Video & Transcript Research : 'bulk purchasing'
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NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Finance Division III (02/09/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- There to be much additional cost for leasing or purchasing facilities.
- You cannot purchase groceries. general.
- You cannot purchase groceries. you<02:21:52.640>
cannot <02:21:52.880>pay <02:21:53.040> - Since the bulk of our tuition increases.
- Since the bulk of our children<02:22:43.920>
are <02:22:44.479>children <02:22:44.800>
Summary:
House Finance Division 3 met in work session and opened with procedural remarks from the chair about the committee’s schedule, deadlines, and recommendation options, noting the meeting was advisory and no votes were expected. The first bill discussed, House Bill 1569, concerned repealing the directive to sell the Anna Philbrook Center for Children property in Concord. Testimony from DHHS and New Hampshire Hospital focused on whether the property could be subdivided, the relationship to Senate Bill 572, the status of the city of Concord’s first right of refusal, and the practical effects of a sale. Witnesses said the $5 million sale estimate was a budget assumption, that moving staff and equipment would create some relocation costs, and that the center had required significant recent maintenance and renovation spending. Members also discussed the number of transitional housing beds at the site, the temporary nature of those beds, and whether the property should remain available given hospital workforce and service needs.
The committee then turned to House Bill 661, which had been recommitted for further review after new information emerged. The chair summarized federal developments, including a December 2025 ACF letter and a related executive order, as well as a federal HHS press release about states diverting foster youths’ Social Security survivor benefits. Representative Walner explained that amendment 3055H had been drafted to move the bill forward in smaller steps, with a fiscal note requested on the amendment because the original bill was viewed as too large and expensive. Members discussed whether the committee had received copies of the amendment and whether federal guidance or funding had changed the policy landscape.
The discussion also included broader questions about foster youth benefits and whether federal action would support state implementation. One member cited ACF language stating that only 11 states had enacted policies to stop interception of survivor benefits and that technical assistance would be available to the remaining states. The meeting remained in work-session mode throughout, with no votes taken and no final recommendations made during the portion provided. The chair indicated the committee could return to the bills later in the month.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- So the bulk of kids with the IEPs are still down below that 70,000 mark.
- So the bulk of kids with the IEPs are still down below that 70,000 mark.
- So the bulk of kids with the IEPs are still down below that 70,000 mark.
- So the bulk of kids with the IEPs are still down below that 70,000 mark.
- So the bulk of kids with the IEPs are still down below that 70,000 mark.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation Apr 30th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I don't have the exact percentage that they pay, but I think of the bulk of sort of the consumer impacts
- You know, you can build affordable housing at the beach and have it all be purchased by people in Sydney
- It was townhomes, they were going to be for purchase.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, this deals with salvage auto dealers routinely purchasing vehicles from law enforcement auctions
- does is allow auction sales receipts to be used to establish ownership and will allow salvage auto purchases
- Is going to get the bulk of this money. That's correct. Explain to me why.
Keywords:
commercial motor vehicle, truck liability, motor carrier, trucking, civil liability, respondeat superior, negligent entrustment, negligent maintenance, negligent loading, negligent repair, bifurcated trial, exemplary damages, punitive damages, personal injury, collision, employer liability, vicarious liability, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Texas tort reform, commercial truck accident
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- They submitted Petitions not signed in the presence and committed bulk identity theft using personal
- Athletic purchase. The sponsor moves to TP the bill, read the next bill.
- Would allow public schools to purchase, use, and maintain opioid antagonists that are FDA approved, rather
Keywords:
property tax, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, tax exemption, local government finance, appraisal district, chief appraiser, rendition statement, property tax relief, small business, commercial property, leased property, related business entity, unified business enterprise, tax situs, Texas Tax Code, local taxing unit, constitutional amendment
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Fish and Game and Marine Resources (02/05/2025)
Fish and Game and Marine Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- As properties come up, we look at the value, our ability to purchase it.
- come from to purchase property?
- Hampshire we use that money to purchase Hampshire we use that money to purchase valuable<00:57:41.119
- <02:24:41.359>
I'm was you would have to purchase I'm was you would have to purchase I'm assuming - <02:24:46.680>
a license you know you you purchase a license you know you you purchase a hunting
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division III (02/19/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- The bulk of our staff are really related to what I kind of think about as being expenditures.
