Video & Transcript Research : 'STEM programming'

Page 68 of 500
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • Okay, so given that, would it not make sense if you believe that these programs are bad, as I think you
  • And gutting our DEI programs could prove disastrous. Thank you. Thank you for your testimony.
  • SB 710 would strip funding from programs that train doctors to recognize these disparities.
  • These programs impose a top-down ideology that assumes unequal outcomes must always stem from systemic
  • So would it, as an example, be a foreign exchange program with a university that boycotts Israel?
Summary: The committee first confirmed Heather L. Turnbull to the Florida Commission on Community Service without debate. It then took up SPB 7022, which sets Florida Retirement System employer contribution rates beginning July 1, 2025, updates rates to address unfunded liability, and preserves the 3% employee contribution rate. Senator Fine said the bill would increase FRS Trust Fund revenue by about $310 million annually and also gives certain elected officers an option related to DROP accumulations. An amendment was adopted, the bill was submitted as a committee bill, and it was reported favorably. The committee then heard SB 1710, a bill by Senator DeSantis/DeSigley to prohibit state agencies, vendors, and grant recipients from using state funds for DEI-related policies, trainings, and programs, and to impose related restrictions on medical institutions of higher education. Senator Polsky and others questioned the bill’s broad and vague language, its effect on health-related work, public-facing agency positions, private contractors, and medical school admissions. The sponsor said the bill was intended to stop DEI from influencing state agencies and that the medical-school portion would likely be amended out later. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, with speakers arguing the bill would harm health care, education, access, and minority communities; a few supporters said DEI is ideological and should be removed from government and public institutions. After debate, the bill was reported favorably on a party-line style vote, with Senator Errington voting no. The committee then began SB 1678, relating to entities that boycott Israel, with a delete-all amendment. Senator Leak said the bill would expand Florida’s anti-BDS framework to cover nonprofits, foreign educational institutions, foreign government funds, academic boycotts, political subdivisions, and certain grants, while the amendment aligned the bill with existing law and clarified procurement and divestment provisions. Testimony included support from proponents who said Florida should not do business with entities engaged in boycotts of Israel, and opposition from speakers who argued the bill would restrict academic freedom and conscience. Debate continued as the transcript ended, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Appropriations Apr 3rd, 2025 at 08:30 am

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Am I now in the chairman-of-the-day program, Mr. Chairman?
  • Am I now in the chairman of the day program, Mr. Chairman?
  • to provide them what they need for their nursing programs.
  • So $1 million for the program, and then $200,000... ...pilot program establishment.
  • Is this replacing ESSER funds, this program? Mr. Chairman, Committee, no, this is a new program.
Keywords: 908, all
Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 2271, which would formally place adult residential facilities in code and rebase their Medicaid reimbursement rates. Sponsor Chairman Ruby and HHS staff explained that these facilities, often serving people with dementia or acquired brain injury, are reimbursed at a much lower rate than skilled nursing care and help reduce bottlenecks in higher-level facilities. Members questioned how the program differs from basic care and nursing facility memory care, and the bill was referred to the HR section for deeper review before possible action on Monday. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2396, as amended, which would authorize an independent third-party performance audit of the Department of Commerce and the North Dakota Development Fund, with findings shared with the state auditor. Sponsors said the proposal was prompted by concerns raised in testimony and that a private audit could begin faster than a state audit. The committee adopted an amendment adding an emergency clause and directing the report to the Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee, then passed the bill 20-0 with 3 absent. Next, Representative Clemine presented Senate Bills 2226, 2036, and 2037. SB 2226 would presume an incarcerated person indigent at initial appearance so counsel can be provided at that critical stage; the commission said the appropriation would fund contract attorney hours, and the bill was sent to HR for further review. SB 2036 would create procedures for determining juvenile fitness to proceed in delinquency cases, with a $500,000 appropriation for mental health evaluations, and SB 2037 would begin a juvenile criminal code framework and include a $300,000 appropriation for fitness-to-proceed evaluations; both were also referred to HR, with some concern raised about staffing and overlapping functions. After a short break, the committee heard education-related appropriations bills. SB 2234 would replace expired ESSER funding for Choice Ready grants, but members noted the program was not included in the K-12 budget and sent it to E&E for comparison with existing appropriations. SB 2286, a University of North Dakota request for a new nursing school facility, drew extensive discussion about the age and condition of the current building and the size and scope of the project; the committee ultimately adopted a do-not-pass motion 22-0. SB 2213, the “science of mathematics” bill modeled on the science of reading initiative, would fund math professional development and implementation; it was also referred to E&E for further review. The committee then briefly passed the Racing Commission budget, SB 2023, and began discussion of the Trust Lands budget, SB 2013, including a proposed retention increase for investment-related positions.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

