Video & Transcript Research : 'benchmark tests'

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US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, July 23, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • at the Nevada Test Site.
  • ground atomic testing at the Nevada test ground atomic testing at the Nevada test site.<06:58:56.080
  • We have never tested it dollar on it.
  • , War conducted over 1,000 nuclear tests, War conducted over 1,000 nuclear tests, far<07:30:34.080
  • And if we were to resume testing, the rest of the world would resume testing.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Finance Division I (03/11/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • had basically indicated that Class B thefts, which would encompass the current $1,000 to $1,500 benchmark
  • So depending on—I don't have the data that would break it down on any given benchmark where that would
  • /c><00:46:11.119> given would break it down on any given would break it down on any given Benchmark
  • :12.839> would<00:46:13.040> be<00:46:13.280> how<00:46:13.400> many Benchmark
  • where that would be how many Benchmark where that would be how many you<00:46:14.119> know<00
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee first discussed a proposed increase to the annual elevator certificate fee in the Department of Labor. The commissioner said the fee had been $50 for years and generated just under $300,000 annually, while the Inspection Division’s broader revenue far exceeded its expenses. Members noted the fee only covered the certificate, not the inspection itself, which is billed separately at $100 per hour. After comparing the fee to neighboring states and discussing the department’s revenue and staffing, the committee agreed to rewrite the language to set the fee at $75 and to vote on an amendment later. The committee then took up Section 139, which would expand the list of labor-law violations that can be penalized without first issuing a warning. The Department explained the change was meant to align House Bill 157 with other chapters, including youth employment and workers’ compensation provisions, where immediate civil penalties are already allowed. The section was accepted unanimously. A longer discussion followed on the Second Injury Fund. The commissioner explained that the fund reimburses insurers for certain workers’ compensation costs tied to claims involving pre-existing conditions, is financed by assessments on insurers, and requires notice within 100 weeks of injury plus a $10,000 deductible before reimbursement. He said the fund currently holds roughly $16 million to $22 million, one full-time employee administers it, and total staff involvement is about five to six people. Members questioned whether the fund should be sunset, but the department said the current House Bill 2 language does not propose a sunset; instead, it addresses increased hearing and litigation burdens after a recent Supreme Court decision. Sections 140 and 141, dealing with hearings, were then accepted unanimously. The committee also briefly discussed fines for late insurance coverage reporting, with the department noting the current rubric allows up to $50 per day but uses $112 per day, and members suggesting a lower amount.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Jul 21st, 2025

Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • There is a whole group of people that are sort of blind tested at the state hospital after they commit
  • We had a few people who were not on the DD waiver who we felt like we should, so our psychologist tested
  • That's their targeted benchmark.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Administration of Criminal Justice Apr 28th, 2026

