Video & Transcript : 'digital opportunities' :
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 2/11/25
Children and Families Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- This administration combines the Office of Economic Opportunity from the Department of Human Services
- This administration combines the Office of Economic Opportunity from the Department of Human Services
- Minnesota families need access to affordable, high-quality care and education opportunities for their
- Minnesota families need access to affordable, high-quality care and education opportunities for their
- </c><01:19:47.360><c> to</c> listening sessions um opportunities to listening sessions um opportunities
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:32:29.840><c> planning</c> under the housing opportunity planning under the housing opportunity
- </c> opportunities for our citizens. opportunities for our citizens.
- </c> reasonable and realistic opportunities. reasonable and realistic opportunities.
- </c> reasonable opportunities. reasonable opportunities.
- </c> the opportunity. the opportunity.
Committee:
House Housing
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Election Laws Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Election Laws
Transcript Highlights:
- voting, cast on election day, and UOCAVA—because exclusion of broad categories of ballots leaves opportunity
- Thank you, Chair Hunt, and Chair Keenan, for the opportunity to speak in favor of an act strengthening
- As you heard from Lisa, exclusion of ballots leaves opportunity for undetected errors.
- Thank you so much for the opportunity to speak with you today and for your consideration.
- There are opportunities for Massachusetts to conduct essentially its existing audits or risk-limiting
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Election Laws
Summary:
The Committee on Election Laws held a hearing on election security bills, focusing first on S. 517 and H. 876, which would strengthen Massachusetts’ post-election audit process. Testimony from the Brennan Center, Common Cause Massachusetts, Verified Voting, and the League of Women Voters supported expanding audits to include all ballot types, increasing audit frequency from every four years to every two years, requiring statewide audit reports to be posted within 30 days and kept online for six years, and allowing municipalities to conduct audits under state standards. Witnesses also praised the bill’s creation of a work group to study risk-limiting audits and other improvements, emphasizing public confidence, transparency, and the ability of audits to detect errors or deter fraud.
Committee members asked detailed questions about how Massachusetts compares with other states, how risk-limiting audits differ from current tabulation audits, how audits are selected and expanded if discrepancies appear, and what the costs and mechanics of different audit methods would be. Witnesses explained that current audits are typically random, hand-count-based checks of selected contests and batches of ballots, that risk-limiting audits use statistical sampling and can escalate to a full recount if needed, and that Massachusetts’ local-control structure makes a collaborative work group useful. They also noted that audits generally confirm results but can uncover errors that do not change outcomes, and occasionally more serious problems.
The committee then heard testimony on H. 832, which would authorize the Secretary of the Commonwealth to take emergency actions affecting elections during declared emergencies. Supporters said the bill would create a clear statutory process for rescheduling or adjusting elections during severe weather or other crises, including allowing emergency absentee ballot accommodations for civilian responders, and would reduce the need for court intervention. No votes were taken on the bills during the hearing, and the meeting ended with adjournment after no additional testimony was offered.
WI
Wisconsin 2026 1st Special Session
Assembly Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs and Senate Committee on Natural Resources Veterans and Military Affairs May 28th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Jacque, Representative Penterman, members of the committees, thank you for the opportunity to
- Thank you for the opportunity to speak on behalf of our program and this report.
- However, that doesn't negate our ability to add additional learning opportunities, much like this virtual
- I'd like to also take this opportunity. You talked about the virtual training to highlight Ms.
- We provide Wisconsinites an opportunity to access the legislative process and connect with conversations
WI
Wisconsin 2026 1st Special Session
Wisconsin State Senate Floor Session May 13th, 2026
Wisconsin Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Neither side was given that opportunity, and that disappoints me.
- And I've certainly had an opportunity to bring it forward as far as extending tax...
- And I've certainly had an opportunity to bring it forward as far as extending tax relief, property tax
- We have an opportunity to give over $300 million to our schools through special education in this package
- Our mission is to provide Wisconsinites an opportunity to access the legislative process and connect
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- But were there times when you were denied certain programs or denied that opportunity?"
