Video & Transcript Research : 'construction backlog'

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US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, January 7, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • pathways to immigration and citizenship for millions of people or for addressing huge immigrant visa backlogs
  • pathways to immigration and citizenship for millions of people or for addressing huge immigrant visa backlogs
  • pathways to immigration and citizenship for millions of people or for addressing huge immigrant visa backlogs
  • pathways to immigration and citizenship for millions of people or for addressing huge immigrant visa backlogs
  • pathways to immigration and citizenship for millions of people or for addressing huge immigrant visa backlogs
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Capital Investment Committee 2/24/26

Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:
  • Murphy Library Construction Grants, I guess. All right.
  • Murphy library construction Mary C.
  • Murphy Library Construction the Mary C. Murphy Library Construction Grant<00:57:48.480> proposal.
  • Murphy Library Construction The Mary C.
  • expansion, or new construction. expansion, or new construction.
Keywords: 1183, house
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA ADVISORY COUNCIL Jul 9th, 2026

ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA ADVISORY COUNCIL

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have a backlog of appointments for people with memory disorders here, even at UAMS, that are in 2027
  • from private sources, from other places, to hire mid-level providers that will help us reduce this backlog
  • from private sources, from other places, to hire mid-level providers that will help us reduce this backlog
  • one of our concerns about releasing the blood-based biomarkers to the PCP space: creating further backlog
Summary: The Arkansas Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Advisory Council met with legislative members and agency, advocacy, and provider representatives present. The council adopted its rules and procedures, approved the prior meeting minutes, and authorized the co-chairs to approve special expenses. Members then heard an extensive update on the state Alzheimer’s plan and current developments in diagnosis, treatment, research, caregiving, and workforce issues. David Cook of the Alzheimer’s Association described major changes since the first state plan, including the growth of blood-based biomarkers, broader access to amyloid PET scans, and the availability of disease-slowing treatments such as Leqembi and Kisunla. He emphasized that Arkansas still faces major barriers in rural areas, including limited provider awareness, insurance coverage concerns, shortages of specialists, and long wait times for memory care and infusion services. He also highlighted caregiver burden, the need for better education and care navigation, and new efforts such as a dementia resource center pilot with UAMS, respite grants, and workforce training. Members discussed the importance of public education on brain health, diet, exercise, and risk reduction, as well as the need to collaborate with chronic disease partners and improve outreach to primary care providers. The council approved four proposed focus areas for the next state plan: advancing risk reduction, brain health, early detection and diagnosis; strengthening family caregiver support; improving access to diagnostics and treatment; and supporting access and quality of care, including workforce training and crisis response. Members also discussed possible legislative or statutory changes to keep the council active and engaged, and they agreed to pursue a future meeting in August, tentatively August 12 in Hot Springs, with additional meetings under consideration for later in the month. The meeting adjourned after no further business.
WY
Transcript Highlights:
  • that was the other part, is to answer your question: we think, with the federal partners and the backlog
  • think with the federal partners<00:10:25.920> and<00:10:26.240> the<00:10:26.399> backlog
  • c><00:10:26.880> of<00:10:27.040> work<00:10:27.279> that's partners and the backlog
  • of work that's partners and the backlog of work that's already<00:10:27.920> out<00:10:28.079
Keywords: 916, all
Summary: The meeting focused on resolving a House-Senate disagreement over funding for a new forestry/fire mitigation program. House members explained that their objection was not to the program itself, but to the Senate’s increase from the original $3 million level; they argued the program should start at the lower amount and be expanded later if needed. Senate members responded that the higher amount was based on forest health briefing information showing significant beetle kill, rising fire danger, and the need to act quickly while federal partners and current conditions made treatment work feasible. They cited recent large fire suppression costs and argued the added funding would have a strong return on investment by reducing future suppression expenses. After discussion of possible compromise amounts, including $4 million and then $3.5 million, House members said $3.5 million would be more acceptable to their chamber and suggested supplemental funding could be considered later if the program proved successful. The Senate agreed to the $3.5 million compromise. Members also noted that other amendments in the bill, including repeal of a sunset date and changes intended to speed contracting by removing an attorney general step, were important and appreciated by the House. The committee then took a voice vote on the compromise, and it passed unanimously. Members indicated they would take the agreement back to their respective chambers as part of the conference report and expected the bill to move forward.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Finance Division I (05/20/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • engineering work that needs to be done or there's field work that needs to be done or there's just a whole backlog
