Video & Transcript Research : 'transparency'
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MN
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:42:10.440>
within accountability and transparency within accountability and transparency - <00:47:15.760>
requiring for more transparency requiring for more transparency requiring authorizers - should be held accountable transparent should be held accountable transparent and<00:48:27.280><
- All public schools should be transparent and held to high standards.
- <01:14:47.560>
and around Charter School transparency and around Charter School transparency
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 2/13/25
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:03:11.080>
but premium on government transparency but premium on government transparency - You know, I believe in transparency.
- I think transparency in government is a really important thing.
- I think transparency in government is a really important thing.
- <01:24:22.080>
and government so those transparency and government so those transparency and
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- The file-and-use system enables this to have a transparent market.
- I think that should be a transparent process.
- It's simply just transparency. I think it's consumer protections. It's simply just transparency.
- Basically, what this bill is, it's a transparency bill.
- House Bill 3781 would be another form of transparency.
Keywords:
insurance, nonadmitted insurers, surplus lines, insurance regulation, Oklahoma, health insurance, contracting entities, medical providers, enrollment, beneficiary rights, property and casualty, rates, filing, Insurance Commissioner, regulation, property, regulations, actuary, rate filing, independent review
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Elections Committee Apr 9th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- “Okay, so the Transparency Foundation has an agenda. The Transparency Foundation.
- “The Transparency Foundation, please don't interrupt me.” “Yeah. The Transparency Foundation.
- If you go to the Transparency Foundation's website, right?”
- So I love the amount of transparency in this.
- It doesn't add to the transparency of our elections.
Summary:
The committee heard a long agenda of elections-related bills. It first approved three consent items: AB 808, AB 1029, and AB 1072. The committee then took up AB 1249, which would require non-Voter’s Choice Act counties to offer at least one Saturday early-voting location before statewide elections and allow in-person return of vote-by-mail ballots at designated county offices or satellite locations. Supporters said it would expand access for working voters and those with transportation barriers; some members raised concerns about ballot verification and added workload for rural counties. The bill passed the committee on a divided vote and was placed on call for absent members.
The committee next considered AB 25, a voter ID and election integrity measure that would require citizenship verification, government ID for voting, tighter voter-roll audits, and a 72-hour ballot-counting deadline. The author and supporters argued it would restore public trust and improve election integrity, while opponents from the League of Women Voters, ACLU California Action, labor groups, disability advocates, and others said it would restrict access, burden vulnerable voters, and amount to voter suppression. After extensive debate, the committee voted the bill out on a narrow split and kept it on call.
Members also approved AB 1164, which clarifies when voters are entitled to a replacement ballot and updates the Voter Bill of Rights language; AB 1441, which would create an independent citizens redistricting commission in Merced County despite opposition from the county board over cost and local control; and AB 16, which would clarify county election officials’ authority to begin processing vote-by-mail ballots earlier and clean up outdated code. The committee also heard AB 1411, which would require non-VCA counties to prepare voter education and outreach plans and use a Secretary of State template, with the sponsor saying it would improve voter information statewide.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Transparency builds faith in elections. Transparency builds faith in government.
- :03:05.680>
financial transparency as to the financial transparency as to the financial interests - Transparency builds faith in elections.
- ,<00:03:27.599>
prevent will help improve transparency, prevent will help improve transparency - First, the bill expands transparency<00:46:39.359>
requirements <00:46:39.760>for transparency
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- I think that transparency foundation has an agenda. The Transparency Foundation, I love the name.
- The Transparency Foundation, please don't interrupt me.
- who's the Communications Director for the Transparency Foundation.
- We have that record for transparency record. Yes.
- I love the amount of transparency in this.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:45:26.359>
and hesitation it ensures transparency and hesitation it ensures transparency - <01:11:00.960>
requirements reporting and transparency requirements reporting and transparency - <01:15:32.480>
and of full transparency and of full transparency and disclosure<01:15:34.280 - Chair, and I love this conversation of visibility, transparency.