ECD Public Hearing - Wed Feb 11, 2026 @ 8:30 AM HST

Economic Development & Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • program but how long was this program program but how long was this program under<00:06:55.360><
  • hasn't utilized this program. hasn't utilized this program.
  • apply for the program? apply for the program?
  • the program? the program?
  • the program.
Bills: HB2118, HB2473
Summary: The committee heard several bills related to permitting and economic development. On HB 2603, relating to permits, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development said it supported the measure with comments. Committee discussion focused on the fact that the state’s facilitated permit process appears to have been rarely or never used, the need to identify specific projects that would use it, and whether DBEDT would need dedicated staffing to administer it. DBEDT said it had found no projects under the current process, had no capacity to run the program as structured, and estimated it would need about 7 to 9 FTEs, including permitting, coordination, data, systems, and possibly legal support. The chair suggested exploring a staff assignment and comparing the concept to federal FAST-41-style expedited permitting. On HB 2140, relating to essential permitting positions, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development again supported the bill with comments. Testimony and questioning centered on a pilot program to help counties pay competitively for permitting staff. A DBEDT representative said the issue of competitive pay affected both county and state permitting offices and that the bill was intended as a temporary pilot, though a more permanent solution would be preferable. When asked how counties would fund the salary support, the witness said that was not yet discussed with the counties and agreed to follow up. The committee also noted the bill applies to participating counties. On HB 2598, relating to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, the State Procurement Office and HTDC offered comments, and the Department of the Attorney General raised constitutional concerns. The AG said the bill’s residency-based certification requirements, when tied to procurement, could implicate the dormant Commerce Clause, and that the required 1% contribution tied to state contracts raised unconstitutional-conditions concerns. In questioning, the AG characterized these as legal risks rather than automatic lawsuits. The committee did not take a vote. The committee then heard HB 2141, relating to state enterprise zones. Taxation, DBEDT, HCDA, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, and HTDC testified in support, while the Tax Foundation noted the program was intended to help economically depressed areas create jobs. HTDC said the bill would help preserve the Maui Research and Technology Center’s enterprise-zone status after rezoning. Committee discussion focused on whether the enterprise zone program is being used effectively, how the bill might attract businesses to areas where the state is investing, and whether the program’s labor requirements are too burdensome for new businesses. DBEDT explained that the program requires a 10% workforce increase in the first year, which must be sustained, and said it promotes the program through county coordinators and in-person outreach. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans - 02/10/25

Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is a $100,000 appropriation for a grant program for veteran and disabled veterans to visit Veterans
  • for your information, since 2021 the legislature has appropriated $50,000 annually to create this program
  • existence for a couple of years helping support disabled veterans from around Minnesota, and the program
  • This program will continue to connect disabled veterans with the wilderness in northern Minnesota, and
  • This is a great bill and a great program to support, so I hope we can do so. Thank you.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Judiciary (11/12/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • obviously that's the subtext of everything, or at least where most of the ambiguity in gender identity stems
  • 02:27:38.880> in<02:27:39.520> gender<02:27:40.080> identity<02:27:40.720> stems
  • <02:27:41.120> from<02:27:42.240> um um in in gender identity stems from um um in in
  • gender identity stems from um all<02:27:43.120> I'll<02:27:43.359> say<02:27:43.520>
Keywords: 1189, house, all
Summary: The committee first recessed for a subcommittee meeting on HB 313, which concerned an open-meetings-related issue. In the subcommittee, members discussed concerns that the bill might be unnecessary because current law already allows a person to request an open meeting in advance; the subcommittee then voted ITL on HB 313 by voice vote and closed its work session. The full Judiciary Committee then reconvened and took up CACR 6, the proposed constitutional amendment on a “right to compute,” with members debating whether the language was too broad and could create unintended consequences. Supporters framed it as a forward-looking protection for computation resources and strong encryption, while opponents said it was too open-ended and better addressed by future legislation. The committee voted ITL on CACR 6 by a 17-0 roll call. The committee next turned to HB 232, as amended, concerning the rights of conscience for medical professionals. The amendment narrowed the bill to abortion-related objections, removed sterilization and artificial contraception, aligned the abortion definition with existing state law, and reduced damages from treble damages to actual damages. Supporters said the bill would protect conscience rights, give physicians and patients more choice, and could help attract providers to New Hampshire. Opponents argued it was overly broad, unclear in key definitions, and could interfere with employers’ ability to assign staff, especially in rural health settings. Members also raised concerns about the bill’s scope and enforcement, including the broad definition of “participate,” the lack of clarity around exceptions for providers whose services include abortion as a “major part,” emergency determinations, and the inclusion of nursing homes in the definition of health care institution. Some members argued the bill singled out abortion while other controversial medical procedures were not treated similarly, and others criticized the minimum-damages provision as potentially punitive and designed to deter participation. The discussion continued without a final vote shown in the transcript excerpt.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 3/4/25

Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • The reality is that most homeowners association disputes don't stem from excessive fines or overly strict
  • The reality is that most homeowners association disputes don't stem from excessive fines or overly strict
  • The reality is that most homeowners association disputes don't stem from excessive fines or overly strict
  • The reality is that most homeowners association disputes don't stem from excessive fines or overly strict
Keywords: 1183, house
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Commerce (02/20/2025)

Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • On the second line of the analysis, it says, 'housing tax credit program shall be assessed.'
  • On the second line of the analysis, it says, 'housing tax credit program shall be assessed.'
  • I have right now in the town of Gtown we have one apartment complex that is eligible for this program
  • I have right now in the town of Gtown we have one apartment complex that is eligible for this program
  • <00:58:52.000> long-term housing tax credit program long-term housing tax credit program long-term
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Land Grant Sep 8th, 2025

House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • The program background was created by Senate Bill 193 in 2021.
  • The current activities include a firewood fuel program that we started.
  • Here it is: your current activities programs working with UNM Valencia.
  • There's a current program with career technology education.
  • And do you know if they're tapping into the NextGen CTE program? Madam Chair.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Governmental Oversight, Select Jun 4th, 2026

Governmental Oversight, Select

Transcript Highlights:
  • I mean, the one lawsuit that James mentioned that sort of stems from the act involves the Texas Public
  • The other one, which actually doesn't really stem from the act, but that we have included in those written
  • Now, albeit, hopefully they’re doing so in a more robust manner, but the menu of programs and services
  • that they’re funding is tighter. ...of programs and services that they’re funding is tighter.
  • This program includes direct relief for qualifying homeowners in the form of grants for the repair and
Keywords: 1184, house, all
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Judiciary A May 5th, 2026

Judiciary A

Transcript Highlights:
  • What this bill would do, it would apply only to hospital-based programs under Revised Statute 40:46.
  • This program started as a DCFS program with child support enforcement." "Well, fabulous.
  • This bill creates a statutory framework for the complex litigation section program in the 19th Judicial
  • And so the program, I remember when we passed this as a pilot. I was about to ask.
  • So how has it been going, the pilot program?"
Keywords: 974, senate, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