Administration of Criminal Justice

Transcript Highlights:
  • Boudreaux, about judges interpreting that as the benchmark, as the $50,000.
  • , syphilis tests, chlamydia tests, gonorrhea tests, blood tests, HIV screening.
  • Last page of the bill, where the laboratory testing? Yes. Okay, okay. Yes.
  • What I do know is that the laboratory testing that would be paid is only the laboratory testing that
  • Their test results came back clear. I'm not going to say any more than that.
Summary: The committee first deferred HB 374 without objection. It then heard SB 46, which creates the crime of unlawful operation of a group home aimed at protecting vulnerable adults living in unsafe, unlicensed residences where operators control residents’ assets. The Attorney General’s office described severe neglect and exploitation in some homes, while the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center opposed the bill over concerns it could create confusion, criminalize legitimate recovery or disability housing, and chill protected housing arrangements. After discussion, including assurances that the bill was narrowly targeted at bad actors, the committee reported SB 46 favorably. The committee next took up HB 276, which sets a statewide minimum bail amount for certain sexual offenses against minors. Testimony from a victim’s mother and an anti-trafficking expert supported the bill as a way to keep dangerous offenders detained and protect children, while members debated whether the original $50,000 minimum was too low and could be treated as a benchmark. The committee amended the bill in committee to raise the minimum to $1 million and to add human trafficking involving a victim under 18 to the covered offenses, then reported HB 276 favorably as amended. Members then heard SB 42 and SB 110, both addressing AI-generated child sexual abuse material. SB 42 expands the definition of child sexual abuse material to include digital and AI-generated depictions, while SB 110 prohibits using a child’s image to train AI to produce such material. The Attorney General’s office and survivor advocates supported the measures as necessary updates to keep pace with technology and protect children; the committee reported both bills favorably. HB 998, dealing with forensic medical exams and reimbursement for domestic violence victims, especially strangulation cases, was also heard and amended to remove human trafficking references and set implementation steps; advocates said the bill would improve evidence collection and reimbursement, and it was reported favorably with amendments. Finally, the committee heard SB 51 on fraudulent representation of military service or awards, which was supported as a tool to address stolen valor and was reported favorably, and HB 323 on notification and reporting of inmate deaths, which was presented as a transparency measure after a family testified about learning of a relative’s death from the news rather than the facility.
MD

Maryland 2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session, 4/13/2026 #2

Maryland Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • test years.
  • I know this is a forecast test years.
  • They're going to have a proceeding that allows potentially the use of forecast test years, historic test
  • the use of forecast test years, historic test<00:16:52.560> test<00:16:52.800> years<00
  • test years or a hybrid model that test test years or a hybrid model that whatever's<00:16:55.279>
Summary: The Senate reconvened with a quorum and first honored Nancy Crawford with a resolution recognizing her 46 years of state service, including 20 years as Senator Pam Beidle’s chief of staff. Senator Beidle then spoke at length about her own retirement plans and public service, reflecting on her career in the House and Senate, her work on the Finance Committee, and thanking her staff and colleagues. The chamber unanimously journalized the remarks. The Senate then moved into business on House and Senate messages, including House Bill 139 and Senate Bill 311, and adopted a conference committee report on House Bill 1532, the Utility Relief/Reducing Energy Load for Inflation measure. The report was described as a broad energy and utility package that had already passed the Senate 38-4 and was said to address short-, medium-, and long-term issues, including rate relief, in-state generation, data center policy, consumer transparency, and low-income utility assistance. During debate on the conference report, the majority leader explained several changes from prior versions: no legislative ban on forecast test years, instead deferring to the Public Service Commission; removal of gas programs from Empower to avoid inequities across service territories; modest opening of the retail supply market with guardrails; and rejection of some floor amendments, including a gas line extension provision and a study amendment. The minority leader argued the bill offered only limited relief, focused too much on talking points and short-term savings, and said many bipartisan amendments were not retained. The majority leader responded that the bill would save ratepayers real dollars through provisions on utility adders, executive bonuses, FERC-related returns, and new generation, and urged adoption of the conference report.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session May 21st, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We're going to have more, and you will be tested over and over.
  • These, you're tested all the time and you're going to continue to be tested.
  • Assembly Bill 1965, a bill that strengthens the Department of Cannabis Control’s authority on cannabis testing
  • The council will develop a comprehensive plan with annual benchmarks to cut child poverty in half over
Summary: The Assembly met on May 7, 2026, after an initial delay caused by the absence of a quorum, then proceeded with prayer, a moment of silence for victims of a hate-motivated attack at the Islamic Center in San Diego, and the Pledge of Allegiance. The Speaker pro tempore then moved through the daily file, repeatedly urging members to be on time and at their desks as the House of Origin deadline approached. Procedural actions included dispensing with the journal, deferring some items, and moving AB 1667 to the inactive file. The bulk of the session was devoted to floor consideration of many bills, most of which passed with little or no opposition. Measures approved included bills on artificial intelligence provenance information (AB 2713), community college trustee compensation (AB 2528), transit camera enforcement and privacy (AB 1837), excess proceeds claims in taxation (AB 2705), HOA technical cleanup (AB 1892), hepatitis C treatment access (AB 1843), child care planning in local general plans (AB 1914), greenhouse energy code flexibility (AB 2200), rent-now-pay-later consumer protections (AB 2350), housing cleanup and density bonus measures (including AB 2390, AB 2480, AB 1567, AB 1751, and others), spay/neuter access (AB 2010), workforce housing financing tools (AB 2110), supportive housing and homelessness-related changes (AB 2146), mental health and health plan notification measures (AB 1598, AB 2613), student aid and education bills (AB 1534, AB 1636, AB 1669, AB 1728, AB 1784, AB 1871), public safety and criminal justice bills (AB 1546, AB 1572, AB 1872, AB 1877, AB 1932), and several health and social services measures (AB 1602, AB 1628, AB 1680, AB 1825, AB 1845, AB 1906, AB 1907, AB 1925). Most bills were described as support measures, often with bipartisan backing and no opposition, and passed by wide margins. A few bills drew more discussion, especially AB 1751, a housing/townhome bill that sparked extended debate over wages, prevailing wage, stakeholder engagement, and whether the measure could depress pay for construction trades; despite concerns and an opposition speech, it ultimately passed 44-0. AB 1793, which would allow symmetrical rounding of cash transactions to the nearest nickel in light of the penny’s phaseout, also drew light debate and passed 47-1. AB 1932, an urgency measure expanding community-based crisis response, passed with one no vote on both the urgency and the bill. Several urgency or 54-vote bills, including AB 1534 and AB 1932, required later roll calls or calls to be lifted, but all measures described in the transcript were ultimately approved.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

