Video & Transcript Research : 'higher learning access'

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HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

HSH Public Hearing - Thu Feb 12, 2026 @ 10:30 AM HST

Human Services & Homelessness

Transcript Highlights:
  • > learn<00:13:57.360> what<00:13:57.519> it<00:13:57.760> is<00:13:57.920
  • > we<00:13:58.240> already testimony to learn what it is we already testimony to learn
  • support, vulnerable youth face higher support, vulnerable youth face higher risk<00:30:08.559>
  • to localarmacies and prohibit access to localarmacies and small<00:44:08.000> places.
  • Um the rest of the learned their lesson.
Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1877, which would expand the membership of the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission and add a youth seat. The commission’s vice chair supported the bill, saying the commission started with eight members, has growing interest, and would benefit from an odd-numbered board and youth representation. Members asked about quorum, and the commission said it has generally met monthly with only one quorum issue in the past 18–19 months and would work with legislative leaders to have appointments ready if the bill passes. Written testimony included support from Kokopac and one individual in opposition. The committee then took up HB 2006, which would create a cash assistance program for pregnant women and mothers of babies. The Department of Human Services explained current TANF rules, including eligibility requirements, child support cooperation, and work-program participation, and said the state has recently raised benefit levels to the maximum allowed, with a family of three or four receiving a little over $900 per month. Supporters from the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and others argued the bill could reduce child poverty and improve maternal and child health, citing evidence from Michigan’s Rx Kids program and the temporary federal child tax credit expansion. A mother and Oahu Youth Action Board member testified from personal experience about the need for direct support during pregnancy. The committee also noted support from several organizations and about 26 individuals. The committee next heard HB 2167, which would direct the Office of Youth Services to run a pilot program providing financial assistance to homeless youth. The Office of the Public Defender, youth advocates, and several organizations supported the measure, saying even small amounts of help can prevent homelessness and help youth transition safely to adulthood. The Office of Youth Services said it supports the intent of the bill but requested clarification, and committee members discussed whether the program should be run directly or through contracted community agencies, how to set performance metrics, and how to structure the RFP and contract process. The chair indicated the committee wanted to work with the vice chair and OYS offline to refine the bill before moving forward. The committee then began discussion of HB 2224, relating to Medicaid pharmacy benefit management, with testimony generally supporting giving DHS flexibility to negotiate with PBMs.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AEN-EDT, AEN Public Hearings 02-06-2026

Agriculture and Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • /c> sector, the potential uh damage of sector, the potential uh damage of losing<00:05:02.320> access
  • /c><00:05:02.880> those<00:05:03.120> federal<00:05:03.440> resources losing access
  • to those federal resources losing access to those federal resources shouldn't<00:05:04.639> be
  • So it's higher than beef. Sorry, Senator. That's right. It's like 1% more.
  • Develop a market access strategy, align and harmonize state branding initiatives, and report certain
Summary: The committee heard testimony on SP 2350, which would transfer oversight of the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Development Division and the aquaculture and livestock support services branch to the Agribusiness Development Corporation. The Department of Agriculture and ADC both testified, with ADC opposing the bill as written while supporting the goal of strengthening agriculture. ADC said the transfer could create federal operational and coordination risks, jeopardize federal funding and program continuity, and was unnecessary because ADC is a business development entity, not a regulatory agency. The Hawaii Farmers Union also expressed concern that moving the programs could weaken the department’s ability to access federal resources, while the Hawaii Farm Bureau submitted written testimony and the Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association and H-Plan were noted as supporting the measure; the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council was noted as opposing it. Much of the discussion focused on aquaculture’s economic potential and the role of regulation, permitting, and funding. Committee members questioned why aquaculture had not grown faster, citing current gross revenues of about $66 million last year, a prior high of $82 million, and a possible long-term target of $500 million. Testimony identified permitting and feed costs as major barriers, along with market conditions and water quality issues affecting producers. ADC described ongoing efforts on feed development, permitting streamlining, coastal-state collaboration on seaweed and restorative aquaculture, and national advocacy for more parity in seafood import standards. Members also pressed the Department of Agriculture on its leadership and priorities, criticizing the lack of bills and resources dedicated to aquaculture and asking whether the department should have more authority to pursue land purchases and development opportunities. The department said it relies on divisions and industry feedback for bill ideas, noted it funds an annual aquaculture survey, and said it was pursuing congressional earmarks and other funding for aquaculture parks, research, and export/import issues. ADC said it would work with the department if the bill passed, but that its current statute does not give it regulatory authority and any such change would require a statutory amendment.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AEN Public Hearing 02-04-2026