  • be done or or uh just there's<00:04:39.600> a<00:04:39.759> whole<00:04:39.919> backlog
  • c><00:04:40.479> or<00:04:40.720> for<00:04:40.960> whatever there's a whole backlog
  • or for whatever there's a whole backlog or for whatever reason.<00:04:41.840> So,<00:04:42.240
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee took up Senate Bill 74, which requires agencies to report annually on permits that are significantly delayed. An amendment was offered and adopted to replace the bill’s original permit-by-permit reporting with a summary report by category, including counts of permits taking more than 60, 120, or 180 days and general reasons for delay. The amendment also delayed the first report until April 30, 2027, so agencies would report only on future permitting activity rather than reconstructing past files. Members discussed whether delays caused by incomplete applications or requests for additional information should be included in the reporting categories. The sponsor and others said the bill is intended to measure delays after an application is administratively complete, but that reasons such as waiting on applicant-provided engineering data could still be captured under the summary reasons. Several members praised the amendment as a substantial improvement and said it would produce more useful information with less burden on agencies, while one member said they would support the amendment but not the bill because agencies already face budget constraints. The committee first approved the amendment unanimously by show of hands, then voted 7-1 to report Senate Bill 74 ought to pass as amended, with one member opposed and one absent. Afterward, the committee briefly discussed a separate Senate message on House Bill 67, noting that the Senate version had no additional general-fund cost and that any remaining issues would be handled with the election law committee before concurrence.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session Jan 28th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • If we look at what's happening now, even with rape kits, there's been a huge backlog that we've been
  • working toward trying to decrease the number of unexamined backlog rape kits.
  • There has been a huge backlog, and we've been working toward trying to decrease the number of backlog
Bills: SJR36
Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered an invocation, and approved the previous day’s journal. The chamber received a House message announcing passage of H.C.R. 54, and then took up a series of recognitions and resolutions honoring visiting groups, including Texas Society of CPAs Advocacy Day, the Texas A&M System Chancellor’s Student Advisory Council, Dimmit County officials, the Doctor of the Day, and Leadership Frisco. Senators also recognized the Senate’s memorial and ceremonial guests throughout the day. The main floor business centered on two commemorative resolutions. Senate Resolution 15 marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the start of Texas Holocaust Remembrance Week. Senators King, Menendez, Bettencourt, Perry, Hughes, Hinojosa, Campbell, Hall, Cook, Paxton, West, Parker, and others spoke in support, emphasizing Holocaust education, opposition to anti-Semitism and denial, remembrance of victims and survivors, and the importance of teaching students to stand up against hatred. The resolution was adopted, and the names of all senators and the lieutenant governor were added. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 17 designating January 28 as Sexual Assault Survivors Day. Senator Parker described the prevalence and underreporting of sexual assault, the impact on survivors, and the need for prevention, support services, and stronger responses; Senator Cook spoke as a survivor and emergency room nurse and highlighted rape-kit backlogs and the need for victim support. The chamber then adopted Senate Resolution 14 honoring Brazoria County Sheriff’s Deputy Jesus Jesse Vargas, who was killed in the line of duty, with Senators Middleton and Huffman urging action against violent offenders and stronger protections for law enforcement. Several additional resolutions were adopted, including SRs 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, and 12, and SR 54 granting permission for the Legislature to adjourn for more than three days was approved by roll call, 31 ayes and 0 nays. The Senate later adjourned until 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 29, 2025, in memory of Deputy Vargas and Sergeant Mark Allen Butler, whom Senator Kolkhorst also honored in remarks.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Session (03/20/2025)

