Video & Transcript : 'fairness in mitigation' :

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LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Ways and Means Mar 16th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • I've seen you in a lot of committees in this, what 11 years we've served, never up in front like that
  • And I told the representative that I couldn't imagine it was worse in other places in the south, in Sabine
  • about $230 million in severance taxes in their parishes.
  • It'll grow to $6 million in '28, $9 million in '29, $12 million in '30, and in 2032 that $12 million
  • In this particular instance, I guess we're trying to make sure that we are being fair because once we
Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on March 16, 2026, and heard several bills dealing mainly with tax checkoffs, severance tax revenue, and estimated tax administration. The first major item was HB 156 by Rep. Bagley, a proposed constitutional amendment to remove the cap on the 20% share of severance tax revenues remitted to parishes where production occurs. Supporters from local government and the Police Jury Association argued that the cap prevents parishes from receiving the full share intended to help repair roads, bridges, drainage, and other infrastructure damaged by oil and gas activity. Members raised concerns about the bill’s roughly $42 million fiscal note and the state budget outlook, and the author ultimately agreed to voluntarily defer the bill after discussion of possible phase-ins and other compromises. The committee then took up HB 602 by Rep. Bamberg, another severance-tax-related constitutional amendment that would phase in a higher parish cap over five years, with a separate amendment tying the increase to parishes that exempt business inventory from ad valorem taxes. After questions about how it would interact with the pending inventory-tax amendment and its fiscal impact, the committee adopted the amendment and voluntarily deferred the bill pending a fiscal note. The committee also heard HB 852 by Rep. Lyons, which restores the income tax checkoff for donations to the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence by lowering the performance threshold from $10,000 to $5,000; members discussed the number of checkoffs on the return and the need to keep the form manageable, but the bill was reported favorably as amended. Next, the committee considered HB 474 by Rep. Young, creating an individual income tax checkoff for the Grambling University National Alumni Association. Members again debated whether tax-return checkoffs amount to government-facilitated fundraising and whether they crowd the return, but the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard HB 633 by Chairman Bacala, a cleanup bill adjusting estimated tax penalty timing and calculations to match current tax law; an amendment set was adopted to replace references to personal exemptions with the standard deduction, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. The meeting concluded with adjournment.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Business and Commerce (Part I) Apr 3rd, 2025

Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • Public notice in the county, in the county, in the county, provided to the state.
  • Mitigation costs.
  • out in this deal.
  • the numbering in the hundreds in some situations.
  • That lives in the property, has an interest in the property.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and first took up several pending and uncontested bills. It favorably reported SB 1405, SB 1762, SB 1977, SB 2077, SB 2148, and SB 1968, and also moved SB 2321 to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then heard SB 819, which would change how the Public Utility Commission reviews proposed utility-scale solar and related interconnection projects. The committee substitute would shift the default so interconnection is allowed unless the PUC affirmatively prohibits it within 180 days, limit denial to cases where harm substantially outweighs benefits, remove public meeting requirements, retain setback and financial assurance provisions, add optional application materials such as national security and environmental information, and restore local control over county tax abatements. The substitute was adopted and SB 819 was favorably reported to the full Senate on a 7-3 vote. The committee then took up SB 231, focused on CenterPoint’s use of large emergency generators after Hurricane Beryl. Senator King explained that the original bill was intended to prevent customers from being charged for non-mobile generators that were leased at great cost and did not match the bill’s emergency-response purpose. CenterPoint’s Jason Ryan apologized for the company’s communication failures and said the company would make customers whole through a combination of rate reductions, foregone storm-cost recovery, and a donation of the 15 large generators to ERCOT for about two years to address a San Antonio-area reliability issue, with the company absorbing the associated costs. PUC Executive Director Connie Corona said the commission could enforce the agreement through its contested-case process. Public testimony included consumer and reliability advocates, one of whom argued utility-scale microgrids should be preserved as a policy option. SB 231 was left pending. The committee also heard SB 986, which would create an alternative process for routine Public Information Act requests so local governments can make initial redactions without sending every routine exception to the Attorney General, while preserving an appeal path and training requirements. Supporters said it would reduce backlog and speed access to records; opponents argued it would shift the burden to requesters and encourage delay. The AG’s office testified that the process could improve efficiency and still fit within current timelines if used promptly. SB 986 was left pending. Finally, SB 584 was briefly laid out to require consumer reporting agencies that buy data from others to ensure the information complies with Texas law on excluded items such as bankruptcies, judgments, and tax liens, and SB 600 was heard on heir property. SB 600’s substitute would strengthen notice, require an attorney ad litem, add an heir’s bill of rights, allow settlement conferences, and require fair-market-value sales protections; supporters said it would curb predatory partition practices, while opponents warned some provisions could burden or diminish minority heirs’ property rights. SB 584 and SB 600 were left pending after testimony.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • In California, just over $42 billion in government funding helps fuel the work of nonprofits in our state
  • In the coming months and years, nonprofits in every district in California will be overwhelmed, as some
  • That's one in four in Ventura County who needed food assistance.
  • Mitigation.
  • In California.
Summary: The joint Senate and Assembly select committee hearing focused on the challenges facing California nonprofits in 2025 and possible state responses. Opening remarks emphasized the sector’s size and importance, the impact of federal funding disruptions and tax policy changes, and the need for stronger public-private partnerships, especially in disaster response and recovery. Witnesses from community foundations, food banks, Cal OES, long-term recovery groups, CalNonprofits, and nonprofit finance organizations described funding uncertainty, delayed reimbursements, reduced indirect cost coverage, staffing strain, and the effects of climate disasters and immigration-related fear on service delivery. Testimony highlighted several policy ideas, including advance payments for state grants and contracts, prompt payment standards, sustainable indirect cost rates, contract flexibility in emergencies, streamlined registration and reporting, and a possible new Office of Nonprofit Empowerment to serve as a central point of contact and coordination within state government. Speakers also described how nonprofits and VOAD networks support wildfire response and long-term recovery, but noted that recovery groups often lack stable operating funding even when they are recognized as best practice. A food bank leader described federal food aid cuts and disruptions to deliveries, while other witnesses stressed that nonprofits are increasingly forced to use reserves, loans, or service reductions to manage cash flow gaps. Committee members generally expressed support for the sector and asked how the state could better partner with nonprofits during both disasters and budget crises. Several members raised the possibility of incremental steps if full legislative changes are not immediately feasible, and witnesses suggested pilots, better sharing of best practices, and stronger state leadership on payment timelines. Public commenters echoed the need for better contracting practices, support for community-based organizations, and attention to nonprofit worker compensation and protections. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the hearing, which concluded with adjournment.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/05/2026 - Senate Floor Session

Arizona Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Heavenly Father, we ask for your blessing on this day and in the toil that we engage in.
  • In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
  • She completed a residency in internal medicine at Swedish Hospital in Chicago and her fellowship in palliative
  • I make a point of personal privilege in order to introduce guests in the gallery.
  • The messages will be entered in the journal in the bills' place under introduction.
Keywords: 1182, all
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Commerce, Consumer Protection and International Affairs May 13th, 2026

Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Well, I didn't have to come in. I didn't have to come in. Well, yeah, you had to come.
  • Sanders, who lives here in Baton Rouge, and he has put in a green card.
  • in.
  • HB 848 is about fairness in the marketplace and protecting Louisiana consumers.
  • “And with that, we have only cards in support, no cards in opposition.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • Senate Bill 1734 creates the Oklahoma Responsible Tech in Schools Act.
  • Is there a motion in? Get a motion. Second. Any debate?
  • That reserves motion in a second. Got to do pass. The second need. Debate?
  • Seeing no questions, there's a motion in a second. Do pass in a second.
  • So, this bill will actually use those lists that they have in place right now.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

CPC Public Hearing - Tue Apr 7, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST

Consumer Protection & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> in support and one in opposition. in support and one in opposition.
  • c><01:15:16.560><c> fact</c> that they can in fact and in in fact that they can in fact and in in fact
  • Fair.
  • </c><01:37:04.240><c> business</c> in this case like change in business in this case like change in business
  • </c><01:37:46.600><c> in</c> uh administrative challenge in in uh administrative challenge in in implementing
Summary: The committee heard several resolutions and one bill focused on energy reliability, utility infrastructure, insurance, tenant rights, and home health licensing. On the energy side, members heard HCR 203/HR 193 on a status update for the Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator, HCR 204/HR 194 on a comprehensive PUC analysis of cost reduction and risk, and HCR 202/HR 192 creating a legislative task force on future energy pathways. Testimony on the energy measures was generally supportive from the PUC, DCCA’s Division of Consumer Advocacy, the Hawaii State Energy Office, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, with OHA urging that equity, native Hawaiian impacts, and public trust resources be considered alongside cost savings. The committee also heard HCR 125/HR 117 on coordinating with utilities to address aging utility poles and lines along Farrington Highway and other high-risk corridors; Hawaiian Electric supported the measure, Hawaiian Telcom and Charter Spectrum said much of the work is already underway and questioned whether the resolution was necessary, and committee questioning focused on existing double-pole tracking and the role of DOT and the PUC. The committee then took up HCR 137/HR 129 on timely reimbursement of health care claims under the clean claims statute. The DCCA Insurance Division and the Hawaii Insurers Council opposed the measure as drafted, saying it could be read to require payment beyond policy limits and could raise premiums or reduce market participation. United Policyholders supported the measure, arguing it would simply give policyholders more time to collect benefits they already purchased, and clarified that it was not intended to increase coverage beyond policy limits. The committee later amended the resolution to direct the DCCA Insurance Division to prioritize investigation and enforcement of clean claims complaints. In the decision meeting, the committee recommended and adopted passage of HCR 203/HR 193 as is, HCR 204/HR 194 with an amendment removing the eighth whereas clause, HCR 202/HR 192 with an amendment adding a committee representative to the task force, HCR 125/HR 117 as is, and HCR 137/HR 129 with amendments. The committee also heard SB 2960 SC1 on property insurance, which would extend the time policyholders have after a declared disaster to document replacement-cost claims. The Insurance Division and Hawaii Insurers Council opposed it, warning it could force coverage beyond policy limits and increase premiums, while United Policyholders supported it and said it would help disaster survivors recover benefits they already paid for; members questioned whether similar laws in other states had caused premium spikes and clarified that the bill was not intended to exceed policy limits. The committee also heard SB 2347 SD1 on multilingual tenant-rights notices, with OHA, Hawaii Appleseed, and others supporting the bill but urging restoration of language requiring landlords to directly provide the notice at lease signing. Finally, SB 2272 SD1 HD1 on home health licensing drew support from the Department of Health, SHPDA, and the Health Care Association of Hawaii, with the association requesting an effective date amendment; testimony explained that the bill would allow state licensing compliance to be demonstrated through CMS-approved accreditation or certification surveys, potentially reducing duplication and freeing state resources.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Common Education REVISED: SB1614 - Added Apr 8th, 2026

Common Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senate Bill 1734 creates the Oklahoma Responsible Tech in Schools Act.
  • That's what we did in this amendment. Yield the questions.
  • That's what we did in this amendment. Yield the questions. ...opposed to sexually explicit.
  • That's what we did in this amendment. Yield the questions.
  • I was wondering, would this bill be better if it had repeated-violations wording in it?
Summary: The committee took up a series of education-related Senate bills, first accepting untimely filed PCS amendments for SB 1614 and SB 1250 without objection. SB 1734, the Oklahoma Responsible Tech in Schools Act, would prohibit AI tools from being used for instruction in public districts except for educator-directed uses, and it passed 12-0. SB 1630 would allow a school district up to one day or six hours of virtual instruction when students are completing statewide assessments, and it also passed 12-0. SB 1894, using PCS language, caps teacher professional development requirements at 200 hours over five years for teachers with fewer than five years of experience and 150 hours for those with more experience; it passed 11-0. SB 1975 would expand access to AP testing locations and the state’s Horizons online learning platform, and it passed 11-0. SB 1432 removes pilot-program and sunset language from an alternative certification program, and SB 1437 creates the President’s Physical Fitness Act and directs districts to use student fitness results to improve health outcomes; both passed 11-0. SB 1812 requires districts to make K-8 benchmark assessment results available to parents and guardians, and SB 346 modifies the background check process for certain teachers moving to a new district; both passed 11-0. SB 710 would expand the Teach Forward education preparation program to additional providers if funds are available, and SB 1489 concerns special-needs students; both passed 10-0. The committee also approved SB 1614, which creates a teacher induction program for new and emergency-certified teachers, by an 11-0 vote. The committee then considered SB 2045, a recess-related bill that would provide 30 minutes of recess and prohibit recess from being used as punishment. Members asked about possible compromise language with other PE/recess proposals, and the bill passed 11-0. Finally, the committee debated SB 1250, which was described as addressing school library materials and, through amendment, removing the definition of obscene in favor of sexually explicit language. Supporters said it would give districts and superintendents clearer guidance and require local library collection lists to be submitted to the Department of Education; opponents questioned whether the bill was necessary, whether it would require additional staff or create fiscal impacts, and whether stronger repeated-violations language was needed. After discussion, SB 1250 passed 8-2, and the chair noted it was the committee’s last meeting for the year.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Mar 5th, 2026 at 09:30 am

