Video & Transcript : 'driving' :
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Press Conference: Republican Leaders Address Tax & Affordability Concerns for Minnesotans - 04/15/26
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, county leaders warned Democrats loud and clear that their massive spending spree in 2023 would drive
- And it did drive up property taxes. making life less affordable. making life less affordable.
- in 2023 would drive up property taxes. taxes. taxes.
- And And it<00:05:24.840><c> did</c><00:05:25.040><c> drive</c><00:05:25.320><c> up</c><00:05:25.440><
- </c><00:05:26.720><c> And</c><00:05:26.840><c> the</c> It did drive up property taxes.
Summary:
Republican senators held a Tax Day press event focused on affordability, arguing that DFL control has led to overspending, higher taxes, and reduced competitiveness in Minnesota. They criticized recent state tax increases and proposed new taxes, including taxes on social media and advertising, extending sales tax to legal and accounting services, a higher income tax tier, a statewide property tax, and a housing-related sales tax amendment. They also contrasted Minnesota policy with federal tax relief, saying Minnesotans need spending restraint, fraud reduction, and a smaller, more efficient state government instead of additional revenue measures.
Senator Dziedzic focused on transportation costs, especially high license tab fees, saying residents are overwhelmed by taxes and fees and that the state should fund roads and bridges with existing money rather than raising fees. He cited a House proposal to quintuple tab fees and said Minnesota’s vehicle ownership costs are far higher than neighboring states. Senator Kunesh focused on property taxes, saying homeownership is becoming unaffordable because of state spending and unfunded mandates passed on to local governments. He argued that Democrats’ 2023 spending drove up property taxes and warned that a proposed statewide property tax would worsen the housing crisis and hurt families, seniors, and first-time buyers.
In response to questions, the senators said their caucus is open to companion bills and some targeted tax relief measures, including conformity with federal changes such as tax treatment of tips and overtime and Section 179 business provisions. They said they support transportation investment but want it funded through existing resources and better prioritization, not new taxes or fees. They also discussed possible bonding negotiations and said they are still evaluating proposals related to HCMC and a one-time property tax rebate, which they described as insufficient compared with the need for permanent relief. No votes or formal actions were taken.
VA
Transcript Highlights:
- Speaker, the legislative food drive benefiting Feed More will wrap up tomorrow morning. Mr.
- Speaker, the legislative food drive benefiting Feed More will wrap up tomorrow morning, and I just want
- Today, I rise to honor the mothers that continue to drive our Commonwealth forward.
- the Code of Virginia relating to deferred disposition of criminal cases and license suspension for driving
- Over on page 11, we come next to House Bill 320, which relates to live streaming while driving.
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Feb 26th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I mean, he lives in a multimillion-dollar home as well and drives a very expensive $100,000-plus vehicle
- I do have one slide I'd like to put on the screen, and it's on a thumb drive.
- I'm told it's the only thing on the thumb drive, so I'm hopeful that's the case.
- that to is driving on straight ice with a grease layer on top of it.
- that to is driving on straight ice with a grease layer on top of it.
Summary:
The committee first heard reports from the House and Senate Health and Welfare chairs on budget issues and related policy concerns. Senator Van Orden said the department’s non-Medicaid budget had been presented and that members were focused on scrutinizing public health contracts, avoiding broad across-the-board cuts, and preserving essential services. She also said she was not in favor of moving 988 suicide crisis hotline services into the behavioral health managed care contract at this time, while Representative Tanner noted prior intent language had only required a cost-benefit analysis and that any change would need more detail. Representative Van der Woude said the House committee was committed to a bill holding back about $21 million for RESHAB, with audit and oversight provisions, and raised concerns about rural health fund oversight, provider rate reductions, and Medicaid expansion spending.
Members then questioned the chairs about possible policy changes to reduce costs, including reviewing programs not in Idaho Code, restoring provider rates if revenues improve, and adding work requirements or enrollment caps to Medicaid expansion. Van der Woude said he was drafting a bill that would let Medicaid expansion expire and restart with work requirements and a cap, and he said he would support an asset-based waiver request for people with substantial assets. Several members raised concerns about the human impact of cuts, especially in adult dental and developmental services, while others emphasized the need for clearer evaluation tools and better return-on-investment data for programs. Van der Woude explained that RESHAB funding concerns stemmed from unclear assessment standards and the loss of a prior evaluation tool in litigation, and Senator Wintrow cautioned that a straight $21 million reduction could harm services and providers.
