations access our - access to capital. access to capital.
- So, you have full access on our website to every project we have closed, and in the minutes you have
- access on our website to every have full access on our website to every project<00:32:58.760>
we<
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy (06/17/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- It redirects actually to the AAP website, the AAP Immunization Schedule.
- There are a couple of other pages on New Hampshire DHHS website discussing vaccination, and basically
- And similarly, it's not in this paper, but the CDC's website also has the New Hampshire Immunization
- New Hampshire Immunization Program website as part of the official website, and it has immunization quick
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations for the COVID-19 vaccine are accessed through the
Summary:
The Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy met to review its mission, approve prior minutes at a future meeting, and discuss materials related to COVID-19 vaccination guidance. Members examined a pediatric vaccination handout from a private pediatric practice and compared it with New Hampshire DHHS and AAP/AAFP immunization guidance, focusing on how COVID-19 vaccine recommendations are presented for children and adults. Committee members also discussed the scope and accuracy of the committee’s endnotes and supporting documents.
The main business was a draft letter urging the governor to direct state agencies to stop recommending COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. Members revised the letter paragraph by paragraph, including changing wording about age ranges for children, clarifying references to the American Academy of Pediatrics, and adding discussion of vaccine safety concerns, alleged suppression of safety data, and federal investigations. They also debated whether to reference specific reporting systems such as VAERS and V-safe, and whether to include examples from other states, including Tennessee, Arizona, Minnesota, and Florida, as evidence of broader concern about mRNA vaccines.
After the edits were completed, Representative Villio moved to accept the letter as amended, Representative Leroy seconded, and the committee approved it by voice vote 4-0. The chair said the revised letter would be finalized and distributed later in the week. The meeting then adjourned at approximately 11:57 a.m.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Ethics Board May 5th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- So it says official legislative websites that are not the official legislative websites of a legislator
- Well, no, but this is the caucus website saying, but the caucus websites and other websites that are
- not the members' websites, so they're not frozen.
- So you have websites that reference members. More. Right.
- So you have websites that reference members or whatever.
Summary:
The committee approved the minutes as corrected and noted there were no employment disclosure forms. It then discussed a draft advisory opinion on legislative stickers, pens, business cards, and similar items. Members agreed the opinion should identify historically provided items as presumptively within normal legislative conduct, but add clearer language that such items still cannot be used in a campaign-related way or otherwise conflict with ethics rules on use of public resources. Staff said Legislative Support Services and administration would be the main points of review for questionable requests, and the draft would be revised for board review.
The committee also reviewed a second advisory opinion request about legislative and caucus staff interacting with caucus social media posts. The discussion focused on whether staff may like or engage with posts about legislation or policy positions. Members generally agreed that liking or otherwise engaging with caucus posts could be viewed as support and could create ethics problems, especially because social media content remains online and could later be tied to legislation. The draft was to be revised to draw clearer lines for compliance.
Members then discussed a long-running project to review and either retain or retire older advisory opinions, and agreed to continue and complete that review process. They also discussed the recently passed ethics bill and supported issuing an ethics alert summarizing major changes, including concerns about a House amendment affecting social media and website references during the election year activity period. Finally, the committee approved spending about $19,171 to digitize archived case files into searchable format, with members expressing support for moving away from paper records. After public business ended, the committee adjourned the public session and planned to reconvene in executive session.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select Jul 31st, 2025
Disaster Preparedness & Flooding, Select
Transcript Highlights:
- Improve access to the IPAWS system.
- If we could have a Texas website. that activates upon a disaster.
- In a few slides, I'll go over how we make the data publicly accessible.
- I want to close by describing the two ways in which we access our data. our data is accessible.
- My website is TexasRightToKnow.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- These contracts or attestations must be posted on both the school district's website and ADE's website
- Some charged her money to access that superintendence contract.
- Now tell me again, to access that superintendents contract.
- in any school district's website.
- You can just say it's on our website, go to our website, and you're done.
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 2266, which would change school district and charter governing board policy from permissive to mandatory for excusing students for religious instruction during the school day. The sponsor and supporters framed it as a parental-choice and religious-liberty measure that preserves release-time programs, while opponents argued it would reduce local control, take students out of core instruction, create peer pressure and bullying, and raise constitutional concerns. After testimony from Secular AZ, a LifeWise Academy board member, and a school board president, the committee voted 7-5 to give HB 2266 a do pass recommendation.