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • We may not be quick in word or impulsive in thought but...
  • health programme all simultaneously in the United States or actually I think in the world right in the
  • If you're in the bill.
  • Then you're still gonna have more tax dollars coming in, and if the business had never come in in the
  • In freshman class at Cameron University, I think it's fair to assume that the 22.85% is being paid in
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session Mar 5th, 2026

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Thus, may we not be quick in word or impulsive in thought, but prudent in employing the opportunities
  • . to bring this down to what everybody else is paying in a like service seems to be the fair thing to
  • You're still going to have more tax dollars coming in than if the business had never come in in the first
  • I think it's fair to assume that the 22.85% is being paid in areas where broadband was first able to
  • , maybe to expand in other places in the state of Oklahoma.
Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, roll call, and several floor and gallery introductions recognizing the Doctor of the Day, Nurse of the Day, Mid-America Christian University, the Oklahoma Truckers Association, Leadership Wagoner County, the Broken Arrow Chamber, and an intern. The chamber then took up several bills in general order. Senate Bill 1426, requested by the Department of Human Services, would limit referrals to district attorneys to substantiated findings of abuse of vulnerable adults; it passed unanimously, 44-0. Senate Bill 1531 was presented as a placeholder vehicle for possible future FAA action on drones and unmanned aircraft, with questions focused on why the bill was being kept open and what language might later be added. It passed 33-12. Senate Bill 1561 would allow EMTs to be subject to progressive discipline for drug or other violations instead of automatic license revocation; it passed 46-0. The most extensive debate centered on Senate Bill 1122, which lowers the ad valorem assessment rate for broadband providers from 22.85% to 15% and was described by supporters as a way to create parity, encourage broadband expansion, and keep providers investing in rural Oklahoma. Opponents argued it would give a tax break to large legacy broadband companies, reduce county revenue by an estimated $20 million, and do little for homeowners, farmers, or other taxpayers facing property tax pressure. After extended questioning and debate, the bill passed 28-19. The Senate also laid over SB 1555, heard announcements, and adjourned until Monday, March 9 at 1:30 p.m.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Commerce and Economic Development Oversight Mar 3rd, 2026 at 03:00 pm

Commerce & Economic Development Oversight

Transcript Highlights:
  • No, absolutely, I've become kind of an expert in this.
  • We found the fossils out in Atoka in 1994, and there are four of them. They're really amazing.
  • People didn't know we have two formations, one in the Panhandle and one in southeast Oklahoma, where
  • Thank you for letting me get in here kind of late.
  • My father started Mulle Plumbing In Tulsa in 1972, and you can trace most any plumbing company in some
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Commerce and Economic Development Oversight Mar 3rd, 2026 at 10:30 am

Commerce & Economic Development Oversight

Transcript Highlights:
  • law on epilepsy in the entire country.
  • The chair has a question in regards to this.
  • In and first of all, I do appreciate the spirit in which this is intended because we do need a very robust
  • It's already in place.
  • And it really hasn't even been in place that long.
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama House Ways and Means General Fund Committee Feb 25th, 2026