The committee then heard from House Agricultural Affairs Chair Gerald Raymond, who reviewed agriculture-related budget items and emphasized the importance of dedicated funds, research, and invasive species prevention. He highlighted funding for quagga mussel prevention, Mormon cricket control, Japanese beetles, and carnal bunt response through a deficiency warrant, and said prevention at boat check stations is cheaper than treatment. He also discussed the University of Idaho dairy/cafe project, saying the facility was nearing completion and expected to have about 400 cows milking by the end of the summer. Members asked about the impact of recent cuts on check stations, and Raymond said his committee had not yet discussed that issue but would consider it, and that the Snake River Basin study had mostly been left to the resource committees. The meeting ended with notice that work groups would meet immediately after adjournment and that budget-setting would begin the next day, with the committee reconvening at 7:15 a.m. and the full committee at 8:00 a.m.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Feb 3rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- With a $25 million appropriation, we can leverage both public and private construction activity to drive
- With a $25 million appropriation, we can leverage both public and private construction activity to drive
- We want to do everything we can to drive innovation toward a more clean economy.
- What it will do is, so this is designed to have a, it's designed to drive demand and build supply of
- It doesn't drive up the cost.
Summary:
The House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee met on February 3 and first took up House Bill 153, the Low Carbon Construction Material Rebate Act, with a committee substitute that added an Environmental Product Declaration program and shifted administration to the Environment Department. Sponsor Representative Dixon said the bill would create rebates for buyers of lower-carbon construction materials, support local manufacturers, and reduce industrial emissions. Support came from the New Mexico Home Builders Association, Sierra Club, and the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce. Some members questioned whether the bill would actually lower housing costs or instead create future price pressure once subsidies expire, and raised concerns about rulemaking and whether some materials would be incentivized even without state help. The committee voted 7-4 to do pass the committee substitute and do not pass the original bill.
The committee then heard House Bill 154, which would broaden and decouple New Mexico’s advanced energy tax credit definitions from federal law and add fusion energy and related components as eligible advanced energy products. Representative Dixon said the change would give the state more flexibility to include emerging technologies while keeping the existing credit structure and cap intact. The Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, a Santa Fe fusion company, a Los Lunas economic development official, and an online fusion company all testified in support, arguing the bill would provide certainty, attract investment, and help build a local supply chain. One member suggested future consideration of nuclear fission, while another questioned whether some renewable technologies were still appropriate, but the committee ultimately voted 9-2 to do pass HB 154.
House Bill 184, a technical fix to the Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund, was then presented by Representative Small. The amendment adopted by the committee delayed the three-year moving average for distributions by one year and extended the time to use funds from two years to three years, with the sponsor saying this would better reflect the fund’s growth and give projects more time to complete. Witnesses from Western Resource Advocates, conservation districts, and Conservation Voters New Mexico supported the measure, saying it would strengthen successful outdoor, watershed, and conservation programs. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the bill unanimously.
Finally, the committee heard House Memorial 20, which would create a study group to examine barriers to renewable energy transmission and project development. The sponsor said the goal was to bring agencies, stakeholders, and possibly courts together to identify ways to speed up renewable infrastructure while preserving environmental review and public input. Sierra Club, Western Resource Advocates, Defenders of Wildlife, and the League of Women Voters supported the memorial, but several members said it should be broadened to include all energy infrastructure or more clearly address transmission, permitting, tribal, federal, and military coordination. In response to those concerns, the sponsor asked to roll the memorial for further discussion and possible revisions rather than advancing it that day.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Law & Justice Jan 29th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Before you know it, Senate Bill 5890 concerns reckless driving in cases involving excessive speed.
