Video & Transcript Research : 'war veterans'
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KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Legislative Oversight & Investigations Committee (1-15-26) - Upon Adjournment
Transcript Highlights:
- Veterans Affairs, or KDVA, through the Office of Kentucky Veteran Centers, or OKVC, to serve our veteran
- 96 veterans.
- </c> Kentucky, which had 96 veterans. Kentucky, which had 96 veterans.
- </c> Department of Veterans Affairs. Department of Veterans Affairs.
- . veterans. veterans.
Keywords:
Call to Order and Roll Call- 00:00:00
Approve Minutes from November 13, 2025- 00:00:55
RiverLink Tolling Operations for Louisville Bridges-Quarterhill Testimony- 00:01:48
Staff Report on Veterans’ Centers- 00:26:45
Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs Response to Staff Report- 0:58:53
Adjournment- 1:18:00, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from the November 13, 2025 meeting and then heard testimony from Quarter Hill, the tolling subcontractor for RiverLink on the Indiana-Kentucky bridge system. Quarter Hill described its role in back-office support and call center operations for the Lincoln, Kennedy, and Lewis and Clark bridges, and said the contract began in 2021 with go-live in September 2023. The company reported that revenue has increased since it took over, customer service response times have improved, and it has been operating at a loss because the contract was based on outdated transaction estimates and did not account for higher-than-expected volume and added support costs.
Members questioned Quarter Hill about the role of consultants, the low reported collection rate, and why the company was leaving the contract. Quarter Hill said a single large consulting engineering firm had been hired to help shape the RFP and contract, but argued that consultants and overly detailed requirements can create disputes and hinder efficient service. On collection rates, the company said the reported 85% rate reflects the absence of registration holds and other enforcement tools, and that the remaining unpaid tolls are the hardest to collect. The company also said it had lost significant money on the contract and had reached a change order and termination agreement, while emphasizing that the system itself was functioning well.
The committee then received a staff report on Kentucky veterans centers. Staff said quality of care is generally high and staffing has improved, but reported occupancy figures are misleading because they are based on certified beds rather than functional capacity after conversions to single-occupancy rooms and capital projects. The report said actual occupancy is closer to 85% than the commonly reported 56%, and that increasing occupancy would not necessarily increase revenue because the state’s cost of care exceeds reimbursement and private-pay revenue. Recommendations included adopting functional occupancy reporting, continuing the move to single-occupancy rooms, reviewing modernization needs at Thompson Hood, including Eastern Kentucky in planning, and referring the Radcliffe HVAC procurement and installation to the Auditor of Public Accounts and Attorney General for review.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Veterans and Military Affairs - Room 210, 30 March, 2026; 12:30 PM
Veterans and Military Affairs
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Veterans and Military Affairs - Room 210, 3 March, 2026; 1:00 P.M.
Veterans and Military Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> uh for the state veterans affairs board. uh for the state veterans affairs board.
- I'm a veteran, but it's an privilege.
- And I feel like veterans.
- </c> Mississippi, which is our veteran state Mississippi, which is our veteran state homes.<00:07:05.520
- </c> would be good for the state uh veterans would be good for the state uh veterans affairs<00:08:27.759
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Veterans and Military Affairs - Room 210, 19 February, 2026; 2:00 P.M.
Veterans and Military Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- We’re going to start with House Bill 1076, Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act.
- This is double referred to Veterans and Military Affairs. This is a strike-all.
- This is double<00:03:25.200><c> referred</c><00:03:25.519><c> to</c><00:03:25.680><c> Veterans</c><00
- :03:26.080><c> and</c><00:03:26.319><c> Military</c> double referred to Veterans and Military double
- referred to Veterans and Military Affairs.<00:03:27.599><c> This</c><00:03:27.760><c> is</c><00:03:27.840
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Veterans and Military Affairs - Room 210, 3 February, 2026; 11:45 AM
Veterans and Military Affairs
MS
Mississippi 2025 Regular Session
Veterans and Military Affair - Room 409, 6 March, 2025; 3:45 P.M.
MS
Mississippi 2025 Regular Session
Veterans and Military Affairs - Room 210; 4 March, 2025: 9:30 AM
MS
Mississippi 2025 Regular Session
Veterans and Military Affairs - Room 409, 12 February, 2025; 9:00 A.M.
MS
Mississippi 2025 Regular Session
Veterans and Military Affairs - Room 216, 30 January, 2025; 1:00 PM
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nomination of Paul Lawrence, of Virginia, to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Feb 19th, 2025 at 08:30 am
Senate Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- And to the veterans watching today.
- America's veterans.
- To a lot of veterans, Dr.
- And when we look at the transition, I think for many veterans on this panel and many veterans veterans
- veterans.
