Video & Transcript : 'fairness in mitigation' :
Page 57 of 500
TX
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
January 15, 2025 - 03:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- As I look out in this room, first of all, I want to thank anyone in uniform, anyone in uniform.
- 39 service members in four aircraft in support.
- 1565 in St.
- in Florida.
- hasn't either been in a workplace in a while or hasn't been in a traditional workplace ever.
Summary:
The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met to organize for the session, take roll, and hear introductory remarks from members and agency heads. Members briefly introduced themselves and their districts, with several noting transportation, economic development, emergency response, military, and hurricane recovery issues in their areas. Chair Shove then outlined the subcommittee’s jurisdiction and current-year budget, noting a total of about $20.3 billion, with most funding coming from trust funds and only a small share from general revenue. The committee also heard that upcoming meetings would include presentations from major agencies in the subcommittee’s purview.
The first agency presentation was from the Department of Military Affairs and the Florida National Guard. Major General John Haas described the Guard’s three missions—supporting national security, responding to state emergencies, and adding value to the state—and highlighted deployments for hurricanes, border security support, and ongoing support to the Department of Corrections. He emphasized that the Guard is understrength relative to Florida’s size and demand, said recruiting is strong, and identified force structure growth as the main challenge. Members asked about aircraft, funding sources, and recruiting; Haas explained the Guard’s helicopter and fixed-wing fleet, said aircraft purchases are funded through legislative appropriations, and reported strong interest in the Florida State Guard’s recruiting pipeline.
Executive Director Mark Thieme then described the Florida State Guard’s expansion into air, ground, and maritime capabilities, including Black Hawks, boats, drones, canine search-and-rescue teams, and ground support units. He said the agency supported immigration enforcement and hurricane response, and asked for continued legislative support to expand aviation, maritime, and medical capabilities. Members praised the Guard’s disaster response work and asked about aircraft, funding, and staffing. Secretary Cord Byrd of the Department of State followed, focusing on election administration, election security, the SunBiz and voter registration IT systems, arts and culture, corporations, libraries, and historical resources. He said Florida’s election system remains a national model, reported two prosecutions for non-citizen voting, and discussed modernization needs for legacy IT systems. The committee also asked about voter lookup tools, password privacy for SunBiz, and arts funding vetoes.
Secretary Alex Kelly of the Department of Commerce described the agency’s broad portfolio, including workforce, economic, community, and international commerce functions, plus housing recovery, broadband, small business support, rural infrastructure, defense-community grants, and law enforcement recruitment bonuses. He said access to capital is the biggest barrier for small businesses and noted ongoing work with CareerSource, the Department of Corrections, and other partners on workforce and reentry. Secretary Jared Perdue of the Department of Transportation then outlined FDOT’s record budget and five-year work program, emphasizing emergency response, preservation and maintenance, safety, and major investments in roads, ports, airports, transit, and spaceport infrastructure. He said the department has removed millions of cubic yards of storm debris, is ahead of schedule on the Moving Florida Forward initiative, and faces a large unfunded project backlog. Members asked about supply chain issues, project priorities, and workforce needs, and Perdue said FDOT is open to collaboration on recruitment and retention.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Agriculture and Environmental Quality Mar 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- In some ways, agriculture is unique in California.
- in our state and also in terms of the region.
- And then I'll just say, when we look in the national landscape in terms of renewable energy in this report
- So on a daily basis, 30% reduction in emissions from the animal being emitted. So is it fair?
- sector in California.
Summary:
The joint informational hearing examined how California agricultural programs have used cap-and-invest funding and what role agriculture should play in future climate investments. Committee chairs framed the issue as balancing climate goals, food production, rural economic vitality, and the fact that agriculture was not specifically funded in the recent cap-and-invest reauthorization. The first panel from CDFA and the Legislative Analyst’s Office described the state’s climate-smart agriculture portfolio, including Healthy Soils, SWEEP, the Dairy Methane Reduction Program, and Alternative Manure Management, and explained that GGRF revenues are now more constrained and may not fully support all tiered programs. LAO emphasized that agriculture is about 8% of California’s emissions, that most ag emissions are outside the cap, and that the Legislature should consider program effectiveness, the role of incentives, and GGRF priorities.
