Video & Transcript : 'remote testimony' :

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MA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Appreciate your testimony.
  • Thank you for your testimony.
  • I said that in my testimony.
  • I agree, and I will submit my testimony, a PDF of my testimony. Thank you. You get a star.
  • Thank you very much for your testimony, Martha. Cynthia Yetman, who is also remote. Yes, hello.
Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on two proposed ballot initiatives: one to reduce the state personal income tax rate from 5% to 4% over three years, and another to revise the state’s tax collection cap/62F process so it would be based on prior-year collections plus wage growth and include surtax revenue. The committee chair and House co-chair outlined the hearing process, and the first witness was Doug Howgate of the Massachusetts Taxpayer Foundation, who testified as the committee’s subject-matter expert on both measures. He said the income tax proposal would lower taxes broadly but would reduce state revenue by about $5.4 billion when fully implemented, with an estimated $800 million hit in FY27, and he discussed possible effects on competitiveness, taxpayer savings, and public finances. On the 62F proposal, he said the revised cap would make refunds more likely, could have produced several large refunds in recent years, and would reduce stabilization fund deposits and constrain recovery after recessions. Committee members questioned Howgate about competitiveness, outmigration, prior tax ballot measures, spending growth, MassHealth, and the interaction between the income tax and surtax. He emphasized that taxes are only one part of the state’s overall competitiveness and that housing, public services, and other factors also matter. He also noted that the surtax is constitutionally restricted but can still support ongoing spending choices. After his testimony, the committee moved to the proponents’ panel. Proponents of both initiatives, including representatives from Taxpayers for an Affordable Massachusetts, the National Federation of Independent Business, Pioneer Institute, and the Mass Opportunity Alliance, argued that the measures would improve affordability, help retain residents and businesses, and support job growth. They cited polling support, outmigration, small-business reinvestment, and comparisons to lower-tax states such as North Carolina. Their economist, Rebecca Paxton, said her model showed smaller revenue losses than critics claim and projected that the revised revenue cap would not create additional annual revenue losses while producing more regular taxpayer refunds. Committee members pressed the panel on competitiveness, prior ballot initiative implementation, and whether the measures would actually address broader affordability pressures; the hearing ended with the committee continuing to take questions from the proponents.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions Mar 30th, 2026

Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions

Transcript Highlights:
  • Appreciate your testimony.
  • Thank you for your testimony.
  • I said that in my testimony.
  • And I will submit my testimony, a PDF of my testimony. Thank you.
  • Thank you very much for your testimony, Martha. Cynthia Yetman, who is also remote. Yes, hello.
Bills: H5006 , H5007
Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a public hearing on two proposed ballot initiatives: one to reduce the state personal income tax rate from 5% to 4% over three years, and another to revise the state tax collection cap law (62F) so the cap would be based on the prior year’s actual collections plus wage-and-salary growth and would include surtax revenue. Committee chairs outlined the hearing process and noted that the measures would need additional signatures to qualify for the 2026 ballot if not enacted by the legislature. The committee’s expert witness, Doug Howgate of the Massachusetts Taxpayer Foundation, said the income tax proposal would lower the base rate in stages beginning in 2027 and would ultimately reduce state income tax collections by about $5.4 billion annually when fully implemented. He estimated savings would vary by income level, from a few hundred dollars for lower- and middle-income households to about $10,700 for taxpayers at the surtax threshold. He argued the proposal would improve tax competitiveness but would also require major budget adjustments, likely including reserve use, spending cuts, and possibly new revenue measures; he cited prior downturns and said the state’s rainy day fund is stronger than in past recessions, though spending growth and health care costs remain concerns. On the 62F proposal, he said rebasing the cap to prior-year collections would make refunds more likely, with modeled refunds totaling about $7.9 billion without the surtax and $10.1 billion with it over the last decade, and warned it could reduce stabilization fund deposits and constrain recovery after recessions. Proponents of both petitions, including representatives from Taxpayers for an Affordable Massachusetts, NFIB, Pioneer Institute, and the Mass Opportunity Alliance, argued that Massachusetts faces an affordability and competitiveness crisis and that lower taxes would help families, small businesses, job creation, and outmigration. They said the income tax cut would put about $1,300 a year back into the hands of average families, help pass-through businesses reinvest, and improve the state’s ability to compete with lower-tax states such as North Carolina. Their economist, Rebecca Paxton, presented a model projecting average annual revenue losses of about $680 million during the phase-in and a total net income tax revenue impact of $2 billion to $2.2 billion, while saying long-term revenue growth would be stronger after implementation. The hearing ended with committee questions and a brief dispute over a planned voter testimonial video, which the chairs said was not appropriate for the hearing at that point.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • And Bob will be participating remotely. Thank you, Madam Chair and members.
  • And Madam Chair, that concludes my testimony. Let's hear some questions. Thank you.
  • And Madam Chair, that concludes my testimony. Let's hear some questions.
  • And Madam Chair, that concludes my testimony. Let's hear some questions. Thank you.
  • My testimony will focus on the questions that were posed to us in advance of the hearing.
Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Regulatory Authority held its first hearing to examine how California’s regulatory framework affects housing availability and affordability. Chair Pacheco and Assembly Member Haney framed the discussion around the state’s housing shortage, rising costs, and the need to reduce unnecessary delays and burdens while still protecting public health, safety, and environmental goals. The first panel included housing policy experts and industry representatives, who argued that overlapping state and regional rules, complex code requirements, utility delays, and lengthy review processes add substantial cost to new housing. Bill Fulton described California’s land use system as a “big Rubik’s Cube” of competing goals, while CBIA’s Chris Ochoa and Bob Raymer urged more attention to affordability impacts in code adoption and state agency rulemaking. The Bay Area Council’s Louis Marante called for a statewide cost target for housing and stronger accountability for state agencies, citing project review delays, regulatory costs, and indirect impacts from water, stormwater, and transportation policies. State agency witnesses generally defended their roles as balancing housing with other statutory mandates. HCD said its enforcement of housing element law, streamlining statutes, and technical assistance has helped increase production, reduce entitlement times, and approve tens of thousands of homes that might otherwise have faced discretionary review. CARB said SB 375 does not regulate local land use or reduce housing supply, and that sustainable community strategies are planning tools that could support housing if fully implemented. The Coastal Commission said it has worked with local governments to streamline coastal housing approvals, approve density bonus and ADU ordinances, and support legislation to exempt some affordable housing from coastal permits, while still protecting coastal resources and sea-level-rise hazards. The Energy Commission said its building energy standards are required by statute to be cost-effective and save consumers money over time, though they can add some design complexity and upfront cost. Other agencies emphasized collaboration and early engagement as the best way to reduce delays. Fish and Wildlife said its mission is to protect California’s natural diversity and that better early coordination with developers can improve outcomes. DTSC said brownfield cleanup and vapor intrusion review are necessary to protect public health, but that early engagement, workshops, and site-specific approaches can help projects move forward; it also noted grant funding supporting affordable housing on contaminated sites. The Water Board said it uses general orders and basin planning to streamline permitting while meeting federal and state water-quality obligations, and that its infrastructure grants and loans support housing affordability. In response to Assembly Member Haney’s questions, several agencies said they already coordinate across departments, but he pressed for more cross-agency clarity and less siloed decision-making. No votes or formal actions were taken at the hearing.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 04/07/25

Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • And I would love to turn it over to them to provide their testimony if that's okay with you. uh which
  • And I would love to turn it over to them to provide their testimony if that's okay with you. Sure.
  • </c> civil marriage, permitting remote civil marriage, permitting remote examination<00:27:09.600><c>
  • And then I know you also took testimony already on the Philando Castile Memorial Training Fund.
  • And then I know you also took testimony already on the Philando Castile Memorial Training Fund.
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

EDU Public Hearing 02-03-2025

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Thank you. hearings we will be limiting testimony hearings we will be limiting testimony to<00:01:17.080
  • </c><00:01:22.360><c> please</c> people participating remotely please people participating remotely please
  • The department stands on its written testimony, and we appreciate the opportunity to provide testimony
  • The department stands on its written testimony, and we appreciate the opportunity to provide testimony
  • They're all written testimony. Pardon, one in opposition?
Committee: Senate Education
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • I work remotely from my home office in Norman, Oklahoma.
  • And we want to be open to testimony.
  • So we're thinking March will be that testimony info gathering.
  • Whatever information sharing we've done and whatever testimony comes up, that we likely will need to
  • You know, virtually or remotely as needed.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Appropriations Feb 2nd, 2026 at 04:00 pm

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • We'll now go to public testimony, Vice Chair Gregerson. Thank you.
  • We'll now go to public testimony, Vice Chair Gregerson. Thank you.
  • We'll go now to public testimony. Vice Chair Gregerson. Thank you.
  • We'll now go to public testimony. Vice Chair Gregerson. Oh, I'm sorry.
  • And we'll now go to public testimony, Vice Chair Gregerson. Thank you.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 02/18/25

Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Thank you very much for your testimony. Next also on remote is Ms. Grinberg. Good afternoon.
  • I respectfully offer testimony in support of SF 97. Thank you very much for your testimony.
  • </c> listening thank you for the testimony listening thank you for the testimony any<00:41:51.720><c>
  • from remote.
  • Any testimony from the audience? Any testimony from the audience?
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Government Finance Committee Mar 19th, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Government Finance Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Thank you for your testimony. Thank you for having me. Yep. All right.
  • So in order to support a remote desktop, you need a remote tool in order to be able to log into that
  • desktop remotely.
  • number of state employees that list Bismarck as an address and the number of those who classify as remote
  • Our agency is not a remote-working agency, so we expect our people to be on site, and we like it that
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Government Finance Committee Mar 19th, 2026

Government Finance Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Thank you for your testimony. Thank you for having me. Yep. All right.
  • So in order to support a remote desktop, you need a remote tool in order to be able to log into that
  • desktop remotely.
  • number of state employees that list Bismarck as an address and the number of those who classify as remote
  • Our agency is not a remote-working agency, so we expect our people to be on site, and we like it that
Summary: The Government Finance Committee met with new leadership and approved the December 11 minutes. The committee first received an update from the Office of Management and Budget on the state general fund and major special funds. OMB reported revenues were tracking very close to forecast, with an estimated ending general fund balance of about $397 million, higher than previously expected. Staff also reviewed balances in the budget stabilization fund, legacy fund, foundation aid stabilization fund, social services fund, and strategic investment and improvements fund, along with oil tax collections and the current revenue picture. Legislative Council staff then summarized the special session budget changes and noted the updated beginning balance increased the projected ending balance for the next biennium. The Tax Department presented taxable sales and purchases data by county and industry, showing overall sales tax activity remained strong, with retail trade the largest sector and several counties posting notable gains. Commissioner Kraschis then reviewed federal tax changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and estimated their impact on North Dakota income tax collections, explaining that the figures were compared to the 2025 baseline and would be incorporated into future forecasts. Members asked about the overtime and tip exclusions, the senior standard deduction, and the primary residence property tax credit application count, which was running ahead of last year at more than 154,000 applications. The committee also heard from the Department of Transportation on fee schedules, with members focusing on driver’s license fees and the fact that current fees cover only about half of program costs, meaning the highway fund subsidizes the remainder. DOT also reported on specialty plate activity, including nearly 3,900 blackout plates issued, and noted increased state fleet usage. The Information Technology Department explained its internal service fund rate-setting process and discussed possible billing simplification, including annual billing and improved invoice detail. OMB also provided data on leased office space in the Bismarck-Mandan area and state workforce counts, and Legislative Council updated the committee on legislative branch space planning. Finally, subcommittee reports noted continued work on fixed-route transit funding and regional jail capacity, including Burleigh-Morton’s new DOCR housing wing and ongoing overcrowding in state correctional facilities. No formal votes beyond the minutes approval were taken, and the meeting adjourned with the next meeting set for June 25.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

JDC-LBT, JDC DEFER Public Hearings 02-05-2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • For all the people testifying remotely, all testifier audio will be muted and video disabled until it's
  • We'll stand on our testimony supporting the intent, and I'm available for questions. Thank you.
  • We'll stand on our testimony Relations.
  • I think your testimony was that you and DLE have agreed for them to be the lead agency on this.
  • Per the DLIR and DLE's testimony, we'll transfer the responsibility to DLE instead of DLIR.
Bills: SB2841 , SB2533
Committee: Senate Judiciary
Summary: The joint Judiciary, Labor, and Technology Committee heard two bills in the morning session and later took up two Judiciary decision-making items. SB 2841 would require human trafficking awareness training for transient accommodation workers. Testimony was generally supportive from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the Department of Law Enforcement, and the Hawaii Hotel Alliance/American Hotel and Lodging Association, which also proposed amendments to preserve existing industry training programs and broaden coverage. Members clarified that the administration wanted DLE to be the lead agency instead of DLIR, while the Attorney General would still handle approval of training programs. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including coverage for third-party contractors and implementation dates, and the measure was adopted with no recorded opposition. SB 2533 would adjust the salaries of the Campaign Spending Commission’s executive director and associate director to better align with comparable enforcement/compliance positions. The commission supported the bill, saying its salaries lag behind similar offices by about $30,000 and that recruitment and workload have become more difficult, while one testifier opposed the proposal. Members questioned why the bill used the Department of Health as the salary comparator and whether Ethics would be a better benchmark; the committee agreed to revise the bill to peg the salaries to the Ethics Commission instead, blank out the dollar amounts for further review, and note the requested appropriation in the report. The committee recommended passage with amendments, and the measure was adopted. In the Judiciary decision-making agenda, SB 2203, concerning the use of masks or personal disguises by law enforcement officers, was amended to allow exceptions for officers who are unmasked nearby or who are supporting undercover operations, to change the term to “facial covering,” and to add definitions covering federal, state, and county law enforcement. The committee also set a far-future effective date and passed the bill with amendments. SB 2442, relating to judiciary purchase-of-service contracts with community-based organizations, was also passed with amendments; the committee added a far-future effective date, clarified the consumer price index reference, and noted a recommended appropriation amount of $4.26 million in the committee report. All measures were adopted without recorded no votes or reservations.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