The committee then took up House Bill 2193, a cleanup measure related to student directory information and parent organizations such as PTOs/PTAs/APTs. Supporters said the bill would restore parent-to-parent communication that had been unintentionally limited by prior privacy legislation, while some members raised concerns about how the information could be used and suggested narrowing the language to prevent political or lobbying uses. The bill advanced on a 10-1 vote, with members generally supporting school-community communication but asking for possible amendments.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2075, which requires public school districts to submit superintendent and other top administrator contracts or attestations to ADE and have the information posted in a searchable database. The sponsor and Goldwater Institute supporters said the bill is a transparency measure because base salary reports do not show total compensation, benefits, or allowances; opponents from school administrator groups and rural districts argued the bill singles out districts while ignoring charters and other publicly funded education providers, and they said superintendent pay is already publicly available in other forms. Discussion also touched on whether the bill should be expanded to charters and private schools. The sponsor closed by emphasizing transparency and the committee continued discussion of the measure.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
JLARC – Joint Legislative Audit & Review Committee Jul 15th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Both Greenhill and Echo Glen have wait lists for young people to access.
- our On our website now, again, expanding that number of our translated forms.
- So the equitable access to credit program is our next tax review.
- The equitable access to credit program is a business and occupation tax credit.
- The certificates are available on the Department of Revenue's website.
Summary:
The committee met on July 15, 2026, but initially lacked a quorum, so it could not adopt prior minutes. Chair Jerry Pollett welcomed new member Senator Victoria Hunt and new JLARC staff, and noted national recognition for recent JLARC reports. The meeting then moved into a series of preliminary audit presentations and an agency strategic management update, with committee members asking questions after each item.
JLARC presented a preliminary audit of DCYF’s Juvenile Rehabilitation programs. Staff concluded that crowding, staffing shortages, weak risk assessments, and inconsistent programming combine to create unsafe conditions. The report found that most youth are housed in two large secure facilities operating near or above capacity, incidents rise as population rises, 47% of frontline staff leave within a year, current assessment tools are not valid for the population, and program access depends more on facility than individual need. JLARC made one recommendation to the legislature to address crowding and seven to DCYF, including improving retention, training, incident response procedures, validated assessments, program alignment, and data quality. DCYF Secretary Ross Hunter said the agency agreed overcrowding is a serious problem, described ongoing efforts to improve staffing and safety, and said a detailed response would be provided later. Committee members raised concerns about education access, retaliation against staff or youth who participated in the audit, and whether JR-25 has helped or worsened conditions.
JLARC then presented a preliminary audit of Labor and Industries’ enforcement of farm worker labor laws. The audit found that L&I generally meets inspection timelines for health and safety complaints, but not for wage and hour or retaliation complaints, where delays are driven largely by time before assignment to an investigator. Staff said complaint volume exceeds capacity, though the agency has added staff, created screening processes, and reorganized workloads, and 2026 legislation now allows prioritization of complaints and broader investigations. JLARC recommended that L&I report back in December 2026 and December 2027 on backlog reduction and implementation of the new law. An L&I representative said the agency is hiring additional staff and will provide a formal response later. The committee also received a JLARC overview and Department of Health strategic management plan update on hospital data reporting, inspections, complaints, and adverse event reporting. DOH reported measurable progress on inspection compliance, new staffing and licensing systems, translated complaint forms, and plans for future work on language access, adverse event reporting, and financial data dashboards.
After lunch, JLARC began its 2026 tax preference performance reviews. The first review covered the Main Street tax credit, which JLARC said has helped increase the number of Main Street communities and businesses, with positive growth near designated districts; JLARC recommended continuing the preference and improving business-count data. The second review covered the equitable access to credit program, which JLARC said appears to support underserved communities by funding loans through CDFIs; JLARC recommended continuing the preference beyond its 2027 expiration. The committee began questions on the program mechanics and the role of the Community Reinvestment Act, and the presentation was still underway when the transcript ended.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Judiciary Committee Meeting - 2026-04-09
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:10:35.440>
to banning here today is not access to banning here today is not access to - access to new investment<00:24:07.520>
and <00:24:07.640>the <00:24:07.720>jobs - Uh, so that's a condition of what the website has to include.
- it, the website at a minimum has to include both a mailing and an email address.
- on the website a mailing address and an email address to contact them.
