Video & Transcript : 'innovation fund' :

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OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Health and Human Services 2ND REVISED Apr 8th, 2026 at 10:00 am

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • House Bill 366 creates a revolving fund at the healthcare workforce training mission to receive the funds
  • So I'm just curious about the timeline of when the state will be receiving the funds and exactly how
  • you know setting up this revolving fund at the state health department is entrusted with distributing
  • those funds.
  • But yes, I think that could lead to a future funding in the future. Follow up. Thank you, Mr.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Health and Human Services 2ND REVISED Apr 8th, 2026

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • funds already allocated through the rural health transformation program.
  • So I'm just curious on the timeline of when the state will be receiving the funds and exactly.
  • fund.
  • I know the State Health Department is entrusted with distributing those funds.
  • I understand too that there is some funding tied to birth-friendly designation for hospitals through
Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met to consider several House bills, beginning with a series of sunset extensions for professional licensing and review boards. House Bill 3000 extended the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering to 2031 after brief questions about prior executive-branch efforts to improve board transparency; House Bill 3001 extended the Child Death Review Board to 2031; House Bill 3003 extended the Board of Chiropractic Examiners to 2031; and House Bill 3004 extended the Board of Examiners in Optometry to 2031. Each of these bills advanced on unanimous 9-0 votes. The committee also advanced House Bill 366, which creates a revolving fund at the Health Care Workforce Training Commission to receive rural health transformation funds. Members asked about the timing and distribution of the funds, but no timeline was available. House Bill 3904 changed prenatal delivery and postpartum services from a global payment model to individualized payments, with supporters saying it would improve access to local and rural prenatal care and could help hospitals qualify for birth-friendly designations and related funding. That bill also passed 9-0. Two health-related policy bills were amended in committee and advanced. House Bill 3644, the Blake Burgess Act, requires certain hospitals to adopt policies to prevent venous thromboembolism; members asked whether the required report would be public, and the author said that was the intent. House Bill 1687, the Uniform Health Care Decisions Act, replaces older advance directive and health care agent laws with a single framework for end-of-life decision-making, with committee substitute changes adding safeguards and clarifying surrogate authority. House Bill 3920 created a sales tax exemption for LifeShare Network, matching an exemption already given to the Oklahoma Blood Institute, and it also passed after supportive testimony. All measures considered were reported out favorably, and the committee adjourned after announcing it would meet again the following week.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Health Finance and Policy Committee 3/23/26

Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • So the legislature-administered funding that is goes through this fiscal year.
  • </c> the uh legislature administered funding the uh legislature administered funding that<00:20:34.880
  • </c><01:03:23.920><c> to</c> public, private, and grant funding to public, private, and grant funding
  • </c><01:03:30.799><c> in</c> center for healthc care innovation in center for healthc care innovation
  • </c> our foot into the basic research funding our foot into the basic research funding field<01:12:30.400
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama House Ways and Means Education Committee Mar 18th, 2026

Ways and Means Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • ,</c><00:10:51.200><c> and</c> bills or about ideas, about funding, and bills or about ideas, about funding
  • this and also legislature for funding this and also funding<00:15:58.959><c> our</c><00:15:59.279><c
  • </c> with the partnership with Innovate with the partnership with Innovate Alabama,<00:42:14.000><c>
  • Um, I understand that the general fund and the education trust fund will be in both bodies the week after
  • </c> of the pillars of Innovate Alabama of the pillars of Innovate Alabama program.<00:50:00.559><c>
Bills: HB527 , HB563 , HB580 , HB579 , SB190 , HB15 , HB390 , HB527 , HB563 , HB580 , HB579 , SB190 , HB15 , HB390
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

CPC Public Hearing - Wed Mar 4, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST

Consumer Protection & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • But if people are coming into a new publicly funded housing situation, that they be allowed, but those
  • We were able to secure federal funding to help us get our ag operations going on Kauai.
  • Um, that was with consistent funding.
  • We got 2 years of funding before the current [clears throat] president came in and cut all funding for
  • Yeah, and I think this will help us get private funding as well, you know, additional investors.
Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1984 HD2, which would require government entities issuing building permits to create a self-certification process for certain behind-the-meter rooftop solar and energy storage systems, allowing approved applicants to proceed without waiting for standard permit review. The Public Utilities Commission and DLNR offered comments, and the Hawaii Solar Energy Association, Holoholo Energy, Photon Works Engineering, Malama Solar, RevoluSun, and others testified in strong support. Supporters said the bill would reduce permitting delays, lower costs, and help meet Hawaii’s renewable energy goals while still relying on licensed engineers, electricians, and county inspections for safety. Committee members asked about risk, existing county pilot programs, and whether self-certification had been used before; witnesses said the professional liability remains with licensed signers and that current automated review systems often flag minor issues that slow projects. The committee also noted 16 additional written testimonies in support. The committee then took up HB 1593 HD1, which would require HHFDC-financed affordable rental housing projects to allow residents to own or keep common household pets. The Hawaiian Humane Society testified that the bill is a top priority because housing restrictions are a major reason pets are surrendered and because many unhoused residents with pets avoid housing that does not allow animals. In response to questions, the Humane Society said concerns about pet-related damage are overstated, suggested pet behavior screening as a safeguard, and said it would be willing to work on broader private-market pet-friendly housing policies. Members raised concerns about whether allowing pets in public housing could create problems for residents who later transition to the private market, and the witness said California has a similar law and no major negative effects had been identified. Finally, the committee heard HB 2423 HD2, which would require that by January 1, 2028, diesel fuel sold in Hawaii for on-highway vehicles contain at least 5% biodiesel by volume. The Hawaii State Energy Office offered comments, and Hawaii Transportation Association and Pacific Biodiesel Technologies testified in support. Pacific Biodiesel argued the mandate would improve energy security, stabilize fuel prices amid global supply disruptions, and support local clean-fuel production. In response to questions, the company said its nameplate capacity is 5.5 million gallons per year and it has produced over 6 million gallons annually, but much of its output is tied up in standby generator contracts that can fluctuate. Witnesses said the mandate would provide a stable market signal and could support future investment in expanded local biodiesel production, including agricultural feedstock development and a possible second refinery. No votes or final actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • already receiving employment data from the OESC, including High Re and Tritech and other Workforce Innovation
  • It creates a wildfire mitigation revolving fund and requires the conservation commission to develop the
  • And this one ensures they have the proper funding and resources to be able to respond.
  • could actually use that to do you know had the local fire departments have adequate resources and funding
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Energy and Natural Resources Oversight Mar 4th, 2026