- That's the bulk of the work that the team does on a daily basis. office of business operations is okay
- <00:11:30.279>
our <00:11:30.680>staff <00:11:31.600>um are supported the bulk - of our staff um are supported the bulk of our staff um are<00:11:32.079>
really <00:11:32.320> - of the work that the that's the bulk of the work that the team<00:12:36.360>
does <00:12:36.560
Summary:
House Finance Division III convened a work session on the DHHS budget, with the chair noting there would be no votes and that the committee would spend the day hearing from the commissioner’s office. Nathan White, DHHS Chief Financial Officer, opened with the Division of Finance/Office of Business Operations, explaining that the unit supports the department through daily financial management, AP/AR, audit work, expense projections, transfers, and procurement functions such as contracts, amendments, RFPs/RFAs, and grants management. He also described the division’s revenue and reporting work, including federal draws, CMS-64 reporting, and the public assistance cost allocation plan, and said the department had centralized rate-setting work and a small team handling Medicaid rate analysis and nursing facility rebase work.
Members asked about vacancies, turnover, and budget changes. White said the division had 18 positions unfunded in the governor’s budget, reducing personal services from about $10.8 million to $9.9 million, and estimated the division’s vacancy rate at about 11 percent, below the department average. He said turnover was relatively low, with one retirement at the manager level and higher turnover mainly at lower AP-level positions. He also explained that some budget lines reflected reallocations rather than new spending, including fringe benefits centralized elsewhere and an EBT card contract moved into this unit because the staff member overseeing it works in Finance. When asked about a rent/lease increase, he said it was due to higher copier leasing costs under a statewide DAS contract.
White highlighted several management and technology improvements. He said a business intelligence tool procured in 2022, using Salesforce and Excel-based data, helped DHHS better track federal revenue and maintenance-of-effort spending, reducing FY24 General Fund lapse by about 70 percent and federal/other revenue lapse by 88 percent compared with FY23; he warned that the tool is not funded in the current budget. He also described Lean Six Sigma efforts in the contracts team, training for vendors and nonprofits on procurement and indirect cost rules, and a Finance Academy to standardize policies and procedures. On the contracts side, he said the department uses Smartsheet for project management and DocuSign for electronic signatures, which cut contract execution time dramatically, but noted DocuSign is also not funded in the governor’s budget. The session ended as the committee prepared to move on to the Employee Assistance Program presentation.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Mortgage Finance Authority Act Oversight May 28th, 2025
Mortgage Finance Authority Act Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- And are they rental or are they purchase?
- It's not a typical trust fund where we only spend a little bit, leave the, you know, leave the bulk of
- What is your sense on the impact of private equity and hedge funds, um, purchasing single family homes
- thing that we, you know, we do see on our, on our homeownership side where people are trying to purchase
- benefit from a pool of home of ready buyers with homebuyer assistance that could enable them to purchase
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 06/04/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- >> Yes. >> What about the federally designated bulk system operators?
- >> WHAT ABOUT THE FEDERALLY DESIGNATED BULK SYSTEM OPERATORS?
- And then purchase history-based discounts are the third one exception to this.
- And then purchase history-based discounts are the third exception to this.
- That is because of prior purchase history. GET $5 OFF.
Summary:
The Senate met on June 3, 2026, approved the prior day’s journal, and then moved through a long list of discharge motions and substitutions to place many bills on the third reading calendar. The chamber also adopted Resolution J.2314 honoring the New York chapter of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, with remarks emphasizing domestic workers’ role in care work, labor organizing, and protections such as paid sick leave and family leave. Another adopted resolution, J.2298, mourned labor and social justice advocate Minerva Solla, with senators highlighting her work with 1199, the Young Lords, Puerto Rican solidarity efforts, and women’s organizing. A third resolution recognized Olympic curler Daniel Casper for representing the United States at the 2026 Winter Games.
The Senate then confirmed a large slate of judicial and executive nominations. It accepted the Judiciary Committee report and confirmed four interim Supreme Court justices, seven Court of Claims judges, and 21 reappointments/extensions by a vote of 44-12. The Finance Committee report was also accepted, and the Senate confirmed a broad set of appointments to state boards and authorities, including the MTA, State Commission of Correction, Power Authority, NYSERDA, Financial Control Board, public health councils, SUNY and Cornell boards, gaming and bridge authorities, and others. One notable confirmation was Alexander Dockery to the State Commission of Correction; supporters called it the first time a formerly incarcerated person had been confirmed to that commission, while Senator Murray criticized the practice of voting on large nomination blocks rather than individually.