Keywords:
municipal nondisclosure agreement, NDA, public records, transparency, local government, county, city, town, school district, housing and redevelopment authority, economic development authority, port authority, economic development, land development, public financing, tax increment financing, TIF, abatement, municipal bonds, debt obligations
Summary:
The Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee approved the minutes from March 25 and March 26, then took up House File 4077, a bipartisan bill authored by Representatives Greenman and Roach. The bill would prohibit municipalities from entering into non-disclosure agreements with private entities that restrict disclosure about land development, economic development, or publicly funded projects, while preserving existing Chapter 13 data practices rules and trade secret protections. The authors argued the bill is needed to prevent secret agreements and backroom decision-making that undermine public transparency, and they moved that the bill be re-referred to the general register.
Several local officials and residents testified in support, including a St. Louis County commissioner, the mayor of Lonsdale, and residents from Farmington and Hermantown. Supporters said NDAs had been used in connection with data center and other development projects to keep elected officials and the public in the dark, eroding trust and limiting community input. They described the bill as a common-sense transparency measure and said existing law already protects legitimate trade secrets.
Opposition came from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and the Minnesota Business Partnership, which argued that NDAs are often necessary in early-stage economic development discussions to protect sensitive business information and remain competitive with other states. They warned the bill could discourage investment, jobs, and tax growth, and said it would impose a one-size-fits-all state mandate that limits local discretion. Committee members then debated whether the bill was too broad and whether it should be narrowed to data centers; supporters responded that the issue extends beyond data centers to other forms of economic development. A roll call vote was requested on the motion to re-refer the bill to the general register, but the final vote result was not stated in the transcript excerpt.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Health Services (7-30-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- and they have complete and total access and they have complete and total access to<00:45:07.520>
- easier access to data for the registry. easier access to data for the registry.
- access to those data. Maybe uh making access to those data.
- universities oftent time to use access universities oftent time to use access to<01:02:02.880>
system like food access. system like food access.
Keywords:
00:00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call
00:02:17 - Approval of June 18, 2025 Minutes
00:02:33 - Introductions and Discussion on Priorities
00:07:27 - Health Data Discussion-KY Health Information Exchange (KHIE)
00:34:02 - Health Data Discussion-Public Health Data
01:19:24 - Health Data Discussion-Other Health Data Platforms
01:42:40 - Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations (Except 201 KAR 005:010)
01:44:48 - Discussion of Optometry Regulation 201 KAR 005:010
02:25:29 - Hearing on Unified Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant Application for FFY 2026 - 2027 Funds
02:33:40 - Administrative Regulation 201 KAR 005:010 Vote Clarification
02:34:03 - Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The Interim Joint Committee on Health Services met to approve the June 18 minutes and hear introductory remarks from new Cabinet Secretary for Health and Family Services Dr. Steven Stack and new Department for Public Health Commissioner Dr. John Langfeld. Both described their backgrounds and emphasized a shared focus on using health data to improve quality, coordination, and outcomes across Kentucky. They highlighted the Kentucky Health Information Exchange (KHI) as a central tool for connecting hospitals, labs, providers, public health systems, Medicaid, and other state and federal data sources, and said the system supports notifications, immunization records, surveillance, and care coordination. They also outlined priorities such as continued investment in KHI, stronger interoperability, privacy protections, and expanded analytic capacity to turn data into action.
Committee members then asked about COVID-19 vaccine recommendations and informed consent, particularly for pregnant women and children. Dr. Stack said informed consent should come through a licensed health care provider, that Kentucky did not mandate the COVID vaccine, and that the evidence still supports vaccination for high-risk groups, including pregnant women, citing professional medical guidance. A follow-up exchange focused on concerns about past vaccine policies and the need for patients to receive full information before making decisions.
Senator Heron asked how KIPRC/KIPR could be used to address firearm injuries. Dr. Langfeld said the key opportunity is to make data more real-time and usable for day-to-day response, while Dr. Stack said the department would continue its long-standing partnership with KIPRC and noted his view that gun violence is a public health emergency. He added, however, that because firearms are a deeply divided issue, the Department for Public Health’s current role is mainly to make data available for authorized research rather than to take a broader policy role. No votes or formal actions beyond approving the minutes were taken.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- These platforms provide a safe, confidential, and accessible way to report threats and other concerning
- way to report threats and and accessible way to report threats and other<00:09:57.040>
concerning - to a strong and consistent access to a strong and reliable reliable reliable education.<00:41:30.240
- order to make sure that they have access order to make sure that they have access to<00:46:11.599
- We added a similar amendment to website.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Judiciary Committee in Session Mar 11th, 2026 at 03:59 pm
Judiciary
Transcript Highlights:
- No, when you, you know, you look at the jail website.
