Video & Transcript Research : 'engineering fees'
Page 64 of 500
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And deal with all the engines and everything else going cross country, is that correct?
- Army Corps of Engineers.
- Army Corps of Engineers, including for dredging or other maritime operations outside its boundaries.
- This bill addresses the US Army Corps of Engineers on federally authorized projects.
- I represent myself as a locomotive engineer.
Bills:
HB341, HB791, HB1564, HB1695, HB1722, HB1729, HB1772, HB2003, HB2954, HB2989, HB3084, HB3134, HB3135, HB3309, HB3611, HB3679, HB3727, HB3832
Keywords:
affordable housing, zoning, development, community support, local regulations, bicycle lanes, traffic collisions, Texas Department of Transportation, study, public safety, bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, road safety, transportation study, HB 791, Central Catholic High School, San Antonio, specialty license plate, specialty plates
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Obviously, they have a lot of oversight on the engineering of them and everything else.
- In August 2023, DIR's board approved a reduction in the STS fee from 2.95% to 2.75%.
- All other fees remain unchanged. From 2.95% to 2.75%.
- There may also be fees collected for certain licensing and things like that, and those fees are processed
- So in workers' compensation, we have what's a fee guideline, right?
Bills:
SB 1
Keywords:
campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards
Summary:
The committee began with Article I budget items for the Secretary of State. LBB staff outlined recommendations that would reduce the agency’s appropriation by about $40.3 million, including changes to HAVA funding, removal of one-time business system replacement money, and a rider directing the agency to use Fund 5095 first. Secretary Jane Nelson and staff then defended several exceptional items, especially additional staffing for elections and business filings, a new website, digitization of records, cybersecurity tools, and renovation of the James Earl Rudder Building. Members focused heavily on election administration, cross-checking voter rolls, Harris County complaints, call-center response times, and whether online voter registration should be expanded. No votes were taken; the discussion was informational and budget-focused.
The committee then heard the Office of the Governor and trustee programs. LBB presented a recommended $2.4 million decrease for the governor’s office proper and a much larger decrease in trustee programs driven by one-time funding and unexpended balances, while still preserving major border security funding and victim assistance funding. Governor’s staff emphasized Texas’ economic growth, the importance of border security, and efforts to seek federal reimbursement for the roughly $11 billion Texas has spent on border operations. Members discussed whether shifting National Guard deployment to federal control could reduce state costs, and they also reviewed the music incubator program, the Governor’s University Research Initiative, and the semiconductor innovation consortium. Staff highlighted a $5 million late-added request for grants to protect nonprofits from violence and terrorism. Again, the exchange was largely explanatory, with no formal action.
Finally, the committee took up the Texas Facilities Commission and lease payments for revenue bonds. LBB recommended major reductions overall, including removal of border wall construction funding and capital complex bond funding, but added money for higher utility costs, renovation of the Rudder Building, and additional facilities staff. George Purcell also noted stable maintenance-and-renewal funding and new riders related to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission building, tenant communications, and space utilization. For lease payments, LBB recommended a smaller appropriation tied to revenue-bond costs allocated across agencies. The discussion was informational, with members asking about the Rudder Building renovation, border wall progress, and capital complex construction timelines; no votes were recorded.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Jan 21st, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government
Transcript Highlights:
- We have 461,000 acres that we either own in fee or through conservation easements.
- We have 461,000 acres that we either own in fee or through conservation easements.
- Each project is scored by the appropriate scientist, engineer, or environmental scientist.
- The size of engines we have is critical because we are, again, redirecting rivers for the protection
- We also have a federal partnership with the Corps of Engineers.
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard budget presentations from all five water management districts for FY 2026-2027: Northwest Florida, Suwannee River, St. Johns River, Southwest Florida, and South Florida. Each district described its preliminary budget, major funding sources, staffing levels, and how most of its spending is tied to the four core missions of water supply, water quality, natural systems, and flood protection. Several directors noted budget reductions from the prior year largely because major projects were completed or because grant/appropriation funding is not yet fully reflected in preliminary budgets. Committee members repeatedly asked how districts project operations and maintenance costs, how projects are selected, and what share of staff and spending is devoted to core missions versus administration or regulatory work.
