Video & Transcript : 'fairness in mitigation' :

Page 448 of 500
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

LBT Public Hearing 02-25-2026

Labor and Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • Maybe it's not a fair question right now that you're stepping into, but you know, in terms of just framing
  • >> Fair fair question. I I am blessed. I've >> Fair fair question. I I am blessed.
  • </c> in because it's not really taught in in because it's not really taught in school,<00:52:04.160><
  • County State Science Fair in Hilo this past weekend.
  • as well as the County State Science Fair in Hilo this past weekend.
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The Senate Committee on Labor and Technology met on February 25, 2026, to consider gubernatorial nominees to the Hawaii Workforce Development Council under GM 630, GM 628, and GM 631. The chair explained hearing procedures, noted backup reconvening plans in case of technical failure, and said decision-making would occur after testimony if time permitted. Testimony on all three nominees was overwhelmingly supportive, including from Department of Labor and Industrial Relations officials, Workforce Development Council representatives, and various outside supporters. For GM 630, Carrie Miro described decades of work on career pathways and emphasized applied learning, internships, and stronger links between education and employers. Senators questioned how to restore hands-on trade and career education and how to connect students to real workforce opportunities; Miro said businesses should help shape training and that students need both credit and employment incentives. For GM 628, Rona Fukumoto said her experience leading Lanakila Pacific and working in homeless services would help the council better understand the needs of people with disabilities, older adults, and other vulnerable populations, and she stressed educating employers and the public. She also said youth programs, apprenticeships, and early intervention for “opportunity youth” are important, and noted that college-based programs like those at HCC can still provide effective hands-on pathways. For GM 631, Keith Dlo, who is seeking reappointment, said the Workforce Development Council should help create a future in Hawaii for younger generations by aligning schools, agencies, employers, and communities. He said his work on American Job Centers and the council’s convening power show it is an active body, not just a reporting mechanism. Senators pressed him on how to measure success beyond federal compliance, and Dlo said the council needs Hawaii-specific metrics focused on participation, completion, job placement, and retention of young residents, while also adapting to changes like AI. No votes or final confirmations were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Ways and Means (04/07/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • in the in the lot of this information in the in the coming<00:21:50.960><c> weeks.
  • </c><00:32:24.080><c> in</c> to make up those shortfalls in in to make up those shortfalls in in overall
  • the way in which that was written uh in the way in which that was written uh in<00:57:11.119><c> the
  • So, that is uh in the in the statute.
  • And they're already in in non-lapsing.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee held a public hearing on SB 63, a bill described by Senator Tim Lang and other supporters as a technical correction to the rooms and meals tax distribution formula. Lang said the bill would clarify that the Division of Travel and Tourism’s 3.15% promotional allocation is taken from gross rooms-and-meals revenue before the 30% municipal reimbursement fund is calculated, which he argued restores the intended 2009/2021 structure and avoids an unintended loss to tourism marketing. Committee members raised questions about whether the bill actually changes section one or instead addresses DRA’s interpretation, and whether the measure could be affected by the budget process or HB 2. Jessica Keeler of Ski New Hampshire testified in strong support, saying the bill would preserve the promotional budget formula that had been in place since 2009 and that the 2019 revision effectively reduced the promotional allocation by placing the municipal share first. She said tourism promotion has helped increase visitation, revenues, and jobs, and warned that without a fix, the joint promotional program and other tourism efforts could be cut in future budgets. She also said the bill would not change the current year’s tourism budget but would matter for future cycles. Mike Summers of the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association also supported SB 63, calling it a correction to the 2021 changes and arguing that state tourism marketing is essential because small businesses cannot reach distant markets on their own. He said the industry has benefited from state promotion, especially after COVID, but is now facing softer occupancy rates, lower Canadian visitation, and financial strain from debt and operating costs. Summers said the industry cannot make up for major tourism budget cuts on its own and urged maintaining or increasing travel and tourism funding. No vote or final action was taken at the hearing.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, February 2, 2026)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • the promise of relief from the turmoil in which we find ourselves both in our communities and in this
  • THE TURMOIL IN WHICH WE FIND OURSELVES BOTH IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND IN THIS COUNTRY.
  • in and domiciled in Washington, D.C.
  • IN DOMICILED IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
  • With its fair share of unique challenges, one example being the important role that she played in minimizing
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