New Hampshire Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • It proposes constructing houses on smaller lots, which will inevitably lead to increases in property
  • It proposes constructing houses on smaller lots, which will inevitably lead to increases in property
  • Many of the towns in New Hampshire have discouraged new housing construction. to build wealth through
  • Many of the towns in New Hampshire have discouraged new housing construction.
  • This is due to administrative burdens and application backlogs.
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Environment & Energy Dec 4th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • conducts a cleanup, the state is required under federal law to share the costs, which is 10% for construction
  • We have an application cycle for that, and I'm proud to say that we are denting the historical backlog
  • the stair steps, you can see the cleanup site, that hard hat person digging; that is the cleanup construction
  • we believe that going through that for years should not detract from getting to the cleanup and construction
  • prioritization and forward momentum, and we really look forward to getting to that cleanup and construction
Summary: The committee first heard updates on the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) and related funding. Department of Ecology staff explained how MTCA and the hazardous substance tax support cleanup, prevention, stormwater, and local assistance programs, but said forecasted revenues have declined while appropriations and transfers have outpaced incoming funds. Ecology said the operating account will require underspending to stay balanced this biennium and that the problem is ongoing, with further reductions possible if forecasts worsen. Ecology also reviewed the state cleanup program, noting there are more than 14,500 cleanup sites in Washington and that new sites continue to be discovered faster than they are cleaned up. A question from Representative Lee raised the long-term issue of declining fossil-fuel-based revenue, and Ecology agreed that this is a future structural concern even though the current shortfall is driven more by forecasts and transfers than by fuel-use decline. The Pollution Liability Insurance Agency described its underground storage tank and heating oil programs, saying it has modernized from a reinsurance model to a financial assurance model with stronger state oversight and cleanup milestones. Russ Olson said the agency’s dedicated petroleum tax account is in strong financial condition, but emphasized the importance of preserving that funding source. He also discussed the loan and grant program for historic commercial releases and a new heating oil loan/grant program, while noting the agency is working on equity concerns where liens can be disproportionate to property values in smaller communities. Practitioners and advocates then offered differing views on MTCA’s performance: one attorney urged a collaborative review process to make cleanups faster, less expensive, and more certain, while another consultant argued the program is too conservative and process-heavy and should focus more narrowly on actual exposure and realistic cleanup standards. Environmental and community groups countered that MTCA is essential for cleanup, pollution prevention, stormwater control, and public participation, and that it is especially important for environmental justice communities such as the Duwamish Valley. Port and city representatives stressed that MTCA grants and cleanup funding are critical for large redevelopment projects, but said long timelines, permitting delays, and funding uncertainty can slow projects and jeopardize commitments. The committee then shifted to utility wildfire risk. Staff summarized recent legislation, including requirements for utility wildfire mitigation plans, creation of a wildfire mitigation standards work group, authorization for captive insurance by local governments and PUDs, securitization authority for disaster costs, and the existing wildfire response and resilience account. Chelan County PUD and Puget Sound Energy described extensive mitigation efforts such as vegetation management, grid hardening, undergrounding, AI smoke cameras, weather stations, enhanced operating settings, public safety power shutoffs, and community outreach. Both said wildfire risk is rising and insurance costs are increasing, and Chelan PUD asked the Legislature to restore funding to the wildfire response and resilience account. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner said a 2022 utility liability market study found insurance availability is tightening as perceived risk rises, and reported that a 2025 work group recommended restoring community resilience funding, requiring insurers to share wildfire risk scores and mitigation steps with property owners, and creating a grant program based on insurance industry wildfire standards. A PNNL scientist added that wildfire probability is increasing in parts of Washington and that mitigation requires long-term, landscape-scale coordination. The final speaker began describing California’s approach to wildfire risk, but the transcript cuts off before that presentation concluded.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

State Affairs Apr 28th, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Industries like construction. in food services and domestic work, specifically.
  • About 50% of construction workers are undocumented, yet construction, you know, spending contributes
  • Like she previously testified, construction, agriculture...
  • skill, and ability. and qualifications, not because race, gender, background, or any other social construct
  • the federal government, raises serious privacy. and civil liberties concerns, and DPS also has a backlog
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/19/2026 - House Health & Human Services

Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • So yes, Madam Chair, yes to that, and then also, like, in helping clear backlog and in helping to move
  • The board is already enacting changes to increase efficiencies and try to decrease backlog.
  • related to nursing directly and sending them to the education portion, would that not help some of the backlog
  • correct me if I'm wrong, maybe there's a board that doesn't have this, but every single board has backlogs
  • people deserve a second chance and they do deserve to be able to practice. every single board has backlogs
Summary: The committee first took up several continuation bills to extend state boards and agencies, including HB 2728 for the Department of Economic Security, HB 2729 for the State Board of Nursing, HB 2730 for the Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners, HB 2731 for the Physician Assistants Board, and HB 2732 for the Board of Pharmacy. Each was moved for a due pass recommendation, with HB 2731 amended to continue the physician assistant board for four years instead of two. All of these continuation bills passed the committee with strong support. The committee then heard HB 2408, a nursing board reform bill dealing with complaint investigation procedures, timelines, confidentiality, complaint prioritization, access to investigative files, expungement of certain disciplinary actions, and a revised definition of unprofessional conduct. The sponsor and supporters argued it would improve fairness, allow limited expungement for older non-patient-safety issues, and address long investigation delays. The nursing board president and other opponents warned it would raise the evidentiary standard, weaken patient safety protections, and erase useful disciplinary history. After extensive testimony, the committee adopted an amendment and passed the bill 7-4-1. Next, the committee considered pharmacy-related reforms. HB 2434 updated the controlled substances prescription monitoring program, including registration, reporting, confidentiality, and a compliance work group; it passed unanimously after amendment. HB 2733 allowed pharmacists and technicians to complete continuing education after renewal submission if finished before expiration, clarified prescription delivery locations, and addressed temporary operation during ownership changes; it also passed unanimously after amendment. Finally, HB 2725, which would have restricted access contractors from substituting non-opioid drugs and limiting non-opioid utilization controls, drew concerns that it was too broad and could affect many drug classes and costs. After amendment and debate, the committee failed to give HB 2725 a due pass recommendation by a 6-6 vote, and the meeting adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • policies, looking at staffing levels, and implementing new technologies that would help reduce those backlogs
  • certified, we have brought on additional staff including temporary staff to help work through the backlog
  • certified, we have brought on additional staff, including temporary staff, to help work through the backlog
  • We did a good job of promoting to get more applicants, but that resulted in a big backlog, and we had
  • to work hard to try to get that backlog reduced.
Bills: SB 1, SB1
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/28/2026 - House International Trade

International Trade

Transcript Highlights:
  • supply chain at the produce industries, to learn about the logistics, to learn more about the construction
  • And there was an accident that was involved on our main highway, the I-10, which created such a backlog
  • So anything from construction services to even, I'll use an example, like air supply that's featured
Keywords: 1182, all
Summary: The House Committee on International Trade held its first meeting of the year, with members introducing themselves and the chair emphasizing Arizona’s role in foreign relations, especially with Mexico. The committee then heard presentations from the Nogales-Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce and related local partners about the region’s importance as a trade, tourism, agriculture, logistics, and mining corridor. Chamber representatives described efforts to support small businesses with bilingual resources, digital and procurement assistance, entrepreneurship training, Google certificates, and workforce development tied to the South32 mine and other emerging industries. They also highlighted tourism promotion efforts to counter negative perceptions of Nogales, noting increased online engagement and stronger visitor activity. Members asked about state and federal improvements that could help trade, and witnesses said the top needs were infrastructure upgrades, especially roads and port-of-entry access, along with more pedestrian-friendly crossings and housing to retain workers. The Santa Cruz County Provisional Community College District described its unusual provisional status, its contract with Pima College, and the challenge of limited spending authority despite expected revenue growth from mining. The college said it is expanding workforce training, especially in AI, advanced manufacturing, trades, and ESL support, and is working toward eventual accreditation. The committee also heard from cattle industry representatives from Cattlemex, T4 Ranch, and J.M. Fletcher Cattle Co. They urged the reopening of the U.S.-Mexico border to live cattle imports, arguing that Sonoran cattle are safe, traceable, and vital to Arizona’s economy and the national beef supply. Witnesses said the New World screwworm-related border closure has reduced imports, raised beef prices, hurt feedlots and packing plants, and shifted cattle trade to other states. They asked lawmakers to advocate with USDA for a Sonora-specific reopening and to support Arizona’s livestock infrastructure and grazing lands. No bills were heard and no votes were taken.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Courts, Corrections and Justice Sep 23rd, 2025

Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • of overcrowding or population kind of became one of the driving factors that brought us to the construction
  • And MDC was constructed when? Or when was it first operated? Stumped him, good. 2003? 2004?
  • That's a big backlog, right? Incredible. We're trying to deal with that in Dona Ana County, too.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Intergovernmental Affairs Apr 1st, 2025

Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • So those are going to be kind of a separate building construction method. Thank you.
  • , we had—if you might have experienced or some of your constituents experienced—we did have long backlogs
  • But just what the standards are as far as 2x4 construction, that kind of material.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Public Works and Highways (03/04/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • to add to that in terms of construction to add to that in terms of construction generally<00:28:
  • <03:52:41.840> of presently due to the construction of presently due to the construction of
  • If you're looking for the construction materials, is that what you're asking?
  • you're looking for the construction you're looking for the construction materials<04:17:58.640><
  • So it's a lot of construction work to ensure that it's done properly.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The Department of Administrative Services presented its capital budget process and priorities, explaining that it maintains and operates 96 state buildings and uses annual facility walkthroughs, condition assessments, and rough cost estimates to rank projects for the governor’s capital budget. Officials described how requests are triaged, how the governor’s office and Public Works refine estimates, and how the resulting capital budget book serves as legislative intent for approved projects. They also noted that this year the governor’s office asked for estimates on all selected projects, which increased workload but reduced detail. The department highlighted several requested projects, including $1.5 million for the ERP system sustainability fund, which officials said is critical because the state is upgrading its core financial, HR, and budget system to the cloud. Other priorities included courthouse HVAC and boiler work, brick repointing at the State House annex/main building, window replacement at the Spalding building, and elevator replacement on the hospital campus. Officials also said the governor’s proposed capital budget included fewer DAS projects than in past years and asked the committee to consider funding closer to historic levels. The committee then reviewed lapse and reallocation items. DAS said most older projects are still in design, bid, or construction because projects now take four to six years rather than two to three, in part due to ARPA-related workload and post-COVID construction backlogs. Members discussed lapsing $81,000 from the completed Spalding roof project and redirecting small remaining balances from several 2019 projects toward the Hillsboro County South cell block project through the Capital Project Overview Committee. Officials also confirmed ARPA-funded projects are expected to be completed before the December 2026 deadline and explained that the ERP system is the main state IT exception outside DOIT’s usual centralized control, though it still requires DOIT consultation and approval.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, the backlog of projects is significant.
  • Um, and we're not meeting that backlog significantly, but uh we're doing a lot of work for the people
  • Um<00:03:07.040> the<00:03:07.160> backlog<00:03:07.840> of<00:03:07.959> projects
  • <00:03:08.480> is Um the backlog of projects is Um the backlog of projects is significant.
  • Um and we're not meeting that<00:03:10.920> backlog,<00:03:11.480> not<00:03:11.720>
Keywords: 918, senate, all
Summary: The program reviewed the end of Minnesota’s 94th Legislature and featured interviews with Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy and Minority Leader Mark Johnson about the session’s major outcomes. Murphy said Senate Democrats used their one-seat advantage to advance priorities including emergency rental assistance, immigration enforcement, stabilization of HCMC, gun violence prevention, and a $1.2 billion infrastructure/bonding bill. She also highlighted a one-year reduction in vehicle tab fees, some property tax and business tax relief, and the creation of an independent Office of Inspector General, while saying more should have been done on lead pipe replacement and that some work was delayed by House inaction and federal policy changes. Murphy argued the session was shaped by a divided legislature and by negotiations that often happened late and behind closed doors, which she said made the process frustrating and left some Senate proposals without House counterparts. She said the Senate also worked on protecting Medicaid and SNAP from federal cuts and on stabilizing hospitals, especially HCMC and rural facilities. She described the gun violence and immigration debates as examples where bipartisan demands did not match what she saw as the needs of Minnesotans, and said the state should return to more public conference committee negotiations next session. Johnson said Senate Republicans focused on fraud prevention, affordability, and education. He pointed to the Inspector General bill and the “Take It Back Act” as major bipartisan wins, and said Republicans used their leverage to secure the tab fee reduction and other tax relief. He also said the caucus wanted stronger protections against fraud without harming legitimate service providers, and criticized DFL priorities on government growth and education outcomes. Both leaders said relationships across the aisle improved over the session, though they differed sharply on how much was accomplished and what should be prioritized next year.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • Or, and um there was also at the time a significant backlog of work to do.
  • They have a little bit of a backlog.
  • There is some bit of a backlog.
  • discussion as to whether that backlog discussion as to whether that backlog can<02:28:16.800>
  • ,<02:33:37.280> but responsibility, there was a backlog, but responsibility, there was a backlog
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee discussed House Bill 185, which would amend RSA 3109 to add timelines for OPLC’s complaint review and investigation process. Members reviewed the existing five-year limitation period for misconduct complaints and noted that the bill would add a 30-day deadline for the office to make a recommendation to the board and a 90-day deadline to complete investigations. Some members raised concerns that the new deadlines could conflict with the existing statute of limitations, create pressure to dismiss cases too quickly, and potentially undermine the separation between OPLC’s investigative role and the boards’ adjudicatory role established by House Bill 655. Nicholas Fry, OPLC general counsel, testified that the agency’s fiscal note originally assumed it would need roughly double its staff to meet the proposed deadlines, though a later amendment reduced that estimate somewhat. He said OPLC would still need additional personnel, including investigatory paralegals and a physician investigator for the Board of Medicine, to meet the timeframes. He also explained OPLC’s current complaint and hearing procedures, including new consumer-friendly correspondence, website guidance, and efforts by the enforcement division to improve transparency and communication with complainants and licensees. Bob Quinn of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors testified in support of the bill’s basic goal of speeding up intake and investigation, saying the 30-day intake/review period was reasonable and that the bill would not change OPLC’s role in that first step. He argued, however, that the investigation step is where delays occur, especially for lower-priority complaints, and that some cases have remained unresolved for years. Committee members also questioned how the added staffing costs would be paid, with discussion of whether they would come from license fees or the general fund. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