Northwest Florida Water Management District said its preliminary budget is $93.4 million, down about 15%, with 97% of spending tied to core responsibilities and a request for additional regulatory services funding. Suwannee River Water Management District presented a $70.4 million budget, emphasized its rural/agricultural character and spring protection work, and highlighted the Water First North Florida reclaimed-water recharge project; members also discussed its need for an additional FTE to handle consumptive use permit reviews tied to a new lower Santa Fe rule. St. Johns River Water Management District presented a $181 million budget, highlighted major water supply, water quality, flood protection, and land management projects such as Taylor Creek Reservoir, Water First North Florida, Black Creek, Crane Creek, and Lake Jessup restoration, and said about 93% of its budget supports core missions.
Southwest Florida Water Management District presented a $227.6 million budget, with major spending on alternative water supply, water control structure repairs, watershed projects, and land management; officials said 93.4% of the budget supports core missions and discussed rising construction costs for aging infrastructure. South Florida Water Management District presented the largest budget at $1.05 billion, focused on Everglades restoration, flood control, water supply, and ecosystem recovery; the director described major reservoirs and treatment projects, the EAA Reservoir, and ongoing efforts to improve water quality and restore flows to the Everglades and Florida Bay. The committee took no formal votes on the district budgets and adjourned after the presentations and questions.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
TRN Public Hearing - Thu Mar 20, 2025 @ 10:00 AM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- In the case, from my understanding, with the landing fees we assess on everything with our operators,
- In the case, from my understanding, with the landing fees we assess on everything with our operators,
- In the case, from my understanding, with the landing fees we assess on everything with our operators,
- In the case, from my understanding, with the landing fees we assess on everything with our operators,
- In the case, from my understanding, with the landing fees we assess on everything with our operators,
Summary:
The House Committee on Transportation met on March 20, 2025, first on two bills and then on a series of resolutions. On SB 597, relating to administrative driver’s license revocation, the Department of the Attorney General and other agencies supported extending the deadlines for written review decisions because chemical testing results, especially from neighbor islands, can take longer to return. One individual testified in opposition. The committee amended the bill to set the review-decision deadlines at 14 and 28 days, deferred the effective date to July 1, 3000, and recommended passage with amendments by vote.
The committee then heard SB 1285 SD2, a highway safety measure that would create an impaired-driving offense, establish automatic license suspension procedures, and amend related administrative processes. The Attorney General’s office raised concerns about the new infraction structure and recommended deleting that section, while the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing it could create due process problems and unnecessary burdens on the courts. DOT and several advocacy groups supported the measure, and one individual testified in support of lowering the BAC limit to 0.05. The committee adopted extensive amendments, including deleting several sections, revising revocation language for refusals to test, and deferring the effective date to July 1, 3000, then passed the bill with amendments.
In the later resolution hearing, the committee heard measures on Maui road projects, the Kulani Hako Bridge replacement, enforcement against improperly registered out-of-state vehicles, a proposed extension of the Skyline rail to West Oahu, a proposal to transfer airport regulatory authority to DOT, a golf-ball safety resolution, and a restricted parking pilot program in West Oahu neighborhoods. Testimony was generally supportive on the Maui road, bridge, vehicle-registration, and golf-ball measures, while DOT opposed the airport-corporation task force resolution and several groups offered mixed views, including calls for public-sector union representation if a task force were created. The committee also heard support and concern on the Skyline extension resolution, with members noting the need for transit options that better serve West Oahu. At the end of the meeting, the committee adopted the resolutions it took up in decision-making, including the Maui road measures, the bridge resolution, the vehicle-registration resolution, and the Skyline-related resolution, with the airport-corporation and parking-zone measures also heard before adjournment.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 03/17/26
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- Um protectant fee with PILT. Um wetland. Um protectant fee with PILT.
- Protect and fee making a PILT payment. Protect and fee without<00:18:39.679>
PILt. - :07.360>
the <00:30:07.520>project Corps of Engineers in the project Corps of Engineers - projects that where you're doing fee projects that where you're doing fee title<00:37:23.280>
- Um, and we fee title or easement land.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Public Works and Highways (01/14/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- I am a retired civil engineer.
- project management and environmental engineering for them worldwide.
- I represent Hampton, and I'm a retired Navy captain and professional engineer.
- I'm a retired software engineer.