Ways and Means General Fund

Transcript Highlights:
  • Whoever participates in the program that we're doing in this project. No.
  • All in Have a motion. Second. Second. All in favor<00:15:33.120><c> say</c><00:15:33.360><c> I.
  • > the</c><00:19:58.480><c> in</c><00:19:58.640><c> the</c> or representatives in the in the or representatives
  • </c><00:23:53.120><c> In</c> Yeah, it was represent Mooney. In Yeah, it was represent Mooney.
  • </c><00:23:57.520><c> in</c> actually saw an an increase in in actually saw an an increase in in interest
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/24/2026 - Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • come in?
  • Today we are in here in support of 1131. and the other. Mr.
  • At that point in time, those increases in benefits ultimately resulted in the plan eventually becoming
  • Fairness is what is judged with the other people who are serving, doing the same work in the same position
  • that settlement money doesn't come in in one fell swoop.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/17/2026 - House Commerce

Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • These are in the middle of neighborhoods, so this is only fair. So we found compromise with this.
  • These are in the middle of neighborhoods, so this is only fair. So we found compromise with this.
  • These are in the middle of neighborhoods, so this is only fair. So we found compromise with this.
  • These are in the middle of neighborhoods, so this is only fair. So we found compromise with this.
  • Coalition of homeowners looking for fundamental fairness in these communities.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Chamber Meeting Jan 30th, 2026 at 12:05 pm

New Mexico House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • in that In Chaparral in Otero County, I found some of the best partners in that community and county
  • Fair enough. Mr. Speaker, gentlelady, so two pieces. One, it would be a reduction in general...
  • folks seems like a fair thing for them to play a strong role in.
  • Maybe it's not in this bill. Maybe it's in House Bill 2. I think it's in both.
  • Maybe it's not in this bill. Maybe it's in House Bill 2. I think it's in both.
Bills: HM3, HM11, HM14, HM15, HM21, HM25, HB9, SB2, SB19
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Judiciary Committee Jan 14th, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • /c> &gt;&gt; because it's in it should be in &gt;&gt; because it's in it should be in everybody's<00:
  • . in. in.
  • NDAs in civil discovery in civil cases.
  • in that.
  • Um, I put all the money in and in that.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Local Government (Part II) May 15th, 2025

Local Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm going to go park in it. I said, in honor...
  • It doesn't say in honor, it just says reserve. Wow.
  • I'm going to go park in it. I said, in honor...
  • It doesn't say in honor, it just says reserve. Wow.
  • In the meantime, I want to tell you all that this is the number one committee passing House bills in
Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government met with a quorum and took up a series of pending bills, mostly local-government measures. Early action included final committee approval of Senate Bill 1633 and S.J.R. 60, followed by Senate Bill 3038 and Senate Bill 3045, both reported favorably and placed on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also considered House Bill 24, adopted a committee substitute, and reported the substitute version favorably; House Bill 2025 was likewise reported favorably and sent to the local and uncontested calendar. Members then handled several companion and local bills, including House Bill 2713 as the companion to Senate Bill 1331, which was reported favorably and placed on the local and uncontested calendar. House Bill 3348, House Bill 3370, House Bill 3505, and House Bill 4506 were each reported favorably, with no objections to local-and-uncontested placement. House Bill 5424 passed on a 6-1 vote, and House Bill 5652 passed with one present-not-voting, both also sent to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also adopted substitutes and reported House Bill 3687 and House Bill 4205, though both were later reconsidered because the wrong script had been read. After reconsideration, House Bill 3687 and House Bill 4205 were each re-voted and reported favorably to the full Senate, with both placed on the local and uncontested calendar. Senate Bill 3071 was also reported out on a 5-2 vote after adoption of a committee substitute. The meeting ended with no further business and the committee standing at recess subject to the call of the chair.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • In that instance, we're not allowed to have referrals in the private market.
  • He has a practice in College Station and another practice in Belleville, Texas.
  • in rural communities.
  • For folks who work in qualitative research, in mental health, in really intimate and vulnerable spaces
  • It does so in order to do a better job treating people in those classifications.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • We are in support of the bill.
  • at home in Texas.
  • Everything put in me, everything pulled out of me, cut in half multiple times.
  • Everything that I had in my life in those first 40 years kept me from that.
  • Alliance in favor of Senate Bill 672, which we do believe is in very good shape.