Energy and Natural Resources Oversight

Transcript Highlights:
  • receiving employment data from the OESC, including higher ed and career tech and other Workforce Innovation
  • receiving employment data from the OESC, including higher ed and career tech and other Workforce Innovation
  • It creates a wildfire mitigation revolving fund and requires the Conservation Commission to develop a
  • that will respond to emergencies at these locations, and we want to make sure they have the proper funding
  • number where we could actually use that to have the local fire departments have adequate resources and funding
Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of energy, agriculture, wildlife, water, and utility bills, adopting PCS drafts and amendments on several measures before voting them out. Early bills, including HB 4246 and HB 423, would let DEQ obtain technical assistance and instruction from outside suppliers, and both passed with 11-1 votes. HB 3617, the agricultural equipment right-to-repair bill, drew the most extended debate; supporters said it would help farmers and ranchers keep equipment operating and preserve access to parts, tools, and diagnostics, while opponents raised concerns about private contracts, intellectual property, and government mandates. The author agreed to continue working on the language and to strike the title later, and the bill passed 13-9-2. HB 3657, updating agricultural wage reporting and adding the Workforce Commission to employment-data recipients, passed 15-0. HB 2976, directing DEQ to set water-quality criteria for aluminum using EPA guidance as a tool, passed 14-1. HB 3391, requiring licensed commercial pet breeders to display their ODAF license number in advertisements, passed 15-0. The committee also advanced several natural resources and land-use measures. HB 4459 created a voluntary five-year averaging option for permitted water users, with metering required only for participants; members emphasized that nonparticipants could continue current practices unchanged, and the bill passed 12-1-3. HB 4128, as amended, moved Oklahoma’s bear season earlier by two weeks; the author said it was intended to address nuisance bears in southeast Oklahoma and protect hunters and landowners, while members raised concerns about population impacts and whether the Wildlife Department could manage harvest levels. The bill passed 13-1-2. HB 3989, described as a cleanup bill from the earlier “one megawatt fight,” passed 15-1 after the author said a compromise had been reached. HB 2989, as amended, authorized electric utilities to prepare wildfire mitigation plans and created a revolving fund, with the amendment limiting recovery to reasonable and prudent mitigation costs; the author said it was not a liability shield, and the bill passed 14-1. Later, the committee considered utility and renewable-energy regulation. HB 4060, the Plug-in Solar Act, addressed interconnection agreements and behind-the-meter solar for residents; it passed 14-1. HB 3145 cleaned up language affecting the commercial hunt industry and passed 14-1. HB 2992, the Data Center Customer Protection, Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, would require new large-load customers such as data centers, crypto mining, and AI facilities above 75 MW to cover their own infrastructure and provide collateral so costs are not shifted to ratepayers; members discussed protections for existing contracts and utility oversight, and it passed 14-1. Finally, HB 3464 imposed common-sense regulations on wind, solar, and battery storage projects, including surety bonds for land restoration, permit fees to support local fire departments, and a 30-day Fire Marshal response timeline; the author said more amendments were likely, and the bill passed 14-0. The meeting then recessed and adjourned.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • But, um, you do manage the housing fund, the revolving fund itself, though. >> Yes. >> Okay.
  • But, um, you do manage the housing fund, the revolving fund itself, though. >> Yes. >> Okay.
  • </c> revolving fund itself, though. revolving fund itself, though. &gt;&gt; Yes. &gt;&gt; Yes.
  • </c> within RHRF or with an existing fund. within RHRF or with an existing fund.
  • </c> derf to fund uh mortgages. derf to fund uh mortgages.
Committee: House Housing
Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1604, which would create an agricultural workforce housing group within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to address shortages of farmworker housing. The department said it supported the bill’s intent but emphasized that the group’s early work should focus on gathering data and surveying farm operators to assess actual demand, to avoid “mission creep.” Testimony from the City and County of Honolulu Office of Economic Revitalization, Hawaii Farmers Union, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Housing Hawaii’s Future, and the Maui Chamber of Commerce was in support, with one witness suggesting a housing advocacy nonprofit be added to the working group for balance. The committee then discussed HB 1713 on school impact fees, which would clarify exemptions for certain affordable housing projects and exempt new residential developments of fewer than 100 units. The Attorney General’s office said the bill should define “low to moderate income households” because that term is not defined in chapter 302A. HHFDC, the School Facilities Authority, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, and others supported the measure, arguing it would reduce administrative burden and remove barriers to housing. Members questioned whether the bill should instead repeal the school impact fee entirely; supporters said they also favored full repeal but viewed this bill as a more feasible step. The School Facilities Authority also explained that about $28 million in school impact fees had been collected across four districts and none had yet been spent, and discussed how recent nexus requirements limit how the funds can be used. HB 1722, relating to residential condominiums, drew extensive testimony and questioning. HCDA supported the bill and explained that it amends the 99-year leasehold pilot program created by Act 97 of 2023 by reducing owner-occupancy restrictions from 100% of units to 60%, allowing some rental or subleasing flexibility for the owner-occupied units, and permitting up to 40% of units to be sold to qualified residents after being on the market for more than 60 days. HCDA said the original restrictions, combined with rising construction costs, higher interest rates, and competition from nearby projects, made the pilot project difficult to market and finance; it said the changes are needed to make the project feasible and competitive. Supporters including AP Hawaii, Kila LLC, and project representatives said the amendments would help make the demonstration project in Kakaʻako viable. Some members raised concerns that the changes could weaken long-term affordability and questioned why certain ownership language was being deleted if rentals would still be restricted. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/10/2026 - House Natural Resources, Energy & Water