FL House Floor Session - 2026-02-11 (4:00PM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'll never forget being able to access, at the Scholastic Book Fair in eighth grade, in the bargain bin
  • At the Scholastic Book Fair in eighth grade, in the bargain bin, a book called Girl Hearts, where the
  • And there's a trend in this country, not just in this state, but in this country, of banning books.
  • Jesus was born in Judea in the area of Bethlehem. Jesus was born in Judea in the area of Bethlehem.
  • I live in one of the most pristine places in the state of Florida, in the Florida Keys.
Keywords: 998, house, all
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate Chamber Feb 12th, 2026 at 12:12 pm

New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is my mother-in-law, mama. This is my mother-in-law, Mama. And then my father-in-law is here.
  • They're going to open up a brand-new one in Lovington in March, their 26th store in Lovington.
  • But is that fair, what we're doing in this bill compared to what we do to industry, Mr. President?
  • But is that fair what we're doing in this bill compared to what we do to industry, Mr. President?
  • We're making an investment today in our children, in the state of New Mexico, in their families, and
Keywords: 996, all
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

FL House Floor Session - 2026-02-11 (4:00PM Session)

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'll never forget being able to access, at the Scholastic Book Fair in eighth grade, in the bargain bin
  • At the Scholastic Book Fair in eighth grade, in the bargain bin, a book called Girl Hearts, where the
  • And there's a trend in this country, not just in this state, but in this country, of banning books.
  • Jesus was born in Judea in the area of Bethlehem. Jesus was born in Judea in the area of Bethlehem.
  • market in this country in order to get their message out.
Summary: The House convened with prayer, moments of silence for former member Terry Fields and the Parkland victims, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of guests and visitors. The chamber then adopted the Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report setting the day’s calendar and debate times. The main measure taken up was HB 1119, relating to materials harmful to minors in public schools and charter schools, which the sponsor described as a clarification of existing law to keep pornographic or sexually explicit material away from minors and to give districts clearer standards for review and objection processes. The bill drew extensive debate over constitutional concerns, local control, litigation risk, and the scope of the definition of “harmful to minors.” Members supporting the bill argued it was needed to close loopholes and protect children, while opponents warned it could lead to overbroad book removals, conflict with federal court rulings, and costly lawsuits. A series of amendments sought to narrow or redirect the bill: proposals by Gant, Aristide, Bartleman, Eskamani, Nixon, Rainer, Woodson, and Harris would have preserved literary value review, protected educational and abuse-prevention materials, exempted LGBTQ-inclusive books, limited objections, preserved funding for districts, or delayed enforcement during ongoing litigation. Supporters of the amendments framed them as protecting parental choice, academic value, student safety, and district finances; opponents said they would weaken the bill’s child-protection purpose. All of the amendments failed. After the amendment process, the House waived rules, read HB 1119 a third time by title, and entered structured debate on final passage. Debate continued along the same lines, with opponents emphasizing book removals, First Amendment concerns, and the impact on students and schools, and supporters reiterating that the bill was intended to prevent minors from accessing obscene material. The transcript provided ends during structured debate and does not include the final vote on HB 1119.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 4/10/25

Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • my in my would have surfaced um in my in my investigation.<00:30:18.279><c> Um,</c><00:30:19.279><c>
  • This would bring in 1.47 million in each biennium.
  • Uh and then in fiscal in fiscal year 25.
  • in in 1923 and my dad was born<01:00:04.160><c> in</c><01:00:04.520><c> 1918.
  • </c> in the comments that you have made, in in the comments that you have made, in the<01:05:48.720><
Bills: HF1646 , HF2443
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

House Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs Committee, February 26, 2026

Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • So getting rid of the sunset allows that to stay in place in the event in the future that that continues
  • </c><00:04:52.880><c> in</c><00:04:53.120><c> the</c> to stay in place in the event in the to stay in
  • </c> apologize in advance. apologize in advance.
  • in title 31 um which in turn is taxable in title 31 um because<00:29:49.919><c> of</c><00:29:50.080>
  • </c><00:31:40.240><c> in</c><00:31:40.559><c> situations</c> we're not usually put in in situations we're
Bills: SF0058 , SF0061 , SF0095 , SF0107
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee Apr 21st, 2026

Communications and Conveyance

Transcript Highlights:
  • and education stakeholders at this committee's oversight hearing in March.
  • Network Initiatives in California.
  • And so it would just note that in codifying these...
  • , and fairness in the program administration, particularly during periods of regulatory or staffing changes
  • Moving on, are there any primary witnesses in opposition?
Keywords: 988, house, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions Mar 31st, 2026

Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions

Transcript Highlights:
  • So the court found that state interests in giving voters more choice, promoting fairness, increasing
  • in court.
  • I joined in.
  • More than 25 years in election work here in Massachusetts, in other states, than 25 years in election
  • I was born in Fall River. I've lived in Massachusetts since 1993, mostly in Worcester County.
Bills: H5001
Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on Initiative Petition 25-12, H.503, an act to implement all-party state primaries. Committee leaders explained the Article 48 process and said the hearing was part of the Legislature’s review before any measure could advance toward the 2026 ballot. The hearing format included subject-matter experts, proponents, opponents, and public testimony, though this excerpt mainly covers the expert and proponent panels. The first expert, Northeastern University political scientist Costas Panagopoulos, described top-two primaries used in states such as California, Washington, Alaska, Louisiana, and Nebraska, and said the research shows only modest or mixed effects. He argued that top-two systems do not reliably reduce polarization, can weaken party gatekeeping, may increase campaign spending and incumbent advantages, and can lead to undervoting when voters do not see a preferred candidate on the ballot. In response to questions, he said turnout effects are mixed and not substantially higher overall. Katie King of the National Conference of State Legislatures then outlined different primary systems, including closed, open, top-two/top-four, nonpartisan, all-comers, and blanket primaries, and reviewed Supreme Court cases holding blanket primaries unconstitutional while upholding Washington’s top-two system. She also noted that changing primary systems would require significant voter education and administrative preparation. The proponent panel, led by Danielle Allen of the Coalition for Healthy Democracy, argued that Massachusetts has too many uncontested elections, low primary participation, and too little accountability, and that all-party primaries would give every voter a meaningful choice in a higher-turnout general election. Supporters said the proposal is tailored to Massachusetts, would keep party endorsements visible on the ballot, and could broaden competition, improve representation, and help independent and minor-party candidates. Jim Henderson, coalition counsel, said the bill is narrowly focused on state-level primaries and was drafted to fit Article 48 requirements. Other proponents, including Kevin Johnson, Kate Kavanaugh, and Spencer Reynolds, echoed that the current system overrepresents a small partisan electorate and that the reform would shift power to voters. Committee members pressed the proponents on turnout evidence, party endorsements, ballot access, the role of fusion-style cross-endorsements, the effect on polarization, and whether the change would actually improve representation or simply move party influence to an earlier stage. No votes or final committee action were taken in the excerpt.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Elections Committee Apr 9th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • We're taking it in member sign-in order.
  • See none in the room, we'll now move on to the primary witnesses in opposition. None in the room.
  • it in.
  • So a voter coming in to vote who is not bringing their ballot in would sign in, get checked in, verified
  • In fact, we're all sworn in before the election results are even certified in this state.
Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of elections-related bills. It first approved three consent items: AB 808, AB 1029, and AB 1072. The committee then took up AB 1249, which would require non-Voter’s Choice Act counties to offer at least one Saturday early-voting location before statewide elections and allow in-person return of vote-by-mail ballots at designated county offices or satellite locations. Supporters said it would expand access for working voters and those with transportation barriers; some members raised concerns about ballot verification and added workload for rural counties. The bill passed the committee on a divided vote and was placed on call for absent members. The committee next considered AB 25, a voter ID and election integrity measure that would require citizenship verification, government ID for voting, tighter voter-roll audits, and a 72-hour ballot-counting deadline. The author and supporters argued it would restore public trust and improve election integrity, while opponents from the League of Women Voters, ACLU California Action, labor groups, disability advocates, and others said it would restrict access, burden vulnerable voters, and amount to voter suppression. After extensive debate, the committee voted the bill out on a narrow split and kept it on call. Members also approved AB 1164, which clarifies when voters are entitled to a replacement ballot and updates the Voter Bill of Rights language; AB 1441, which would create an independent citizens redistricting commission in Merced County despite opposition from the county board over cost and local control; and AB 16, which would clarify county election officials’ authority to begin processing vote-by-mail ballots earlier and clean up outdated code. The committee also heard AB 1411, which would require non-VCA counties to prepare voter education and outreach plans and use a Secretary of State template, with the sponsor saying it would improve voter information statewide.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