- Nothing on the jail's website would say this person's a teacher or their profession.
- There would be—As compared to what you have access to now?
- As Senator Deeds so clearly pointed out, the media has access to this information.”
- “It may not be as easily accessible, but it is accessible.
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from the previous meeting, then took up House Bill 4852, a strike-and-insert bill revising West Virginia’s food additive restrictions. Counsel explained that the bill keeps the existing list of additives, adds exceptions for dietary supplements, alcoholic liquor, non-intoxicating beer, pre-existing inventory, and small-volume sellers, and is intended to address a federal court injunction by clarifying the law. Testimony was split: the National Confectioners Association opposed the bill and urged deference to FDA action and federal uniformity, while the Environmental Working Group supported it as a clarification that preserves the state’s 2024 law and public-health goals. Members debated whether West Virginia should wait for FDA action, whether the state was overreaching, and which industries would be affected, including soda, confectionery, and popsicle manufacturers. Several amendments were offered—one to make the ban contingent on FDA findings, one to sunset the law when federal rules are adopted, and others to exempt soda, pepperoni rolls, popsicles, and snack foods—but those industry-specific or FDA-trigger amendments failed except for the soda, popsicle, and related carve-outs that were adopted. The committee then adopted the strike-and-insert amendment and reported HB 4852 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it pass.
The committee next considered House Bill 5484, which creates felony offenses for interfering with a person’s right to medical treatment or forensic care related to a sexual offense, or for forcing or coercing a victim of a sexual offense resulting in pregnancy to have an illegal abortion, with a conspiracy provision and five-to-15-year penalties. Members raised concerns that the conspiracy language could be read to implicate the victim herself; the bill sponsor said that was not the intent and explained the bill was aimed at traffickers and abusers who keep victims from medical care. An amendment was adopted clarifying that nothing in the subsection imposes criminal liability on the victim of the sexual offense. The committee then adopted the strike-and-insert amendment, reported HB 5484 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it pass, and adopted a title amendment.
Finally, the committee began House Bill 4468, which narrows confidentiality rules for criminal complaints involving sexual offenses, human trafficking, and related crimes by requiring redaction of victims’ names and addresses, allowing waiver in writing, and permitting disclosure to other governmental entities under confidentiality rules. It also allows victims to request redaction of their addresses from appellate decisions after July 1, 2026, and directs the Supreme Court to promulgate implementing rules. Early discussion focused on whether the bill simplifies access to records and whether it represents a rollback of victim protections, but no final action on HB 4468 was reached in the portion provided.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- There are some websites.
- There are some websites.
- We were talking about websites earlier.
- They say on their website they were founded in '96.
- My website is Texas Right to Know.
Summary:
The joint Senate and House disaster preparedness hearing convened in Kerrville with quorum, public testimony limited to three minutes and invited testimony to 10 minutes. Leaders from both chambers, along with the lieutenant governor and speaker, framed the hearing as an unprecedented joint effort focused on learning from the July 4 flood, honoring victims, and identifying actions to reduce future loss of life. The committee also heard opening remarks about decorum, logistics, and the intent to continue work in future sessions.
The first panel included Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, Sheriff Larry Leitha, Emergency Management Coordinator William B. Thomas IV, Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr., Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice, Upper Guadalupe River Authority representative William Rector, Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk, and Real County Judge Bella Rubio. They described the flood as sudden and catastrophic, with Kerr County reporting 108 deaths and two missing. Local officials emphasized that they received no timely warning of the scale of the event, that responders and volunteers acted heroically under extreme conditions, and that communications, cell coverage, and rural emergency resources were strained. Several witnesses said the county’s existing alert systems were limited by geography, sparse broadband, and the speed of the flood.