- "Were there times when you were denied certain programs or denied that opportunity for, I don't want
- "So there are opportunities.
- So what I'm trying to get at is: are there opportunities for investment in individuals who are incarcerated
- plumbing, mechanics, or these things—you'll be home and back on the streets before you have an opportunity
Committee:
House Crime and Public Safety
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC) Feb 20th, 2026
ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC)
Transcript Highlights:
- The subcommittee also discussed the final report provided by Georgia Center for Opportunity.
- then giving them will not be spent on old bills and will be spent on building out new broadband opportunities
- then giving them will not be spent on old bills and will be spent on building out new broadband opportunities
- then giving them will not be spent on old bills and will be spent on building out new broadband opportunities
- to brief that particular issue, give AID the state an opportunity to do the same and respond, and then
Committee:
All ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC)
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Taxation and Revenue Feb 16th, 2026 at 08:33 am
House Taxation & Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you for the opportunity, Mr. Chair and Committee. My name is Dominic Westine.
- This opportunity would also help provide tribes with investing in solar energy. Thank you.
- on the table and support our families, locally owned solar companies entered in and gave us an opportunity
- The North sacrifices a lot, but we don't get a lot of the opportunity when it finally came.
- I still believe that New Mexicans of all income levels should have an opportunity to match those values
Committee:
House House Taxation & Revenue
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 02/03/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- no secret that I have been a longtime huge fan and supporter of FFA and the hands-on learning opportunities
- Earlier today, I had the opportunity to meet with several FFA representatives, visiting from the Marion
- Earlier today, I had the opportunity to meet with several FFA representatives, visiting from the Marion
- Earlier today, I had the opportunity to meet with several FFA representatives, visiting from the Marion
- [Applause] Earlier today, I had the opportunity to meet with several FFA representatives, visiting from
Summary:
The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior Journal, and then handled several introductions and resolutions. Senator Bailey introduced Jayson Fefami, described as the Bronx-based creator of the “quarter zip” trend, and the chamber welcomed him with applause. Senator Cooney presented a privileged resolution memorializing Governor Hochul to proclaim July 1, 2026, as Canada Day in New York, emphasizing the state’s economic, cultural, and border ties with Canada; the resolution was adopted. Senator Hinchey also spoke on a previously adopted resolution designating February 21-28, 2026, as National FFA Organization Week, with Senator Helming and visiting FFA students and advisers offering remarks in support of agricultural education and youth leadership.
The Senate then took up the calendar and passed a series of bills, including measures related to a fiscal task force, environmental conservation, urban development, education, workers’ compensation, elder law, real property, general business, state finance, insurance, tenant protection, and public health. Several bills passed unanimously, while others drew limited opposition; for example, the Environmental Conservation and Education measures had a handful of negative votes, and the real property bill drew more substantial opposition. Senator Webb explained her vote on a bill addressing college student food insecurity by exempting certain meal-share donations from sales tax, saying students should not have to choose between class and hunger. Senator Palumbo also explained his vote on the kratom labeling bill, supporting the measure while urging future action on the synthetic opioid 7-OH.
The chamber also discharged several identical Assembly bills from Rules and substituted Senate versions earlier in the day, and later passed those measures on the floor. At the end of the session, the Senate completed the calendar, reported no further business, and adjourned until Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Regulated Industries Jan 12th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair, Senator Bradley, committee members, for this opportunity to speak on this matter.
- One opportunity is to put it in the owner’s pocket. Absolutely.
- Another opportunity is to pay their underpaid staff more.
- And yet another opportunity is to lower the cost at the delivery of veterinary services. Thank you.
- I think it was an opportunity for it.
Summary:
The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and took up two bills. First, it considered SB 754 on heated tobacco products. The sponsor said the bill would define heated tobacco products and exempt them from the cigarette tax, arguing they are a less harmful alternative for nicotine users. Senators asked about youth access and regulation, and the sponsor said he would research those issues further. A representative of the Florida Retail Federation appeared in support, and the committee voted the bill favorably.