September 22, 2025 - 12:00 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • That property tax, and this is a key in down-the-road discussion, had to be assessed at fair market value
  • Okay, so if you looked at the yellow states up there, in descending, not in population, but in descending
  • It's in the statute. It's in the appropriations bill.
  • in some cases in some of the counties.
  • and created truth in millage, began in the early '80s.
Summary: The Select Committee on Property Taxes met for an educational session focused on how Florida funds public schools and how property taxes are assessed and levied. Dr. Jim Zengali of the Department of Revenue explained the FEFP school funding formula, noting that it is built on weighted student counts, a base student allocation, and programmatic add-ons such as transportation, exceptional student education, school safety, and mental health. He said school funding is roughly split between state general revenue and local property taxes through required local effort, with additional discretionary and capital outlay millages contributing to total school funding. He also described the Department of Revenue’s role in certifying property rolls at fair market value and reviewing them for substantial compliance, including the so-called “nuclear option” if a roll is not approved. Members asked about trends in millage rates, county-by-county funding differences, the effect of growth and enrollment changes, and how property appraisals are reviewed. Zengali said aggregate millage for school funding has declined over the last decade while revenues have still increased, and he agreed to provide additional data on county trends, parcel strata, student growth, and enrollment impacts. He also clarified that school funding is equalized so students receive similar resources regardless of county wealth, and that federal funding plays only a small role in the FEFP. Amy Baker of the Joint Legislative Office of Economic and Demographic Research then discussed existing homestead benefits. She said about half of Florida’s parcels are homestead properties, most fall in the $250,000 to $500,000 value range, and many seniors without mortgages pay property taxes in lump sums rather than through escrow. Baker explained that Florida’s homestead tax burden is middle-of-the-pack nationally and that the main benefits are Save Our Homes and portability on the differential side, plus the $25,000 homestead exemption and related exemptions on the exemption side. She said these benefits reduce taxable value substantially, with homestead properties receiving a large share of the reductions, and noted that the committee requested follow-up data on exemption usage, portability timing, senior exemptions, and county-level patterns. The final presentation, by Lizette Kelly of the Department of Revenue, covered millage rates and the TRIM process. She reviewed the history of truth-in-millage notices, required taxpayer mailings, public hearing notices, and later changes that tied local millage resets to rollback and majority-vote rates. Kelly explained the difference between proposed and adopted millage, the rollback rate, and the majority-vote rate, and described how taxing authorities include counties, cities, special districts, and MSTUs. She also outlined how county taxable value is calculated from just value through assessment differentials and exemptions, and how certain exemptions, such as the additional senior exemption, apply only to the taxing authority that adopted them. No votes were taken during the meeting, but members requested several follow-up data reports for later discussion.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