House in Session Apr 24th, 2025

Florida House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • FOOT ON CAMPUS WOULD HAVE TO BE VETTED AT THAT TIME, AND ALSO, IF THERE WERE PERHAPS TO BE OFF-SITE REMOTE
  • In regards to accreditation, we heard in committee testimony from sheriffs' organizations that they have
  • ...confrontation clause issues where there is no declarant that can be brought forth to present testimony
Summary: The Florida House of Representatives conducted legislative business including prayer, pledge, and voting on multiple bills. Key legislation included HB 1105 expanding Florida Bright Futures Scholarship eligibility, HB 443 on charter school regulations (passed 83-23), and HB 1539 on materials harmful to minors (passed 81-29) after extensive debate about book challenges in schools. Other bills addressed education funding, law enforcement benefits, parole guidelines, and various local issues. The Speaker announced budget negotiations with the Senate have stalled, with disagreements over spending levels and tax cuts. The House will not meet this weekend as originally planned. Session adjourned until tomorrow at 10 AM.
DE

Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Natural Resources & Energy Committee Meeting Jun 17th, 2026

Natural Resources & Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Staff will now begin collecting remote public comment for this legislation.
  • I'm going to ask staff to begin collecting remote public comment. Thank you, Madam Chair.
  • While some of you may have heard testimony from Woodlawn or Todd Morton about the financial challenges
  • While some of you may have heard testimony from Woodlawn or Todd Morton about the financial challenges
Bills: SB9
Summary: The House Natural Resources and Energy Committee met and first considered SB 321 with Senate Amendment 1, the community solar utility billing bill. The sponsor explained that it would consolidate the two-bill system for community solar subscribers into one utility bill, with the utility forwarding the subscriber fee to the solar facility through an escrow mechanism so costs are not shifted to other ratepayers. Testimony from the solar industry, the Public Advocate, and environmental advocates supported the measure, emphasizing easier enrollment, fewer barriers for low-income customers, and guaranteed savings. The committee initially lacked enough members present to release the bill, but after a roll call vote it was released from committee. The committee then heard SB 9 with Senate Amendment 1, a wetlands protection bill creating a state non-tidal freshwater wetlands permitting program. The sponsor and DNREC described a framework of exemptions, general permits, and individual permits based on wetland type and value, with an advisory committee to develop regulations. Witnesses explained that “exceptional value” wetlands would include unique wetland communities and high-functioning wetlands, and that the bill was intended to preserve important habitat while allowing farming, drainage, and other exempt activities to continue. Some members raised concerns about flooding, land classification, and the balance of the advisory committee, while supporters said the bill was the product of broad stakeholder consensus and would protect wetlands without unduly harming agriculture or development. Public comment on SB 9 was strongly supportive from environmental groups, the Delaware Native Species Commission, the Home Builders Association, the Farm Bureau, The Nature Conservancy, and affordable housing advocates, who said the bill balanced conservation with practical land use concerns. After remote testimony, the committee took a roll call vote and SB 9 was released from committee. The meeting concluded with remarks thanking the chair for her service and instructions for members to sign the backers before adjournment.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Mar 26th, 2025

Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • Thank you very much for your testimony, and make sure it's under the limit of that. Chairman, Mr.
  • It allowed us to move and live remotely and work remotely.
  • Thank you for your testimony. You bet. Members, any questions? Thank you very much.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