CDFA testified that roughly $727 million has been invested in its flagship climate-smart ag programs, producing estimated reductions of 31 million metric tons of CO2e, 1.6 million acre-feet of water savings, and about 4,000 projects. The department said technical assistance is essential because farmers face risk when adopting new practices, and noted new Proposition 4 funding for Healthy Soils, SWEEP, and a regional farm equipment sharing program. University researchers then presented economic and methane-reduction analyses: UC Berkeley’s Dr. Hill described working landscapes as a major economic driver, while UC Davis’ Dr. Kibreab outlined dairy methane reduction pathways, including herd efficiency, digesters, alternative manure management, and emerging feed additives such as 3-NOP and seaweed, arguing that incentive-based programs have helped California move toward its methane goals.
A later panel featured sharply different views on dairy digesters. Phoebe Seton argued that digesters worsen air and water quality, encourage manure liquefaction, and are an inefficient use of public funds, while CalCAN’s Brian Schobey and agricultural representatives said programs like AMP, SWEEP, Healthy Soils, FPIP, and the Farmer Program deliver measurable emissions reductions plus co-benefits such as water savings, lower energy costs, and improved air quality. Farm and industry witnesses stressed that stable, incentive-based funding helps family farms remain viable, supports co-investment, and should be treated as a partnership rather than a regulatory stick. No votes or formal actions were taken; the hearing ended with public comment and a continued call for future funding and policy discussion.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee Mar 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- District 2, SoCal Edison in District 3, and SDG&E in District 4.
- My name is Jim Bohan, and I live in Woodland in Yolo County.
- Among other opportunities in that role, I led the effort of the bank in its transmission engagement in
- You can add in additional types of wildfire mitigation to come to an acceptable level of risk that previously
- I think it's a fair question whether a utility would be interested in that proposition, because it's
Summary:
The committee first heard AB 13, which would restructure the CPUC to increase legislative oversight, add legislative liaisons, require more detailed and timely reporting on rate-setting decisions, and add a public advocate member. The author and supporters argued the bill would improve transparency, accountability, and geographic diversity in CPUC decision-making amid rising utility rates. Witnesses from TURN, San Joaquin County, SDG&E, and former CPUC Commissioner Loretta Lynch offered support or support-in-principle, while no opposition testimony was presented. Members generally praised the bill’s transparency goals, and AB 13 passed 10-0 to Appropriations, with the roll left open for absent members.
The committee then adopted the 2025-2026 committee rules and approved three consent items: AB 61, AB 365, and AB 406. The next bill, AB 99, would cap investor-owned utility rate increases above inflation except for specified costs such as safety, modernization, and fuel/commodity costs. The author and supporters, including a representative of the California Senior Legislature, said the bill was needed to protect ratepayers, especially seniors and low-income customers, from repeated rate hikes. Opposition came from utility labor, utilities, the Chamber of Commerce, and others, who argued the bill was too simplistic, could suppress labor costs, and did not account for major cost drivers such as wildfire mitigation, mandates, and net metering. Several members supported moving the bill forward as a starting point on affordability, while others criticized it as overly blunt. AB 99 passed 11-0 to Appropriations, with the roll left open.
The hearing then shifted to an informational panel on strategies to reduce California transmission costs. A Public Advocates Office staffer described a growing backlog of approved-but-unbuilt transmission projects, rising transmission access charges, and long project timelines driven largely by utility pre-application and construction periods. Panelists from Net Zero California and consulting firms presented research suggesting that public financing or public-private partnership lease models could reduce transmission costs by lowering financing, tax, and capital costs, with estimated savings of up to 57% and as much as $123 billion over 40 years. PG&E’s representative said the utility is already pursuing federal loan guarantees, grants, and a public-private partnership with Citizens Energy, but warned that state ownership could create tax, wildfire-liability, and governance risks. Members asked about the CPUC’s role, the causes of delays, and whether public financing could complement existing competitive solicitation processes.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Ways & Means Feb 27th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It was unanimous in both committees in the House and got lost in the floor shuffle over in the House.
