Video & Transcript Research : 'cotton levy'
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MD
Transcript Highlights:
- . >> All right, Senators, we are very pleased this evening to be joined by Pastor Ray Cotton of Mount
- the invocation. >> All right, Senators, we are very pleased this evening to be joined by Pastor Ray Cotton
- When I think about Pastor Ray Cotton, who leads Mount Si Baptist Church, I think about him leading since
- /c><00:02:05.200><c> um</c><00:02:06.240><c> Pastor</c><00:02:06.560><c> Ray</c><00:02:06.799><c> Cotton
- ,</c><00:02:07.280><c> who</c> think about um Pastor Ray Cotton, who think about um Pastor Ray Cotton
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, right, right now, uh, Representative Lopez, we're in the South Texas inspecting, uh, cotton equipment
- that's leaving and headed to the High Plains into the rolling plains to harvest cotton.
- have to be very specifically cleaned, so they don't transport things like a boll weevil or other cotton
- We've got a new cotton seed bug that we're on the lookout for that could, uh, destroy our cotton industry
- You know, pecan industry, pecan weevils, all kinds of molds, uh bollworms, again, another cotton cotton
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Transportation, Highways and Public Works Apr 21st, 2026
Transportation, Highways & Public Works
Transcript Highlights:
- Sean Cotton, I got that one. Joe Mapes. Joe Mapes. Penmanship's better than Mr. Maves.
- Public purposes are limited to drainage, flood control, levies, coastal navigation protection, etc.
Bills:
HCR32, HB493, HB679, HB745, HB896, HB1000, HB1024, HB1050, HB1159, HB1172, HB1173, HB1207, HB1208, HB1218
Keywords:
Saint Claude Avenue Bridge, Port of New Orleans, backup motors, infrastructure, traffic management, expropriation, property rights, Amite River Basin, drainage, East Feliciana Parish, St. Helena Parish, government authority, traumatic brain injury, identification card, law enforcement training, medical verification, disability rights, special permits, transportation, tandem loads
Summary:
The House Transportation Committee met on April 21 and considered a series of transportation, licensing, tolling, and public safety measures. It reported favorably House Bill 745, extending special permits for tandem loads hauling containers to and from port facilities; House Bill 1000, a DOTD cleanup bill that clarifies Highway Priority Program reporting and raises the letter-bid contract threshold from $1 million to $3 million; and House Bill 1050, which clarifies commercial driver’s license rules, including age and intrastate/interstate driving limits. The committee also approved House Bill 1172 naming a portion of U.S. Highway 165 in Oberlin the Coulin Brooks Manuel Memorial Highway, House Bill 1218 naming a portion of Louisiana Highway 1090 the Lewis Pat Miramon Memorial Highway, House Concurrent Resolution 32 urging backup motors for the St. Claude Avenue Bridge, and House Bill 1207 on public contracting standards and competition in public bidding.
A major portion of the meeting focused on House Bill 896, which responds to tolling issues at the Belle Chasse bridge project. The bill would require toll signage, local toll customer service centers, dispute procedures, and limits on administrative fees, with amendments addressing effective dates, in-person assistance, appeal deadlines, law-enforcement exemptions, and limits on certain charges. The author and witnesses described high administrative fees, long travel distances to customer service locations, and problems with toll bills, while committee members noted the issue was complex and ongoing. The committee reported the bill favorably as amended.
The committee also heard House Bill 1159, allowing Jefferson Parish municipalities to use automated speed enforcement devices again under local control. Supporters from Gretna, Westwego, Harahan, and Kenner said photo enforcement reduced crashes, improved safety, and helped limited police resources, while opponents were not emphasized in the transcript. After discussion about whether the measure should be voluntarily or involuntarily deferred, the committee ultimately deferred the bill. House Bill 493, which would prohibit expropriation by the Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District in East Feliciana and St. Helena Parishes, drew extensive testimony about reservoir fears and local opposition; the committee voluntarily deferred it. House Bill 679, as substituted, created a driver’s license designation for people with brain injuries and required related law-enforcement training; witnesses described personal experiences with brain injury and the need for officers to recognize communication and behavioral effects, and the committee reported the substitute favorably. House Bill 1173, which waives late fees for certain reinstatement-relief payment plans for driver’s licenses, was also reported favorably, and House Bill 1024 creating a Louisiana Democratic Party prestige plate was approved as well.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The Texas High Plains produces about 50% of the state's cotton which is approximately 30% of the nation's
- cotton.