Testimony focused on possible improvements, including real-time flood gauges and predictive monitoring, stronger rural emergency management staffing and training, better interoperability and alerting tools such as IPAWS, CodeRED, WENS, and sirens, and expanded broadband and radio coverage. Kerrville asked for a flood warning system before next summer and state help for stormwater, floodplain, and disaster recovery funding. UGRA described its past and current flood-warning and mitigation efforts, including gauge funding, a new software-based flood prediction project, and consideration of additional retention dams. Kendall and Real counties highlighted successful or needed alerting and evacuation practices, while also stressing the difficulty of funding and maintaining such systems in small rural counties. Members asked detailed questions about the timeline of the flood response, low-water crossings, communications failures, sirens, bridges, and whether regional consolidation or additional infrastructure could improve future preparedness.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Aging and Long-Term Care Committee Jun 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- To ensure members of the media and the public have access to our proceedings today, this hearing will
- be streamed on the Assembly website, and members of the public can provide testimony in person here
- Access Central Coast, for Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, full support. Hello.
- Jennifer Griffin from Access Central Coast in support.
- , those violations are often reported broadly as on the transparency website.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care met without an initial quorum and heard four Senate bills focused on older adults and people with disabilities. SB 837 by Senator Reyes would require Aging and Disability Resource Connection programs to provide disaster and emergency preparedness education tailored to older adults and people with disabilities. Supporters, including the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers and the California Commission on Aging, cited recent wildfire deaths and the need for better evacuation planning and preparedness. The bill passed on a due pass motion and was re-referred to the Committee on Emergency Management.
SB 971 by Senator Choi would create a Healthy Aging Community Partnerships Program to encourage voluntary local partnerships, including with community colleges and other entities, to support social connection, technology help, caregiver resources, and other healthy aging activities. Supporters said it would promote independence and prevent isolation at no mandated cost, while one member questioned whether the bill addressed a current legal gap and whether public health departments should be involved. The committee approved the bill on a due pass motion and re-referred it to the Committee on Health.
SB 1261 by Senator Laird would allow Aging and Disability Resource Connections to continue operating for one to two years during transitions when an area agency on aging or independent living center operator changes, preventing service disruptions. Testimony from Access Central Coast and the California Association of Area Agencies on Aging emphasized the importance of continuity for thousands of clients. The committee passed the bill and re-referred it to the Committee on Appropriations. SB 991 by Senator Menjivar, presented by Assemblymember Gonzalez, would require the Department of Social Services to classify substantiated abuse in residential care facilities for the elderly by specific abuse type rather than a broad residents’ rights category. Ombudsman advocates argued this would improve transparency and accountability; members also discussed whether similar protections should extend to younger adults in other licensed settings. The bill passed on a due pass motion and was re-referred to the Committee on Human Services.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Capital Project Overview Committee (09/29/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you for your consideration for this request and for access to the harbor dredge and pier maintenance
- <00:07:39.039>
to <00:07:39.120>the this request and for access to the this request - and for access to the harbor<00:07:39.599>
dredge <00:07:39.919>and <00:07:40.080>pure - where you can get there's some websites where you can get more<00:15:53.360>
information <00:15 - So, you would expect to see those types of visualizations off of the website that's linked to in this
Summary:
The committee approved the minutes from its June 30 meeting and then considered Capital Project 2515, a request from the Pease Development Authority Division of Ports and Harbors to spend up to $125,000 from the Harbor Dredging and Pier Maintenance Fund to replace a deteriorated 99-foot floating dock at Rye Harbor. Acting Director Richard Hartley said the dock is used for passenger loading and unloading for charters and whale-watching tours and is in poor condition. Representative Edgar moved approval, Representative Wiler seconded, and the motion carried.
The committee then received several informational items, including quarterly and maintenance reports from the Department of Administrative Services, the Community College System of New Hampshire, and the Pease Development Authority. It also heard a presentation from the Department of Health and Human Services on Capital Project 2516, the Beneficiary Service Improvement project supporting closed-loop referrals and related systems. DHHS described the project as a mix of Medicaid enterprise functions and New Hampshire Care Connections tools, including provider modules, third-party liability, event notifications, and closed-loop referrals to connect health and human service providers. Officials said the project is largely federally funded, with capital funds representing only part of the overall effort.
Members asked about the accounting breakdown, prior committee review, provider participation, patient experience, and public response. Representative Burr questioned whether the project had been fully presented previously and raised concerns about the scope and necessity of the $8 million effort; DHHS responded that earlier work was discussed in other committees and that the current presentation covered only capital funds. Senator Waters asked about user response and patient experience, and DHHS said feedback has been generally positive but the system is still in design and implementation. In response to questions about participation, DHHS said 84 providers are currently on the network and clarified that a “provider” generally means an individual organization or health system, not each individual clinician. The committee also set its next meeting for December 9 at 9:00 a.m. at Granite Place, Room 228, and then adjourned.