- I love that visibility and transparency I love that visibility and transparency so<01:34:47.440>
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Regulating Artificial Intelligence – Senator Jen McEwen Mar 17th, 2025
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So what is really needed is a lot of transparency around how these algorithms are put together, what
- So what is really needed is a lot of transparency around how these algorithms are put together, what
- So what is really needed is a lot of transparency around how these algorithms are put together, what
- So what is really needed is a lot of transparency around how these algorithms are put together, what
- So as long as it's transparent and we're working together in community to try to figure out the best
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Election Laws Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Election Laws
Transcript Highlights:
- Transparency strengthens trust, and trust is the foundation of a healthy democracy.
- Transparency matters, and voters deserve to know.
- Massachusetts has a proud history of leading on clean government and transparency reforms.
- Massachusetts has a proud history of leading on clean government and transparency reforms.
- Leading on clean government and transparency reforms.
Summary:
The House and Senate Election Laws committees held a hearing focused on campaign finance and several local election-related bills. Office of Campaign and Political Finance Director William Campbell testified in support of H. 848 and S. 515, saying the campaign finance law needs modernization and highlighting proposals for stronger Super PAC disclosure, more timely reporting, improved security for campaign participants, and other reforms. He said the bills would help update a 50-year-old system to reflect legal, economic, and cultural changes.
A major portion of the hearing concerned H. 868/S. 507, which would require earlier and more frequent reporting by ballot question committees. Witnesses from Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, and others argued that ballot campaigns now involve tens of millions of dollars, much of it raised during periods with no real-time disclosure, and that moving these committees into the depository system would improve transparency without burdening grassroots signature-gathering. The committee also heard support for H. 811 and H. 812, which would allow municipalities to create citizen-funded election programs and require identifying information on political text messages, as well as S. 525/H. 875, which would bar political spending by foreign-influenced corporations.
The committee also heard testimony on S. 2605, a Canton home rule petition to move town elections from April to November. Canton residents, a select board member, and a poll worker said the change would increase turnout, better align local elections with the November voting cycle, and give newly elected officials more time to prepare for town meeting. Senator Rausch also testified in support of S. 530, requiring presidential primary candidates to disclose recent tax returns. The hearing ended with no votes taken and the committee adjourning, with a note that the next hearing was tentatively scheduled for January 13.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- But I will say this, I've been very transparent and I continue to be transparent.
- But I will say this, I've been very transparent and I continue to be transparent.
- But I will say this, I've been very transparent and I continue to be transparent.
- But I will say this, I've been very transparent and I continue to be transparent.
- But I will say this, I've been very transparent and I continue to be transparent.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:20:52.799>
and <00:20:53.080>accountable accessible transparent and accountable - sure that uh there is the transparency sure that uh there is the transparency and<01:07:04.640><
- that elections have not been transparent that elections have not been transparent if<01:07:25.839
- <01:07:43.079>
and equal elections we have transparency and equal elections we have transparency - <01:08:41.159>
and Chair, um, I am pro-transparency and security.
Summary:
The Senate Elections Committee met on February 6, 2025, and first considered the reappointment of Steven Swanson to the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board. Swanson described his background in legal aid, lobbying, judging, and international rule-of-law work, and said he wanted to continue serving the public. Committee members praised his experience and discussed the importance of campaign finance oversight, including preventing corporate participation in Minnesota elections. Senator Wosinski moved to recommend Swanson’s confirmation, and the motion was adopted.
The committee then heard Senate File 529, a proposed constitutional amendment to state that elections shall be free, fair, and equal, and that no civil or military power may interfere with the free exercise of the right to vote. Senator Dibble presented the bill as a way to strengthen voting rights and provide a constitutional basis to challenge voter suppression, gerrymandering, and unfair campaign practices. Testimony in support came from David Fischer of Clean Elections Minnesota and Jean Massie of Fair Vote Minnesota, both of whom argued the amendment would protect access to voting, increase confidence in elections, and align Minnesota with other states that have similar language.