- Texas leads the nation in cotton, beef, dairy... feed exports, and is the sixth leading exporter in the
Keywords:
SJR 2, Senate Joint Resolution 2, constitutional amendment, homestead exemption, property tax relief, school property tax, ad valorem tax, residence homestead, school district taxes, Texas Constitution Article VIII, public school finance, homeowner exemption, elderly exemption, senior tax relief, disabled exemption, tax year 2025, voter approval, November 2025 ballot, local government, Ways & Means
AZ
Bills:
HB2014, HB2031, HB2078, HB2102, HB2103, HB2117, HB2261, HB2262, HB2264, HB2278, HB2428, HB2494, HB2756, HB2758, HB2762, HB2782, HB2932, HB2933, HB2986
Keywords:
air emissions, fuel blends, environmental quality, feasibility study, Arizona Department of Agriculture, water rights, groundwater, Willcox, active management area, certificate of grandfathered rights, Arizona legislature, aggregate mining, reclamation plans, environmental protection, public safety, land use, domestic water, improvement district, water delivery, water hauling
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the posture of United States Northern Command and United States Southern Command in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2026 and the Future Years Defense Program; to be immediately followed by a closed ses Feb 13th, 2025 at 08:30 am
Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel
Transcript Highlights:
- Senators Cotton and Gillibrand are working together on ways to counter drones.
- Excellent point, Senator Cotton. Senator Hirono and then Senator Sullivan. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
- I'm glad my colleague, Senator Cotton, asked about UASs.
- As you mentioned in your opening statement, and in the discussion with Senator Cotton, we've seen UAS
- The authority to defend a base, as Senator Cotton mentioned, remains with the installation commander
Keywords:
national security, China, Russia, cybersecurity, border security, military deployment, transnational crime, defense modernization, military strategy
Summary:
In this meeting, key topics included national security concerns with an emphasis on threats from China, Russia, and transnational criminal organizations. Senior military officials provided testimony on the evolving risks posed by these adversaries, particularly focusing on cybersecurity and advancements in weaponry. The discussion highlighted the importance of a cohesive strategy among government departments to effectively respond to the challenges presented by these threats, emphasizing the need for modernization in defense capabilities. Committee members grilled the witnesses on border security and the implications of deploying military resources in domestic operations.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Governmental Organization Committee Apr 14th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- distinguished professor emerita of entomology from UC Davis, and Taylor Triffo, on behalf of California Cotton
- Taylor Triffo on behalf of the California Cotton Growers and Ginners Association in support of this bill
- In cotton fields, they act like natural predators, feeding on a range of pests and insects that can damage
- cotton crops and reduce yields.
- Yellow jackets are valuable allies to farmers. and insects that can damage cotton crops and reduce yields
Summary:
The committee heard several bills focused largely on regulatory oversight, food insecurity, state symbols, immigration-related funding, and ethnic media outreach. SB 885 and SB 986 would require major regulations with estimated economic impacts over $50 million to come back to the Legislature for review; supporters said this would restore accountability and help address affordability, while opponents warned it would delay health, safety, and worker protections. SB 1025 would create an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate food programs across state departments, expand outreach, run a hunger hotline, and analyze service gaps; members generally supported the goal but urged stronger reporting and oversight language. SB 1214 would designate the Western monarch as California’s state butterfly, and SB 1178 would designate the California yellow jacket as the state wasp, with testimony emphasizing conservation, ecology, and agricultural benefits. SB 1286 would recognize the California sea lion as the state pinniped, with supporters citing its role as a sentinel species and conservation success story. SB 1171 would make private entities that contract with ICE ineligible for state-funded grants or loans; supporters framed it as a response to ICE conduct, while opponents raised concerns about unintended impacts on contractors providing essential services and possible federal retaliation. SB 1358 would create the Ethnic and Community Media Equity Act to improve state advertising and outreach to ethnic and community media through a database and contracting requirements, with supporters arguing it would improve effectiveness and reach underserved communities.
Several bills were advanced on committee votes, many with roll calls held open for absent members. SB 885, SB 986, SB 1025, SB 1214, SB 1178, SB 1286, and SB 1171 all received motions to do pass, with some members noting support but also urging amendments or guardrails, especially on timing, reporting, and oversight. The committee also took up a consent calendar of multiple items after quorum was established.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Act produced 50% of all the pecans in the state of Texas, but we also produce Pima cotton.
- We're the only county that. that produces Pima cotton.