Senate Judiciary (02/03/2026)

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • And that result is less transparency, fewer cases tested in court, and sentencing outcomes driven more
  • result is less transparency,<01:26:39.120> fewer<01:26:39.600> cases<01:26:40.000> tested
  • <01:26:40.320> in transparency, fewer cases tested in transparency, fewer cases tested in
  • /c><02:35:24.399> the<02:35:24.640> results<02:35:24.960> were due process benchmarks
  • , the results were due process benchmarks, the results were concerning.<02:35:26.560> The<02:35
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Education Funding (01/28/2026)

Education Funding

Transcript Highlights:
  • <01:49:17.760> and<01:49:18.159> a um gives us an accepted benchmark and a um gives
  • us an accepted benchmark and a relative<01:49:18.960> perspective<01:49:19.600> over<01
  • the basic contribution to the special education program that every school has to maintain, doing testing
  • the basic contribution to the special education program that every school has to maintain, doing testing
  • and so forth to determining testing and so forth to determining whether<02:36:49.120> or<02:36
Keywords: 1189, house, all
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • >> Yeah, we're trying, you know, our goal right now is to try to benchmark as much as possible for us
  • is<01:01:57.400> to<01:01:57.520> try<01:01:57.640> to<01:01:57.760> benchmark
  • <01:01:58.360> as<01:01:58.480> much right now is to try to benchmark as much right
  • now is to try to benchmark as much as<01:01:58.800> possible<01:01:59.440> for<01:01:59.560
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education met at the University of Hawaii at Manoa to hear testimony on House Bill 2384, which relates to student athlete compensation and NIL. Chair Garrett opened by explaining the hearing was intentionally held on campus so lawmakers could hear directly from those affected. UH President Wendy Hensel and Athletics Director Matt Elliott both testified in support, saying the bill would help the university respond to the changing college athletics landscape, protect student athletes, improve transparency and education around NIL, and support UH’s ability to remain competitive. Elliott also said UH was seeking $5 million in NIL-related funding to support the program. Several UH coaches and student athletes testified in favor, emphasizing the importance of UH athletics to the state, the community, and the student experience. Women’s basketball coach Laura Beeman described UH athletics as a source of pride and hope for the state, while players Jovi, Latoria Tamilo, and others said the program felt like home and that NIL support could help them grow, represent Hawaii, and give back. Women’s volleyball coach Robyn Ah Mow said UH athletics changed her life and that the school must adapt to remain competitive; her players Victoria Leyva, Shealy Reed, and Talia Akase similarly said NIL opportunities could help UH attract talent, expand exposure, and strengthen community ties. Football coach Timmy Chang said the bill was important for recruiting, retaining, and building culture around Hawaiian values, and player Dean Briskie said UH’s developmental approach and team culture mattered more than money, though NIL has made retention harder. Quarterback Micah Alihada said the program’s culture and support from coaches and leadership made it easier to stay, but that the changing landscape made HB 2384 important. Baseball players Elijah Eikez and Ben Zukerman Ball also supported the bill, saying UH athletics carries responsibility to the community and helps student athletes become leaders and role models. No vote or final committee action was described in the transcript.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • mentioned—thank you—the commissioner mentioned we've got a couple CPT codes that are way out of the benchmarks
  • good to hear, but the commissioner mentioned we've got a couple CPT codes that are way out of the benchmarks
  • good to hear, but the commissioner mentioned we've got a couple CPT codes that are way out of the benchmarks
  • The commissioner mentioned we've got a couple CPT codes that are way out of the benchmarks. Yes.