Members discussed whether the amendment’s broad language could invite judicial interpretation or affect future election laws. Senator Koran questioned how the proposal would improve Minnesota’s already high turnout, while Senator Grant raised concerns that the terms “free, fair, and equal” were undefined and could shift power to the courts. Senator Lucero proposed an oral amendment to add “ensuring one eligible citizen, one vote” after the word “equal,” saying it would address concerns about future voter ID laws. The amendment was restated by counsel and discussed, with Senator Dibble saying it did not significantly harm the bill but suggesting it might imply a requirement he did not intend. The transcript ends during discussion of that oral amendment, and no final vote on the bill itself is shown.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services May 27th, 2026
Health & Human Services
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Insurance Committee Apr 2nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- , it is one of the least transparent in the whole country.
- So in our letter we detail some of the areas in which we'd like to see more transparency.
- For example, some of the areas in which we'd like to see more transparency.
- . ...actually is versus the 11.5%, which is transparent.
- This bill again provides that full transparency.
Summary:
The Assembly Insurance Committee met as a subcommittee and heard several bills focused on insurance transparency, wildfire mitigation, market access, and workforce issues. AB 75 would require insurers to give homeowners 30 days’ notice before collecting aerial images of their property and allow homeowners to review those images; supporters said it would improve privacy and prevent inaccurate non-renewals, while consumer and industry groups both sought amendments. AB 234 would add the Assembly Speaker and Senate President pro Tem, or designees, as non-voting members on the California FAIR Plan governing committee; the Department of Insurance supported it as an oversight measure, while Consumer Federation of California said it was only a small first step toward broader transparency reforms. AB 428 would let water corporations join joint powers authorities for pooled insurance, with supporters citing rising insurance costs for small water systems and no remaining opposition after amendments. AB 943 would streamline producer pre-licensing education by removing the 20-hour per-line requirement while keeping ethics training; industry sponsors said it would reduce barriers to entry, while consumer advocates warned it could lower professional standards. AB 1209 would create a pathway for cannabis employers to secure workers’ compensation coverage and related services through a state-coordinated network; supporters said it would help bring the industry into compliance, while one member raised concerns about creating a special carveout for a federally restricted industry. AB 1 would require periodic review of the state’s Safer from Wildfire regulations every five years, and it drew broad support from the department, insurers, local governments, and industry groups as a way to keep wildfire mitigation incentives current.
The committee also took up a consent calendar including AB 69, AB 487, and AB 570, all of which were sent to Appropriations. The committee approved AB 75 to Privacy and Consumer Protection, AB 234 to the Assembly Floor, AB 428 to Local Government, AB 943 to Appropriations, AB 1209 to Business and Professions, and AB 1 to Appropriations. Most measures passed on strong or unanimous votes after members added coauthor requests and expressed support for the bills’ consumer protection, transparency, or wildfire-related goals.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Health and Human Services (01/21/2026)
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- They have some federal price transparency.
- Transparency is not a from years past.
- recognizing an important transparency recognizing an important transparency issues<04:33:38.400>
- :42.719>
sunlight <04:35:43.600>um supports transparent and sunlight um supports transparent - It is a big supportive of transparency.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Elections, Constitutional Amend. and Intergovernmental Affairs.(1-22-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- Fifth, transparency. Election administration should never be hidden from the public.
- Uh fifth, transparency. committee. Uh fifth, transparency.
- So, the idea of transparency is that the process is transparent, and of course our paper ballots are
- :12:22.079>
course the process is transparent and of course the process is transparent and of - c> the<00:13:01.760>
process completely transparent with the process completely transparent
Summary:
The committee met, established a quorum, and opened with the pledge and prayer. Members then made several brief introductions of interns and guests from the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville. The chair also reminded members about microphone use, cell phones, and the 24-hour rule for committee amendments and substitutes.
The sole substantive item was House Resolution 7, sponsored by Representative Hodgson, which set out guiding principles for Kentucky elections. Hodgson described principles including fair and secure elections, accessibility balanced with security, citizen-only voting, stability and uniformity in election procedures, prompt and accurate results, transparency, accountability, and preservation of state control over elections. Members generally supported the resolution; Representative Marzian asked whether Kentucky already follows these principles and raised the issue of low poll-worker pay, while Representative Hancock asked about protecting voter registration data and privacy. Hodgson responded that transparency applies to the process, not personal information, and that Kentucky protects ballot secrecy and voter data.