- intervened as quickly as we did it would have gone all over all the way to the planes and destroyed our cotton
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nominations of Elise Stefanik, of New York, to be the Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations, with the rank and status of Ambassador, and the Representative of the United States of America in the Jan 21st, 2025
Foreign Relations Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- I want to say what a privilege it is to share the podium with my friend, Tom Cotton.
- Well said, Senator Cotton.
- Well, thank you, Senator Cotton, and again, well said.
- This is widely recognized by people here up on the Hill, Senator Cotton, Senator Capito, both made reference
- As **Senator Tom Cotton** [member_21320] mentioned in his opening statement, I was one of the founding
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- For many of y'all may be interested in college football in the Cotton Bowl stadium.
- And next up after that, we'll be securing the funding for the West... side of the Cotton Bowl to ensure
- that we can create the Cotton Bowl Stadium to continue to have historic... presence, but also compete
- Contract with the schools goes through 2036 to continue hosting that at Cotton Bowl Stadium as long as
- And so, you will notice while the overall aesthetic of the cotton bowl will remain the same.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Right now, representing Lopez, we're in South Texas inspecting cotton equipment that's leaving and headed
- to the high plains, into the rolling plains to harvest cotton.
- They have to be very specifically cleaned so they don't transport things like a boll weevil or other cotton
- We've got a new cottonseed bug that we're on the lookout for that could destroy our cotton industry.
- All kinds of molds, bollworms—again, another cotton pest—wood borers that can destroy our forestry industry
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine certain pending nominations. May 1st, 2025 at 08:30 am
Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel
Transcript Highlights:
- Chairman, or Senator Cotton, are you in charge? Mr.
- Senator Cotton started on this line of questioning a little bit and I want to pursue a little bit more
- I think I heard a commitment to Senator Cotton about his home state priority.
- Overbaugh, every time, and like Senator Cotton, I also serve on the Intelligence Committee, to me the
Keywords:
Department of Defense, nominations, Matthew Lohmeyer, Justin Overbaugh, global security, military readiness, NATO, Russia, China, defense infrastructure
Summary:
The meeting was primarily focused on discussing nominations for key positions within the Department of Defense, specifically for roles such as the Undersecretary of the Air Force and the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security. Senators expressed urgent concerns about global security threats, the need for robust military readiness, and the emphasis on effective collaboration with NATO allies amidst rising tensions with adversaries such as Russia and China. Several senators highlighted the challenges facing military infrastructure and defense capabilities, suggesting a critical need for improvements and investment in these areas to ensure national security.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/23/2026 - House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- Those emerging threats endanger our premier cotton industry, and the northward spread of the New World
- And of course, today what we wear is all synthetic, and so there isn't vast fields of cotton anymore.
- What we wear is all synthetic, and so there isn't vast fields of cotton anymore.
Summary:
The Committee on Land, Agriculture and Rural Affairs heard four measures and advanced each on a do pass recommendation. SB 1199 was amended to require the Arizona Department of Agriculture to post the Salt River horse herd agreement on its website. Supporters said the change would improve public transparency and access to the agreement governing the Salt River wild horse herd; the department said it was neutral and noted the agreement is already on the state procurement website. The bill passed 6-3 after members debated whether the requirement should be in statute or handled administratively.
SB 1761 appropriates General Fund money to the University of Arizona for the Yuma Center for Excellence for Desert Agriculture, Cooperative Extension, and the Arizona Experiment Station over multiple fiscal years. Senator Tim Dunn and supporters from the Arizona Farm Bureau said the funding would strengthen agricultural research, extension services, rural counties, and water and crop-related innovation. Several members said the bill was important to Arizona agriculture even though the amounts would still be subject to budget negotiations; it passed 6-1 with one present vote.
SB 1198, as amended, continued the Arizona Beef Council and the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board for eight years. Testimony from the Beef Council and veterinary board emphasized that both entities are industry-funded or self-funded and provide ongoing services without taxpayer dollars. Some members objected to combining the two continuations and to the eight-year term, but the bill passed 4-3 with one present vote.
