Video & Transcript Research : 'foundation'

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NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Rules Feb 9th, 2026 at 09:11 am

Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Mansion Foundation then supports us.
  • What we are doing is we're saying to the Mansion Foundation that as a...
  • I'm on the, let's say I'm on the foundation board, and you're doing this.
  • And earlier you were talking about the foundation.
  • are funds specifically for the Mansion Foundation. ...from the Mansion Foundation are funds specifically
Bills: SB238, HJR1, SM21, SM22
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Aug 19th, 2025

Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • The use of funding by their foundations. with the State Auditor on auditing of foundations that is going
  • That would have been money managed by the foundation.
  • money to the foundation?
  • To support foundation operations. I'm sorry, a minute.
  • It supports the operating budgets of the foundation, and our foundation is audited annually as part of
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Education Policy Committee Feb 5th, 2025

Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Foundation program the way it is and not address the student need challenges that we have.
  • This is kind of a visual representation of our current Foundation program.
  • Our Foundation program, 30 years ago, was a response to needs at the time, but we know more now.
  • That obviously reduces the initial complexity since the Foundation program is already in place.
  • That existing Foundation program would kind of be the base for the student weights.
Keywords: 1136, house, all
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

EDT-HRE Informational Briefing 01-28-2025

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • exactly from the foundation is sure who exactly from the foundation is here<00:02:45.040> but
  • the foundation.
  • <00:53:35.960> yeah getting money into Foundation yeah getting money into Foundation yeah
  • it went to it went to Foundation it went to foundation<00:56:42.200> and<00:56:42.400> then
  • This is the foundation account.
Keywords: 912, senate, all
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

ECD Public Hearing - Wed Feb 5, 2025 @ 10:00 AM HST

Economic Development & Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • Tax Foundation Hawaii.
  • We have the Tax Foundation of Hawaii in Zoom.
  • We have the Tax Foundation of Hawaii in Zoom.
  • We have the Tax Foundation of Hawaii in Zoom.
  • <00:32:49.960> of Zoom um we have the tax Foundation of Zoom um we have the tax Foundation
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The Committee on Economic Development and Technology met on February 5, 2025, and heard testimony on several bills related to economic development, broadband, tax policy, and family support. HB 455 drew support for a startup-business loan program, with DBEDT, the Hawaii Food Industry Association, the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, and Hmua Collective among those in favor; Tax Foundation Hawaii questioned the need for a special fund. HB 437, concerning Hawaii trade/investment offices, received support from DBEDT and Hawaii Friends for Civil Rights, and members asked DBEDT about how to measure return on investment from the overseas offices. HB 650, dealing with broadband-related administration, was supported by DBEDT, the Department of Agriculture, the Hawaii Food Industry Association, and others, while committee discussion focused on the role of the state’s trade and investment offices and broadband administration. HB 935, on digital navigator support, received testimony in favor from DBEDT, the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the University of Hawaii system, and others, but also drew comments about consumer representation and the need for service on neighbor islands. The committee also heard strong testimony on tax and family-related measures. HB 572, which would remove the grocery tax, received overwhelming support from groups including the Hawaii Food Industry Association, AARP Hawaii, and others, with testimony emphasizing food insecurity and cost-of-living relief; Tax Foundation Hawaii offered technical comments. HB 701, a caregiver tax credit bill, was supported by AARP Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and others, with AARP stressing the burden on family caregivers and Tax Foundation Hawaii suggesting the credit percentage be reduced to preserve price-shopping incentives. HB 753, another child and dependent care tax credit measure, drew support from AARP Hawaii, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and others; Tax Foundation Hawaii again raised technical concerns, this time about the complexity of the formula. After testimony, the committee took up decision-making. HB 455 was passed with amendments, including transferring administrative responsibility from the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to the Community-Based Economic Development Program, blanking out the appropriation, adding one business loan officer FTE, and noting a $95,000 cost. HB 437, HB 650, HB 934, HB 442, and HB 572 were all advanced with amendments, generally involving blanking out appropriations, moving amounts into committee notes, technical cleanup, and setting effective dates to July 1, 3000. HB 935 was deferred because of overlap with public library programs and uncertainty about federal funding for digital navigator positions. The chair also indicated HB 7 would be amended to add a nonrefundable family caregiver tax credit and related technical changes, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