- in the first degree when they Senator Holy, which would establish that a person commits negligent driving
- in the first degree when they drive in a manner that is both negligent and likely to endanger any person
- or property, and when they do so while driving more than 30 miles per hour over the posted speed limit
- Senator Holy: And without going into great detail, the premise behind reckless driving is a willful or
Summary:
The Law and Justice Committee first heard testimony on four gubernatorial appointments to the Sentencing Guidelines Commission. Kristen Ferreira, a Chelan County Superior Court judge, said she would bring a rural court perspective; Lisa Mannion, the King County Prosecuting Attorney, emphasized fairness, equity, victim input, and modernization of sentencing grids, and answered a question about her gun responsibility advocacy by saying responsible gun ownership and Second Amendment rights can coexist. Kate Bedward, an appellate public defender with experience in tribal and other defense systems, said she wanted to help evaluate whether the sentencing scheme is meeting Washington’s goals. Rochelle Cleland, seeking renewal in the survivor/lived-experience seat, stressed the importance of survivor and victim voices and criticized the commission for leaving the victim advocate seat vacant and for how it handled a recent vote. The chair said the committee would take executive action on the appointments the following Tuesday.
In executive session, the committee reviewed and amended several bills. SB 5906, concerning data and personal safety protections in public accommodations, was amended with a substitute and an amendment requiring notification of union representatives when certain early learning or school employees are subject to immigration enforcement; it received a due pass recommendation. SJM 8014, requesting an investigation into the killing of Aishanor Eski Aege, was amended for more neutral language and also received a due pass recommendation, with members noting the emotionally charged nature of the memorial. SB 6087, expanding liability protections for donations of baby items, and SB 5890, reclassifying certain high-speed driving conduct as negligent driving in the first degree, both advanced after substitutes/amendments were adopted. SB 6017, addressing victim- and witness-centered court procedures, advanced after the sponsor withdrew a proposed amendment for later floor work; members discussed trauma-informed protections and funding concerns.
The committee also advanced SB 5520 on compensation for wrongly convicted persons after rejecting amendments that would have removed civil detention language and advance-payment provisions, with members debating the scope and fiscal impact of the bill. SB 6239, concerning arbitration for older tort claims, moved forward after extensive discussion about balancing survivor access to compensation with state and local fiscal concerns and sovereign immunity. SB 5886, expanding personality rights to forged digital likenesses, was advanced with a substitute combining it with related subject matter. Finally, SB 6190 on critical infrastructure protection and scrap metal records was amended to require photographs and database reporting for certain transactions and then received a due pass recommendation. The committee adjourned after sending the bills to the Rules Committee, subject to signatures.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Transportation Jan 27th, 2026 at 04:00 pm
Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- This isn't all the analysis we did, but these are the things that helped us drive the decision here.
- This isn't all the analysis we did, but these are the things that helped us drive the decision here.
- And would this be a reduction in carbon to not be driving those miles? Thank you.
- I've been paying more than my fair share of the taxes and driving across that Fairfax Bridge for over
- Had that happened, sources tell me we'd still be driving across that bridge today.
Committee:
Senate Transportation
Keywords:
SB 5987, SB5987, Fairfax Bridge, State Route 165, SR 165, Carbon River, WSDOT, Washington State Department of Transportation, emergency bridge replacement, infrastructure failure, transportation emergency, climate commitment account, climate investment account, clean energy, climate funding, greenhouse gas reduction, environmental justice, renewable energy, building electrification, industrial decarbonization
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/27/2026 - House Democratic Caucus Calendar #2
Transcript Highlights:
- Madam Chair and members, HB 2138 defines firefighter in workers' compensation statutes that cover driving
- HB2138 Firefighters' Employment Status defines firefighter in worker compensation statutes that cover driving
- HB 2045, drive-by shooting, immediate area.
- By way of consent, under current law, a person commits drive-by shooting by intentionally discharging
- This bill seeks to specify that a motor vehicle from which a person commits a drive-by shooting is subject
Summary:
The caucus began with introductions from pages and interns, followed by a procedural reminder on consent calendars and how bills can be pulled for floor debate or amendment. Members were told that third-read consent bills bypass caucus debate, while caucus consent bills may have committee amendments adopted together unless pulled. The meeting then moved into Minority Caucus Calendar No. 2.