Keywords:
veterans affairs, VA modernization, employee layoffs, mental health, suicide prevention, transparency, senate committee, bipartisan support, oversight
Summary:
The meeting involved detailed discussions on various veterans' issues, particularly focusing on the challenges faced by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) amidst a backdrop of significant staffing changes. Members expressed deep concerns over the recent layoffs of over 1,000 VA employees, emphasizing the crucial nature of these positions in the context of mental health support for veterans, particularly amid rising suicide rates. Senators articulated the need for transparency and effective communication between the VA and Congress to avoid further breakdowns in services. The session also spotlighted the ongoing modernization of VA systems and the urgent need to streamline processes to benefit veterans effectively.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Veterans and Military Affairs Division 4/15/26
Veterans and Military Affairs Division
Transcript Highlights:
- My grandfather, a proud World War II veteran, received his high school diploma in the 1990s under New
- </c> Korean War era and Vietnam era veterans. Korean War era and Vietnam era veterans.
- I knew a career and war veteran.
- I knew a career and war veteran.<00:37:36.320><c> Not</c><00:37:36.480><c> only</c><00:37:36.640><c>
- Both the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense, the Department of War, are investing
Keywords:
veterans, veterans affairs, mental health, behavioral health, rural health, rural areas, access to care, task force, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, general fund appropriation, veteran suicide prevention, PTSD, service members, military families, telehealth, rural psychiatry, high school diploma, armed forces, education policy, military service
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans Feb 24th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans
Transcript Highlights:
- Welcome, everyone, to the Technology and Economic Development and Veterans Committee meeting of Tuesday
- Senate Bill 5420 is the bill that relates to veteran benefits.
- Welcome back, everyone, to the Technology, Economic Development & Veterans Committee, and we are ready
- Welcome back, everyone, to the Technology Economic Development Veterans Committee, and we are ready to
- The expansion that allows more veterans to have access to things that they have earned, as well as the
Bills:
SB5420
Keywords:
veterans, military spouses, service members, uniformed services, National Guard, reservists, active duty, qualifying discharge, veterans preference, hiring preference, public employment, state benefits, license renewal, professional licensing, retirement service credit, pension, public retirement system, Washington RCW, military leave, reemployment rights
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on Substitute Senate Bill 6289, which would require the Department of Commerce to develop a statewide economic development and competitiveness strategic plan by June 30, 2027 and update it every five years. The sponsor said the bill is intended to coordinate existing efforts, set goals, and support businesses of all sizes with a data-driven statewide strategy. Commerce and the Washington Economic Development Association supported the bill, emphasizing the need for alignment, competitiveness, and adequate resources; witnesses also said the five-year update cycle would reduce costs. The committee discussed the fiscal implications and the need for annual check-ins, but no opposition was raised during the hearing.
The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 6149, which would broaden the definition of a rural county for certain public facilities and economic development purposes to include counties with population density of 100 or more people per square mile if they have no city larger than 45,000 residents. Senator Wilson said the bill is meant to preserve rural eligibility for counties like Cowlitz that have low-density areas but a single larger city, so they can continue to qualify for grants and other programs. Members asked about how the definition would affect counties and whether it would preserve existing rural designations. The hearing was then closed.
In executive session, the committee considered and advanced three bills. Senate Bill 5420, concerning access to state benefits and opportunities for veterans, was amended to update discharge terminology, include airmen in employment preference provisions, and revise qualifying discharge definitions; it passed 12-0 with one excused. Engrossed Senate Bill 5649, creating a supply chain competitiveness infrastructure program, was amended to prioritize projects benefiting Washington-produced goods and supply chain resilience and to avoid overlap with Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board funding; it also passed 12-0 with one excused. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5984, regulating AI companion chatbots, saw several amendments adopted and others rejected, including changes to gaming and educational exclusions, data minimization, and removal of an exemption for general-purpose AI models; it passed 8-4 with one excused. The committee adjourned after reporting all three bills out with due pass as amended recommendations.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans Feb 18th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans
Transcript Highlights:
- Welcome to the Wednesday, February 18th meeting of the Technology, Economic Development, and Veterans
- With Senate Bill 5420, ensuring access to state benefits and opportunities for veterans, uniformed service
- Senate Bill 5420 relates to veteran benefits.
- As background, there are several types of benefits and preferences that are available to veterans and
- The bill before you, Senate Bill 5420, makes several changes to eligibility for various veteran benefits
Bills:
SB5420
Keywords:
veterans, military spouses, service members, uniformed services, National Guard, reservists, active duty, qualifying discharge, veterans preference, hiring preference, public employment, state benefits, license renewal, professional licensing, retirement service credit, pension, public retirement system, Washington RCW, military leave, reemployment rights
Summary:
The committee held public hearings on two bills. Senate Bill 5420 would expand access to state benefits and preferences for veterans, uniformed service members, and military spouses. Staff explained that it would add members of the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and NOAA Corps to certain retirement, civil relief, licensing, and employment preference provisions, and extend some hiring preference to military spouses. Senator John Lovick testified in support, saying the bill had been worked on extensively and had passed the Senate overwhelmingly. Tammy Peral of the Department of Veterans Affairs also supported the bill, emphasizing modernization of state law and stronger support for military families. No opposition was heard, and the chair closed the hearing on the bill.