Representative Chester Burton also asked about election security, and Hodgson said Kentucky’s system relies on bipartisan poll workers and mutual oversight at polling places. Representative Marzian asked whether Social Security numbers are still required for voter registration, and members indicated they are, with a follow-up promised to the committee. The committee then voted 15-0 to pass the resolution with favorable expression. Before adjournment, Hodgson encouraged additional co-sponsors, and the chair noted the committee would likely meet again the following Thursday.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Financial Services Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Again, as I referred, transparency is really paramount.
- What are your thoughts on the comments made earlier around transparency?
- Would you just speak to the issue of transparency? Sure, yeah.
- Earlier we heard from people who said that there's a lack of transparency.
- And I'm not doubting the lack of transparency on nonprofits, for example.
Summary:
The committee held a lengthy hearing on a large docket of pharmacy and drug-pricing bills, with most testimony focused on PBM reform, 340B drug discount program protections, specialty medication access, and medication adherence. Chair James Murphy and Senator Paul Feeney opened the hearing and took testimony from legislators, patient advocates, pharmacists, health center leaders, industry representatives, and policy groups. Several speakers described delays, denials, high out-of-pocket costs, and pharmacy closures tied to PBM practices, while others emphasized the importance of community health centers and independent pharmacies in serving patients.
On the 340B program, supporters including Senator Eldridge, Senator Payano, Community Care Cooperative, Fenway Health, the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, and several community health center leaders argued that bills such as H. 1107 and S. 819 would stop discriminatory PBM and manufacturer practices, preserve contract pharmacy access, and protect safety-net providers that say they reinvest savings into care, pharmacy expansion, interpreter services, behavioral health, and other services. Opponents including PhRMA, the Community Liver Alliance, and a public policy analyst argued the program lacks transparency and accountability, has grown beyond its original purpose, and may benefit large hospitals and for-profit entities more than low-income patients. They urged more reporting and oversight rather than expanding protections.
On PBM reform, testimony supported bills including H. 1157, H. 1234, S. 724, S. 831, and related measures that would require rebate pass-through, ban spread pricing, limit steering to PBM-owned pharmacies, and improve reimbursement for community pharmacies. Independent pharmacists and patients said current PBM practices raise costs, create administrative burdens, and threaten access to local pharmacies. PCMA, representing PBMs, opposed the reforms, arguing PBMs lower costs, that plan sponsors choose to contract with them, and that the Health Policy Commission and CHIA should complete their ongoing study before new mandates are adopted. The committee also heard support for H. 1322 and S. 734 on specialty medications, and for H. 781 and H. 1305 on medication synchronization to improve adherence. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And you do that by being transparent where it's justified.
- This also undermines transparency.
- Transparency is essential.
- We need greater transparency, not less.
- We need greater transparency, not less.
Keywords:
gender designation, civil penalties, private civil rights, multiple-occupancy spaces, Texas Women's Privacy Act, law enforcement, confidentiality, personnel files, employee records, misconduct
Summary:
The Committee on State Affairs took up Senate Bill 14, which would create a confidential department file for law enforcement officers and jailers and limit public access to records involving unsubstantiated misconduct, while preserving access for hiring agencies, TCOLE, and certain criminal justice uses. TCOLE’s Gretchen Grigsby explained the current rollout of law enforcement recordkeeping reforms, including the distinction between the public personnel file and the confidential G-file, and answered questions about when TCOLE would request files during investigations. Senator Perry and other members focused on how the bill would interact with existing personnel-file rules, public transparency, and criminal discovery obligations.