Natural Resources, Energy & Water

Transcript Highlights:
  • It conforms to used oil programs to current federal regulations, federal use warrant on emergency funding
  • the deadline for remaining monies in the temporary groundwater and irrigation efficiency projects fund
  • be proportionally distributed to the fund's contributors by five years and delays the repeal of the fund
  • The extra lead time for when the fund expires and the time for the 2023 date for the district to spend
  • More water and requiring more infrastructure funding, and prices to skyrocket.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Judiciary Feb 9th, 2026 at 06:43 pm

House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • We appreciate funding for the necessary funding for the New Mexico Medical Board. Thank you.
  • And so if you go to page 11 on line 10, there was concern about what do we do if the fund is...
  • There was concern about what do we do if the fund itself is depleted? How do we manage that?
  • You know, does the commission come back when the fund is depleted?
  • Ability to decide how much claimants should get according to what is in the fund.
Bills: HB99 , HB38 , HB165 , HB127 , HB72 , HB151 , SB40 , SB104 , SB136 , SB164
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Judiciary Feb 9th, 2026

House Judiciary

Bills: HB99 , HB38 , HB165 , HB127 , HB72 , HB151 , SB40 , SB104 , SB136 , SB164
Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 40, a committee substitute addressing automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and privacy. Sponsor Sen. Worth said the bill was intended to preserve ALPRs as a law-enforcement tool while adding guardrails to prevent sharing or selling data for immigration enforcement, protected health care activity, or criminalizing constitutionally protected conduct. Supporters included state and local law enforcement, the ACLU, immigrant-rights, reproductive-rights, and sexual-assault advocacy groups. Law enforcement witnesses said the bill balanced privacy with public safety and cited cases where ALPRs helped locate kidnapped children, murder suspects, and stolen vehicles; opponents and some senators argued the bill was too narrow, too focused on immigration and health care, and raised concerns about federal law, data sales, and enforcement. After debate, the committee adopted an amendment removing subsection F, then approved the committee substitute and advanced SB 40 on a do-pass motion. The committee then heard Senate Bill 104, which would create a process for removing wildlife commissioners after the 2023 wildlife commission legislation and the governor’s veto of the prior removal language. Sen. Worth explained that SB 104 would allow the governor to initiate removal for malfeasance, incompetence, or failure to attend meetings, with notice, a hearing, and exclusive review by the state Supreme Court; he said it was modeled on the Board of Regents removal process and was intended to complete the wildlife commission reforms. The New Mexico Wildlife Federation, Audubon Southwest, and the Department of Game and Fish supported the bill, saying it would depoliticize wildlife management and provide stability. Senators asked about the existing “three consecutive meetings” vacancy language, current vacancies, and the prior removal of a commissioner. The committee discussed the governor’s earlier veto and whether the bill was necessary, but no amendment was adopted and the committee approved SB 104 on a do-pass motion.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Judiciary Feb 9th, 2026