The committee then heard SB 796 on veterinary medicine, after adopting a delete-everything amendment. The amended bill would create a Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA) role, allowing individuals with a master’s degree and national competency exam to perform certain delegated veterinary tasks under a licensed veterinarian’s responsible supervision. It also expanded the allowable period for telehealth prescriptions for flea and tick products and other medications. Supporters said the bill would expand access to care, reduce costs, and help address veterinary shortages, while opponents from the Florida Veterinary Medical Association argued the proposal was unnecessary, could create safety and federal-law concerns, and that existing veterinary technicians and other workforce measures were a better solution. After testimony and debate, the amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably.
During final debate, several senators said the VPA proposal was more limited and better balanced than earlier versions, with the veterinarian retaining liability and control over delegated duties. The sponsor closed by emphasizing rising veterinary costs, shortages of care, and the need for more affordable access for pet owners. The committee then adjourned.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services May 12th, 2025
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you for the opportunity to address the committee regarding some bond elections.
- Overlooking the fact that voters have an opportunity to punish legislators who do think they don't want
- Thank you for the opportunity to speak today.
- We also request exclusions for refunds. ...funding opportunities and revenue-backed debt, which both
- And so that allows us to do that if we have the opportunity to use certificates of obligation.
Keywords:
SB 512, Texas Finance Code, money transmission, money services business, money transmitter, money transmission licensee, terms of service, consumer protection, civil penalty, attorney general enforcement, account closure, refund of balance, financial services regulation, payments industry, fintech, prepaid accounts, remittance, licensee compliance, local government debt, municipal finance
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Apr 28th, 2025
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you for the opportunity to present House Bill 3015 and the committee substitute.
- more things that get covered by insurance or a part of insurance, then you're gonna, there's more opportunity
- Chairman and committee for the opportunity to lay this out.
- But, you know, basically the long and short of it is this is an opportunity to provide.
- Uh, this is an opportunity to help out our veterans. We appreciate your favorable consideration.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Apr 28th, 2025
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you for the opportunity to present House Bill 3015 and the committee substitute.
- And I respectfully ask for the opportunity to close. Chairman Clare Duda and Mr. Gilmore.
- Chairman and committee, for the opportunity to lay this out.
- Basically, the long and short of it is, this is an opportunity to provide an increase in the bond limit
- This is an opportunity to help out our veterans. We appreciate your favorable consideration.
Keywords:
healthcare, direct primary care, insurance deductibles, Texas Health Benefit Plans, telemedicine, police retirement, disability pension, municipalities, law enforcement, retirement benefits, retirement, beneficiary, Employees Retirement System of Texas, divorce decree, beneficiary designation, Veterans' Land Board, general obligation bonds, constitutional amendment, veterans, housing assistance
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
EIG-WLA, EIG-HOU-WLA, EIG-HOU, EIG Public Hearings 03-19-2026
Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you for the opportunity to testify. Thank you.
- And so just to force the opportunities.
- </c> opportunity to testify. opportunity to testify. Thank<00:26:13.640><c> you.</c> Thank you.
- Mahalo for the opportunity to lands.
- Thank you for this opportunity to testify. Thank you.
Bills:
HB1700
Committee:
Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs
Keywords:
housing, expedited permits, disabilities, access, functional needs, local government, affordable housing, reporting requirements, 912, senate, all
Summary:
The joint committees heard several housing, land use, and infrastructure bills. HB 6019 HD2 on electric vehicle infrastructure and HB 1728 HD1 on rainwater catchment systems both drew limited testimony and were advanced. For HB 1728, the chairs said they would designate the Department of Health as the regulator and incorporate suggested technical amendments from plumbing and rainwater industry groups. Both measures were reported out with recommendations to pass, with HB 6019 passed unamended and HB 1728 passed with amendments.
HB 1844, which would have required the Land Use Commission to reclassify lands designated for urban growth, drew significant opposition from the Hawaii Farm Bureau and Sierra Club, who argued it would bypass land-use review and threaten agricultural land, water planning, and long-term resilience. Grassroot Institute supported the bill, and the Land Use Commission said the bill raised concerns. After discussion, the chairs deferred the measure in one committee and later the recommendation to pass it with amendments was not adopted in the other committee.