- <00:33:49.000>
on from the aviation registration fees on from the aviation registration fees
Summary:
The Public Works and Highways Committee held an orientation meeting focused on introducing members, outlining committee norms, and hearing an overview from the Department of Transportation. Chair David Mills emphasized the committee’s long-standing bipartisan working style, asked members to share contact information for short-notice scheduling, and noted that the committee would need to complete as much work as possible before the building is vacated later in the year. Members introduced themselves and described backgrounds in engineering, construction, planning, local government, military service, education, and business. Several members highlighted prior service on planning boards, school boards, zoning boards, or in transportation-related fields as relevant to the committee’s work.
Members repeatedly described the committee as collegial and nonpartisan, with most bills going to the consent calendar. The chair also noted that the committee’s work centers on state infrastructure, including roads, bridges, highways, and buildings. Representative Cluder, the ranking member, and others echoed that the committee is effective because it talks issues through and resolves disagreements collaboratively. One member mentioned a recent trip that reinforced the importance of infrastructure resilience after storms and rebuilding efforts in other states.
Department of Transportation officials, led by Assistant Commissioner and Chief Engineer David Rodrig, gave a detailed organizational and operational overview. They described DOT’s structure, mission of “transportation excellence,” and major responsibilities across highways, bridges, rail, transit, aeronautics, maintenance, and administration. Rodrig reported 1,651 permanent positions and 404 vacancies, 2,160 state bridges with 115 on the Red List, 4,600 centerline miles of roadway, 25 public airports, 11 transit systems, and 194 active state-owned rail lines. He also outlined FY 2024 spending, project development activity, highway maintenance operations, fleet and fuel systems, and the distinction between the highway fund and DOT’s budget, including the role of federal funds and the turnpike enterprise fund. No votes were taken and no bills were acted on during this orientation meeting.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
JLCAR Administrative Rules (05/16/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- engineers or somebody like that. engineers or somebody like that.
- examination fees and puts them<00:46:58.880>
in <00:46:59.040>rule. - <00:47:27.760>
in rule making to to put these fees in rule making to to put these fees in - says that the state shall do the fee. says that the state shall do the fee.
- So that's I that fee for that license.
Summary:
The committee first handled routine business, approving the consent calendar and the minutes. It then took up a Department of Employment Security rule, 24193, where the only issue was that a form had not been incorporated by reference. The department submitted an oral conditional approval request with revised language, and the committee approved the rule conditionally. A second Employment Security rule, 195, raised concerns that the notice language was too broad and vague and could amount to oral rulemaking; because the agency had not yet finalized revised language, the committee granted a one-month waiver so the rule could return next month with a conditional approval proposal.
The Department of Safety’s contact person notification program rule, 24237, drew comments about Social Security number collection, unclear drafting on one section, and ambiguity about which application needed a signature. The agency agreed to remove Social Security number references from the rules and forms and to adopt the suggested clarifying language with minor edits. After discussion about why the identifiers were needed, the committee approved the rule conditionally with the oral changes. The committee then moved a previously consent-calendar item, OPLC rule 2547, off consent after Representative Maguire objected that the renewal application form was too health-care-focused and user-unfriendly for other professions; the agency said it would revisit the form, and the committee postponed action until next month without needing a waiver.
The final major item was Fish and Game’s HB 2548, which changes licensing and permit rules for taking deer, bear, moose, turkey, and furbearing animals. Staff noted extensive public testimony, including a coalition submission, and said the main dispute was over what data the agency should rely on in setting seasons and take limits. Fish and Game explained that declining trapper participation made capture-per-unit-effort data less reliable, so it also uses hunter surveys and UNH research projects funded in part by federal money; the agency said current trapping removals are very low and do not appear to threaten populations. Committee members and public witnesses questioned whether the agency’s responses to comments were sufficiently specific under the new public-comment law, but no final vote on the Fish and Game rule was taken in the portion provided.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
FIN Info Briefing - Tue Jan 14, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Licensing & Administrative Procedures Apr 29th, 2025
Licensing & Administrative Procedures
Transcript Highlights:
- which is Representative Paul's bill that we previously voted out relating to the renewal of an engineering
- LaHood's bill relating to the towing fee studies and the amount of non-consent towing fees in certain
- political subdivisions authorizing an increase in existing fees.
- previously voted out relating to the regulation of land surveyors by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee Mar 25th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- In addition, we commissioned GEI, Chris Ferrari, to do a very in-depth engineering analysis of these
- And through... ...to do a very in-depth engineering analysis of these weirs, and through that process
- I'm a water resources engineer with GEI Consultants here in Sacramento.
