Video & Transcript Research : 'Financial Innovation'

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ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Appropriations Apr 16th, 2025 at 08:00 am

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • If you go to page 3, section 7, the transfer of the bioscience innovation grant fund to the general fund
  • And in that bill, it would have repealed the bioscience innovation program, but since that bill failed
  • So all this additional amendment is doing is adding that transfer of the bioscience innovation grant
  • So all this additional amendment is doing is adding that transfer of the bioscience innovation grant
  • They haven't really put the financial model together because they didn't know this money was going to
Bills: SB2225, HB1619
Summary: The Appropriations Committee met to clear several remaining bills and discussed scheduling around upcoming conference committees. The chair noted that full committee meetings would likely be held after floor session, while Thursday and Friday mornings were being reserved for conference committees. Members also discussed how conference committees would be scheduled and where they would appear on their dashboards. The committee first took up House Bill 1577, relating to wastewater facility grants. Amendments were adopted to create a loan/line-of-credit mechanism through the Bank of North Dakota and the Department of Environmental Quality to keep two canceled federal BRIC-funded projects moving: a lagoon project in Fezenden and a wastewater treatment project in Lincoln. Members emphasized the language was intended to apply only to those projects and to preserve the possibility of federal reimbursement later. The amendment passed 16-0, and the bill as amended received a 15-1 do pass recommendation. The committee then reconsidered House Bill 1009 and adopted an additional amendment transferring the remaining balance in the bioscience innovation grant fund to the general fund, rather than issuing another round of grants. That amendment passed 16-0, and the bill as amended also received a 16-0 do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 1619, creating a long-term care facility loan fund and adjusting an existing medical facility loan program. After discussion, members amended the bill to reduce the long-term care fund cap to $10 million per project, set the interest rate at 2%, extend repayment to 30 years, and align the medical facility loan program to 2% with a 30-year term. The amendment passed 14-2, and the bill as amended received a 16-0 do pass recommendation.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 4/15/26

Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • that an individual or a family without health care coverage was one accident or illness away from financial
  • So the analytic capabilities that we have that are specific to our financial analysis and actuarial work
  • not doing well financially.
  • They should say the governor's governor's on financial bill and the reasons why I am maybe what lies
  • "They mentioned the financial burden of repair expenses, and many people highlighted the rising cost
KY
Summary: The meeting began with routine business, including welcoming new committee member Senator Reginald Thomas, approving the minutes, and receiving a correspondence report on several information items. Those items included University of Kentucky research equipment funding, UK capital project funding using federal/private funds, debt issues from McGoffin County and Owen County school districts, lease modifications by the Division of Real Properties, asset preservation project revisions at Eastern Kentucky University and Northern Kentucky University, and Kentucky Communications Network Authority (KCNA) information on Kentucky Wired critical infrastructure. The main discussion focused on a dispute over the Kentucky Wired communication shelters, or “huts,” and related payments under KCNA’s agreement with Asellicom/Excel. Brad Kilby of Asellicom testified that KCNA had not paid for the huts, that Asellicom had not received the alleged $8 million or any later payment, and that Asellicom remained the legal owner. Committee members pressed him on whether payment had been received, whether anyone else might have received it, and whether the lawsuit or dispute resolution process clarified the issue. Kilby said no payment had been received and that the matter was part of ongoing litigation. KCNA Executive Director Doug Hendricks and General Counsel Adam Atkins then testified. They said a certified check for $8.5 million was mailed in July, based on the Finance and Administration Cabinet secretary’s determination that $8.5 million was due under the model procurement code, even though KCNA had initially requested about $12 million to cover a worst-case estimate. They said the contract allowed payment in full or in tranches, that the huts were completed and operational, and that KCNA had not received documentation supporting Asellicom’s higher $10.1 million claim. Members expressed frustration over the missing check and the broader implications for Kentucky Wired, and one member requested that the committee obtain all agency requests related to KCNA/Kentucky Wired since inception; the co-chairs said they would look into making that information available. No formal vote was taken on the dispute during the portion provided.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