A large number of bills were briefly presented, with several members pulling measures from consent or voicing opposition. Topics included appropriations and federal monies accounting (HB 2148), a Buffalo Soldiers memorial (HB 2062), school library funding restrictions (HB 2008), prayer at school governing body meetings (HB 2110), school safety center administration (HB 2142), parental rights and social transitioning disclosures (HB 2249), insurer assessments (HB 2091), agricultural property classification and inspection rules (HB 2104 and HB 2105), firefighter workers’ compensation definitions (HB 2138), truth-in-taxation bond notices (HB 2289), late tax filing penalties (HB 2016), engineering and professional licensing reciprocity (HB 2122), felony murder involving an unborn child (HB 2043), body concealment and mutilation penalties (HB 2044), domestic violence order-of-protection service rules (HB 2048), mandatory reporting of partial-birth abortions (HB 2074), unlawful flight sentencing enhancements (HB 2108), weapons trafficking and fentanyl sentencing changes (HB 2131 and HB 2132), drive-by shooting forfeiture rules (HB 2045), probation review notice changes (HB 2046), venue changes for cases involving court employees (HB 2126), and child support for pre-born children (HB 2144). Members repeatedly criticized several abortion-related bills, the library bill, and the tax and agriculture measures as harmful, unnecessary, or unfunded mandates.
The latter part of the meeting focused on water and election legislation. Water bills included snowpack augmentation funding (HB 2024), water conservation grant disclosures (HB 2029), removal of education/research as an eligible water grant use (HB 2030), stormwater recharge mapping with an appropriation (HB 253), cesspool remediation assistance (HB 2096), groundwater pumping limits in INAs (HB 2097), Colorado River litigation funding (HB 2116), and natural resource conservation board changes (HB 2117). Election-related items included moving the primary date earlier and changing signature cure timelines and observer rules (HB 2022), a memorial urging designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization (HCM 2001), a memorial urging review of CAIR for terrorist designation (HCM 2002), and a constitutional amendment on citizenship, voter ID, foreign contributions, and early voting limits (HCR 2001). Members raised concerns about voter access, anti-Muslim rhetoric, and the practical effects of the election changes. The caucus concluded with birthday acknowledgments and an announcement for Muslim Day at the Capitol before adjournment.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 16th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- One day, his father asked him to drive him into town for a day-long meeting and to also have the car
- He was driving, swerved three lanes of traffic before hitting the center divider, ending up parallel
- Rumor has it Nate Holden was driving last year at 94. My favorite memory of Mr.
- He was driving to see Ray Cordova as we were honoring.
- And I called you and said your father was driving and just want you to know where he was at.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
HF16, legislation to regulate data centers in Minnesota, passes House 6/9/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Unfortunately, in our state, we have regulations and tax codes which end up driving businesses and industries
- Dakota is looking at pulling billions of dollars of investment into their state while we're looking at driving
- Unfortunately, in our state, we have regulations and tax codes which end up driving businesses and industries
- Dakota is looking at pulling billions of dollars of investment into their state while we're looking at driving
- Unfortunately, in our state, we have regulations and tax codes which end up driving businesses and industries
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- Kids under six can't drive.
- Someone that takes these cannot drive and operate a car.
- I'm driving home from Montgomery, look up at a nice billboard sign that says, "Hey, buy your products
- Adults drive cars while getting high on this.
- Adults driving cars have wrecks that kill children who get a hold of these substances.
Committee:
House Health
Keywords:
speech-language pathology, licensure, clinical supervision, educational qualifications, healthcare assistant, hemp-derived cannabinoids, CBD, THC, delta-8, delta-9, delta-10, consumable hemp products, psychoactive cannabinoids, cannabinoid regulation, hemp licensing, ABC Board, Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, retail hemp sales, wholesale hemp distribution, hemp tax
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Okay, so the core problem is... that people drive around with a paper tag, and the appearance is that
- Whereas if someone was driving around without a metal tag, it's obvious the car.
- the story showing that Texas Maritime Ports are not just local assets, they're economic engines that drive
- Think about it, just about everything you wear, eat, put in your tank, or drive is going to be in your
- In our facility in Reeves County, we have to draw straws every morning to see who has to drive a truck
Committee:
House Transportation
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Feb 4th, 2025
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security
Transcript Highlights:
- know what, of course, the rules and regulations say under medical marijuana, which means you can't drive
- He was driving a Ford E-350 cargo van.
- Well, the barricades I saw were pieces of wood and some cars, and you could drive around them, which
- It's important that we drive the safest vehicles on the road that are the best equipped with the best
- It's the most versatile of everything that we drive.