2026 Legislative Session - Day Sixty Four - Wednesday, May 6

Missouri House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • portion of the foundation formula.
  • portion of the foundation formula.
  • Significant amount into the foundation formula.
  • There's specific language, but the foundation formula—not all education language, but the foundation
  • There's specific language, but the foundation formula, not all education language, but the foundation
Keywords: 959, house, all
Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the previous day’s journal, and a series of special guest introductions recognizing family members, interns, students, public servants, and community advocates. Committee reports and Senate messages followed, including Senate refusals to concur on a large number of amendments to Senate Bill 1421 and the appointment of a conference committee on House Bill 2818. The main floor action centered on the state budget, especially House Bill 2 (public education). The budget chair explained the conference report’s funding mix for K-12 schools, including $8.4 billion for public education, changes to the foundation formula, use of blind pension funds, and possible ARPA dollars later in the process. Members debated whether the report underfunded schools by $45 million or more, with opponents arguing the state was not fully funding the formula and supporters saying total school funding remained at record levels and that the issue was the source of funds rather than the total amount. A substitute motion to send HB 2 back to conference failed 62-89, and the conference report was then adopted 83-68; the bill was third read and passed 83-68. The House then took up House Bill 2003 on higher education, where the conference report largely restored the governor’s recommendation and directed the department to develop a new funding formula by the end of the year. Members discussed performance-based funding, scholarships, apprenticeships, and the need for a slower transition to any new model. The conference report passed 119-28, and the bill was third read and passed 109-32. House Bill 2004, covering Revenue and Transportation, included about $20 million for rural roads and other transportation funding; members discussed constitutional concerns, MoDOT projects, and a small local safety fix. The conference report passed 128-21, and the bill was third read and passed 127-27.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Education Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • How does that compare to the foundation budget?
  • Is it right about at the foundation budget, or is it above the foundation budget?
  • As with most Gateway Cities, we spend very close to the foundation.
  • budget is it right about at the foundation budget or is it above the foundation budget as with most
  • Gateway City Is it right about it the foundation budget or is it above the foundation budget?
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Education opened a hybrid public hearing on a large slate of bills related to school buildings, school finance, technology, data privacy, safety, and related education issues. Chairs Jason Lewis and Ken Gordon outlined procedures for the hearing, including two-minute testimony limits and the plan to group similar bills together. Several bills drew no testimony and were closed without further discussion, while others drew extensive testimony from legislators, school officials, parents, advocates, and educators. A major theme was school safety and student well-being. Lori Al-Hadeth testified in support of bills on alert systems in public schools, describing the loss of her daughter in the Parkland shooting and urging adoption of Alyssa’s Law-style panic alert technology. Representative Gallagher and disability advocates also supported a bill authorizing, but not requiring, airway clearance devices in schools, arguing they could save lives in choking emergencies and provide an option for people who cannot use the Heimlich maneuver. Another bill on reducing cafeteria waste drew support from a legislator and a Lexington sustainability official, who said installing dishwashers during construction would reduce waste and long-term costs. Much of the hearing focused on Chapter 70 school funding and the inflation cap. Senator Pavel Payano, Senator Sal DiDomenico, Representative Senna, and multiple local officials and school committee members from Bridgewater, Chelsea, Groton-Dunstable, and other districts argued that the 4.5% cap on inflation adjustments has left schools underfunded during years of high inflation, forcing layoffs, larger class sizes, and cuts to programs and student supports. They urged bills to eliminate the cap, restore lost funding, increase the Commonwealth’s share of the foundation budget, or create commissions to study reforms. Testimony also highlighted the impact on special education, English learners, and low-income students, with Chelsea witnesses saying the cap has cost their district about $7 million annually. School construction and MSBA reform were the other major topic. AIA Massachusetts, Boston Public Schools, Lynn officials, and AFT Massachusetts described aging facilities, overcrowding, deferred maintenance, and the difficulty of financing new schools under current reimbursement rules. Boston officials said the district has many pre-World War II buildings and has only built a handful of new schools in decades, while Lynn leaders said reimbursement rates have fallen well below the statutory 80% because of caps and ineligible costs. Witnesses urged modernization of the MSBA program, higher reimbursement rates, and more resources for school construction. The committee also heard support for a bill to study the adequacy and equity of the school building program, and chairs indicated some bills would be closed after no one signed up to testify.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