State Affairs Aug 22nd, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • In fact, and I'll say this in closing, Mr.
  • I said in my private capacity, not in my capacity.
  • that in what will ultimately be in front of you in the form of a committee substitute.
  • In Texas law, we can debate and argue when fee-shifting provisions are fair or not.
  • And if the requested changes in the new bill or the committee substitute are made, is it fair to say
Bills: HB7 , SB 8 , HB7 , SB 8
Committee: House State Affairs
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Judiciary Feb 7th, 2026

House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • And as a leader in my own communities in the past, if I, And as a leader in my own communities in the
  • , in terms of being present, in terms of testifying?
  • Anyone else in the audience wishing to speak in opposition?
  • And there is a process in here that wasn't in last year's bill.
  • In New York, in fact, they had a one-year look-back.
Bills: HJR6 , HJR7 , HB120 , HB60 , HB151 , HR1 , HM13 , SB40 , SB104
Summary: The committee first heard two related House Joint Resolutions sponsored by Representative McQueen. H.J.R. 6 would equalize the legislature’s 60-day and 30-day sessions into two 45-day sessions, remove the germaneness requirement from the second session of a biennium, and clarify veto-override language. H.J.R. 7 would keep the current 60-day and 30-day session lengths but make the same germaneness and veto-override changes. Supporters argued the measures would modernize the legislature, improve internal control of the agenda, and make the flow of work more efficient; opponents warned of more bills, lobbying fatigue, and reduced public participation. Both resolutions were moved on due pass and passed the committee 8-0. The committee then heard House Bill 120 on limiting student restraint and seclusion in schools. The sponsor and LESC staff said the bill arose from a stakeholder working group and would clarify definitions, prohibit dangerous practices such as mechanical, chemical, and prone restraint, require training and school safety plans, improve reporting to parents and the Public Education Department, and strengthen oversight. Testimony from educators, disability advocates, parents, and state officials strongly supported the bill, describing harmful and sometimes underreported restraint and seclusion incidents and emphasizing the need for clearer rules and de-escalation training. Some members raised concerns about implementation, definitions, teacher safety, and whether the data were sufficient; the sponsor and staff said the bill was meant to give teachers tools and minimum standards, not to require intervention in every situation. The bill passed on a due pass motion 9-1. Next, the committee considered House Bill 60, which would add certain crimes against peace officers to the Victims of Crime Act so officers injured in the line of duty would receive the same notification, participation, and restitution-related rights as other victims. The sponsor and the district attorney supporting the bill said it was a public safety measure with negligible cost and would also extend protections to affected family members. Support came from law enforcement, business, and public safety groups. Members asked about whether the officer must know the assailant is a peace officer, how the rights would work if the officer is also a witness, and how restitution interacts with workers’ compensation; the sponsor said the bill applies when the officer is acting in the lawful discharge of duties and the defendant knows the person is an officer. The committee passed HB 60 unanimously, 11-0. Finally, the committee began hearing House Bill 151, a committee substitute on the childhood sexual abuse statute of limitations. The sponsor said the bill, called the Survivor’s Justice measure, would extend the time for survivors to file claims from age 24 to age 58, add public actors to the bill’s scope, and create an administrative compensation fund supported by an appropriation, with $12.5 million already in the budget and a request for another $12.5 million. The sponsor explained that the change reflects the average age at which survivors come forward and that the bill is part of a long-running effort to address childhood sexual abuse claims.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
  • those countries as in the United States. ...level of criteria for a CDL in those countries as in the
  • And in that test, it also includes that they must have proof of being in the country legally in order
  • And you can be here in that and have an address in that state as long as you're allowed to be in the
  • In many cases, it was property damage that resulted in it.
  • In your community, there are undocumented and non-citizen people in your community, in your district.
Summary: The committee first took up SB 1803, which would regulate non-accredited veterans benefits claims assistance by prohibiting unrecognized agents or attorneys from preparing or prosecuting claims, limiting compensation practices, requiring written disclosures and cancellation rights, and making violations subject to Attorney General enforcement. Supporters, including the sponsor and several veterans, said the bill would create needed guardrails against predatory actors while preserving veterans’ choice to use free or paid help. Opponents and some neutral testimony, including a VA-accredited attorney and representatives of the VFW and American Legion, argued the bill still lacked sufficient protections, raised federal preemption concerns, and should require VA accreditation instead. After debate over fees, back pay, and the availability of free services, the committee adopted an amendment and gave SB 1803 a do pass recommendation by a 5-2 vote. The committee then heard SB 1232, a strike-everything amendment dealing with outdoor advertising signs in military airport and ancillary military facility overlay zoning districts. The bill would allow signs on property with a military compatibility permit in areas otherwise treated as residential under a zoning designation, which the sponsor and property representatives said was needed to resolve an ADOT permitting loophole for a specific parcel near Luke Air Force Base and the Northern Parkway. Members questioned whether the change was narrowly tailored, whether other properties could be affected, and whether ADOT and federal highway beautification rules would be satisfied. After the amendment was adopted, the committee approved SB 1232 on a 4-3 vote, with several members saying they would reserve the right to change their votes on the floor. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1511, which would prohibit operation of a commercial motor vehicle in Arizona unless the operator can prove lawful presence in the United States and would allow impoundment if proof is not provided. The sponsor introduced the bill with a lengthy explanation of commercial driver licensing history and concerns about non-domiciled and limited-term CDLs, contrasting them with Canadian and Mexican commercial licensing arrangements. The transcript cuts off before testimony, questions, or any action on SB 1511.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Ways & Means Mar 17th, 2025

Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • LBB just took this number from the controller and plugged it in, is that a fair assessment?
  • amended this local tax rule and and that rule was challenged. uh, in court, in district court, uh, in
  • Well I think both, both in fairness that they weren't able to do it, and if they weren't able to do it
  • Was a result of in 2009 in the 81st legislature.
  • as you click the button in in that city.
Committee: House Ways & Means
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • In fact...
  • Lean in, lean in. of retailers because and I've neglected to mention in my layout that the cartons will
  • Lean in, lean in there. Ms.
  • cases in these facility fees and that's not fair to patients ultimately or businesses as was mentioned
  • In fiscal year 28, $45.5 million. $36.5 million, and in fiscal year 29, $77.4 million. dollars in.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee Jun 22nd, 2026

Business, Professions and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • I sound like a broken record, but let's not forget Live Nation Ticketmaster, which, in fairness, merged
  • James Jack, on behalf of the Coalition for Ticket Fairness, in opposition. Thank you.
  • James Jack, on behalf of the Coalition for Ticket Fairness, in opposition. Thank you.
  • In appropriations, these amendments were put in, in part because of this issue of whether applying it
  • bill in print.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Rules Apr 8th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • in time and to live local have 1.5 times the floor area ratio allowable in the jurisdiction in the coat
  • in in in current law.
  • I just want to be clear in each I think it says in the bill I just want to be clear in each I think it
  • That s in 8th in copay for a place.
  • On the fair side, the compare ability that existed in the prior rule that exists in every other state
Keywords: 999, senate, all
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Human Services Apr 15th, 2025

Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • Together we can make change, and every family and child in our state has a fair shot at a healthy, long
  • I don't know every, every side of town, but I grew up in Houston, Texas, and in the in the inner city
  • We spoke recently in the joint budget hearing in the fall and have, uh, in, in, have encouraged reinvesting
  • It does open that up in, in a, in an effort to try to get to that financial transparency.
  • You know, as a practicing lawyer, I got out in, in, in late mid 80s, I guess I lived in '88 in law school