Agriculture and Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • appropriates funds out of the ADL loan revolving fund to increase its expenditure ceiling and thereby expand access
  • Uh, so we do believe that land access continues to be a barrier, especially for beginning farmers and
  • Uh, so we do believe that land access continues to be a barrier, especially for beginning farmers and
  • And particularly as we've continued to learn the costs of transporting soil and soil materials across
  • And particularly as we've continued to learn the costs of transporting soil and soil materials across
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several agriculture-related measures, beginning with SB 2309, which would require the agricultural loan division to sell portions of its loan portfolio and use the proceeds to expand the agriculture loan revolving fund. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and the Hawaii Farm Bureau supported the bill, along with several other organizations and individuals. A committee question focused on the risk of not finding a qualified buyer for the loan portfolio; DAB said a mandatory sale of the full amount could force a less favorable rate, while flexibility to sell different amounts could produce a more equitable return. The measure drew eight supporters and no opposition. The committee then took up SB 2317, which directs DAB to study insurance coverage for small producers and report back to the Legislature. DAB and multiple farm groups supported the bill. In response to a question about cost, DAB estimated about $250,000 would be needed, with the study likely covering crop, health, and liability insurance. The next measure, SB 2318, would establish an agriculture statistics program in statute. DAB said it strongly supported the bill and could ramp up quickly if positions were provided; the committee discussed whether a first report could be completed by year’s end if the bill became law midyear, and DAB said yes. SB 2319, which would fund and make permanent a full-time grant writer position at DAB, also drew strong support from DAB, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Ulupono Initiative, the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, the local food coalition, and others, with testifiers emphasizing the position’s return on investment and success in bringing in federal funds. The committee also heard SB 2321, establishing a two-year pilot program to respond to the twoline spittlebug. DAB, ranching groups, and many others supported the bill, citing the pest’s spread and the need to act before it becomes unmanageable. A DAB pest control manager said he would need to research past response details and provide them later. Members emphasized the importance of early intervention. For SB 2323, which creates a farmland transition commission to study barriers to farmland access and recommend solutions, DAB offered comments and support for the intent, while farm groups generally supported the concept but raised concerns about the proposed age range and whether a separate commission was necessary. DAB said the Board of Agriculture likely would not have the capacity to perform the commission’s duties and estimated there would be costs to establish it, though no figure was available at the hearing. Finally, the committee heard SB 2332, which reestablishes the agriculture and food security special fund, creates a carbon emissions tax and dividend fund, gradually raises carbon-related tax rates, and provides a refundable carbon cashback credit. DAB supported the measure and deferred to Taxation on details; the Department of Taxation said it would stand on its comments, and the Attorney General’s office offered comments and recommendations. Carbon Cashback Hawaii and the County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development supported the bill, arguing it would reduce emissions, protect lower-income households, and be relatively simple to administer.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Public Education May 15th, 2025

Public Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • We want access for all, and with the federal policy that's already in place.
  • We just want to support that so that everyone has access.
  • And so this provides equal access to all students. access to every student.
  • To access release time programs for religious education for their children.
  • They would love their children to learn about their family...
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Boards, Agencies and Commissions Committee Apr 9th, 2025

Boards, Agencies and Commissions

Transcript Highlights:
  • present evidence with substantial public support, and the burden they have to prove is that restricting access
  • to the... ...access to the water is a substantial public interest to protect the water source, and they
  • burden was not met by that board, and that there was not a substantial interest, a reason to close the access
  • So, I think the end result is just trying to get access back in a safe manner for the citizens in the
Bills: HB473, HB397, HB397
TX

Texas 89th Regular

S/C on Workforce Mar 25th, 2025

S/C on Workforce

Transcript Highlights:
  • where the legislature is going to look at a vital step forward by passing legislation that provides access
  • This bill ensures that all first responders have access to care and treatment for PTSD under the workers
  • qualify for those services, but still need some job skills support like professional etiquette, to access
  • I just want to make sure that's clear, so it doesn't have to, they can have that access.
  • And so getting students access as soon as possible helps them pursue those different careers that are
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Delivery of Government Efficiency Mar 19th, 2025

Delivery of Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:
  • We need more access, not less. We need more. transparency and accountability, not less.
  • And to say that it needs to be readily accessible on the. entity's homepage.
  • Um, you know, AI drive thrives on high quality. well-structured and accessible data.
  • In April� we are deploying changes to restrict access to information.
  • I'd like to learn more about it. This may not be their area, but it is troubling.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 2/12/25

Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • styles from a child who diverse learning styles from a child who learned<00:14:27.600> to<00:
  • Um, I have heard people characterize that as learning about sexuality because you are learning about
  • <01:26:41.239> um different ages and we grow we learn um different ages and we grow we learn
  • <01:47:18.000> those so we're helping them access those so we're helping them access those
  • this is a a training on how to access this is a a training on how to access and<01:48:00.480>
Bills: HF22, HF45
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations May 26th, 2026

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • I think we all know someone who has utilized the access to GLP-1s.
  • I just learned this morning, do we actually have 30?
  • One of the things that we learned as well through this process is when cases come in, when a... ...as
  • OJJ has given us a device and we have access to their system. LDH is working with us.
  • So in a way, it short-cuts all of the steps that DCFS would be involved in if we have access to their
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • paraphernalia, can correlate with higher paraphernalia, can correlate with higher rates<00:20:18.160
  • <00:33:07.440> to our goal is to provide access to our goal is to provide access to comprehensive
  • <01:03:22.720> to that Celu will approve access to that Celu will approve access to criminal
  • A kind of a long-standing issue with this access to the fingerprinting. the access to fingerprinting
  • or funding so we can expand this access or funding so we can expand this access to<01:20:04.159>
Summary: The House Committee on Health heard testimony on a series of bills related to public health, pharmacy regulation, disability access, and health care infrastructure. HB 1535, creating an income tax credit for automated external defibrillator installations, drew support from the Department of Health, tax department comments, and public testimony emphasizing AED access in community and transit settings. HB 1765, requiring safety warnings for spear fishing gear, received comments from DLNR and strong support from a free-diving safety advocate who described blackout risks and argued for point-of-sale warnings. HB 1549, which would repeal the law prohibiting drug paraphernalia, drew mixed testimony: the Department of Health, the Public Defender, and harm-reduction advocates supported repeal as a public health measure, while HPD and a county prosecutor opposed it, warning it could encourage drug use and create public safety issues. The committee also heard HB 1550, which would exclude drug testing products from the definition of drug paraphernalia. The Department of Health and harm-reduction advocates supported the bill, saying drug checking tools save lives and help prevent overdoses, while one written opponent was noted. HB 1995, allowing people who are blind or deaf to receive disabled parking permits, drew opposition from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Disability and Communication Access Board, and other opponents, while a few written supporters were also noted. HB 1671, allowing licensed dental hygienists to place interim therapeutic restorations in public health settings, received support from the Department of Health and several oral health organizations, with the Board of Dentistry offering comments. HB 1643, establishing a framework for pharmacy audits and record retrieval, prompted the most extended discussion. The Board of Pharmacy and independent pharmacy representatives supported the bill as a needed framework to limit burdensome audits and protect patient care, while HMSA raised concerns about possible conflicts with upcoming federal PBM reforms and potential unintended consequences. Committee members questioned both sides about timing and workload, and supporters argued the bill was needed now to protect rural and independent pharmacies. Finally, HB 1978, appropriating funds for a new outpatient care center in North Kona, received strong support from Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, Queen’s Health Systems, the Kona-Kohala Chamber, and others, who described it as a long-term investment in West Hawaii’s health care capacity and economy. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Elections Apr 30th, 2025

Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • This will work against the intention of making voting more accessible.
  • Actually, more accessible to those who need to use that option rather than imposing additional burdens
  • It’s to allow people who cannot physically enter the polling place to access their legitimate right to
  • Were you in the higher education committee last night? Yes. Wow. Can I go get you a cup of coffee?
  • Approximately 30% were related to disability access issues.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Elections Apr 30th, 2025

Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • Because of the additional data security checks we We recommend a higher level of security technology
  • My first year in sales, I learned a very valuable lesson: you never make the sales you don't ask for.
  • to ask you a little bit more about how this bill will allow... file for more equitable political access
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee Feb 19th, 2025

Finance and Taxation General Fund

Transcript Highlights:
  • At companies with fewer than 10 employees, 78% of staffers lack access to a retirement plan, according
  • I told you, not even half of employers have access to a retirement plan.
  • People do not have access. Crisis. People do not have access.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

CPC Public Hearing - Tue Mar 24, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST

Consumer Protection & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • Without access to timely appropriate care, we see increased risk of ...
  • Um, so, I mean, there are talks of access to this.
  • <00:42:26.920> to<00:42:27.040> this should have access to this should have access
  • establishing the accessibility establishing the accessibility requirements<01:17:05.440> in
  • and implement the accessibility and implement the accessibility requirements<01:17:12.560> instead
Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 2433 SD1 relating to condominiums, which would direct the condominium education trust fund toward educational resources for unit owners and require the Real Estate Commission to ensure owners’ interests are represented in funded activities and related rulemaking. Supporters, including the Hawaii Real Estate Commission and a condominium owner advocate, said owners need a seat at the table in condo governance and education efforts. Committee discussion focused on whether the bill was necessary, with the Real Estate Commission indicating it could already use the trust fund for owner education and that owners are already considered stakeholders, though not through a specific commission seat. No vote was taken during the excerpted discussion. The committee then took up SB 2047 SD2 HD1 on pharmacy benefit managers, which would set requirements for maximum allowable cost reimbursement, allow reverse-and-rebill claims after successful appeals, and authorize fines for violations. The Insurance Division offered comments, the Hawaii Pharmacists Association supported the measure with amendments and suggested future PBM reform funding, and Kaiser Permanente requested a technical amendment. A committee question raised whether the staffing and resource request for implementation was too large for a bill focused only on MAC pricing, and the witness said he would provide more data to the next committee. No final action was shown. Next was SB 2425 SD2 HD1 on health insurance and substance use disorder treatment, requiring insurers to honor written assignments of benefits to SUD providers and prohibiting anti-assignment clauses. Supporters described patients being unable to access treatment because of high out-of-pocket costs and said direct payment would reduce harm for people in recovery. HMSA opposed the bill but said it would begin direct payments to non-participating SUD facilities effective March 27, while continuing to object to the assignment-of-benefits portion because of fraud and balance-billing concerns; the Hawaii Association of Health Plans also opposed. Members questioned HMSA about reimbursement mechanics and why the bill was needed if coverage policies were already changing. Finally, the committee heard SB 3045 SD1 HD1, which would require coverage of continuous glucose monitors and related supplies, including for Medicaid managed care, under certain conditions. DHS and the Insurance Division offered comments, while SHPDA, Hilo Benioff Medical Center Foundation, and others supported the bill, citing inconsistent access and a case in which a woman allegedly died after being denied a CGM. HMSA said it already covers medically necessary CGMs and had updated its policy in 2025 for type 1 and insulin-dependent patients, but it raised concerns about expanding mandated coverage to type 2 and gestational diabetes and about supply impacts. The committee also discussed whether the bill duplicated existing coverage standards and why it had been introduced repeatedly. No votes or final dispositions were included in the excerpt.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 3/18/25

Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:
  • Informed consent is a higher standard than a Tennison morning?
  • and this amendment requires informed consent for access to the Maxis database.
  • consent informed consent is a higher consent informed consent is a higher standard<00:04:37.360>
  • for access to the Maxis database<00:04:45.360> all<00:04:45.560> right<00:04:45.919>
  • Learning happens through storytelling. Volunteers tell their stories.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • This is a critical piece of legislation designed to enhance access to essential health care services
  • Engelbaum, I appreciate the VA's support for the ACCESS Act. Thank you, Mr.
  • The VFW seems especially strong in its support for the Access Act. Again, I'm pleased by that.
  • Finally, in this regard, the VFW recommends that Access Act be a to prohibit barriers to accessing community
  • We've heard from veterans who have tried to access, not just my wife, but others who have tried to access
Summary: During the meeting, various members engaged in extensive discussions surrounding 15 proposed bills related to veterans' affairs. Notably, concerns regarding recent VA workforce changes sparked debates, particularly about potential cuts and their implications for veterans' care and benefits. Chairman Moran emphasized the need for thoughtful reforms and coordination with stakeholders, urging responsible measures to prevent negatively impacting service delivery. The meeting highlighted a significant bipartisan effort to enhance veterans' access to essential health services, particularly in light of recent challenges faced by the VA workforce. Senator Blumenthal's assertions about the urgent plight of veterans due to cuts in personnel drew strong reactions, showcasing the deep concern among committee members regarding the current state of veteran services.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session 03-18-2026 11:30am

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • recognize the many educators, students, and community members who go above and beyond to support learning
  • support learning across our great state. support learning across our great state.
  • hands-on STEM learning experiences. Dr. hands-on STEM learning experiences. Dr.
  • experience for students across learning experience for students across the<00:13:53.400> Nanakuli
  • <00:14:40.040> roles,<00:14:40.680> creating<00:14:41.120> opportunities higher