WAM/FIN Joint Info Briefing - Fri Feb 14, 2025 @ 9:30 AM HST

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Strub Foundation?
  • Re to Me International Foundation — not present. Rainbow Health Foundation — not present.
  • Akaka Family Foundation.
  • Maui AIDS Foundation.
  • Foundation M foundation for Island Foundation M foundation for Island health<04:15:36.279> care
Keywords: 910, house, all
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

2026 Legislative Session - Day Sixty Four - Wednesday, May 6

Missouri House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And they do that by hosting a Tom Shaw Foundation walk once a year.
  • On the foundation formula, you know, there was a difference there.
  • portion of the foundation formula.
  • And the foundation I just want to talk about the overall budget, especially the foundation formula and
  • the transportation portion of the foundation formula.
Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the prior day’s journal by a 107-1 roll call vote. Members then spent a substantial portion of the morning introducing guests, including family members, students, interns, nonprofit representatives, a park ranger recognized for life-saving work, and legislative staff being honored for service or graduation. Committee reports and Senate messages followed, including Senate refusals to concur on several amendments to Senate Bill 1421 and the appointment of a conference committee on House Bill 2818. The main floor debate centered on the conference committee report for House Bill 2002, the K-12 education budget. The budget chair explained that the report maintained record-level overall funding for the foundation formula but changed the mix of funding sources, including a reduction in capital commission dollars and use of blind pension funds, with possible later ARPA dollars to offset shortfalls. Several members argued the bill still underfunded schools by about $190 million and raised concerns about relying on projected or one-time funds; others defended the budget as meeting or exceeding constitutional requirements and noted record spending per pupil and recent increases in education funding. A substitute motion to send the bill back to conference failed 62-89, and the conference report was then adopted 83-68; the bill was subsequently third read and passed 83-68. The House then adopted and passed House Bill 2003, the higher education budget, by 119-28 on adoption and 109-32 on third reading. Debate there focused on restoring the governor’s recommended funding while directing higher education institutions to develop a new performance-based funding formula by the end of the year. Members generally described the compromise as a step toward a more sustainable model while preserving current funding levels. Next, House Bill 2004, covering the Departments of Revenue and Transportation, was adopted 128-21 and passed 127-27; discussion highlighted transportation funding, rural roads, and a small local safety appropriation that had already been addressed by MoDOT. The House then began debate on House Bill 2005, the Office of Administration budget, with members emphasizing IT accountability, state employee functions, and ongoing technology consolidation/deconsolidation issues.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Nov 4th, 2025

Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is so very important because that serves as the foundation of our organization.
  • With this sound foundation, we are able to have core programs and services.
  • of the foundation outside of our annual meetings.
  • meet on a monthly basis to handle the business of the foundation.
  • We meet on a monthly basis to handle the business of the foundation outside of our annual meetings.
Summary: The Committee on Military Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security met to consider SB 96, which originally proposed a new veterans dental care program but was amended to expand the existing Veterans Dental Care Grant Program. The amendment raised eligibility from 300% to 400% of the federal poverty level and added a recurring $500,000 general revenue appropriation. Members discussed whether expanding eligibility without guaranteed additional funding could dilute services for veterans already being served, while supporters argued it would help veterans currently turned away for dental care. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS/SB 96 favorably by roll call vote, with Chair Wright voting no. The committee also approved two committee bills continuing public records exemptions: SPB 7000, covering the address and telephone number of people staying in public emergency shelters during storms or catastrophic events, and SPB 7002, covering certain Department of Military Affairs records stored in or transmitted through Department of Defense systems or related to military cyber operations. Both were moved as committee bills without objection and were favorably reported. Members then received presentations from Dr. Pia Woodley of the Florida Veterans Foundation and Joe Marino of Veterans Florida. Dr. Woodley outlined the foundation’s dental initiatives, emergency assistance, transportation support, benefits guide distribution, new programs for state veterans’ homes and community grants, and recent audits with no findings. Marino described Veterans Florida’s SkillBridge, entrepreneur, and workforce programs, including outreach and federal partnerships, and noted legislative priorities to allow stipends for training at UF IFAS AGVets facilities and to rename a program in statute for clarity. The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

CAA Info Briefing - Thu May 22, 2025 @ 10:00 AM HST

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We are doing an informational brief with the following foundations and organizations: the State Foundation
  • <00:10:33.519> on establish the state foundation on establish the state foundation on culture
  • Uh we foundation issued an RFP.
  • and the Atherton Family Foundation.
  • foundation itself. I can answer that. foundation itself. I can answer that.
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The Committee on Culture and the Arts held an informational briefing on May 22 with the Hawaii Arts Alliance, the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA), and the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission. Chair Capella said the purpose was to better understand the organizations’ work and strengthen relationships ahead of the interim and next session. The Hawaii Arts Alliance, led by Executive Director Gay Humphrey, described its mission to enrich Hawaii’s cultural fabric through arts education, advocacy, and community engagement, and highlighted its history tied to Alfred Price, including the creation of Hawaii’s 1% for art law and the alliance’s 45 years of service. The alliance outlined its current work, including administering SFCA-funded statewide programs such as Artist in the Schools and the new folk and traditional arts program, with 34 teaching partners serving more than 100 public and charter schools and Kumu Hawaii as the single grantee for traditional weaving instruction. It also discussed Arts First Partners, the incubation of Arts at Mark’s Garage, expanded advocacy efforts supported by Creative West grants, and new multi-year philanthropic support from the Hawaii Community Foundation and Atherton Family Foundation. The alliance said it is launching statewide listening sessions and an arts advocacy training program, and noted that most SFCA funds pass through the alliance to program partners, with the organization retaining 10 to 14 percent for administration. SFCA Executive Director Karen Ewald then described the agency’s role as the state arts agency, its strategic planning process, and its main programs, including Art in Public Places, the Capital Modern museum, Artist in the Schools, apprentice mentoring grants, community arts grants, the Hawaii State Poet Laureate program, a statewide cultural extension program, and the Hawaii Open Arts Program. She said SFCA has 21 staff with one vacancy, is awaiting a federal NEA partnership agreement, and is considering new revenue streams such as a cultural trust. She also noted that the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission was recently attached to SFCA, which has improved coordination and allows SFCA to provide funding for conservation and upkeep of the King Kamehameha statues statewide. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only, with questions deferred until after the presentations.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