- One is it means now they no longer have to pay fees to DWR as a result of this action, which means it
- And so I'm not an engineer, and what have you.
Summary:
The committee heard several water, parks, and wildlife bills. AB 764 would expand the list of exotic non-game birds that can be managed in California to better control mute swan populations; the author and California Waterfowl said swans are invasive, aggressive, and rapidly increasing, while no opposition testified. The bill passed to Appropriations. AB 616 would make the State Library Parks Pass program permanent by allowing state parks to transfer annual day-use passes to the State Library free of charge; supporters said it improves equitable access to parks, especially for low-income families, and the bill passed unanimously to Appropriations.
AB 293 would require groundwater sustainability agencies to post board membership and a link to Form 700 filings online. Supporters, including the Community Alliance with Family Farmers, argued it would improve transparency and public trust, while opponents said the requirement was redundant and could discourage service on GSA boards. The bill passed, but with some no votes. AB 639 would narrow the definition of dams so certain weirs used for irrigation would not be subject to dam regulations; the author and technical witnesses said the structures pose no safety risk and are already closely managed, while members urged the bill be narrowed further to the Kings River area. It passed as amended to Appropriations.
AB 679 would streamline land transfers for Big Basin Redwoods, Año Nuevo, and Butano State Parks by exempting those acquisitions from the Public Works Board process. Supporters said it would speed conservation and park rebuilding after the CZU fire, while one member opposed it over cost and broader state land-management concerns; it passed as amended. AB 454 would remove the sunset on the California Migratory Bird Protection Act, making state protections for migratory birds permanent after federal rollback concerns; it passed as amended to Appropriations. The committee also adopted its 2025-26 rules and approved the consent calendar, and the meeting adjourned after add-on votes were taken for absent members.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (05/05/2026)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- they don't have to idle diesel engines they don't have to idle diesel engines at<00:17:12.559>
- Engineers are smart. Yeah. Engineers are smart. Yeah.
- We have a chemical engineering first hire, um, TJ, and then a software engineer.
- Uh where 300 engineers needed, right?
- are all those engineers going to go? are all those engineers going to go?
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- So engineers and planners and agency staff can move forward with certainty.
- ASCE is the nation's oldest engineering society, representing 160,000 civil engineers who serve as stewards
- engineers in ASCE nationally or internationally.
- engineers in ASCE nationally or internationally.
- engineers in ASCE nationally or internationally.
Summary:
The Committee on Capital Investment held its first meeting of the 2025 session with members and staff introducing themselves and describing their priorities. Senators from both parties repeatedly emphasized the goal of passing a strong bipartisan bonding bill this year, with several members noting that local projects were delayed after no bonding bill passed the previous year. Chair Housley also said the committee would not meet later that week and previewed an upcoming presentation from MMB on federal funds.
The committee then heard a presentation from MMB’s Leah Corey and Anna Ming on Minnesota’s federal funding efforts. Corey explained that MMB’s federal funds team coordinates state efforts to maximize funding from IIJA, IRA, CHIPS, and related federal programs. She said Minnesota has secured about $12.3 billion in federal funding so far, including roughly $3 billion more since the last presentation, supporting about 1,800 projects statewide. Most of the funding is going to transportation, roads, and bridges, with other major areas including clean energy and weatherization. She also highlighted an interactive public dashboard showing projects by region and noted that much of the data reflects funds flowing through the state enterprise.
Corey also discussed state match programs that helped unlock federal dollars, including the IIJA discretionary match fund, the State Competitiveness Fund, and the Forward Fund. She said $180 million in state match has unlocked about $1 billion in federal investment through the IIJA discretionary match fund, nearly $17 million in state investment has unlocked nearly $90 million in federal funding through the State Competitiveness Fund, and $124 million for the Forward Fund has unlocked nearly $1 billion in federal and private investment. Members asked whether more state dollars could have brought in more federal funds; Corey said she was not sure, but noted the IIJA match fund is expected to run out in the coming months.