Summary:
The committee heard a series of domestic security and law enforcement presentations from the Florida Sheriffs Association, Florida Police Chiefs Association, Florida Highway Patrol, and FDLE. Sheriff Rob Hardwick outlined the sheriffs’ legislative priorities, focusing on adding xylazine to Florida’s trafficking statute and increasing penalties for luring or enticing a child under 12 from a misdemeanor to a felony. He also discussed domestic security coordination, fusion center intelligence sharing, and jail-based reentry efforts. Members asked about xylazine prevalence in Broward County and whether canine units can detect it; Hardwick said he would follow up with data and noted that dogs are not specifically trained for xylazine, though fentanyl-certified dogs may alert on mixtures.
Chief Charlie Vasquez of the Florida Police Chiefs Association presented three priorities: stronger protections for law enforcement, judges, prosecutors, public defenders, and their families when threatened because of their jobs; faster and more consistent access to blood-borne pathogen testing results after exposure incidents; and mandatory life without release for anyone convicted of murdering a police or correctional officer, reviving a version of the Jason Raynor Act. Senators asked about delays in blood testing after exposure, and Vasquez said officers can be forced to take prophylactic medication while waiting for results and that the process should be streamlined.
Florida Highway Patrol Director Dave Kerner described FHP’s domestic security role, including criminal interdiction, canine units, traffic homicide investigations, aviation, drones, border operations, and responses to threats such as human smuggling and the October 7-related security posture at synagogues and campuses. He said staffing remains constrained by vacancies and pay disparities, so he was not seeking more authorized troopers at this time. FDLE Deputy Commissioner David Binder then reviewed the state’s domestic security structure, fusion centers, critical infrastructure assessments, and grant funding, warning that federal homeland security dollars have declined sharply while threats remain high. He highlighted work on drone mitigation, radiological detection, vehicle barriers, and school security assessments, and emphasized the need for continued interagency coordination. The committee took no formal votes and adjourned after the presentations and questions.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- And also in the bill is an option for people to drive back and forth to work.
- This statute, this bill also ensures that people can drive their cars for a medical emergency.
- But really this bill's about public safety and accountability for our driving privileges.
- Public safety and accountability for our driving privileges. So I stand for questions.
Committee:
House Transportation and Defense
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (05/23/2025)
Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- And so now I have to keep driving side.
- Well, um, the particular bus that's driving over you right now, um, Senator Abbis is driving, so um,
- Um, we're driving this, don't park here.
- </c> make them think twice before driving make them think twice before driving recklessly<01:36:35.360
- </c> approved in-person driving approved in-person driving program.<03:54:24.319><c> So,</c><03:54:24.479
Committee:
House Criminal Justice and Public Safety
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Affordable Housing Efforts – Senator Eric Lucero Feb 20th, 2026
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Instead, we need to have government roll back the hindrances that they're causing, which is driving up
- 39.280><c> is</c> hindrances that they're causing which is hindrances that they're causing which is driving
- </c><00:04:41.440><c> Well,</c> driving up the price of housing.
- Well, driving up the price of housing.
- If we have more supply that meets the demand, that will help to drive down prices and make home ownership
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Higher Education Funding Review Committee Jun 3rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- If you drive on the west side of the campus of NDSU, it'll look completely different.
- We're driving behavior on CIP codes instead of just saying, because we've done that.
- We're driving behavior on CIP codes instead of just saying, because we've done that.
- And it drives a little bit of all this complexity, too, because I think some of this discussion would
- So I think that's part of driving the discussion, to have those nine discussed, the other two here.
Summary:
The committee met to discuss higher education funding and capital building policy. Members first heard an update from NDUS Deputy Commissioner Lisa Johnson on low-producing academic programs. She described a proposed board policy using a five-year rolling window and thresholds of fewer than 10 undergraduate graduates or fewer than 5 graduate graduates, with programs flagged for three consecutive review periods going to the board. Possible outcomes would include continuation, continuation with modifications, inactivation, or termination. Members asked about how the review would account for program costs, service to other students, workforce demand, and the difference between inactivation and termination. Johnson said the board would consider broader factors and that campuses already do detailed program analysis. Several members also asked about cost savings and staffing impacts from program terminations, and Johnson said the board would try to provide more information later.
The committee then received a report on the Capital Building Fund from Jamie Wilkie. He reviewed the program’s history, matching requirements, and recent uses, noting that about $334 million in state and matching dollars has been invested overall, with most going to deferred maintenance and extraordinary repairs. Members discussed whether the program is reducing deferred maintenance and requested updated systemwide data on deferred maintenance and campus space utilization. Wilkie said the board is considering a new study to update deferred maintenance figures, which are based on information more than 12 years old. He also reported that several institutions have used current biennium funds for projects such as residence hall renovations, health sciences housing, generators, and building repairs.