WAM-FIN Informational Briefing 02-14-2025

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Yesa Foundation. Why Manalo Health Foundation. Why Manalo Health Center, please proceed.
  • Foundation.
  • Uh, Maui AIDS Foundation? Aloha.
  • Foundation M foundation for Island Foundation M foundation for Island healthc<02:15:50.440> care
  • Ava Sophia Foundation.
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Finance informational briefing on grants and aids was held February 14 and was organized as a high-volume public testimony session with strict procedures: no Q&A, one representative per applicant, one minute per testimony, in-person testimony first, and then Zoom participants. The chairs also announced a recess at 11:00 a.m. for floor sessions and a reconvening at 1:00 p.m. Testimony was heard first from neighbor island applicants, then Oʻahu applicants, with members repeatedly directing speakers to line up and keep remarks brief. Neighbor island testimony focused on a wide range of capital and operating requests. Health and community projects included Hawaii Island Community Health Center’s workforce housing in Kau, Wuli Hawaiian Homestead Association’s learning center and predevelopment work, Rescue Tube Foundation’s beach rescue tube expansion, Puna Community Medical Center’s planned hospital/ER campus, Maui Humane Society’s free veterinary care after the wildfires, Hawaiʻi Care Choices’ palliative care readiness, and the Lyman Museum’s HVAC replacement. Other requests included the Maui Advanced Manufacturing Alliance’s Pāʻia Mill redevelopment, Laua 2020’s preschool and learning lab, Mālama Aina’s USDA-compliant meat processing facility, the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association’s water safety programs, Kaha P Organization’s agriculture education support, Ohana Arts’ youth performance project, Friends of the Children’s Justice Center’s emergency closet, EOA Pacific’s Marshall Islands teacher training, and the Central Pacific Youth Athletic Club’s new facility. Oʻahu testimony included the YWCA Oʻahu/Pythink Center’s renovation of Juliet M. Atherton Hall and its community kitchen, West Oʻahu Community Health Center’s wildfire protection and security needs, the Early School’s playground improvements, Surfing the Nations’ food distribution center expansion, and Sounding Joy Music Therapy’s weekly services for people with disabilities. Speakers generally emphasized community benefit, workforce development, health access, food security, disaster recovery, and support for children, seniors, and underserved populations. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

CAA Public Hearing - Wed Feb 12, 2025 @ 9:30AM HST

Culture & Arts

Transcript Highlights:
  • We also have the Tax Foundation of Hawaii with comments via Zoom.
  • Jade McMillan, on behalf of Tom MAA for the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, said they submitted comments on
  • <00:15:08.720> of Foundation of Foundation of Havi<00:15:11.040> with<00:15:11.279>
  • behalf of Tom MAA for the tax Foundation behalf of Tom MAA for the tax Foundation of<00:15:20.959
  • found uh charged by the foundation found uh charged by the foundation sarges<00:25:34.440> grants
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The Committee on Culture and the Arts heard testimony on HB 547 HD1, which would create a spay-neuter special fund to reduce pet overpopulation and support spay/neuter services, funded in part through a tax return check-off and other sources. The Department of Taxation said it could implement the check-off; the Attorney General and Budget and Finance raised drafting and placement concerns about which department should house the fund; and the Hawaii Humane Society strongly supported the bill, emphasizing statewide need and the importance of distributing funds to areas of greatest need, including neighbor islands. The Tax Foundation opposed the measure on special-fund grounds, arguing there was no sufficient nexus between the bill’s purpose and the proposed revenue source. The committee later recommended HB 547 HD1 with technical amendments and sent it to Finance, with members voting aye and no objections noted. The committee also heard HB 925 HD1, relating to arts funding, which would impose a 1% fee on ticket sales from concerts at state venues and direct the proceeds to a dedicated arts fund. The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts supported the measure, while the Attorney General suggested defining “concerts” for clarity and Budget and Finance was available with comments. In discussion, the committee chair asked about how other states fund arts programs, and Director Ewald said many states use dedicated funding sources such as concert fees, bond funding, cultural trusts, and hotel lodging taxes. The committee recommended HB 925 HD1 with amendments, including a preamble, a new Performing Arts special fund, a definition of “concerts,” and a defective date, and the recommendation was adopted. Finally, the committee considered HB 1378, also related to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. Based on the Attorney General’s testimony, the committee proposed deleting a section of the bill, creating a Performing Arts special fund, specifying revenue sources such as legislative appropriations, foundation charges, grants, gifts, and interest, and using the fund for coordination, planning, promotion, marketing, and execution of performing arts events. The amendments also added a definition of Performing Arts, granting standards, and a defective date, while blanking out the appropriation amount for the committee report. The committee voted to adopt the recommendation on HB 1378 with amendments, and the meeting adjourned.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 2/17/25

Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's inadequate pavement foundation support.
  • Foundation support um one in five miles Foundation support um one in five miles in<00:50:41.720> the
  • because of the the pavment foundation because of the the pavment foundation system<00:50:48.640>
  • <00:51:12.359> as process is to consider the foundation as process is to consider the foundation
  • at probably 50 different Foundation at probably 50 different Foundation materials<01:09:48.520><
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

JBC-PERSONNEL Apr 15th, 2026

JBC-PERSONNEL

Transcript Highlights:
  • We currently fund, or this year is 8,162 in the public, in the foundation.
  • So the amount of the EFA scholarship is 90% of what foundation funding is.
  • That's completely dependent on what you all determine is the adequacy foundation funding amount.
  • It's not just foundation funding. Foundation funding is just the bottom level of it.
  • It's not just foundation funding. Foundation funding is just the bottom level of it.
Summary: The committee first considered the Lieutenant Governor’s Office budget and personnel request to move that office onto the state pay plan and increase salaries for its positions. Office representatives said the request was intended to make pay competitive with other constitutional offices and state agencies, that OPM had approved the grades, and that the office did not plan to max out any positions. Members questioned the size of the increase and the office’s workload. A motion to adopt the proposal failed on a tie vote, and the committee then voted to expunge the vote before moving on. The committee then approved a series of Governor’s letters and related personnel transfers, including cuts for Arkansas Educational Television Network, transfers within the Department of Health and several DHS divisions, and a DFA shared services reorganization. The committee also approved moving child nutrition and related nutrition programs from the Department of Education to the Department of Agriculture, with department officials explaining that the programs fit better under Agriculture because the grants come from USDA and the transfer would include the positions and funding tied to the programs. Members raised questions about how the appropriations and positions were split between state and federal funding, and about the broader implications of the transfer, but the committee ultimately approved both the Education and Agriculture sides of the move. The meeting also included extended discussion of the Educational Freedom Account program. Members questioned the $309 million appropriation, whether it matched current participation, and whether future demand could require additional funding. Department officials said the amount covered current participation and that the governor had set aside an additional $70 million in case applications increased, but that any amount beyond the appropriation would require returning to the committee. Some members argued the program’s growth could threaten funding for public schools and adequacy, while others noted that the program is governed by rules under the LEARNS Act. The committee also approved a technical title change at East Arkansas Community College from assistant to the president to assistant to the chancellor.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 2/25/25

Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • So the first subdivision is called foundational natural resources data and information.
  • So the first subdivision is called foundational natural resources data and information.
  • So the first subdivision is called foundational natural resources data and information.
  • So the first subdivision is called foundational natural resources data and information.
  • So the first subdivision is called foundational natural resources data and information.
Keywords: 1183, house
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • Do you think that that was an appropriate use of the foundation funds?
  • I was on the foundation, though.
  • The Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida did make a contribution.
  • I think the mission of the foundation of Florida, the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida, is to
  • He did take a step back and was the vice chair of the foundation at that time.
Summary: The Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee first took up the appointment of Joshua Kellum to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Kellum described his background in diversified land, agricultural, materials, and real estate operations and said he views himself as a conservationist. Senators questioned him closely about his development background, the balance of perspectives on the commission, his vote supporting the black bear hunt, and the use of Fish and Wildlife Foundation funds for the “Yes on 2” campaign. Supporters argued he is primarily a land steward and conservation-minded landowner, while opponents said the commission is already dominated by developers and lacks scientific or conservation expertise. After debate, the committee voted to recommend Kellum’s confirmation, with Senator Smith voting no and the rest of the voting members in favor. The committee then received a presentation from FWC on implementation of recently enacted boating and vessel laws. Bill Holcomb outlined changes under SB 1388 (the Boater Freedom Act), including limits on vessel stops and boarding, a new Florida Freedom Boater Safety Inspection decal, and revised rules for Springs Protection Zones. He also reviewed SB 164 on derelict and at-risk vessels, including new enforcement tools, a long-term anchoring permit, and updated penalties; HB 289, Lucy’s Law, which strengthens boating safety penalties and education requirements; SB 830 on the disposition of migrant vessels; and HB 735 on water access facilities and boating infrastructure. Holcomb said FWC is in rulemaking, training officers, and updating forms and permitting systems to implement the laws. Members asked follow-up questions about derelict vessel cost recovery and whether penalties go back to the state, and about the Springs Protection Zone standard. Holcomb said the state can recover removal costs from responsible owners and that the new springs standard requires “significant harm” and that vessel activity be the predominant cause, with subject matter experts and partner agencies helping make those determinations. He said Silver Glen Springs remains a proposed zone but was paused pending the new criteria and rulemaking. The committee took no further action on the presentation and adjourned after completing the agenda.
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, March 24, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • One thing they all share is a solid foundation and understanding of mathematics and modeling.
  • One thing they all share is a solid foundation and understanding of mathematics and modeling.
  • One thing they all share is a solid foundation and understanding of mathematics and modeling.
  • <03:18:20.040> research<03:18:20.520> and Science Foundation research and Science Foundation
  • <03:19:13.359> allowing National Science Foundation allowing National Science Foundation allowing
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:04:06.400> on testimony from the state foundation on testimony from the state foundation
  • The State Foundation supports House Concurrent Resolution 163 HD1, which urges the foundation to establish
  • foundation supports house state foundation supports house concurrent<00:04:39.680> resolution
  • <00:04:43.440> to 163HD1 which urges the foundation to 163HD1 which urges the foundation to
  • We foundation of a healthy community.
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The committee heard and then voted on several concurrent resolutions. HCR 71, asking the Coalina Golf Club to work with the Department of Transportation to prevent golf balls from reaching Fington Highway, drew no opposition in testimony; a member thanked the golf club for cooperating after a constituent’s windshield was struck, and the measure was passed unamended. HCR 19 HD1, supporting Taiwan’s international participation and a U.S.-Taiwan trade agreement, received only DBED testimony in support and was passed with technical amendments. HCR 163, urging the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to establish an annual Pacific Island culture and arts festival, was supported by DBEDT and the foundation itself, which said it would welcome such a festival subject to funding and staff resources; it was passed unamended. In the later joint session, HCR 70 on accelerating sustainable aviation fuels received support from the Hawaii Renewable Fuels Coalition, while DOT said it is already working on clean fuels through its greenhouse-gas reduction efforts and that the resolution would mainly require a more targeted progress report; the measure passed, with one no vote in the joint committee vote. HCR 123, on a restricted parking zone pilot program in West Oahu neighborhoods, had no oral testimony and was passed with technical amendments. HCR 57, on a traffic mitigation and calming study in Waipahu, also had no testimony and was passed unamended. HCR 112, urging Honolulu to adopt a pedestrian-first policy, drew broad support from public health, planning, bicycling, and student witnesses, though one testifier urged coordination with existing county plans; it passed unamended. HCR 177, encouraging a summer streets pilot program, also passed unamended. For HCR 203, urging Maui County to prioritize planning for the Kihei North-South Collector Road, the chairs proposed technical amendments to correct the responsible agency from the Planning Department to the Public Works Department, and the measure passed with those amendments. Across the meetings, the committee repeatedly noted when there were no further questions or testimony, and each resolution was adopted by the committee after the stated recommendations.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 03/05/25

Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:59:24.839> we Minnesota initiative Foundation we Minnesota initiative Foundation we wanted
  • , who's the president of the Southwest Initiative Foundation.
  • My name is Scott Markwart of Southwest Initiative Foundation.
  • My name is Scott Markwart of Southwest Initiative Foundation.
  • I'm the CFO for the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all