The chamber then took up and passed many bills, mostly by wide margins, covering labor, health, education, transportation, public service, criminal justice, municipal, tax, insurance, and environmental topics. Several members explained their votes on major measures: Senator Ramos supported a bill modernizing temporary disability benefits and another protecting construction workers from lost pay when jobs are canceled; Senator Baskin spoke about a correction bill tied to the death of India Cummings; Senator Skoufis described a family-court custody bill intended to prioritize child safety; Senator Mayer backed a proposal to reimburse parents of medically fragile children for providing care; and Senator Hinchey defended a bill requiring employers to report AI-related job impacts, while Senator Borrello opposed it as burdensome. Most bills were passed, some were laid aside, and the session concluded with multiple roll-call votes and confirmations before adjournment-related business.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Oct 1st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- To purchase my own insurance as someone who is a business owner and self-employed.
- Requiring vaccines purchased pursuant to the statewide vaccine purchasing program to be recommended by
- It's a little bit more tricky because individuals can choose whether they want to purchase this insurance
- Speaker, so individuals who purchase their coverage on the exchange may not have employer-based coverage
- Be during the time that they purchase on the exchange?
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 29th, 2026 at 01:49 pm
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- Roadway maintenance and supplies are what DOT uses to purchase items for their own crews to do maintenance
- see a $6 million increase… Particularly on line 15, you'll see a $6 million increase for equipment purchases
- And this will be the bulk of our work before tomorrow, which is then catch-up cleanup.
- Kind of clarification on line item 294, Luna Community College, to purchase upgraded equipment for athletics
- I'm 294 Luna Community College to purchase upgraded equipment for athletics.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee May 28th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- reports, it'll basically say NYMEX plus X amount of cents on the top for the gallon and for the purchase
- I want to ask you to have your attention on the unbranded and the bulk prices there as well, unbranded
- I mean, that's true in every consumer product I have ever purchased.
- I mean, that's true in every consumer product I have ever purchased.
- for residential chargers including in multifamily dwellings, rebates for electric drayage truck purchases
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held its annual oversight hearing on the transportation fuels sector, focused on California’s fuel transition, the announced refinery closures by Phillips 66 and Valero, and the potential effects on supply, prices, and the broader fuel system. Committee leadership said the state needs a system-wide transition plan rather than a piecemeal approach, and state witnesses from CARB, the CEC, and DPMO described the fuel market as a complex, interconnected ecosystem involving crude production, refining, storage, imports, and delivery. They emphasized that declining gasoline demand from EV adoption is occurring alongside shrinking in-state refining capacity, which could increase volatility and price spikes if not managed carefully.
CARB Chair Liane Randolph reviewed the state’s climate and air-quality programs, including AB 32, SB 32, the 2022 scoping plan, the low-carbon fuel standard, and vehicle emissions rules. She said these policies have reduced emissions substantially but that California still faces major ozone and PM2.5 problems, especially in disadvantaged communities. Randolph also said federal actions challenging California waivers could complicate the state’s clean-air efforts, and she noted that while liquid fuels will still be needed in some sectors, the state must continue reducing fossil fuel dependence while protecting public health.
CEC Vice Chair Siva Gunda and DPMO Director Ty Milder presented data on gasoline demand, refinery throughput, crude imports, and price differentials. Gunda said the Legislature’s special-session laws gave the agencies transparency and planning tools, and that the CEC is developing a fuels transition plan while evaluating whether any regulatory tools should be used. Milder previewed DPMO findings that Californians have paid a long-running “mystery gasoline surcharge” averaging 41 cents per gallon since 2015, with higher margins concentrated in branded gasoline and among vertically integrated firms. He said the data show a concentrated market with some refiners doing well and others struggling, and that DPMO will continue investigating price behavior, competition, and supply risks.