- We're committed to paying our fair share, investing in utility infrastructure, improving water efficiency
- The dialogue here and everywhere in this country has been about paying a fair share around data centers
- The dialogue here and everywhere in this country has been about paying fair share around data centers
- And so I believe at this point in time, we have answered all questions and we've mitigated all concerns
Summary:
The committee first suspended the five-day notice rule and then heard House Bill 2521 on firearm background check fees. Staff explained that the bill would remove the $18 fee cap and allow Washington State Patrol to set fees based on actual program costs, which could be about $33 to $35 per check. Supporters said the change was needed to keep the background check system operating and avoid delays and layoffs; opponents argued it would burden lawful gun owners and amount to an unconstitutional tax or barrier to a constitutional right. No vote was taken in the hearing.
Members then heard Substitute House Bill 2475 on language-accessible public programs, which would direct the Office of Equity to develop uniform language-access guidelines, address interpreter and translator shortages, and require agency implementation reporting. Testimony was strongly supportive, emphasizing the need for consistent access for limited-English-proficient residents and the benefits for schools, families, and state services. The committee also heard Second Substitute House Bill 2479 on wage recovery, which would create a wage recovery fund to provide partial advance payments to low-wage workers with meritorious unpaid wage claims and adjust wage penalty provisions. Employers, labor advocates, and legal services representatives largely supported the bill as a bipartisan, worker-protection measure funded by penalties rather than the general fund.
The committee next took up Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 1960 on renewable energy tax incentives, which would replace existing property tax and excise tax provisions with a new state and local renewable energy excise tax structure and related grant programs for local governments and tribes. Counties, utilities, developers, and tribal representatives generally supported the bill’s goal of stabilizing tax treatment for renewable projects, though several witnesses said they wanted amendments to address rates, timing, and late-stage project impacts. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 5932 on alternative jet fuel incentives, which would change the timing and duration of existing tax preferences; supporters said it would provide certainty for emerging sustainable aviation fuel projects, while one refinery sought clarification and a broader county threshold.
Later, the committee heard Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2238 on statewide food security, directing the Department of Agriculture to monitor food system performance and develop a statewide food security strategy. Agricultural groups, grocers, anti-hunger advocates, and farmers supported the bill as a coordination effort to improve food access, affordability, and supply chain resilience. The committee then heard Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1903, which would create a statewide low-income energy assistance program through the Department of Commerce; supporters said it would address growing unmet need and complement existing utility programs, while opponents said it did not address the root causes of rising energy costs. Finally, the committee heard Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2416 on waste-to-energy facilities under the Climate Commitment Act and Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2515 on large energy-use facilities (data centers), both of which drew mixed testimony centered on balancing emissions, ratepayer impacts, reliability, and environmental or tribal concerns. No final votes were taken in the hearing.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Committee Sep 11th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I represent the most fairs in the district, and they all need money, so they'll be able to apply for
- We were trying to get it in there, but it's not in there. You can start in that all. Okay.
- But obviously, some of the changes in H.R. 1 are not in the current year, so those would be in future
- There's resources built in to be successful in that manner.
- Garcia, particularly on our side in the Assembly, put in.
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Committee held an informational hearing on the September budget package, which included SB 105 and a series of trailer bills covering health, human services, education, resources, child care, transportation, labor, public safety, housing, revenue, background checks, collective bargaining, and a special election. The Department of Finance described the package as largely technical and clarifying, but also responsive to state and federal changes, especially H.R. 1. Key items included roughly $3.3 billion in Proposition 4 climate and environmental spending, $540 million in discretionary greenhouse gas reduction funds, and major responses to H.R. 1 such as CalFresh error-rate mitigation, food bank support, and Medicaid-related changes. Other notable provisions included vaccine policy flexibility, an Abortion Access Fund, a gender-affirming care program, community college basic-needs and aid changes, CEQA and coastal permit exemptions tied to the 2028 Olympics, invasive mussel prevention funding, a civic media program, labor and pension-related provisions, and special election administration changes.