SB 1683 expanded restrictions on land ownership and related transactions involving foreign adversary nations and agents, especially near critical infrastructure and military installations. Supporters, including representatives tied to Luke Air Force Base and the bill sponsor, argued it would address national security risks and protect training and mission security. Opponents said the bill broadened the scope of prior law too far without enough justification. It passed 5-3 and the meeting adjourned.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Energy and Natural Resources Oversight Mar 4th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- Would you say that if you were in the cotton stripping or cotton picking business and you were frustrated
- other pieces of equipment marketed in the United States by any other corporation that make modern cotton
Bills:
HB4246, HB4230, HB3617, HB3657, HB2976, HB3391, HB4459, HB4128, HB3989, HB2989, HB4060, HB3145, HB2992, HB3464, HB4246, HB4230, HB3617, HB3657, HB2976, HB3391, HB4459, HB4128, HB3989, HB2989, HB4060, HB3145, HB2992, HB3464
Keywords:
HB4246, water rights, rural water, wastewater, drinking water, environmental quality, DEQ, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, Oklahoma Rural Water Association, technical assistance, water infrastructure, small systems, utility operators, emergency water response, nonprofit contractors, vendor qualification, competitive bidding, best value procurement, central purchasing act, rural utilities
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Session Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- , devoted grandfather, Pop, to Otto and Wolfstrom, loving son of the late Clarence Booty and Mary Cotton
- Loving son-in-law of the late Vincent and Margaret Peggy Collins of South Boston, dear cousin of Mary Cotton
Summary:
The Senate convened with the Pledge of Allegiance and first took up final passage of H. 4426, establishing a sick leave bank for Paul Starvasky of the Department of Correction. A standing vote was required for the emergency preamble, which was adopted, and the bill later passed to be enacted along with H. 4158, expanding the Select Board of the Town of Weston, and H. 4532, exempting certain affordable housing and branch library space in Dorchester from public procurement laws. All three bills were signed by the President and sent to the Governor.
The chamber also adopted a Senate resolution commending Hope and Comfort Incorporated for observing Hygiene and Security Awareness Week. In addition, the Senate ordered to a third reading and then passed to be engrossed S. 1859, a retirement bill for Walter L. Gertner, a former Attleboro firefighter, and H. 360, a bill further regulating certain on-premises alcoholic beverage licenses in Holyoke. The Senate also suspended rules to advance a petition concerning purchase of out-of-state service and referred it to the Committee on Public Service, and received a House bill revising the charter of the town of Millis, which was ordered to a third reading.
The Senate referred a House petition on expanding access to the family self-sufficiency program to the Committee on Housing. Members then adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of Stephen E. Strum, with a brief remembrance read into the record. Finally, the Senate adopted an order to meet again the following Thursday at 11 a.m. and adjourned.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture - 04/21/2026
Agriculture
Transcript Highlights:
- There's a federal bill by Senator Cotton, who is looking to do a study.
- Federal bill by Senator Cotton, who is looking to do a study on setting some thresholds and some recommendations
Summary:
The Standing Committee on Agriculture considered a full agenda of bills covering animal welfare, school food standards, farm succession planning, microchipping, electronic reporting, and baby food safety. Several measures were reported or advanced without objection, including S.1743 (referred to Codes), S.30738 on a civil remedy for companion animals denied proper care, S.5488 on microchipping certain animals, and S.5689 on authorizing electronic reporting. S.3214B, which would prohibit the sale of foods containing synthetic additives in schools, was advanced to the Education Committee; two members were recorded without recommendation on that bill.
The committee also discussed S.4755A, Senator Bailey’s farm ownership succession planning program, though the transcript does not capture a final vote on that item. The most detailed discussion centered on S.8701A, Senator Hinchey’s bill requiring testing of baby food and formula for toxic heavy metals and disclosure of results. Members asked about federal standards, supply-chain impacts, and whether ingredient suppliers should also be covered. Supporters said there are limited federal standards, cited similar laws in California, Virginia, Maryland, and Illinois, and argued the bill would protect consumers without disrupting supply. The bill was then moved to the Consumer Protection Committee.
At the close of the meeting, the chair noted the large number of animal-related bills on the agenda and mentioned upcoming Animal Advocacy Day. The committee then adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The law allows a taxing unit to levy an unrestricted INS, interest and sinking property tax rate, to
Keywords:
SB 263, Texas franchise tax, cost of goods sold, COGS, broadcasters, television broadcasting, radio broadcasting, media tax, broadcast license, FCC, 47 C.F.R. Part 73, 47 C.F.R. Part 74, film production, television production, tax deduction, margin tax, Texas Tax Code, depreciation, amortization, broadcast rights
TX
Texas 89th Regular
S/C on County & Regional Government Apr 21st, 2025 at 01:04 pm
S/C on County & Regional Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Article 1517 specified that to levy a county tax, all five members of the commissioner's court must be
- In both cases, the court stated the law to levy a tax was that a commissioner's court, quote, can levy
- This seems to roll it back to the original, to say, levy.