CPN Public Hearing 02-14-2025

Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:
  • critical areas such as monitoring higher-risk, more complex entities, reducing a growing and problematic backlog
  • critical areas such as monitoring higher-risk, more complex entities, reducing a growing and problematic backlog
  • critical areas such as monitoring higher-risk, more complex entities, reducing a growing and problematic backlog
  • growing entities reducing and reducing a growing and<00:20:05.919> problematic<00:20:06.400> backlog
  • <00:20:06.880> with and problematic backlog with and problematic backlog with administrative
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The committee heard several insurance and condominium-related bills. SB 1137 would require insurers to notify policyholders of approved rate changes within 30 days and at least 30 days before the effective date. The Insurance Division supported the bill, while testimony focused on condominium master policies and whether the notice period would be enough for associations to respond to rate increases. The division said the bill would mainly affect admitted carriers, not surplus lines insurers that write many condominium master policies, and warned against limiting the nonadmitted market. SB 293, requiring sellers to disclose when USPS cannot deliver mail or packages to a residential property, was also heard with HAAI Realtors commenting. SB 752 would extend notice periods for cancellation or nonrenewal of property-casualty policies; the Attorney General’s Office raised concerns about contractual impairment and retroactive application. The committee also heard SB 575, which would allow authorized insurers to offer building and hurricane damage coverage for condominium buildings at a lower rate than prior surplus lines coverage. The Insurance Division stood on written testimony, and a condominium owner urged amendments to require a membership vote before such coverage changes, citing concerns about condominium self-governance. SP 1046 would require managing agents to notify unit owners and the Real Estate Commission when a condominium association fails budget and reserve reporting requirements. The Real Estate Commission said the bill was administratively workable as drafted but noted ambiguity over who counts as the “managing agent”; several testifiers opposed the measure, arguing it could disrupt the principal-agent relationship and impose legal judgment on nonlawyers, while others supported it. SP 150, dealing with captive insurance companies seeking exemption from examinations, drew the most detailed discussion. The Captive Insurance Council supported the bill as a way to reduce duplicative oversight and improve Hawaii’s competitiveness, while the Insurance Division opposed it as drafted, citing concerns about broad commissioner discretion, possible missed issues between exams, staffing shortages, and the need to preserve oversight. A committee member asked about a possible middle ground, including a shorter exemption period or limiting the bill to self-attestation companies; the division said it would need more information and that annual filings and approval requirements would still provide oversight. The committee also heard SP 212, which would require at least two Real Estate Commission members to be licensed engineers or architects; testimony included support and a concern about conflicts of interest among people who serve in multiple roles in the condominium and real estate sectors. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided, and the chair moved from one measure to the next after testimony and questions.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