Members pressed the witnesses on whether state regulations contributed to refinery exits or higher prices, and on whether the agencies had adequately analyzed consumer costs. Witnesses said they had not yet implemented the new permissive tools from SB X1-2 and AB X2-1 because they were still assessing risks and benefits, and they stressed that refinery closures and capital decisions are driven by broader market conditions as well as regulation. No vote was taken; the hearing was informational, with the committee seeking updates and urging the agencies to develop a practical transition strategy that balances affordability, reliability, climate goals, and worker/community protections.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Public Pension Oversight Board (1-27-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Of course, the bulk of that is being paid off by, in most cases, either the surplus because it's 120%
- today, that members can utilize that money outside of the system, but only for the purposes of a purchase
- c><00:23:41.960>
purposes <00:23:42.360>of <00:23:42.480>a <00:23:42.640>purchase - for only for the purposes of a purchase for only for the purposes of a purchase of<00:23:43.760>
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:02
Attendance Roll Call: 00:49
Approval of Minutes: 01:55
CERS Retiree Health Subsidy Proposal: 02:14
SB 58: 24:05
TRS Sick/Annual Leave Proposal: 32:53
Adjournment: 48:00, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first approved the prior month’s minutes after a roll call established a quorum. It then heard testimony on a draft proposal from Senator Robbie Mills to increase CERS retiree health subsidies for members retiring on or after July 1, 2003. The bill would raise the non-hazardous subsidy from $14.63 to $40 per month per year of service and the hazardous-duty subsidy from $21.94 to $50, with employee contribution rates adjusted based on the health trust’s funded status. Supporters from sheriffs, firefighters, police chiefs, and the Kentucky League of Cities said the change would improve recruitment and retention, better align the subsidy with the cost of a single health plan, and preserve the system’s financial footing through shared employer-employee costs and funding triggers.
Committee members asked about the fiscal impact, the effect of funding levels above 150%, and how the subsidy would work for rehired retirees or employees who later take private-sector jobs. Mills and other witnesses said preliminary actuarial work was still forthcoming, that the bill was intended to be revenue-neutral or close to it, and that the subsidy would continue to be paid monthly; they also noted existing 2008 rules for rehired retirees and said the benefit would still be available even if a retiree later had other insurance. One member suggested looking at stable accounts as an additional option for special-needs planning in a later bill.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 58 from Senator Robin Webb, which would allow state employees to designate a Special Needs Trust as a beneficiary for retirement benefits. Webb said the measure would help employees provide for disabled dependents without jeopardizing SSI or Medicaid eligibility, and that the bill follows federal special-needs trust rules. He said the proposal could be revenue neutral, but actuarial analysis was still pending and KPPA had asked for electronic rather than paper transfer provisions. Members questioned whether the authority already exists, how the trust would work, and whether stable accounts should also be considered; Webb said he would follow up with additional information.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Apr 7th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- For their twilight years, their balances don't grow as inflation increases and eats up their purchasing
Bills:
HB3418, HB3985, HB3463, HB3002, HB4303, HB3919, HB3416, HB3417, HB3415, HB2206, HB3414, HB3265, HB3310, HB3413, HB4486, HB1219, SR39, SB1177, HB3298, HB2696, HB3941, HB3970, HB3264, HB3321, HB2650, HB3497, HB3980, HB3981, HB4421, HB3177, HB3322, HB3499, HB3500, HB3845, HB3742, HB3622, HB1250, HB2710, HB3831, HB4408, HB1002, HB3008, HB3086, HB3595, HB3678, HB4107, HB3695, HB3315, HB3590, HB3006, HB3151, HB2959, HB2398, HB3026, HB3467, HB4268, HB3372, HB2210, HB4359, HB4427
Keywords:
public works, bidding procedures, construction contracts, transparency, public trust, electronic bidding, school districts, property rights, public nuisance, compensation claims, government enforcement, Oklahoma Safe Neighborhoods Act, municipal audit, state auditor, local government, financial transparency, gasoline tax allocations, counties, county officers, education
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Feb 11th, 2026 at 11:17 am
New Mexico House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And I know people with FFLs just use it to purchase their own firearms at home.
- And I know people have FFLs or just use it to purchase their own firearms on their home.
Bills:
HB111, HB103, HB60, HB108, HB120, HB145, HB154, HB164, HB291, HJR6, HR1, HJM2, HJM3, HJM1, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM32, HM13, HM47, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50, HB38, HB47, HB63, HB64, HB127, HB165, HB184, HB200, HM20, HM51
Keywords:
water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- This would require bulk displays of seed to be labeled with the same information required to be on individual
- 00:09:43.680>
this <00:09:43.880>would <00:09:44.000>require <00:09:44.360>bulk - <00:09:44.800>
displays <00:09:45.400>of Uh this would require bulk displays of Uh - this would require bulk displays of seed<00:09:45.760>
to <00:09:45.840>be <00:09:45.960
Summary:
The House took up Senate Bill 323, suspending the rules to consider it immediately. The bill was described as a broad agricultural measure with committee amendments and fiscal implications, and it was reported favorably by the Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry Committee, Ways and Means, and Appropriations. Members outlined sections dealing with milk market corrections, farm-to-school language, repeal of the obsolete pest control compact, pesticide applicator licensing changes, seed law updates, the Vermont Agricultural Credit Program, hemp regulation, and CAFO-related provisions. The Agriculture committee reported the bill out 7-0-1, and the effective date was described as July 1, 2026, except for the hemp provisions, which would take effect upon passage.