S/C on Transportation Funding Mar 31st, 2025

S/C on Transportation Funding

Transcript Highlights:
  • As can be noted from the percentages, our largest portion stems from federal reimbursements, which include
  • Every dollar of total revenue is programmed to pay for operations and maintenance, debt service, and
  • This year, our bond refinancing program identifies callable debt issued during higher interest rate periods
  • With 1,200 miles of roads come safety challenges, and our safety program continuously looks for opportunities
  • Through programs such as our free roadside safety service, if a customer is in need of assistance, like
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • We have a research set-aside program, which is an industry-funded federal grant program that supports
  • We currently have a program like this in our groundfish sector system.
  • A lot of it stems from concerns about the financial and economic issues in the fleet.
  • For over two decades, scallopers have voluntarily supported the Scallop Research Set-Aside program, an
  • And, you know, a workforce development and youth engagement program.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The joint hearing focused on the Atlantic sea scallop fishery, with particular attention to Massachusetts ports, federal scallop management, the proposed reopening of the Northern Edge on Georges Bank, and permit stacking/consolidation. The chair opened by noting the hearing would take written and oral testimony, that time was limited, and that the discussion was intended to inform legislative engagement with federal regulators rather than decide the issue directly. Dan McCarron of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and Dr. Kate O’Keefe of the New England Fishery Management Council outlined the federal management structure under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the role of annual catch limits and rotational closures, and the economic importance of scallops to New Bedford, Gloucester, and other Massachusetts ports. O’Keefe said the council’s current scallop framework is based on annual management, research surveys, and public input, and that recent environmental changes and uncertainty are affecting catch advice and biomass. Dr. O’Keefe and later Dr. Kevin Stokesbury of UMass Dartmouth described the fishery’s recent condition: abundance has increased in some areas, but biomass has fallen because many scallops are still too small to harvest, and changing ocean conditions and natural mortality are affecting the stock. They said the Northern Edge action was considered as a joint scallop/habitat framework but was discontinued in 2024 because the council could not reconcile competing objectives involving scallop yield, habitat protection, and impacts on other species such as cod, lobster, and herring. Stokesbury emphasized the long-running collaborative survey work with industry, said the fishery remains highly productive, and argued that the science supports careful rotational management and that the Northern Edge could be highly productive for scallops, though he acknowledged habitat tradeoffs. Committee members pressed both witnesses on why the issue had remained unresolved for so long and whether the council could revisit it through a future framework. Representatives of the Sustainable Scalloping Fund, including attorney Drew Kavage, John Lees, Sam Blasley, and Tony Alvernes, urged support for reopening the Northern Edge and for permit stacking, which would allow more than one scallop permit on a vessel while keeping ownership caps in place. They argued the fishery is a major economic driver, that industry-funded research has supported sustainable management, and that stacking would help family-owned operators reduce costs, improve safety, and avoid financial distress. They also stressed the need to protect working waterfront infrastructure in New Bedford and other ports. The chair said he was not opposed to stacking in principle but wanted to avoid a slippery slope toward excessive consolidation or private equity control; he noted that any stacking change would require an amendment to the fishery management plan or federal action. No votes were taken, and the hearing concluded with an invitation for continued engagement and future updates on the council process.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:27:10.000> at and um teacher teacher prep programs at and um teacher teacher prep programs
  • their program that is a thousand hours. their program that is a thousand hours.
  • introduction to cosmetology programs introduction to cosmetology programs that<03:14:55.680>
  • And if that happens full full program.
  • > individuals<04:16:33.359> are treatment or programming individuals are treatment or programming
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The committee heard Senate Bill 254, which Senator David Roford described as a technical correction to controlled substance inventory law for pharmacies. He said the bill would remove outdated language requiring inventories to be done in an odd-numbered year, while keeping the existing requirement that pharmacies conduct a full controlled substance inventory every two years in line with federal law. Members asked several clarifying questions about whether the requirement is pharmacy-by-pharmacy, whether new pharmacies would be affected, and whether the change would alter scope or compliance; the sponsor and a representative of the New Hampshire Pharmacist Association said it would not, and that it mainly provides clarity for pharmacies and inspectors. The public hearing on SB 254 was then closed, and the committee also heard support from a representative of the pharmacist community, who said the association supports the bill. The committee then discussed a non-germane amendment to SB 254 dealing with FBI background checks for educational surrogate parents under the Department of Education. Representative Leyon explained that the amendment was requested by the Department of Education after the FBI rejected prior statutory language, and that the goal was to allow people serving as educational surrogate parents to complete FBI fingerprint-based background checks so they can perform their duties. Department of Education and Department of Safety staff testified that the amendment mirrors language that has worked in other education-related background check statutes, including provisions with specific disqualifying offenses tied to child safety, and that the FBI requires precise statutory language and direct transmission of records through the Department of Safety. Members questioned why the FBI’s approval was needed, whether individuals could simply provide their own records, and whether changing federal leadership could require future changes; witnesses said the state needs both state and national records, that records must come directly from the FBI through the Department of Safety, and that the language is intended to satisfy current federal requirements. During the discussion, some members expressed skepticism about the need for the amendment and about placing it on a bill about controlled substance inventories, but no vote was taken during the portion of the transcript provided. The committee also briefly discussed a separate bill on physician assistants/physician associates, with members noting that the proposed name change would not alter scope of practice and that some outside groups had raised concerns about transparency, but that discussion was interrupted and not concluded in the excerpt.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

House Chamber - Tue Apr 8, 2025, 9:00 AM HST - Day 47

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • My reservations stem from the value I see... three strikes laws or a form of double three strikes laws
  • My reservations<01:10:18.320> stem<01:10:18.719> from<01:10:19.120> the<01:10:19.440
  • value<01:10:19.840> I<01:10:20.080> see Representative Grandinetti: My reservations stem
Keywords: 910, house, all
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Health Policy Jan 26th, 2026