The presentation also focused on direct pay tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, which allow tax-exempt entities such as governments, nonprofits, school districts, and tribal nations to receive payments for eligible clean energy projects after they are completed. Corey said the state is building awareness and technical assistance around direct pay, including educational sessions and a tax expert resource. She also described Minnesota’s Green Bank, the Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority, which is beginning to issue loans for projects such as community energy, nonprofit geothermal systems, and solar-plus-battery installations.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- with Senator Lang after our hearing last week about possibilities of having some kind of designated fee
- possibilities of having some kind of possibilities of having some kind of designated<00:09:06.959>
fee - structure<00:09:08.640>
uh <00:09:08.760>to <00:09:08.959>support designated fee - structure uh to support designated fee structure uh to support the<00:09:09.519>
work <00:09:09.760 - , or they're going to have to restructure their fees because they're supposed to be self-funded.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:10:53.680>
and jobs when it comes to engineering and jobs when it comes to engineering - :52.880>
we <00:15:53.199>have for our engineering positions, we have for our engineering - Maui is a good these engineering jobs.
- three positions which are engineer three positions which are unlicensed<00:17:15.839>
engineers - fees fees um<01:04:04.559>
and <01:04:05.200>and <01:04:05.680>sometimes <01:04: - fees fees um<01:04:04.559>
Summary:
The committees heard testimony on several personnel and employment bills. SB 2119 would require the state or counties to reimburse public officers and employees for approved work-related travel costs within 30 days; testifiers from the State Procurement Office, UPW, HGA, the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly, and others supported the measure, citing delayed reimbursements. SB 3131 would update state position titles by changing “private secretary” to “executive assistant” and “secretary” to “administrative assistant” where applicable, and it drew support from DEED and comments from the State Librarian. SB 3069 would permanently exempt a limited number of specialized positions in DAGS Public Works and the Comptroller’s office from civil service; DAGS, HCDA, and DEED supported it, while UPW opposed it. Committee members questioned whether the exemption should be narrower and whether the positions should be consultants or actual employees, and DAGS said the roles were narrowly tailored, highly specialized, and intended to help manage complex projects such as Aloha Stadium, the convention center, and other major redevelopment work.
The committee then heard SB 3180, which would repeal the limit on temporary employment in a single position for two 89-day terms. Testimony included support from the Procurement Office, DOE, DHRD, the State Librarian in opposition, UPW written comments, HGA, the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii, and others. Discussion focused on whether the bill was needed to address abuse of repeated 89-day hires and whether it would affect recruitment and career pathways. Finally, SB 2137 would allow departments, divisions, and agencies to assume hiring and recruitment functions from DHRD under certain conditions. DHRD opposed the bill, saying existing law already allows delegation and that agency-level recruitment often lacks the expertise and staffing to do the work; UHPA supported it, and UPW submitted written support. In questioning, DHRD said it had reduced backlog and was now current on screening, while also offering programs like Operation Hire Hawaii for faster agency-led recruitment.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (01/28/2026)
Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- generated as a result of filing fees and annual fees would be used to administer and to pay for the
- fees and um<00:10:10.240>
annual <00:10:10.720>annual <00:10:11.120>fees <00:10:11.680 - That's a subscription now. your car and the other one is engine your car and the other one is engine
- I think now it's just all one flat fee I think now it's just all one flat fee now,<04:32:05.600>
- Um, does any of these extra fees Um, does any of these extra fees come<04:36:37.840>
with
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Senate Minerals, Business & Economic Development Committee, February 25, 2026
Minerals, Business & Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Um set limits on fees charged to it.
- Obviously, company must refund the fee.
- Have any conversations been rental fee.
- , they're getting the rental space fee, they're getting the rental space fee, but<00:47:09.280>
- Uh it's a very high level engineering Uh it's a very high level engineering firm<01:19:34.400>
- Uh it's a very high level engineering Uh it's a very high level engineering firm<01:19:34.400>
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Legislative Session - Session 2 - 41st Legislative Day Jun 25th, 2026
Delaware House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And Ron, numerous times, had come before the county as an engineer.
- That was the bill eliminating what we reference as a junk fee: the fee for what we call loss of use,
- So the idea of bringing back a junk fee after it was removed is a little challenging for me.
- So the idea of bringing back a junk fee after it was removed is a little challenging for me.
- Fees under this section may not exceed 30 days. It’s lines 8 and 9 of House Amendment 2.