House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • We appreciate funding for the New Mexico Medical Board. Thank you. Thank you.
  • about what do we do if the fund itself is depleted?
  • You know, does the commission come back when the fund is depleted?
  • in their direction the ability to decide how much claimants should get according to what is in the fund
  • And I would honestly hope that we get more money in coming years that we are able to put into the fund
Bills: HB99 , HB38 , HB165 , HB127 , HB72 , HB151 , SB40 , SB104 , SB136 , SB164
Summary: The committee heard House Bill 38, which would require insurance coverage for specialized wheelchairs, activity chairs, and related mobility devices for people with limb loss or other disabilities, with guardrails limiting the number of covered devices over time. The sponsor and supporters, including the Office of Superintendent of Insurance, Disability Rights New Mexico, the Disability Coalition, physical therapists, and disability advocates, said the bill would improve access, inclusion, and physical activity without significant premium impact. Questions focused on the substitute language, the device limits, and how Medicaid would handle coverage separately. The committee ultimately passed the House Health and Human Services Committee substitute for HB 38 on a 10-0 vote. The committee then approved House Bill 165, which expands the C-PACE financing program to businesses using industrial revenue bonds and clarifies that counties and municipalities are not liable for payments. Support came from economic development and business groups, who said the bill would remove a barrier to energy- and water-efficiency upgrades and encourage investment. The bill passed on a 10-0 vote. House Bill 127 also passed unanimously after discussion of its three parts: a provisional licensure pathway for internationally trained physicians, a telehealth registry for out-of-state providers, and changes to expedited licensure. Supporters said it would help address provider shortages, especially in rural and underserved areas, while the sponsor explained that the amended version includes safeguards such as exam requirements, supervised practice, and a provisional-to-restricted-to-full licensure path. The committee voted 11-0 to advance the bill. House Bill 72, which would increase penalties for distributing certain controlled substances, including methamphetamine, to minors, drew strong support from law enforcement and the chamber of commerce but significant concern from the Public Defender and several members over strict liability, mandatory sentencing, and the breadth of the penalty. After debate over whether the bill could reach low-level or peer-to-peer conduct and whether the penalty was proportionate, the committee voted to table the bill by a 6-4 vote. The committee then took up House Bill 151, a revised childhood sexual abuse statute of limitations bill. The sponsor presented a committee substitute that changed commission appointments, added reporting and solvency-related provisions, and adjusted procedures for compensation and appeals. Members raised concerns about parity, definitions, administrative costs, and how awards would be determined, but the committee approved the committee substitute on a 7-0 vote.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/04/2026 - Senate Health and Human Services

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • The SNAP E&T, there's different funding levels.
  • The SNAP E&T, there's different funding levels.
  • rather than the State General Fund.
  • From the Health Services Lottery Monies Fund rather than the State General Fund, and that I'd be happy
  • Fund from the lottery fund, and would appreciate your support on both.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Health & Long-Term Care Feb 3rd, 2026 at 10:30 am

Health & Long-Term Care

Transcript Highlights:
  • I have long admired Washington's innovative and standard-bearing work in health care, and after meeting
  • decision... ...or it's a funding rescission that's then overturned in 24 to 48 hours.
  • It also requires HCA to provide grant funds to ensure the availability of services to infants with a.
  • Requires HCA to provide grant funds to ensure the availability of services to infants with a history
  • These funds are used for direct patient care, and I'm asking for a yes. Thank you, Senator Bateman.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Rules Feb 3rd, 2026