Health Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • tab one, which is Senate Bill 1082 on statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program
  • tab one, which is Senate Bill 1082 on statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program
  • tab one, which is Senate Bill 1082 on statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program
  • This amendment makes it clear that a provider or health plan can access the state program under specific
  • Should that not be allowable, you can still apply for the state program. You're right.
Bills: S1082, S1168, S1756, S1156, S1480
Summary: The committee took up several health-related bills. SB 1082, on a statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program, was presented as a way to let providers and insurers use the federal independent dispute resolution process for emergency out-of-network claims under state-regulated commercial plans. A late-filed amendment clarified when providers and health plans could access the state program, and the bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 1168, which would centralize background screening clearinghouse functions at the Agency for Health Care Administration, also passed as amended after an amendment requiring sealed and expunged records to be included in screenings for qualified entities. Supporters said centralization would improve turnaround times, reduce duplication, and save costs; the sponsor said the bill also addresses coaches’ background screening language from last session. The committee then approved SB 1156, which moves ambulatory surgery center regulation out of the hospital-focused chapter of law into a standalone section, and SB 1480, as amended by a strike-all, which would grandfather certain temporary certificate holders practicing in areas of critical need if federal designation changes affect those areas. Testimony on SB 1480 emphasized continuity of care for patients in underserved communities, and the bill was reported favorably. The final and most heavily debated measure was SB 1756 on medical freedom, which would require state-approved educational materials on childhood vaccines, require practitioners to provide those materials and alternative schedules before vaccination, expand school immunization exemptions to include conscience-based objections, clarify that the Surgeon General cannot order vaccination during a public health emergency, and authorize pharmacists to provide ivermectin behind the counter without a prescription with written information and safeguards. The sponsor argued the bill strengthens parental choice and informed consent. Committee members raised concerns about vaccine-preventable disease risks, immunocompromised children, school outbreaks, and the impact of adding a new exemption. A Department of Health representative said the department would need to provide details on the history of exemption consultations and noted that removing the earlier consultation requirement had not been shown to increase outbreaks. The committee adopted a friendly amendment to give physicians the same liability protection as pharmacists for ivermectin dispensing, but rejected a substitute amendment that would have required a consultation for exemption requests. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed to the bill, with physicians, pediatric specialists, cancer advocates, parents of immunocompromised children, and public health groups warning that it would lower vaccination rates and endanger vulnerable Floridians. The bill remained pending after testimony, with the committee continuing to hear public comment.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

February 4, 2025 - 09:00 AM

Transcript Highlights:
  • For example, the Board of Governors is authorized to adopt regulations for matters stemming from their
Summary: The committee received an informational presentation from the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee (JAPC/JAPSI) staff and Chair Representative Overdorf on how Florida administrative rulemaking is reviewed. Mr. Plant explained that JAPC is a joint legislative oversight committee that monitors agency rules under Chapter 120, focusing on whether rules stay within statutory authority, whether agencies are acting consistently with legislative intent, and how the rulemaking process works. He emphasized that agencies are creatures of statute, that rulemaking authority must be specific enough to support the rule, and that without a date certain in statute, agencies may delay rulemaking indefinitely. Members asked about how to ensure agencies actually adopt rules, how to identify rules that exceed legislative intent, and how JAPC handles internal policies and delayed rulemaking. Representative Overdorf then described JAPC’s objection process and its limits. He said the committee does not approve or disapprove rules or direct agencies to adopt them, but it can object to proposed or existing rules that enlarge, modify, or contravene enabling statutes or fail to comply with Chapter 120. He noted that if an agency does not resolve an objection, a footnote is published in the Florida Administrative Code and the committee may recommend legislation to amend, suspend, or repeal the rule. He also discussed recent committee activity, including 1,355 proposed rules, 119 emergency rules, and 1,243 incorporated materials reviewed in 2024, and said the committee filed 31 objections against one agency after repeated noncompliance. The discussion also touched on possible changes to Chapter 120, including the governor’s 2019 request that agencies include five-year sunset provisions in rules, and a proposal to instead require periodic legislative review rather than automatic expiration. Overdorf also said the committee is considering raising the current statement of estimated regulatory costs thresholds of $200,000 annually or $1 million over five years because inflation has made those limits too low. No votes were taken on legislation, and the meeting ended with adjournment.