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The subcommittee met to review the Department for Medicaid Services’ program integrity work. Commissioner Lisa Lee and Program Integrity Director Jennifer Dudinsky outlined Kentucky Medicaid’s structure, funding, enrollment, and spending, including FMAP rates, the size of the Medicaid and KCHIP populations, the number of providers, and 2024 expenditures. They also described the managed care and fee-for-service populations, noting that managed care serves most members while fee-for-service is concentrated in long-term care and waiver populations. Most of the discussion focused on fraud, waste, abuse prevention, and provider oversight. The department described its provider enrollment and certification checks, revalidation requirements, site reviews, fingerprinting for some high-risk providers, and termination grounds such as false application information, Medicare actions, unreported ownership changes, and abandonment of a provider number. Members asked about nonprofit ownership reporting, MCO fraud oversight, and how the department tracks unusual CPT code utilization, especially in behavioral health. The department said it uses data analytics, audits, policy review, and collaboration with behavioral health staff to monitor those trends. Dudinsky explained the division’s four branches: provider licensing and certification, audits and compliance, recovery, and third-party liability/estate recovery. She described prepayment and postpayment audits, referrals of credible fraud allegations to the Attorney General, monthly meetings with the AG’s office, and coordination with the Office of Inspector General, CMS, HHS OIG, MCOs, and other partners. She also explained payment suspensions, stand-downs during law enforcement investigations, and recovery efforts for overpayments, provider/member fraud, and third-party liability. The department said its recovery and avoidance efforts produced more than $251 million in savings so far in 2025. No votes or formal actions beyond approving the minutes were taken.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • perpetuity instead of 140% as it given perpetuity instead of 140% as it given perpetuity Benchmark
  • 46.120> comments<00:13:46.639> to<00:13:47.199> M<00:13:47.519> Senator Benchmark
  • um any comments to M Senator Benchmark um any comments to M Senator Mel's<00:13:48.839> comment
  • The ones in California got California Coastal Commission approval, so that's a pretty high benchmark
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The committee first took up SB 534, a measure concerning development in Kakaʻako Makai involving the Hawaii Community Development Authority and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The chairs explained that the hearing was decision-making only and no testimony would be accepted, though members could ask clarifying questions. The chair outlined amendments to clarify HCDA’s approval process, require an environmental impact statement before residential development proposals are submitted, require Department of Health documentation on hazardous substances, and specify that only OHA-owned parcels would be eligible for certain residential development with a 400-foot height limit and maximum floor area ratio of 10.0. The amendments also addressed affordability, owner-occupancy, association fees, and a special fund, while noting Attorney General concerns that the fee could be construed as a tax and suggesting further review by Judiciary and Ways and Means. Members discussed the affordability threshold, with one senator suggesting 160% AMI instead of 140% due to high housing costs and concern that essential workers could be priced out. Others raised concerns about Native Hawaiian affordability, the long-term effect of perpetuity restrictions, and whether the process would protect OHA’s interests. An HCDA representative said 140% AMI was used in existing reserve housing rules and that lower thresholds could make development economically infeasible. OHA and other supporters said the proposal was still early in planning and emphasized the need for public hearings, community input, and compliance with environmental and remediation standards. The committees voted to pass SB 534 with amendments: Water and Land approved it 4-1, and Hawaiian Affairs also adopted the chair’s recommendation, with one member excused and one voting no. The meeting then moved to SB 3, relating to water resource management. The bill would authorize the Commission on Water Resource Management to retain independent legal counsel, create an executive director position, allow challenges to emergency orders under certain conditions, establish fines for water use offenses, and revise emergency and shortage declaration procedures; Red Hill-related provisions were noted as removed from this version. Testimony was largely supportive, including from DLNR, the Board of Water Supply, OHA, and Sierra Club, with OHA stressing the measure’s importance to Native Hawaiian water rights and past litigation. A Department of Hawaiian Home Lands representative supported the bill with amendments and recommended explicit language directing the commission chair or designee to advocate for water rights and reservations for homelands. The chair indicated the committees would use the prior Senate-passed version as the basis for further action, and the discussion then moved on to SB 130, a search-and-rescue reimbursement bill.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • And obviously conversely if the CCRC fails to meet those benchmarks, they'll have to do that escrowing