State Affairs (Part II) Apr 24th, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • issue one or more subpoenas to compel BlackRock Incorporated, State Street Corporation, or any other financial
Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs was called to order and a roll call showed most members present, with one absent. The chair explained that the committee had arranged witnesses for a later meeting but had received responses from some parties declining to testify, prompting Senator Bettencourt to offer a written motion for subpoenas. The motion authorized the committee chair, under Senate Rule 11.20, to issue subpoenas to BlackRock, State Street, or other financial services companies affecting Texas public pension investments, along with their subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, employees, agents, or representatives. The subpoenas would require testimony and production of records concerning investment practices, the impact on Texas public pension funds, and any investments intended to further political or social causes. Members discussed the importance of obtaining testimony and the limited but necessary use of subpoena power. The committee then voted, with 10 ayes, no nays, and one absent, to adopt the motion. With no further business, the committee recessed until the call of the chair, planning to return after the local calendar.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

State Affairs (Part III) Apr 24th, 2025

State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • We must not allow financial. This wasn't about risk, it was about politics.
  • We must not allow financial. This episode illustrates why SB 946 is needed.
  • Their advice is not tied to financial performance.
  • interests of shareholders and exclude non-financial considerations like ESG.
  • And, of course, those financial firms take your money and they buy shares.
Summary: The committee heard Senate Bill 945, 946, 2044, 2819, 2403, 2337, and 312, with all bills left pending after testimony. SB 945 would restrict insurance companies from denying or limiting coverage based on oil and gas activity or ESG-related goals, and supporters argued it would protect Texas energy producers from politically motivated shareholder activism and insurance discrimination. SB 946 would bar creditors from using social credit, ESG, DEI, or religious/political affiliation as a basis for denying or limiting credit; witnesses said it would prevent viewpoint-based financial discrimination and protect access to capital for Texas businesses. SB 2337 would require proxy advisory firms to disclose when recommendations are based on non-financial factors or when they give conflicting advice to different clients; supporters said the measure would increase transparency and curb ESG-driven influence over shareholder voting. SB 312 would direct public retirement systems to focus on financial returns rather than social or political objectives, with the author saying the bill responds to activist pressure on pensions and would reinforce fiduciary duty. The committee also took up election and ethics measures. SB 2044 would strengthen electioneering restrictions for publicly funded education institutions and personnel, prohibiting use of official resources to promote political agendas; testimony focused on alleged school district electioneering in bond and tax elections. SB 2819 would prohibit county elections administrators from holding certain officer positions appointed by elected officials, addressing potential conflicts of interest. SB 2403, the Texas Ethics Commission sunset bill, would restructure complaint handling with a three-tier violation system, risk-based complaint prioritization, longer response times, bipartisan preliminary review panels, and expanded hearing options; members discussed amendments aimed at dismissing minor complaints, clarifying categories, and adjusting lobbying and penalty provisions, but the amendments were withdrawn during committee consideration. Across the ESG and finance bills, invited witnesses from the American Energy Institute, Heartland Impact, Consumers Research, ADF Action, Texas Civil Justice League, and related groups generally supported the measures, arguing that banks, insurers, proxy advisors, and asset managers have used ESG or reputational-risk standards to discriminate against energy, agriculture, firearms, and religious organizations. No opposition testimony was presented in the excerpt, and the committee closed public testimony on each bill and left them pending.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Feb 11th, 2026

Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Bills: S1182, S1594
Summary: The Senate Committee on Military, Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security met with a quorum present and took up two bills. SB 1594, by Senator Gates, would change how veterans’ benefits received on behalf of foster youth are handled so the funds are not used to offset foster care costs, but instead are preserved for post-secondary education or aftercare services when the youth leaves foster care. The bill drew one supportive appearance from Victoria Zep of Family Support Services, had no debate, and was reported favorably by a unanimous roll call vote. Senator Sharief later asked to be recorded as a yes vote on the bill. The committee then considered SB 1182, by Senator Jones, which creates the Florida Veterans and Military Spouses Business Development Act to provide fee relief and tax incentives for veteran-owned and military spouse-owned businesses. The committee adopted Jones’s strike-all amendment, which added information-sharing and verification provisions, refined the tax exemptions, and broadened eligibility for fee waivers and sales tax relief. After no questions or debate, the amended bill was reported favorably by unanimous vote. The committee also held a confirmation hearing for three appointees—Matthew Bacchano, Tim Thomas, and Belinda Kaiser—and recommended confirmation on all three in one vote. The meeting concluded with several members offering remarks praising Chair Wright’s long service and leadership on veterans’ issues, followed by adjournment.
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

House Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources, February 10, 2026

Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • So this bill was one of the interim topics for the select committee on blockchain, financial technology
  • blockchain, for the select committee on blockchain, for the select committee on blockchain, financial
  • and digital financial technology and digital technology.<00:01:26.400> Um<00:01:26.720> it
  • Um, right off the bat, this has IP and innovation harm attached to the legislation.
  • off the bat, this has IP and innovation off the bat, this has IP and innovation harm<00:37:44.640
Bills: SF0052, SF0024
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • Senate Bill 1338 creates the Education Impact and Innovation Fund.
  • So the amendment to the PCS changes the name of the fund to the Education Impact and Innovation Fund.
  • both okay so the amendment to the PCS changes the name of the fund to the education impact and innovation
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 2/23/26

Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • The 75% makes more of a financial ask of our providers and incentive for them to build in these remote
  • makes<00:09:49.360> more<00:09:49.760> of<00:09:50.000> a<00:09:50.240> financial
  • /c><00:09:51.600> uh<00:09:51.920> ask<00:09:52.399> of 75% makes more of a financial
  • uh ask of 75% makes more of a financial uh ask of our<00:09:53.519> uh<00:09:53.760> providers
Bills: HF3508, HF3548, HF3549
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Feb 4th, 2026

Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • of opportunity on the same footing as counties and municipalities for certain state and federal financial
Bills: S0214, S0694, S1266
Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met with a quorum present and considered three bills. First, SB 214 by Senator McLean, a rural access bill for special districts, was amended to allow independent special districts in rural areas to receive certain state and federal financial assistance payments directly for verified work rather than relying on reimbursement. Testimony in support came from representatives of water and sewer entities and the Florida Association of Special Districts. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS/SB 214 favorably. Next, the committee took up CS/SB 1266 by Senator Collada on cybersecurity internships and workforce readiness. The bill was amended to create a cybersecurity experiential learning opportunity and clearance readiness program within the Department of Commerce, working with Cyber Florida at USF. A proposed amendment to the amendment was withdrawn by Senator Bernard. With no opposition noted, the committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS/SB 1266 favorably. Finally, the committee heard CS/SB 694 by Senator Bracey Davis, which provides compensation to the descendants of the Groveland Four—Charles Greenlee, Walter Irvin, Samuel Shepard, and Ernest Thomas—for wrongful convictions and related harms. The bill was presented as a justice and redress measure, with supportive testimony from Delatry Hollinger and comments from Senator Smith and the chair praising the effort. The committee reported CS/SB 694 favorably, and then adjourned without further business.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • The people of Texas didn't elect financial institutions from Wall Street or activist non-partisans.
  • It sends a chilling message to conform to the political orthodoxy, or lose access to basic financial
  • ESG-driven financial discrimination against entire groups, industries, companies, or individuals has
  • Their advice is not tied to financial performance.
  • They have to prioritize in writing that they prioritize financial returns over ideology.
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

House Education Committee, February 20, 2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • aligned with institutional satisfactory academic progress standards as already defined for federal financial
  • I'm not sure if I'm prepared to support it just because of the financial change that it may bring to
  • cap to the tuition increases, you know, by sending a benchmark, but would want to evaluate the financials
Bills: SF0018, SF0036, SF0047
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • It increases transparency, prevents unexpected financial burdens on homebuyers, and ensures fairness
  • Technological innovation, HB 4751 establishes the Texas Quantum Initiative.
  • We need to be well positioned; we need to be driving and innovating for the future of our country.
  • This proposal is a proactive measure to safeguard financial liberty.
  • Consumer choice and economic innovation in an evolving financial landscape where digital assets and alternative