HB 1990 on penalties and liens for unresolved residential zoning violations was advanced with amendments. The chairs adopted Grassroot Institute’s suggested changes requiring any county sale of such property to be at no less than fair market value and requiring excess proceeds to be returned to the owner. HB 2424, which would allow county planning agencies to petition for temporary reclassification of certain agricultural lands to rural, also drew mixed testimony; the Land Use Commission raised due process concerns, and agriculture interests opposed it. One committee advanced it with amendments, but in the other committee the recommendation failed after members cited lack of county support.
The later portion of the hearing began on HB 1738 and HB 1739. HB 1738 would expand county authority to amend district boundaries for housing on parcels over 15 acres; OHA, Sierra Club, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau opposed it, while Grassroot Institute supported it. HB 1739 would require transit-supportive densities in county TOD areas and limit local restrictions; DPP raised concerns about timing, permitting, and conflicts with existing TOD frameworks, while OPSD and Grassroot supported it. The transcript cuts off before final action on these later bills.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
AEN-HOU, AEN-EIG, AEN Public Hearings 03-18-2026
Agriculture and Environment
Transcript Highlights:
- Mahalo for the opportunity to testify.
- </c> Mahalo for the opportunity to testify. Mahalo for the opportunity to testify.
- ><c> to</c><00:26:43.360><c> testify</c> Mahalo for the opportunity to testify Mahalo for the opportunity
- </c><00:42:18.800><c> to</c> thank you for the opportunity to thank you for the opportunity to testify
- </c> for the opportunity. for the opportunity. Thank<00:43:22.440><c> you,</c><00:43:22.480><c> Tom.
Committee:
Senate Agriculture and Environment
Keywords:
animal control, spay and neuter, pet overpopulation, sterilization, counties funding, tax designation, veterinary care, electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, energy policy, rebate program, environmental impact, renewable fuels, sustainable aviation fuel, tax credit, greenhouse gas emissions, local production, energy resilience, agricultural innovation, job creation
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on HB 1737, which clarifies allowable uses in agricultural districts for farm dwellings and farm employee housing, and HB 1604 HD2, which creates an agricultural workforce housing working group within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Testimony on HB 1737 was overwhelmingly supportive, with county agriculture officials, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Farmers Union backing the measure; one witness asked for a definition of “affordable” to guard against misuse of farm housing. For HB 1604, the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Hawaii Farmers Union, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, with OHA requesting disaggregated data and a seat on the working group. Committee discussion focused on housing shortages, possible misuse, affordability, and whether innovative housing models such as modular, tiny, and container homes should be considered.
The committee then took action on both measures. HB 1737 HD3 was recommended to pass with amendments that would limit farm employee housing to agricultural employees and their immediate family members actively engaged in the farm operation, add a grandfathering provision for existing permitted housing, preserve county zoning authority, clarify that ag tourism must be secondary and not occur in employee housing, delete a square-footage-per-acre ratio, and defer the effective date to July 1, 2050. HB 1604 HD2 was also recommended to pass with amendments adding OHA and a housing-shortage organization to the working group, expanding its scope to include modular, tiny, and container homes and permitting/zoning streamlining, and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. Both motions were adopted unanimously by the members present.
The joint hearing then moved to HB 1736, which would establish a spay and neuter special fund and require sterilization and declaration provisions for cats, with some discussion of dogs. DLNR and the Hawaiian Humane Society supported the bill, while Pacific Pet Alliance objected to the broader requirements and the inclusion of dogs; the Hawaiian Humane Society and American Bird Conservancy supported cat-focused sterilization and the special fund, while some testifiers opposed mandatory sterilization as too costly or intrusive. Members raised questions about toxoplasmosis, trap-neuter-release, enforcement, neighbor-island access, and funding needs, and DLNR indicated additional funding and third-party contracting would likely be needed. The transcript then began HB 1620 HD2 on energy, which would increase the environmental response energy and food security tax and shift funds from the hydrogen fueling subaccount to EV charging infrastructure; state agencies generally stood on written testimony in support, while the Tax Foundation objected to special fund earmarks and noted the bill raises only one part of the barrel tax structure.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Interim Topics Meeting, March 3, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And I think the opportunity to be on the agenda to do so, I'm kind of looking at it.