Public testimony was largely opposed. Critics argued the bill was drafted too broadly, could sweep in records beyond misconduct files, and would reduce transparency for the public, journalists, oversight bodies, and families seeking answers in cases such as Uvalde and jail deaths in Tarrant County. Several witnesses said the bill could allow small or single-officer agencies, including elected constables, to shield their own records, and some warned it could chill reporting and oversight. Supporters, including law enforcement representatives, said the bill would protect officers from false or unsubstantiated allegations, align agencies without civil-service protections with those that already have G-files, and preserve confidentiality for records that should not be public. Dallas County prosecutors and Harris County deputies supported the general policy but asked for clarifying amendments, especially to separate language they said could affect the Michael Morton Act and to preserve existing protections through in-camera review or protective orders.
Committee members spent significant time questioning witnesses about how substantiated versus unsubstantiated allegations would be handled, whether body camera footage and case files would remain public, and how the bill would affect discovery in criminal cases. After hearing all registered witnesses, the chair closed public testimony. Senate Bill 14 was left pending, and the committee recessed.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Minnesota House passes HF72 2/27/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We should continue looking for ways to make more transparent our elections-related spending.
- We should continue looking for ways to make more transparent our elections-related spending.
- We should continue looking for ways to make more transparent our elections-related spending.
- We should continue looking for ways to make more transparent our elections-related spending.
- We should continue looking for ways to make more transparent our elections-related spending.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I am resistant to the government's lack of transparency.
- And you do that by being transparent where it's justified.
- Transparency is essential.
- Transparency and accountability are the cornerstones of justice.
- to be public and transparent.
Keywords:
gender designation, civil penalties, private civil rights, multiple-occupancy spaces, Texas Women's Privacy Act, law enforcement, confidentiality, personnel files, employee records, misconduct, abortion, civil liability, abortion-inducing drugs, qui tam actions, Texas Citizens Participation Act, Religious Freedom Restoration Act, healthcare regulations, impact fees, water conservation, reuse projects
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Health Care Financing Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Health Care Financing
Transcript Highlights:
- But transparency, and thank you for caring enough to act. Thank you.
- But transparency, ...to peel back the layers of drug pricing and the impact in Massachusetts.
- But transparency alone will not stop unaffordable prices.
- Senate Bill 868 brings initial accountability and transparency to these companies.
- However, one area of critical importance... ...and transparency to these companies.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a broad set of health care bills focused on cost, market oversight, pharmaceutical access, transparency, hospital closures, and pharmacy access. Chairs John Lawn and Cindy Friedman opened by emphasizing recent health care reforms and the need for further action on the drug supply chain, PBMs, private equity, and affordability. The committee heard testimony on several measures, including a Betsy Lehman Center bill to make technical changes and create a permanent trust account for federal and private funding, and bills on hospital profits and fairness, hospital closures and health planning, pharmacy deserts, and health care market oversight and pharmaceutical access. No votes were taken during the hearing.
On the hospital profits bill, physicians and labor advocates strongly supported capping hospital CEO compensation at 50 times the lowest-paid worker, requiring greater financial transparency, and directing penalties from high-margin public hospitals into a Medicaid reimbursement fund. Testifiers argued that executive pay is excessive while frontline staff and safety-net services are under strain. Committee members raised concerns about unintended consequences, including whether hospitals might shift workers to contract status or lose executive talent, and whether the bill would actually direct money to the safety net. Supporters responded that the measure is one piece of a larger effort and that the bill’s Medicaid reimbursement provisions would help underserved hospitals.
Testimony on market oversight and pharmaceutical access centered on rising health care and drug costs, PBM practices, and the proposal to give the Health Policy Commission authority to set upper payment limits for certain drugs. Consumer advocates, disability advocates, an independent pharmacist, the Attorney General’s office, and others supported stronger oversight, citing premium increases, affordability problems, and the impact of high drug prices on patients and community pharmacies. Pharma and some industry witnesses opposed parts of the bill, warning that upper payment limits could disrupt access, create legal issues, and fail to address the broader supply chain. The committee also heard support for stronger hospital closure notice and public hearing requirements, and for a pharmacy deserts bill aimed at identifying and addressing closures like the one in Roxbury that affected thousands of patients.