Members raised questions and concerns about several parts of the package. There was support for climate, water, transit, offshore wind, food security, and health investments, but also significant criticism of the lack of cleanup language for SB 131 and its advanced manufacturing exemptions, with multiple members saying promised fixes had not materialized and expressing concerns about tribal consultation, labor standards, and environmental protections. Members also questioned the scale and timing of some Proposition 4 allocations, including fairground upgrades, regional conveyance, and a UC Davis alternative protein research center. The Department of Finance said some programs would roll out over time and that certain funding levels reflected current implementation capacity.
The hearing also featured discussion of Bay Area transit financing, with Finance saying SB 105 directs the department and CalSTA to examine loan or other financing options rather than immediately providing loans. Members and public commenters also discussed the state’s response to H.R. 1, with advocates supporting food bank, health care, and immunization provisions while warning of ongoing harm to immigrants, foster youth, and other vulnerable groups. Public testimony broadly supported the health, food, water, offshore wind, and golden mussel provisions, while many speakers echoed legislative concerns about SB 131 and urged cleanup action in the next session. No votes were taken because the hearing was informational only, though the chair noted votes on the bills were expected later that night or the next morning.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- in 2024.
- awards to players in one month in 2023.
- awards to players in one month in 2023.
- We were in this committee. We were in this committee. We were in this committee.
- And since its inception, the department has been steadfast in its pursuit of fair and effective regulation
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee Feb 25th, 2026
Utilities and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- In the last few years, the Commission has taken several actions to mitigate costs borne by customers.
- So if this plan is implemented, it will result in a lot of build in California, a lot of projects in
- And there's still wind in the portfolio in-state.
- And so, like, we can either continue to spend untold billions of dollars investing in wildfire mitigation
- This type of physical solar project is not new in California, and in fact, there are many projects in
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Agriculture and Water Management Committee Mar 31st, 2026 at 09:30 am
Agriculture and Water Management Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Environmental impact mitigation fund, model zoning ordinances, and fertilizer production and usage in
- In short, perpetual easements are not part of the mitigation program.
- Currently, we're in the... ...and we've conducted environmental mitigation on their behalf.
- And, you know, in the world of today, there's mitigation.
- Or provide upland or mitigate even wetlands in those situations. Yes, sir. Thanks. Thank you.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
PBS Info Briefing - Thu Aug 28, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- in the hazard mitigation plan.
- in the hazard mitigation plan.
- in the hazard mitigation<00:17:29.840><c> plan.
- The mitigation and I'll say we haven't done a good job in the state as far as mitigation.
- The mitigation and I'll say we haven't done a good job in the state as far as mitigation.
Summary:
The House Committee on Public Safety held an informational briefing on hazard mitigation planning and recent tsunami and wildfire threats. Chair Dela Buladi opened by framing the meeting around the need for iterative disaster planning and lessons learned from events such as the Lahaina wildfires, the Puna Coast earthquake/tsunami, and recent wildfire activity. The committee heard first from Hawaii County Civil Defense Administrator Tomage Magno, who explained the federal and local hazard mitigation planning process, including the requirement for an active five-year mitigation plan to qualify for federal disaster funds. He described the plan as a living document built from prior plans, public and agency outreach, risk and capability assessments, and ongoing updates, with county departments, state agencies, and subject matter experts participating in the process.
Magno outlined several FEMA-related mitigation funding programs, including flood mitigation assistance, post-fire assistance, pre-disaster mitigation, revolving loan funds, and dam safety grants. He emphasized that the Hawaii County plan was recently approved by FEMA, that the county council approves the plan, and that the county reviews it annually with a formal revision process beginning in the fourth year. Members asked about how the plan tracks project status, how priorities and funding changes are handled, and whether federal funding programs might be affected by HR1; Magno said the county is proceeding on the assumption that funding will remain available and noted some sources have been reestablished. He also said the county encourages council participation in meetings and planning.
Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen then addressed the committee on DOT’s response to a recent tsunami threat, saying the agency had about four hours to prepare before the first wave arrival and was focused on its own operational response rather than the broader statewide planning process. In response to questions, he stated that FHWA funds cannot be used for evacuation routes, which is why prior legislative funding was important. Members also discussed specific mitigation projects such as fire breaks, bridge retrofits, and the Singing Bridge, with DOT noting that work is underway and that a replacement bridge upstream is being planned to carry traffic during repairs. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the informational briefing.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session May 26th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- custody in 2025 and 15 so far in 2026.
- in court.
- This is about vehicles that are taking up space in otherwise prohibited zones, in red zones, in loading
- A construction worker can put in long hours on a public works project expecting a fair paycheck only
- We have seen more people die in private detention facilities in California in the last two years than
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Energy Development and Transmission Committee Jul 22nd, 2026 at 09:00 am
Energy Development and Transmission Committee
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Local Government Committee Mar 12th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- in our state is the excessive delays in our permitting processes.
- Seeing none, any in the audience who want to speak in support of the bill?
- local hazard mitigation plan is required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, in order to
- Assembly Bill 2140 passed in 2006 authorizes local governments to have their local hazard mitigation
- in a usable format.
Summary:
The committee first heard AB 253, by Assembly Member Ward and presented by Assembly Member Quirk-Silva, which would allow licensed third-party professionals to review certain post-entitlement permits if a local building department would take more than 30 days. Supporters, including California YIMBY, the California Chamber of Commerce, the Housing Action Coalition, the Bay Area Council, SPUR, and Abundant Housing LA, said the bill would reduce permitting delays and help housing production. League of Cities and the California State Association of Counties expressed concerns but were not formally opposed. Members voiced strong support, and the bill passed the committee 10-0 to Appropriations.
The committee then held an informational hearing on California’s general plan. The first panel, led by UC Davis professor Catherine Brinkley, gave an overview of the general plan structure, required elements, update cycles, and the new PlanSearch database that makes adopted plans searchable statewide. She emphasized that general plans are long-term, locally tailored documents that integrate housing, transportation, safety, environmental justice, and other policy areas, and noted that many plans and elements are outdated. Members asked about update timelines, public participation, and whether AI tools could help with drafting and analysis.
A second panel of local government representatives described the practical challenges of preparing and updating general plans, especially in rural and small jurisdictions. Speakers from Calaveras County, Sacramento, San Joaquin County, and Fountain Valley cited staffing shortages, consultant availability, funding constraints, CEQA and outreach costs, changing state mandates, and the difficulty of keeping plans aligned with local conditions and board turnover. They asked for more funding, more time, clearer prioritization, and more flexibility. A third panel from the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation explained its role in issuing general plan guidelines, technical advisories, and annual planning surveys, and said it is updating its guidance through 2027 to reflect recent housing, climate, safety, environmental justice, and open space laws. No public comment was offered, and the informational hearing was adjourned.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Water and Natural Resources Jun 3rd, 2025
Water & Natural Resources Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Served in the Senate in Senate District 34 Iia Otero County. Thank you.
- this, in this committee.
- to me in terms of getting me in touch with the experts around the state.