Later, the committee began a detailed walkthrough of a draft bill that would replace the current higher education funding formula with an FTE-based model and also revise the capital building fund structure. The draft would use fall enrollment FTEs, add completion incentives for degrees in in-demand fields, and create a separate research funding component for UND and NDSU tied to doctoral completions and external research expenditures. Members raised concerns about the use of older data in the formula, the treatment of waivers, the weighting of professional and health sciences programs, and the use of CIP codes to define CTE and education incentives. The bill draft would also combine capital building fund tiers, broaden eligible uses for deferred maintenance and legislatively authorized projects, change matching requirements, repeal the old formula chapter and the capital pool, and transfer funds from the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund into the capital building fund. No final votes were taken during the portion provided; the meeting was primarily discussion and review.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Day 26 (2-12-26)
Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><01:08:02.559><c> for</c><01:08:02.880><c> Warren</c> and sock donation drive for Warren and sock
- He would drive cars until they were fairly old, and his house was not a mansion by any means.
- at night, having dinner by himself, driving himself home, and he loved his family.
- himself to the restaurant at driving himself to the restaurant at night,<01:12:45.679><c> having</c>
- </c> night, having dinner by himself, driving night, having dinner by himself, driving himself<01:12:
MS
Transcript Highlights:
- We're driving right by this school every day and it's 10 minutes away.
- </c><00:34:54.879><c> and</c><00:34:55.040><c> driving</c><00:34:55.280><c> two</c><00:34:55.520><c>
- We're driving right by works in an area.
- and daddy can drive them to school and back.
- and daddy can drive them to school and back.
Committee:
Joint Education
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House military and veterans division approves bill to remove e-pull tab restrictions 2/19/25
Transcript Highlights:
- No one in my district, and I can very safely say that no one in my district is driving 90 minutes to
- No one in my district, and I can very safely say that no one in my district is driving 90 minutes to
- one in my can very safely say that no one in my district<00:03:06.400><c> is</c><00:03:06.560><c> driving
- We drive around the community, and there are all these little things here and there that we support:
- We drive around the community, and there are all these little things here and there that we support:
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on House File 733, which would restore electronic pull-tab features such as open-all, free play, bonus games, and similar functions that were restricted in 2023. The bill’s supporters, including representatives of Allied Charities of Minnesota, the American Legion, and a Bloomington school activities foundation, argued that the 2023 changes reduced revenue for charitable gambling operations and, in turn, cut funding for veterans programs, youth sports, food shelves, school needs, and other local community services. Several supporters cited early revenue declines since the new rules took effect, including double-digit drops and one example of a Bloomington site reporting a 29% year-over-year decline overall and a 44% drop in e-tab revenue. They also argued that restoring the features would help charities without meaningfully increasing casino play.
Opponents, including Citizens Against Gambling Expansion and the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association, said the bill would expand slot-machine-like gambling in neighborhood bars and restaurants and increase problem gambling and related social harms. They argued the features in question mimic slot machines, are especially concerning in non-age-restricted locations, and would amount to a major expansion of gambling. The tribal representative also said the 2023 clarification was appropriate, that charitable gambling revenues do not translate efficiently into mission funding, and that tax relief or other policy changes would be better ways to help charities than restoring the disputed features.
The chair reminded testifiers to keep comments neutral and not partisan. After testimony, a member discussion began, with Representative Ray Rower thanking the testifiers and expressing support for their work. The transcript excerpt does not show a final vote or disposition beyond the bill being recommended to be re-referred to the Commerce Finance and Policy Committee.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
Opening Day Floor Session 01-15-2025 10:00am
Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:38:37.800><c> this</c> to college and he has been driving this to college and he has been driving
- Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.' So let us lead with love.
- </c><00:59:44.319><c> out</c><00:59:44.599><c> Darkness</c> quote Darkness cannot drive out Darkness
- quote Darkness cannot drive out Darkness only<00:59:45.520><c> the</c><00:59:45.680><c> light</c><00:
- out hate only that hate cannot drive out hate only love<00:59:52.799><c> can</c><00:59:53.039><c> do