Much of the discussion focused on the hemp sections. Supporters said the bill updates Vermont law to reflect federal changes and shifts hemp oversight from the Agency of Agriculture to the Cannabis Control Board. The hemp provisions would create registration and licensing requirements for hemp producers, processors, and certain hemp products; set fees; authorize testing, inspections, stop-sale orders, and administrative penalties; and allow rulemaking on product standards, labeling, insurance, additives, and age restrictions. Speakers said the changes were intended to help Vermont’s hemp industry maintain access to banking, insurance, and interstate commerce while improving consumer safety and regulatory clarity.
Other agricultural provisions were also explained in detail. The bill would clarify milk producer hearing rights, update farm-to-school grant/contract language, remove outdated pest-control compact language, and adjust pesticide applicator exam and fee rules, including removing the limit on retakes and eliminating certain government applicator fees. It would also modernize seed labeling and definitions, transfer the Vermont Agricultural Credit Program into a new statutory structure under VEDA, and make conforming cross-reference changes in tax and cannabis fund statutes. The final sections would add a CAFO permit working group and require consultant training for state agencies on CAFO inspections, with those provisions contingent on future funding. Ways and Means noted the bill’s fee changes could affect state revenues, including an estimated hemp-related impact of roughly $10,000 to $90,000, though the exact effect was uncertain.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Legislative Session Day 44 (3-11-26)
Kentucky House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And then we have a great bulk in the bill are provisions that have been recommended by the Department
- And then we have a great<00:22:45.040>
bulk <00:22:45.400>in <00:22:45.520>the <00 - :22:45.640>
bill <00:22:46.440>are <00:22:47.080>provisions great bulk in the bill - are provisions great bulk in the bill are provisions that<00:22:48.040>
have <00:22:48.200>
Summary:
The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum with 95 members present, excused absent members, and adopted a legislative citation honoring Dave Buzz Baker for his long career with WKYT and the UK Sports Network. The Senate clerk then reported several Senate bills passed by the Senate and requested concurrence. The House approved the journal and received committee reports advancing a wide range of bills on agriculture, banking and insurance, judiciary, licensing and regulations, education, and information technology, covering topics such as agricultural procurement, pesticide labeling, vehicle financial protection products, proxy advisory services, financial exploitation, status offenses, firearms liability protections, school administrator salaries, sick leave, school safety, and data privacy.
The chamber then considered House Bill 468 on civil rights. The bill would update the Kentucky Civil Rights Act to align the definition of disability with the federal ADA, and it would remove the Kentucky Human Rights Commission’s adjudicative powers over employment and public accommodations disputes while preserving investigative functions. House Floor Amendment 1 was adopted; it removed language barring attorney’s fees, preserved local commissions’ investigative powers, authorized local commissions and private plaintiffs to file civil actions in circuit court, and extended the probable-cause determination period from 30 to 180 days. The bill, as amended, passed 72-22.
House Bill 757, the session’s revenue bill, was then debated. Its sponsor described provisions including moratoriums on certain local school district taxes, Internal Revenue Code conformity, new taxes on data brokering, fantasy contests, and predictive markets, EV charging station inspection fees, elimination of some tax expenditures, Department of Revenue cleanup provisions, and process changes for inheritance tax, property tax delinquencies, and other measures. Members raised concerns that the bill would limit local school boards’ taxing options and could affect bonding and school construction; the sponsor said TIF-related provisions would sunset future participation, not existing projects, and that the bill had been developed with agency input. House Bill 757 passed 69-18. The House also passed House Bill 727, creating the Kentucky Education Placement Service System for teacher applicants and district job postings, by a vote of 94-0. The chamber then took up House Bill 776, a modernization of the Dental Practice Act, with changes to board authority, licensure renewal, hygienist and assistant rules, and telehealth standards; the sponsor noted an ownership-related issue and presented House Floor Amendment 1 for consideration, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that amendment and the bill.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- able to get that information and save some, I guess, man hours with Aaliyah, and that's really the bulk
- 08.160>
the hours with Aaliyah and that's really the hours with Aaliyah and that's really the bulk - bulk of this bill. bulk of this bill. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Okay.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
ECD Public Hearing - Wed Feb 12, 2025 @ 10:00 AM HST
Economic Development & Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- Our unique geography means that the bulk of our energy is aviation because we're so far from everything
- /c><00:41:50.880>
means <00:41:51.400>that <00:41:52.040>the <00:41:52.720>bulk - our unique geography means that the bulk our unique geography means that the bulk of<00:41:53.119
Summary:
The Committee on Economic Development and Technology heard testimony on HB 976, a measure related to incentives for renewable fuels, including renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel. Supporters said the bill would help close the cost gap between renewable and conventional fuels, strengthen Hawaii’s energy security, support climate goals, and encourage local economic development. Testifiers from Pono Pacific, PAR Hawaii, Hawaiian Electric, Hawaiian Airlines/Alaska Airlines, the Hawaii Department of Transportation, Pacific Biodiesel, Aloha Carbon, and others described ongoing or planned projects, local feedstock development, and potential benefits for agriculture, waste diversion, and emissions reductions.