- Uh, there was an error made in the, in the In the Paperwork that got done and I am a voting member on
- million in capital outlay that was directed directed towards wildfire mitigation and thinning work.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Banking & Insurance (3-12-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:04:02.200><c> my</c> in my district he said listen in my in my district he said listen in my
- </c> returns resulting in a 14% decrease in returns resulting in a 14% decrease in valuation<00:08:44.399
- of</c> fee study starting in July in January of fee study starting in July in January of 2027<00:24:13.320
- So, when I say lowered premiums, let me clarify: it is mitigating rate increases in West Virginia from
- clarify it is mitigating rate increases in<00:25:30.159><c> West</c><00:25:30.360><c> Virginia</c><00
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00
Roll Call: 00:10
SB145 Discussion: 02:23
SB145 Vote: 05:13
SB183 Discussion: 06:13
SB183 Vote: 11:37
HB413 Discussion Only: 16:15, 958, all
Summary:
The House Standing Committee on Banking and Insurance met with a quorum and first took up Senate Bill 145, sponsored by Sen. David Givens. The bill would update retail installment contract statutes for automobile sales, allowing retailers with installment contracts shorter than 28 days to begin collections after three days instead of waiting for multiple missed payments, and it also harmonizes a related dollar amount in statute from $10 to $15. The committee asked no questions, and the bill received a favorable expression on a roll-call vote.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 183 from Sen. Matt Nunn, with testimony from Chris Nolan of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association. The bill would require proxy advisers acting for the State Retirement System to act solely in the financial interest of current and future retirees and to avoid political or social considerations in shareholder voting recommendations. Supporters argued it would keep politics out of public pensions and align proxy advice with fiduciary duties; members praised the bill and noted Kentucky could be among the first states to adopt such a model. The committee approved the bill with favorable expression after a roll-call vote.
The committee also reviewed administrative regulation 808 KAR 9:10 from the Department of Financial Institutions, with no vote required. It then took up House Bill 413, a PBM rebate pass-through bill, with testimony from Sarah Wood of the Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition. She said the bill would require 85% of negotiated drug rebates to be passed through to patients at the point of sale, lowering out-of-pocket costs, especially for high-rebate drugs such as insulin, while still allowing 15% to remain with plans. She cited examples from other states and argued the bill would benefit about 650,000 Kentuckians. Hope McClaflin of Anthem opposed the bill, saying it would reduce employers’ ability to use rebates to lower premiums, could disproportionately favor high-cost brand-name drug users, and could create significant costs for state and fully insured plans. Members asked questions about other states’ pass-through rates and the effect on premiums, but no final action on House Bill 413 was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Has resulted in $2.2 billion in savings for Texas consumers.
- So those are all, uh, areas of, of, of low growth that we're seeing in, in the, in the future load forecast
- Fair enough.
- I haven't heard, hey, you know, in the last year or since, you know, in 24, let's just say in 24 from
- So it was like a 1 in 10, 1 in 15 year summer.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Committee Jun 29th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- In this budget, there's multiple pieces in there. So there are funds in there.
- In this budget, there's multiple pieces in there. So there are funds in there.
- In this budget, there's multiple pieces in there. So there are funds in there.
- In addition, rejecting the cuts to IHSS, to APS, the investments in child welfare, the investments in
- Thank you. ...continued work ahead to mitigate the coverage losses from H.R. 1 implementation in Medi-Cal
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Committee met to consider the final three-party agreement for the 2026-27 state budget and 19 implementing bills, including two budget bill juniors and 17 trailer bills. Committee leadership and administration officials described the budget as a balanced plan that reduces out-year structural deficits, maintains large reserves, and makes major investments in health care, education, housing, child care, public safety, and other core services while also responding to expected federal cuts and fiscal uncertainty. The Department of Finance outlined the package’s major components, including Medi-Cal adjustments, education funding increases, higher education changes, child care and human services updates, housing and homelessness funding, energy and transportation provisions, and tax and general government changes.
Members asked questions about several provisions, including CSU enrollment targets and turnaround plans, the Prop. 98 settle-up mechanism, the plastics market development payment program, housing accountability measures, NextGen 9-1-1 implementation, and veteran services. Staff and administration witnesses explained that the higher education language is intended to improve campus-by-campus reporting and oversight, that Prop. 98 settle-up would be finalized later through the statutory certification process, and that NextGen 9-1-1 now includes one-time funding, quarterly reporting, an independent technical review, and a state audit. Members also discussed the HAP homelessness funding increase to $900 million and the balance between accountability and timely distribution of funds.