  • And obviously conversely if the CCRC fails to meet those benchmarks, they'll have to do that escrowing
  • CCRC fails to meet those benchmarks, they'll have to do that escrowing, and again they'll be subject
  • Rather than<05:15:18.798> modeling<05:15:19.200> and<05:15:19.440> testing<05:15
  • testing the system through<05:15:20.480> the<05:15:20.638> application<05:15:21.120>
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 47, sponsored by Senator Regina Birdsell at the request of the Insurance Department. The bill would clarify that a birth mother’s health insurance is the primary policy for a newborn’s care unless the mother has no coverage or no employer-sponsored coverage. Birdsell and Insurance Commissioner DJ Benton Court said the measure simply codifies the department’s long-standing interpretation of existing law. Representative Miles asked whether the coverage would extend to a grandchild if a young woman on her parents’ plan had a baby, and Birdsell said it would. The hearing on SB 47 was then closed. The committee next heard Senate Bill 121, introduced by Grant Bosi for Senator Kevin Avard. The bill requires insurers to notify the Insurance Department when they stop writing an entire line of business or, in some cases, when they change Medicare Advantage offerings. Benton Court said the bill was prompted by disruption in the Medicare Advantage market, where consumers and the department were confused by carriers exiting, changing plans, or narrowing offerings. He said the department does not regulate Medicare Advantage itself, but does license the carriers, and the notice requirement would help the department advise consumers; he also said noncompliance could affect a carrier’s license and could lead to fines. Members discussed the notice period, and the department and AHIP indicated support for changing it from 120 days to 90 days to align with federal timing. The hearing was closed with plans to work on an amendment in subcommittee. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 247, introduced by Representative Brian Cole, which would prohibit network exclusion for pharmacies that refuse to dispense prescriptions when PBM reimbursement is below acquisition cost. Cole said the bill is meant to stop pharmacies from being forced to sell at a loss. Members questioned whether pharmacies voluntarily enter PBM contracts, whether the bill would raise consumer prices, and whether it would mainly affect independent pharmacies. Cole and others said the issue has changed over time because PBMs now control a much larger share of the market, and that the bill would let pharmacies refuse loss-making fills and direct patients to mail order instead. The discussion also noted that the bill excludes Medicare and Medicaid and that the current proposal does not create a middle-ground option for patients to pay a premium at the counter.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • This is tested to some degree, but absolutely that is heard in terms of, and also to Senator Gabaldon's
  • And so this is why we’ve got to ground test stuff with people who are actually making these decisions
  • about the increase in our workload, just as related to HR1, and our swift implementation of the 25% test
  • , which is allowing us... ...and our swift implementation of the 25% test, which is allowing us to award
  • And so with the increase of the, over the reduction of the 25% test, while we're doing more volume at
Keywords: 987, senate, all
Summary: The subcommittee heard May Revision proposals focused on housing, homelessness, and related administrative changes, and took no votes, holding items open for later action. Item 1 would realign staff positions and resources as part of the Governor’s housing and homelessness reorganization, including shifting two Cal ICH positions to HCD, moving one Cal ICH position for communications/external affairs, and authorizing a chief deputy director at the new Housing Development Finance Committee. Administration witnesses said the changes were technical and net zero-cost, while the LAO recommended approval but asked for clarification on funding for the chief deputy. Several senators questioned whether the staffing shifts would weaken Cal ICH’s homelessness work and whether adding communications capacity was appropriate without new housing funding. Item 2 proposed creating a $100 million Disaster Rebuilding Fund at CalHFA, with $56 million General Fund and $44 million in existing National Mortgage Settlement funds, to support