Summary:
The House convened with Girl State participants presiding for part of the session, including introductions of the student leadership and a unanimous voice vote passing House Concurrent Resolution 152 honoring the young women participating in Delaware Girl State. The chamber also welcomed congressional interns and other guests, accepted the prior day’s minutes, and observed a moment of silence for Nathan Cynix and Kara Feeley before prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
A major portion of the meeting was devoted to tributes for Representative Ron Gray, who was recognized for his 14 years of service and his work on issues such as bond bills, dredging, bike paths, small business, constituent service, and agriculture-related funding. Multiple members from both parties praised his humor, honesty, mentorship, and dedication to the House and his district. Gray responded with extended remarks reflecting on his family legacy, legislative service, and appreciation for colleagues and staff, and the chamber later sang “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” at his request.
The House then received communications, including Senate messages returning several bills and informing the chamber of Senate passage of additional measures. Members were also told that the FY27 bond bill, House Bill 500, had been placed on desks as a gift for review. The House read in Consent Agenda S, which included House Bill 476, House Joint Resolution 13, Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 168, Senate Bill 297, Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 319, and Senate Joint Resolution 21, and began a roll call vote on the consent agenda.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nominations of Jonathan Gould, of Virginia, to be Comptroller of the Currency for a term of five years, Luke Pettit, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Paul Atkins, of Virginia, to be Mar 27th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- It is the SEC's job to ensure... ...that our capital markets remain an engine for economic growth and
- Atkins, do you agree that private fund managers are charging higher fees?
- Well, Senator, there's a whole range of fees that are done, but I would, to your point there as far as
- So you're saying that investors should be protected by making sure that they know what those fees are
- So the typical management fee for a private fund can be four times higher than the annual fee for a mutual
Keywords:
financial regulations, SEC, Comptroller of the Currency, Federal Transit Administration, nominees, Empowering Main Street in America Act, capital formation, economic growth
Summary:
The committee meeting focused on several nominees within key financial institutions, including discussions surrounding the SEC, the Federal Transit Administration, and the Comptroller of the Currency. Notable dialogue included concerns over regulatory balance, with various members emphasizing a need to streamline regulations to foster innovation while ensuring accountability and safety for investors. The importance of the proposed 'Empowering Main Street in America Act' was highlighted as a means to facilitate access to capital for small businesses, underlining the current administration's approach towards financial regulations.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Government Contract Review Committee (12-9-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- for firms doing contingency fee work.
- fund to pay for the attorneys, the firm would be limited to what's in that fee fund.
- Which is to say, let's say that they were entitled to a 7% fee, but the fee fund is only going to cover
- <01:04:19.119>
I'm I'm engineering selection services. - I'm I'm engineering selection services.
Summary:
The committee first established a quorum, approved the minutes from the November 10 meeting, and then approved a large agenda of contracts and related items, with the total agenda amount stated as $359,638,393.88. Most items were approved without objection, but two contracts were pulled for discussion: attorney general panel counsel contingency fee contracts and a Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission personal services contract.
For the attorney general’s office, Chris Lewis explained that the contracts were panel counsel contingency fee agreements, with 14 qualified awards from 16 applicants. He said the contracts were contingency-based, so no money would be paid unless cases were successful, and that the fee structure worked out to roughly 5% under the statutory waterfall. Senators asked about the size of the contracts, whether the terms were uniform, why no Kentucky firms were among the awardees, and how the public should understand the large dollar figures. Lewis said one Kentucky firm applied but was disqualified for a late submission, other Kentucky firms had inquired but did not apply, and local firms could still work with national firms on cases. The committee then approved the contracts.
The Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission contract drew more extensive questioning. Commission representatives said they had previously had a contract disapproved because the proper process was not followed, so they used an RFI process posted on the state and commission websites for at least three weeks. They received one applicant, a Kentucky firm, and set the rate at $125 per hour. Members questioned whether the commission was acting beyond its ethics mission, whether staff were helping draft complaints against legislators, and whether the commission was taking on a prosecutorial or human-resources role. The commission said its role is limited to enforcing the legislative code of ethics, providing advisory guidance, and following the formal complaint process; it does not pursue matters outside that code. Members also raised concerns about the earlier procurement misstep and the commission’s credibility, and the commission apologized, said it had corrected the process, and pledged to comply going forward. The committee then approved the contract.
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee Jan 28th, 2026
Finance and Taxation Education
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:37:54.560>
then are not I know you have an engineer then are not I know you have an engineer - <00:37:57.599>
when but that's what he does engineering when but that's what he does engineering - the American Council of Engineering Companies speaking today.
- the American Council of Engineering Companies speaking today.
- the American Council of Engineering Companies speaking today.