Several testifiers also discussed proposed amendments. The Hawaii Renewable Fuels Coalition said it wanted to remove the import tax credit, eliminate the aggregate cap increase to avoid additional state funding, and revise local-production language to rely on a carbon-intensity threshold rather than location-based preferences. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii raised technical concerns about the bill’s administration, including prorating credits if the cap is exceeded and the feasibility of a 30-day filing window. Some supporters urged keeping solid waste, including construction and demolition debris, as eligible feedstock, while Energy Justice Network opposed that approach and also urged removing GMO-related language and waste-based feedstocks because of environmental and toxic emissions concerns.
Opposition testimony focused on the bill’s cost and feasibility. Energy Justice Network and Ted Metros argued the measure could become a large subsidy for a refinery and questioned whether Hawaii has enough land and water to produce meaningful quantities of biofuel locally. Metros also criticized the refundable credit structure and said the state should not bear the cost for what he described as a benefit largely tied to tourism and imported fuel. No vote was taken during the portion of the hearing provided; the chair later noted the committee had received 13 testimonies in support, 18 in opposition, and seven comments, and then invited further discussion on cost allocation and lowering caps to broaden participation.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Jan 15th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- But the bulk of that, you can see, is the state money in the blue portion of the column there in the
- Special units includes med schools and so forth, but you can see the bulk of it is E&G.
- You can see the bulk of it is E&G. This next slide, there's a lot of data here.
- I told you the bulk of their money is—there's your acronym spelled out—that's your tuition assistance
Summary:
The committee held its first meeting of the session and received an overview of the Higher Education Appropriations budget from staff director Tim Elwell. He explained the committee’s broad jurisdiction over universities, state colleges, district workforce programs, vocational rehabilitation, blind services, student financial aid, private colleges, and the Board of Governors, and reviewed key budget concepts such as local funds, funds per FTE, performance funding, and the distinction between the total appropriation and the recurring base budget. He noted that higher education is funded largely through state and local sources, with substantial flexibility compared with other state budgets, and that the base budget is heavily weighted toward lump-sum allocations to the public systems.
The committee then heard a presentation from the University of South Florida’s Florida Center for Cybersecurity (Cyber Florida), led by retired Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie and USF representative Mark Walsh. They described Cyber Florida as a statewide cybersecurity platform created by the Legislature in 2014 to support education, research, workforce development, public policy, and community engagement. McKenzie emphasized the growing cyber threat environment, Florida’s leadership role, and several funded initiatives, including K-12 outreach, workforce training, a cyber range for county governments, critical infrastructure assessments, grant development, and public conferences and outreach. Members asked about public cyber awareness, the lack of a national cyber defense strategy, school district participation in Cyber Launch, and which counties are most at risk; McKenzie said smaller counties with limited cybersecurity staffing are generally more vulnerable and offered to provide follow-up information.
Finally, the committee heard from the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities at the University of Central Florida, led by Dr. Drew Andrews, along with program and parent representatives from participating institutions. Andrews explained the center’s role in coordinating Florida’s postsecondary comprehensive transition programs for students with intellectual disabilities, supporting program development, distributing grants and scholarships, and monitoring outcomes. He reported that the state now has 33 approved programs at 35 institutions, including universities, state colleges, and technical colleges, and that scholarship and grant funding has grown significantly. He said student retention is about 88 percent, many graduates are employed, and median hourly earnings have increased over time. A representative from Southeastern University described how the center’s support helped build and sustain SEU Link, including a new third-year employment-focused option for students.