disaster-impacted homeowners through tools such as loan loss guarantees and interest rate buy-downs. CalHFA said the fund would help homeowners bridge the gap between insurance proceeds and rebuilding costs and would work through approved lenders. The LAO raised concerns about the lack of alternatives in the proposal, the broad discretion left to CalHFA in program design, and the General Fund cost. Senators pressed for more detail on eligibility, equity safeguards, lender oversight, and how many homeowners would actually benefit, with some warning the proposal was too open-ended and could miss the most vulnerable households. Item 3 addressed trailer bill language for HAP Round 7, including a proposed $500 million General Fund allocation tied to new accountability measures, pro-housing designation requirements for 14 large cities and 11 counties, local match requirements, streamlined system performance metrics, and recapture/reallocation of unspent funds. HCD said the proposal would avoid a new application process by treating Round 7 as additional disbursements of Round 6 and would provide technical assistance to jurisdictions. The LAO and several senators questioned the timing, the burden of pro-housing designation and local match requirements, the vagueness of some standards, and whether the proposal would delay rather than speed up funding. Members also debated whether the trailer bill preserved or weakened existing homelessness accountability metrics and whether the approach was too complicated given local budget pressures and ongoing homelessness needs.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
  • Sherry, is the early testing.
  • The kids from the Martinez-Jarcy lawsuit are going to be affected with early testing.
  • So the early testing is, I do believe that we need more staff to do the proper testing and address those
  • So cultural and language background will affect the early testing.
  • I'm my reading skills are being tested, Mr. Chair. No...
Summary: The committee first heard a detailed staff presentation on the LESC FY27 public school support recommendation. Staff reviewed the budget structure and explained that, despite a downward revision in state revenue estimates, the recommendation still relied on recurring and non-recurring revenue to support educator compensation, insurance, transportation, literacy, math, special education, and other school programs. Major recurring items included a 3% compensation increase, funding for an 80-20 health insurance cost share, insurance premium growth, and transportation adequacy funding. Staff also flagged a possible supplemental need of up to $35 million for virtual education tied to rapid enrollment growth in Chama and Santa Rosa, and members raised concerns about the quality, accountability, and funding model for virtual programs. Members asked questions about transportation for rural districts, the Martinez-Yazzie lawsuit fees, the treatment of enrollment declines in the school funding formula, and whether the word “average” in salary language should remain in the budget. Staff explained that the SEG should remain whole, that the insurance and transportation recommendations applied to all public school employees but not contractors, and that the budget included multiple math-related investments spread across several lines rather than one single appropriation. There was also discussion of out-of-school learning grants, school meals, literacy center operations, special education training, and the Public Education Reform Fund, including the use of multi-year, evaluation-based appropriations for high-impact tutoring and community schools. After discussion, the committee adopted the LESC budget recommendation. The committee then moved to endorsed legislation proposals. It endorsed a bill allowing the secretary to suspend an individual school board member, with notice and appeal procedures clarified, and a bill creating an 80-20 health insurance cost-share requirement for public school employees, along with a study of the sustainability of public school insurance programs. It also endorsed a bill on attendance provisions for students with severe medical conditions, which would keep those students from being classified as excessively absent. Finally, the committee discussed a teacher residency bill that would raise stipend levels, allow residents to complete service anywhere in New Mexico, and remove the requirement that sponsoring schools must hire them, though the bill did not include an appropriation. Members also raised questions about bilingual, Hispanic, and Black education funding, cultural and linguistic supports in teacher preparation, and where various programs should be placed in the budget or PERF framework.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am

Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • date contemplated in this extension order, such that that date be an outlier and not the ultimate benchmark
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Senate took up several final-passage matters, including adopting an emergency preamble for a sick leave bank for Maria Latendra of the Department of Transitional Assistance, passing a bill authorizing the Dartmouth Fire Department District No. 1 Prudential Committee to appoint a treasurer, and enacting a bill validating proceedings at the Town of Millbury annual town meeting by the required two-thirds vote. The Senate also passed to be engrossed local bills reorganizing the Town of Rochester’s government into a select board and town administrator form, and further regulating the term of the town moderator in Norwood. The chamber then considered and adopted a concurrent order from the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight extending the committee’s deadline to act on 58 bills until January 31. Senators discussed the extension’s size and the need to comply with Joint Rule 10, with assurances from the committee chair that the bills would be handled well before the new deadline. The Senate also suspended Joint Rule 12 to refer a House petition establishing a sick leave bank for Manny Jean Goldstein of the Department of Children and Families to the Committee on Public Service. Later, the Senate adopted an order to adjourn until Monday at 11 a.m. and then adjourned in memory of the Honorable Michael F. Flaherty, Sr., with remarks honoring his service as a former state representative, judge, Navy veteran, and advocate on public safety and substance use disorder issues.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Science, Technology and Energy (02/17/2026)

Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • So the two duties would be study and identify appropriate benchmarks for the increased implementation
  • So the two duties would be study and identify appropriate benchmarks for the increased implementation
  • So the two duties would be study and identify appropriate benchmarks for the increased implementation
  • So the two duties would be study and identify appropriate benchmarks for the increased implementation
  • So the two duties would be study and identify appropriate benchmarks for the increased implementation
Keywords: 1189, house, all
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

CPC-CPN Joint Info Briefing - Tue Jan 13, 2026 @ 9:00 AM HST

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • delivery is not-for-profit because it makes sure that executive compensation is appropriate and benchmarked
  • c> have com- compensation that is have com- compensation that is appropriately<02:32:51.440> benchmarked
  • <02:32:52.560> and appropriately benchmarked and appropriately benchmarked and competitive
  • 29.400> And<02:33:29.520> so,<02:33:29.640> that<02:33:29.800> will benchmarked
  • And so, that will benchmarked properly.
Keywords: 910, house, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Health and Human Services - 04/01/25

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • Research does show that freestanding birth centers exceed benchmarks in our value-based care systems.
  • Research does show that freestanding birth centers exceed benchmarks in our value-based care systems.
  • a member of the registry and uses medical cannabis and has been subject to additional scrutiny or testing
  • a member of the registry and uses medical cannabis and has been subject to additional scrutiny or testing
  • a member of the registry and uses medical cannabis and has been subject to additional scrutiny or testing
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • By statute, if we meet certain bench benchmarks or if we achieve certain expansions, like much more data
Keywords: 914, all
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • For the past year, this locomotive has been operating in testing.
  • For the past year, this locomotive has been operating in testing and demonstration mode at Sierra's rail
  • And unfortunately, we've done a lot to set goals and benchmarks for our climate-resilient future.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
Summary: The Senate Select Committee on Hydrogen Energy held an informational hearing on California’s hydrogen leadership, with Chair Bob Archuleta framing hydrogen as a complementary clean-energy pathway for hard-to-electrify sectors and emphasizing the need for balanced policy, community benefits, and strategic use of public funds. The first panel of private-sector witnesses from the California Hydrogen Business Council, Bosch, Hyundai, and Sierra Northern Railway described existing deployments in buses, trucks, rail, ports, and industrial uses, and argued that the technology is commercially ready but needs stable policy, faster permitting, stronger demand signals, and more infrastructure. They highlighted projects such as Hyundai’s NorCal Zero freight trucks, Bosch’s hydrogen components and refueling technology, and Sierra’s hydrogen switcher locomotive, while also noting major cost barriers, especially for fuel and equipment, and the need for continued state incentives and coordinated infrastructure planning. Committee members focused on labor standards, community engagement, and the current scale of hydrogen vehicles and fueling infrastructure. Witnesses said they work with labor groups, building trades, and safety organizations, and that early community involvement and first-responder training are important. In response to questions, panelists estimated roughly 15,000 to 16,000 light-duty fuel cell vehicles in California, around 100 hydrogen trucks, and growing bus deployment, with South Korea cited as having much larger fleets. They also discussed hydrogen fuel costs, with one rail operator saying delivered fuel had fallen from more than $60 per kilogram to about $35 per kilogram but would need to drop below $10 per kilogram for broad commercial viability. CARB’s incentive and regulatory programs, including heavy-duty vehicle subsidies and low-carbon fuel standards, were described as important supports, though federal tax credit changes and uncertainty were said to be slowing progress. The second panel addressed hydrogen’s public-health, air-quality, and climate role. CAPCOA, the Coalition for Clean Air, the building trades, and a UC Berkeley researcher argued that hydrogen should be used selectively in the most polluted, diesel-heavy settings such as ports, freight corridors, rail yards, transit depots, and backup power for data centers. They stressed that fuel cell applications provide zero tailpipe emissions, but cautioned that hydrogen produced from fossil fuels or used in combustion rather than fuel cells reduces the environmental benefit. The UC Berkeley witness presented modeling suggesting large reductions in NOx and particulate exposure, with significant avoided premature deaths and health savings if hydrogen displaces diesel in heavy-duty sectors. Panelists also urged that hydrogen not delay direct electrification, that environmental justice be central to deployment, and that infrastructure and safety planning include community engagement and measurable local benefits. The final panel featured public-sector updates from SamTrans, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, the Port of Long Beach, and the First Public Hydrogen Authority. SamTrans described its transition of more than 300 buses to battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell buses, including a large order of 108 hydrogen buses, but said the loss of expected ARCHES funding created a major gap for fueling infrastructure and that state support is needed for grants, tax exemptions, and axle-weight rule changes. GoBiz said the federal cancellation of ARCHES funding disrupted the market, but that private capital remains available if demand and cost-reduction signals are strong; it pointed to permitting streamlining and targeted state action as key next steps. The Port of Long Beach reported 106 hydrogen fuel cell trucks in port drayage, a $10 million hydrogen truck grant program, and a request for proposals for a public fueling station, while warning that high costs, fuel shortages, and the Colton incident have slowed momentum. First Public Hydrogen Authority described efforts to aggregate municipal demand, support green hydrogen production projects, and create long-term market certainty for suppliers and off-takers. Committee members repeatedly pressed witnesses on where state funding should go next, with several suggesting that near-term support for transit fleets, fueling infrastructure, and targeted high-impact corridors would be the most effective way to keep hydrogen deployment moving.