- </c><00:15:52.480><c> to</c> study, there could be an opportunity to study, there could be an opportunity
- </c> deadlines, so looking for an opportunity deadlines, so looking for an opportunity to<00:42:50.200
- So it's an opportunity to think out of the box a little bit.
- to think out of the box a an opportunity to think out of the box a little<01:03:43.160><c> bit.
Summary:
The chairman opened by explaining that the committee would hear proposed interim topics and then rank them by written submissions rather than debating them one by one. The Public Service Commission presented two topics: an educational session on small water utilities, citing maintenance needs, water-quality compliance, and difficulty accessing capital, and a review of civil penalties for pipeline safety violations because Wyoming’s statutory penalties are far below federal levels and could affect compliance and funding.
Members and outside presenters then outlined a range of additional topics. Representative Campbell proposed work on fire protection districts and EMS districts, focusing on financial stability, mill levies, and possible county authority to combine districts and levies. He also raised public records at meetings, corporate filing fees, and fraudulent corporate filings. The Community College Commission proposed updating annexation statutes so communities can join community college districts more easily, especially where current mill-levy rules create funding issues. Senator Crago supported the fraudulent corporate filings topic and noted related technology-based solutions and overlap with blockchain issues.
Other proposals included CPA “Pathways” licensing changes to address a shortage of accountants, a review of public meetings and public records laws, continuation of the electricity study with emphasis on grid reliability and large-load capacity constraints, and a broader review of the public meetings and records act. Ashley Harpstreith of the Wyoming Association of Municipalities supported extending municipal audit deadlines and described a statewide shortage of auditors and CPAs. Healthy Wyoming proposed studying health coverage options for low-income working adults, including state-sponsored or cooperative models. Representative Chestek proposed making most nonpartisan county offices elected on a nonpartisan basis. No votes or final selections were taken in the portion provided; the committee mainly heard testimony and discussed whether topics should be assigned to this committee or another one.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 03/04/25
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill provides an opportunity to increase the Medicare reimbursement for patients in the facility
- Northshore Health is asking for a legislative change that will provide our organization with an opportunity
- You have the opportunity to be part of the solution to ending overdose death in Minnesota.
- You have the opportunity to be part of the solution to ending overdose death in Minnesota.
- So I appreciate the opportunity to testify, and I'm happy to answer any questions. Thank you.
Committee:
Senate Health and Human Services
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 2/26/25
Transportation Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I want to thank you for the opportunity to testify today.
- Chair, for the opportunity to testify.
- Chair, for the opportunity to testify. Chair: Thank you.
- Thank you, Representative Murphy, for the opportunity to speak on this bill.
- Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today on our opposition to House File 367.
Committee:
House Transportation Finance and Policy
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 02/24/25
Jobs and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator P: Thank you, Chair Champion, and thank you, members, for the opportunity to present SF 1514,
- </c><00:01:50.759><c> to</c> members uh for the opportunity to members uh for the opportunity to present
- I've had the opportunity to be a lead hair stylist for Minnesota Fashion Week and the first-ever Asian
- to be a lead I've had the opportunity to be a lead hair<00:08:39.399><c> stylist</c><00:08:39.760><c
- Chair, it's a great opportunity for us to do good for people, to do well. Thank you so much.
Committee:
Senate Jobs and Economic Development
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- I appreciate the opportunity to be here to speak about the importance of nutrition. Mr.
- But thank you for the opportunity to be with you today. The theme of...
- So I want to thank you for the opportunity of just reminding you of how important nutrition is, and so
- So I want to thank you for the opportunity of just reminding you of how important nutrition is, and so
- Thank you for the opportunity of being here. Thank you. Committee, any questions? Seeing none.
Committee:
Senate Health and Welfare