Criminal Justice Feb 4th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • SOME ARE SO REMOTE THAT WE HAVE TO DEPLOY THINGS LIKE STAR LINK SO WE CAN GET THE ACCESS IN THE MEANTIME
  • AND I DON'T TAKE THAT AS A POSITIVE BECAUSE THIS MEAN THAT THESE KIDS ARE INCENTIVIZED TO BE REMOTE FOR
  • ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC TESTIMONIES?
  • NO PUBLIC TESTIMONY APPEARANCE CARDS. >> Chair: THANK YOU SECRETARY.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Delivery of Government Efficiency Apr 16th, 2025

Delivery of Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:
  • Seeing none, thank you for your testimony. Thank you, Laura.
  • Seeing none, thank you very much for your testimony.
  • I just want to thank you for your testimony.
  • Seeing none, thank you for your testimony. The chair calls Emily French.
  • Seeing none, thank you for your testimony.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Jun 29th, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • This bill extends the sunset for remote court hearings from January 1, 2027.
  • This bill extends the sunset for remote court hearings from January 1, 2027, to January 1, 2032, and
  • Among several important provisions, this bill enables the continuation of remote services for certain
  • that we receive is really life-and-death testimony.
  • And so it's very grueling to sit through that kind of testimony.
Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then moved through a largely procedural session with several unanimous-consent motions, guest introductions, and budget-related trailer bills. Members also adopted resolutions recognizing June as Dairy Month and June 2026 as Electronic Dance Music Month, and later approved H.R. 88 commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Guest introductions highlighted the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Kappa League, Assembly staff member Mukhtar Ali, and Jennifer Levy, who is advocating against drunk driving after the death of her son. On the floor, the Assembly considered a series of Senate budget trailer bills presented by Assembly Member Gabriel. SB 170 reorganizes housing and homelessness agencies; SB 171 makes labor-related cleanup changes; SB 172 addresses general government, broadband, and NextGen 9-1-1; SB 174 extends remote court hearings and related court provisions; SB 177 advances options related to Medi-Cal and employer contributions; SB 180 extends the California Competes tax credit and conforms tax treatment for certain savings accounts; SB 169 covers transportation and DMV-related provisions; SB 168 creates a zero-emission vehicle incentive program and other clean-energy changes; SB 166 implements natural resources and environmental protection budget items; SB 165 extends the skilled nursing facility financing framework; SB 163 updates developmental services; and SB 135 funds higher education initiatives, including community college enrollment and Cal Grant changes. Most of these measures passed with bipartisan support, though several drew opposition over concerns about bureaucracy, fees, oversight, or policy direction. The Assembly also passed SB 719, which updates vehicle-related protections for domestic violence survivors, SB 97, an urgency bill making clarifying changes to digital financial asset law, SB 1350, which supports hydrogen and clean energy development, and SB 1344, which aims to reduce meritless lawsuits delaying affordable and supportive housing projects. AB 182, which sets the order for proposition numbers on the November ballot, was approved despite criticism that it manipulates the ballot numbering process. Votes on the measures were recorded, with many passing on strong margins and several transmitted immediately to the Senate or Governor as noted in the proceedings.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Jun 29th, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • This bill extends the sunset for remote court hearings from January 1, 2027.
  • This bill extends the sunset for remote court hearings from January 1, 2027, to January 1, 2032, and
  • Among several important provisions, this bill enables the continuation of remote services for certain
  • that we receive is really life-and-death testimony.
  • And so it's very grueling to sit through that kind of testimony.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session (Part II) Jul 21st, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Will the committee invite testimony? I don't apologize if I'm not saying his name correctly.
  • I won't have, I don't have any plans, although it could change, for specific invited testimony.
  • Section 2, which is titled Regional Hearings and Video Conference Team testimony, allows the committee
  • To do that, we often put on invited testimony, time limits on other testimony.
  • Is that your testimony?
Bills: SR5 , SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SB25 , SB26 , SB28 , SB35 , SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SB25 , SB26 , SB28 , SB35 , SB5 , SB11 , SB12 , SB25 , SB26 , SB28 , SB35 , SR5
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Education Finance Committee 4/28/25

Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • Thank you for your testimony. Uh, you. Thank you for your testimony.
  • </c> Thank you for your testimony, Mr. Benz. Thank you for your testimony, Mr. Benz.
  • We're going to take remote testimony if possible. So, Mr.
  • </c> your testimony, please. your testimony, please.
  • </c> testimony, please. testimony, please. Good<01:12:31.679><c> morning.
Bills: HF1388