The most extended exchange centered on comparisons between funding for veterans and Medi-Cal/immigrant health coverage. Republican members argued the budget spends far more on undocumented immigrant services than on veterans, while Democratic members and Finance staff responded that the comparison was misleading because many veterans’ services are federally funded and the state budget also includes dedicated veteran support. The chair and other members emphasized that the budget reflects difficult tradeoffs and that the package protects vulnerable populations, preserves health care access, and advances affordability. No final vote was described in the excerpt, but members indicated support for the overall package and said they would support it on the floor.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- tuned in online.
- Mitigating or measuring risk, uh, that also brings in competition that also reduces cost.
- This bill seeks to improve fairness in our justice system by adopting the American Bar Association and
- Well, you know, in, in fairness, I think you all do, um, you know, I don't, I don't think you all get
- Our job as operators mitigate these risks in the best of our ability through safety measures, training
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Transportation, Highways and Public Works Apr 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Green in support, red in opposition, white for information only.
- Murphy would think in New Orleans or in Plaquemines or in Fouchon.
- Murphy would think in New Orleans or in Plaquemines or in Fouchon.
- Is that tax in perpetuity? ...in funding salaries and other things. Is that tax in perpetuity?
- Captain Ferrer's background is in maritime traffic and not urban planning and hazard mitigation on something
Summary:
The committee first heard and favorably reported House Bill 1175, which updates aeronautics-related definitions to make Louisiana more attractive to the aviation industry. It then approved House Bill 655, giving DOTD clearer authority to contract for operation and maintenance of state ferry systems on a cost-plus basis, with testimony focused on flexibility for the Cameron Ferry and other state-run ferries. House Bill 1037, which reorganizes certain DOTD operations by shifting duties to a chief operating officer and extending work on a unified permitting platform, was also reported favorably, as was House Bill 1174, which recreates the Department of Transportation and Development on a revised cycle. House Bill 714 was voluntarily deferred.
The committee next took up several port-related measures. House Bill 871, which would have added two St. Tammany appointees to the Port of New Orleans board, was voluntarily deferred after the author said the timing was premature given ongoing work on the LIT project and regional trade zone issues. House Bill 345, expanding the Rail Infrastructure Improvement Program to include rail infrastructure at ports, was reported favorably. House Bill 713, which would cap the Caddo-Bossier Port executive director’s compensation at the statewide average of the top ten port directors, drew extensive testimony for and against; supporters argued the salary was excessive and the port needed accountability, while opponents said ports are different from one another, the local appointing authorities already oversee the board, and the bill could hurt recruitment. The committee voted 12-1 to involuntarily defer HB 713. House Bill 667, which would change the Caddo-Bossier Port Commission from appointed to elected members, also drew strong opposition over cost, voter confusion, and loss of local appointing authority, and it too was involuntarily deferred by a 12-1 vote.
The committee then favorably reported House Bill 743, creating the Harry P. Williams Memorial Airport District in St. Mary Parish, after testimony that the airport should be managed as a dedicated economic development asset. House Bill 836, which would reconfirm members of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority East, was amended to move the reconfirmation date from August 1, 2026, to December 1, 2026, to avoid disrupting hurricane-season operations, and was reported favorably by substitute. Finally, House Bill 730, concerning the use of ADS-B aircraft tracking data, was discussed with an amendment limiting the bill’s application to smaller aircraft; the measure was presented as a privacy and safety bill to prevent assessors or others from using ADS-B data to impose fees or taxes on aircraft owners.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services Feb 25th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The Department of Social Services has planned exhaustively for how to mitigate harm in the face of H.R
- offshore accounts than pay their fair share in state taxes like the rest of us.
- So we do urge the Legislature, as we've been talking about today, to do everything in its power to mitigate
- I urge you to commit to mitigating this harm and additionally continue to invest in successful programs
- So I would recommend that this subcommittee also look to try to mitigate that in case of another federal