- you know, obviously it would be the judge's determination: is there a difference between adopt and levy
- And again, this bill would only affect new tax levies and tax rates because it would go back to the,
Bills:
HB240, HB2097, HB2731, HB3087, HB3234, HB3319, HB3394, HB3687, HB4105, HB4205, HB4350, HB4462, HB4642, HB4801, HB5403
Keywords:
quorum, tax levy, county governance, local government, population regulations, quorum requirement, Texas counties, population threshold, deputy sheriff, civil service, law enforcement, appeals process, sheriff's department, HB 2731, roadside vendors, solicitors, county regulation, border counties, Mexico border, Transportation Code
Summary:
The subcommittee on county and regional government heard a long agenda of county-related bills, with most measures left pending after testimony. HB 2097, by Rep. Martinez, would let counties that opt in use an independent hearing examiner instead of a civil service commission for certain deputy sheriff discipline appeals; the bill drew support from CLEET’s Robert Leonard, who said it would be fairer and faster, and it was left pending. HB 4642, by Rep. Gonzalez, would require counties that contract with out-of-state jail facilities to include Texas jail-standard protections and oversight; Gonzalez, detainee Jess Hampton, his wife, Texas Jail Project’s Krish Kundu, and TCJS director Brandon Wood all discussed deaths and poor conditions in Louisiana facilities, staffing shortages, and the need for guardrails and data collection. The bill was left pending.
The committee also heard HB 4350, by Rep. Capriglione, allowing peace officers to request redaction of personal information from online real property records. Supporters said officers face targeted threats and should have protections similar to judges; a title industry witness warned about preserving the integrity of land records. The bill was left pending. HB 3687, by Rep. Harless, would require county fire marshals in counties over 100,000 to meet training and certification standards within set timeframes; Harris County Fire Marshal Laurie Christensen supported professionalization, and the bill was left pending. HB 4105 would let very large counties give a local-bid preference for construction and infrastructure contracts, and HB 4205 would require pay parity for similar law enforcement ranks within large counties; both were supported by Harris County officials and constables and left pending.
Later, the committee heard HB 5403, which would repeal a special rule limiting Dallas and Tarrant county sheriffs’ control over commissary funds; the author said it would remove an outdated population bracket, and the bill was left pending. HB 4462 would require large counties to allow elected officials named in civil suits to seek outside counsel and have a role in settlement decisions; supporters argued county attorneys and commissioners court can have conflicts of interest, while questions focused on who qualifies and whether the bill could complicate settlements. The bill was left pending. Finally, HB 240, by Rep. Swanson, would restore a five-member quorum requirement for Harris County tax levies, effectively preventing tax action without all commissioners present and defaulting to the no-new-revenue rate if quorum is not met; urban counties opposed it as a potential budget obstruction, while supporters said it protects taxpayers and representation. That bill was also left pending. The transcript ends as the committee begins HB 3319, which would create a civil service system for constable department employees in large counties, but the discussion is cut off before testimony or action.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
S/C on County & Regional Government Apr 21st, 2025
S/C on County & Regional Government
Transcript Highlights:
- In both cases, the court stated that the law to levy a tax was that a commissioner's court "can levy
- Revenue rate in 24, if in 25 we don't have five members of the court, we couldn't levy.
- It's an active verb; we could not levy the rate even if we adopted it in 24, and that is exceedingly
- This seems to roll it back to the original, the say, levy. And by the same token, it...
- Is there a difference between adopt and levy?
Bills:
HB240, HB2097, HB2731, HB3087, HB3234, HB3319, HB3394, HB3687, HB4105, HB4205, HB4350, HB4462, HB4642, HB4801, HB5403, HB240
Keywords:
quorum, tax levy, county governance, local government, population regulations, quorum requirement, Texas counties, population threshold, deputy sheriff, civil service, law enforcement, appeals process, sheriff's department, HB 2731, roadside vendors, solicitors, county regulation, border counties, Mexico border, Transportation Code
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Also, finally, in our packet is a graph that looks like this that shows school district property tax levies
- Government continues to rapidly increase spending and property tax levies, eating into the relief that
- Spending and tax levies must be controlled. We must close loopholes.
- To your question on the loss to local governments, we do- be levy loss to cities, counties, and special
- However, the that levy loss could be potentially offset by through the calculations of the tax rates
Keywords:
HB 8, school finance, compressed tax rate, maximum compressed tax rate, MCR, PYMCR, property tax, school district taxes, Education Code, Tax Code, state aid, school funding formula, local school taxes, Texas school finance, tax rate compression, public education funding, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property