89th Legislative Session May 1st, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • HB 3092 by Gerdes relating to a certificate of public convenience and necessity to construct an electric
  • Of note, there's a backlog, which we are going to fund, so we will pay off the backlog and end the program
  • Senate Bill 1366 improves driver safety by adding courses about safety in construction and maintenance
  • That while we're in the process of planning and putting in new construction, we put things in place so
  • That while we're in the process of planning and putting in new construction, we put things in place so
Summary: The House convened with a quorum, heard the invocation and pledges, and then took up a series of memorial resolutions and recognitions. Members adopted memorial resolutions honoring former President Jimmy Carter and Dr. Alice Gail Hudgens, with remarks highlighting their public service and community impact, and adopted resolutions recognizing Victoria College’s 100th anniversary and May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month. The chamber also recognized Texas A&M system interns and later granted permission for several committees to meet while the House was in session. The House then moved through a long third-reading calendar, passing a number of bills on wide margins. Measures approved included SB 304 on municipal court jurisdiction over nuisance abatement ordinances, SB 608 on reporting evidence collection kits, SB 2312 creating a Texas Advisory Committee on Geopolitical Conflict, SB 494 creating a petroleum theft task force, SB 530 on postsecondary accreditation, HB 45 giving the Attorney General a role in prosecuting human trafficking cases, HB 35 on peer support for first responders, HB 47 and HB 3073 on sexual assault policy and prosecution, HB 318 and HB 3000 creating rural sheriff and ambulance grant programs, HB 554 on Juneteenth fireworks sales with county opt-in authority restored, HB 705 and HB 932 joining licensure compacts for cosmetology and occupational therapy, HB 849 allowing county park boards to meet by video conference, HB 1119 on mental health bed reporting, HB 3041 on students with nontraditional secondary education, HB 713 on maternal mortality review reporting, HB 3104 on Webb County bailiff appointments, HB 3970 on electricity planning for large loads, HB 4042 on Railroad Commission safety provisions for gas distribution pipelines, HB 4490 protecting next-of-kin information, HB 1731 on the physician assistant compact, HB 2607 on Walker County Hospital District governance, HB 3689 on Texas Windstorm Insurance Association funding, HB 1788 on continuing education for barbers and cosmetologists about abuse and trafficking, HB 1612 on hospital direct payments for uninsured patients, and HB 138 on health impact cost and coverage analysis. Several bills drew extended debate or amendments. HB 353, creating a trespass offense near schools and daycares, prompted questions about constitutional concerns and property rights before passing. HB 3211 on optometrists in managed care plans received a perfecting amendment and a Medicaid-related amendment setting a minimum payment level. HB 1056 on gold and silver specie and a state-based currency prompted detailed questioning about its mechanics and fees, followed by a point of order challenging the caption. The House also adopted or postponed a number of items, including postponing HB 2520 and HB 1359 until later in the calendar before later passing both, and laying several bills on the table subject to call. Many measures passed overwhelmingly, while a few, including HB 3326 on loan forgiveness for adjunct professors and HB 3237 on energy consumption goals, passed with narrower margins.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Finance Division I (01/22/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • That first fact sheet has the number of projects and housing units completed and under construction.
  • uh the next next and under construction uh the next next page<00:08:59.959> is<00:09:00.120><
  • that uh pay for a Project's construction that uh pay for a Project's construction when<00:11:27.240
  • More water and sewer would facilitate more construction of every type.
  • There's no backlog of licensing applications presently.
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority officials, led by Executive Director Rob Dapice, briefed legislators on the agency’s structure and funding. They explained that the authority is created by state law but is not a state agency, its debt is not state debt, and it is governed by a board appointed by the governor and approved by the Executive Council. The discussion focused on the Affordable Housing Fund and the lead paint hazard remediation fund, including how state appropriations and federal resources are combined to finance affordable rental housing and lead abatement work. Dapice said the Affordable Housing Fund is used as gap financing for multifamily affordable housing projects, typically alongside federal tax credits and tax-exempt bonds, and that state dollars leverage roughly 2:1 to 10:1 in additional federal and private investment, averaging about 4:1. He said the fund has received historic appropriations in recent budgets, including $30 million over the last two biennial budgets and an annual $5 million set-aside from the real estate transfer tax. He also said the fund is usually structured as 0% interest, deferred loans rather than grants, with repayments returning to the fund if projects generate cash flow. Members asked about rents, oversight, staffing, revenues, and whether the programs had added positions. Dapice said affordability restrictions generally last 30 to 99 years, rents are tied to income limits and capped so tenants pay no more than 30% of income, and compliance staff inspect properties regularly to verify income eligibility and rent limits. He said the organization has about 130 to 135 employees, down from about 145, with no new positions added because of the appropriations. He estimated total revenues at roughly $300 million, with administrative budget around $22 million, much of it pass-through grant money. On lead paint remediation, he said the state first appropriated $6 million in 2019, plus $1 million in ARPA funds, and that the program has cleared more than 500 units. He said the federal grant program is not annual or predictable, with a recent award of about $7.75 million, and that the maximum federal grant per unit is $177,000, typically paired with up to $100,000 in state loan support. He also noted that the program can address homes before a child is poisoned if lead hazards are identified, but that cases involving an already exposed child are a higher priority. No votes or formal actions were taken.