Rules

Transcript Highlights:
  • Kiara Nixon, Equal Ground Action Fund. Thank you.
  • I am the executive director of Equal Ground Education and Action Fund.
  • funds.
  • This claims bill is for local funds in the amount of $500,000, payable from unencumbered funds of Miami-Dade
  • I think it is meant to harass and chill access to funding.
Bills: S0014 , S0016 , S0024 , S0052 , S0308 , S0504 , S0506 , S0564 , S0572 , S0590 , S0594 , S0806 , S1396 , S7020 , S7024 , S7026
Committee: Senate Rules
Summary: The Committee on Rules met with 14 members present and considered a long agenda of bills, including several open-government sunset reauthorizations, consumer and election measures, claims bills, and policy bills on public safety, ethics, and child protection. The committee reported favorably SB 7024 and SB 7026, which extend and consolidate public-records/public-meeting exemptions for cybersecurity information and trade secrets held by agencies, and SB 7020, which reenacts the aquaculture records exemption for the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. It also approved SB 14 and SB 24, two uncontested Miami-Dade County claims bills, and SB 16, a claims bill for Heriberto Sanchez Mayan involving severe injuries after an unlawful arrest and transport incident in St. Petersburg. Several bills drew substantial testimony. SB 308, creating the Florida Museum of Black History Board of Directors and designating St. Johns County as the museum site, received extensive support from advocates and lawmakers who emphasized preserving the full and accurate history of Black Floridians; some speakers urged safeguards to ensure historians and community members help shape the museum’s content. The committee also favorably reported CS for SB 564, allowing registered or pre-registered high school students to volunteer at polling places for community service hours, with supporters saying it would build civic engagement and help election offices. CS for SB 52, which exempts unpaid volunteer armed security at houses of worship from Class D and G licensing requirements, was also reported favorably after testimony both supporting the need for church security and cautioning that congregations should retain control over whether weapons are allowed. The committee approved CS for SB 1396 on litigation financing and consumer protection after a lengthy debate over transparency, foreign funding, and whether the bill would chill access to courts. Supporters said it would create guardrails and disclose foreign involvement; opponents argued it could burden plaintiffs and reveal litigation strategy. The committee also reported favorably CS for SB 504 and SB 506, creating a framework and related public-records exemption for code inspector body cameras, with discussion about notice to property owners and protection of sensitive footage. Additional favorable actions included CS for SB 572, updating ethics law to reflect foster family relationships, and CS for SB 590, tolling the statute of limitations for failure-to-report child abuse offenses until the offense is known to law enforcement or another charging authority.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Housing Jan 28th, 2026 at 10:30 am

Housing

Transcript Highlights:
  • They're innovative.
  • eligible to accept one state-funded loan or grant offer.
  • eligible to accept one state-funded loan or grant offer.
  • The funds available.
  • King County failed many of its audits this year for property tax-funded and sales tax-funded county grant
Committee: Senate Housing
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session Jan 28th, 2026

Washington House Floor Meeting

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, a National Anthem performance, and a prayer offered by Washington Army National Guard Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Cole. The chamber then adopted House Resolution 4675, honoring the Washington National Guard for its service in emergencies, search and rescue, disaster response, and military readiness. Members spoke in support, highlighting the Guard’s history, its role in recent flood and landslide responses, and the sacrifices of service members and their families. The resolution passed by voice vote, and Guard leadership and members present in the galleries were recognized. The House also recognized Congressman Dan Newhouse in a point of personal privilege, with remarks praising his service in state and federal office and his ties to agriculture. The chamber then moved to the Fourth Order of Business and debated a motion to suspend House rules to send two initiatives to the Education Committee for prompt public hearings. Supporters argued the Constitution requires precedence for initiatives and that the House should hear them promptly; opponents argued the Constitution allows the Legislature to take no action and that the motion was unnecessary. The motion to suspend the rules failed on a recorded vote, 38 yeas and 57 nays, with three excused. Next, members debated the routine motion to refer the bills, memorials, measures, and resolutions on the introduction sheet to committee. Some members again argued the two initiatives should be given priority and public hearings before other business, while others supported normal referral of the day’s measures. The motion passed on a recorded vote, 57 yeas and 38 nays, with three excused. Committee reports were then accepted and referred as designated, and the House adjourned until Thursday, January 29 at 10:30 a.m.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Health & Long-Term Care Jan 22nd, 2026 at 08:00 am

Health & Long-Term Care

Transcript Highlights:
  • sponsored by Senator Mazzall, relating to aligning the quality assurance fee for the Ambulance Transport Fund
  • Senate Bill 6102 is aligning the quality assurance fee for the Ambulance Transport Fund with federal
  • And then lastly, the bill requires DSHS to verify that the home care agencies have spent the funds in
  • It ensures that Medicaid home care funds are used exactly as you intended to compensate direct care.