The committee also heard Engrossed Senate Bill 5649, which creates a Washington state supply chain competitiveness infrastructure program for public and tribal ports. Staff said the Department of Transportation would set priorities for grants and loans, work with supply chain stakeholders, and require projects to fit freight development plans and program goals. The bill includes an amendment to limit eligible projects to those not already eligible for Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board funding, addressing concerns about duplication. Senator Marko Liias testified that ports are central to Washington’s trade economy and that the bill would create a targeted port grant program. Testifiers from the Port of Benton and Port of Kalama described rail, terminal, and marine highway projects that need state matching funds and said the program would help small and rural ports compete and attract investment. The committee asked questions about project eligibility and the relationship to other funding sources, then closed the hearing on the bill and adjourned.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs Apr 7th, 2025
S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States was originally founded at the local level in 1899 by
- veterans of the Spanish-American War and the Philippine-American War to advocate for paid medical care
- HCR 7 seeks to designate September 29th as Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Day for a 10
- Veterans Land Board.
- Homeless veterans.
Keywords:
Veterans of Foreign Wars, veterans, commemoration, military service, recognition, September 29, waiver programs, toll roads, discount programs, transportation, affordable housing, land bank program, low-income households, Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation, HB 2061, Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 225, State Highway 242, Interstate Highway 69, Montgomery County
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Jan 21st, 2026
Military and Veterans Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Particularly with the veterans and their office as well.
- Now, the way the law is today, if a veteran dies and the spouse is still living, they have to do it.
- It says replace line 95 on page four with the following: qualify permanently and totally disabled veterans
- Then the veteran passes, but yet they will immediately have to go and start.
- Then the veteran passes, but yet they will immediately have to go and start—they have additional financial
Keywords:
homestead exemption, disabled veterans, tax relief, annual verification, property tax, state holidays, federal holidays, public holidays, legal holidays, office closures, state employees, personal leave, compensatory leave, bank closures, school closures, Mardi Gras, Mobile County, Baldwin County, Rosa Parks Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- , and it would direct the Texas Veterans Commission to develop a statewide veteran suicide prevention
- Currently, the Texas Veterans Commission operates the Military Veteran Peer Network, which is tasked
- better than our fellow veterans.
- Mitch Fuller from the Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Mr.
- Most of the time, actually, the best person to help a veteran talk to a veteran is a fellow veteran.
Keywords:
veterans, mental health, Texas Veterans Commission, peer support, suicide prevention, community mental health, grant program, cemetery, General Land Office, burial plot, remembrance, monthly designation, honoring military, Texas legislation, rural services, paid leave, fire protection personnel, military service, public employees, employment benefits
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The Senate Veteran Affairs Committee will come to order. Clark will call the roll. Hancock? Here.
- There is other business that needs to be discussed before the Veteran Affairs Committee, the ring nuns
- The Veteran Affairs Committee stands in recess, subject to the call of the chair.
Keywords:
public school finance, property values, homestead exemptions, funding allocation, education policy, public school bonds, school funding, guarantee prohibition, education finance, state law change, veterans, mental health, Texas Veterans Commission, peer support, suicide prevention, community mental health, grant program, cemetery, General Land Office, burial plot
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Connor Junkin, Executive Counsel for the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Counsel for the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Council for the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Unsatisfied with the VA care, veterans go to private health care facilities.
- So what this bill would do is allow a one-time use per facility, per veteran.
Keywords:
exemption, motor vehicles, health savings accounts, debt relief, bankruptcy, civil procedure, abandonment, default judgment, court costs, notice requirements, construction contracts, jurisdiction, dispute resolution, public policy, Louisiana law, professional engineer, peremptive periods, construction, architect, real estate developer
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/09/2026 - Senate Military Affairs and Border Security
Military Affairs and Border Security
Transcript Highlights:
- I was previously married to a 26-year Air Force veteran who served in multiple wars, which left me as
- I'm Greg Harrell, the State Commander of the Arizona Veterans of Foreign Wars, United States, retired
- I'm here representing the State of Arizona Veterans of Foreign Wars.
- We are veteran-owned and operated, with over 200 employees who are veterans, spouses of veterans, or
- veterans, is a veteran looking to protect veterans.
Keywords:
outdoor advertising, military compatibility, zoning, electronic signage, permitting, undocumented immigrants, financial services, identification requirements, loans, foreign remittances, transitional housing, military, veterans, grant program, supportive services, SB1511, commercial driver license, CDL, nondomiciled CDL, nondomiciled commercial driver license
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Military and Veterans Affairs committees kind of changed.
- Chairman, Charlton McGinley, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Both of my parents were Vietnam veterans. My mother is no longer with us.
- But we also have a lot of friends and first cousins who are also veterans.
- I'm the Executive Director of Military Veterans Advocacy.
Keywords:
legal representation, attorney general, elected officials, defense, legislative acts, judicial review, judiciary, election, judges, 19th Judicial District Court, East Baton Rouge, precincts, coroner, retention, body, mortuary, investigation, missing persons, Amber Alert, Endangered Missing Child Advisory