Video & Transcript : 'Houston/Hunter Act' :
Page 80 of 500
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- So under the Medical Malpractice Act, if you’re an independent provider, the elements to enter the act
- Young Park is not a random act of violence.
- Young Park is not a random act of violence.
- Section 3 through 9 amend the Delinquency Act.
- We need to change the Delinquency Act.
Committee:
Senate House Judiciary
Keywords:
medical malpractice, malpractice reform, patient's compensation fund, PCF, health care liability, tort reform, damage caps, punitive damages, hospital liability, physician liability, nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, outpatient facility, ambulatory surgical center, urgent care, free-standing emergency room, insurance surcharge, superintendent of insurance, New Mexico hospitals, medical review process
Summary:
The committee first took up a lengthy informational presentation on the Patient Compensation Fund (PCF) and New Mexico medical malpractice insurance. Teresa Hassey, a plaintiffs’ attorney, described the PCF’s origin in the 1976 Medical Malpractice Act, its role as a state-backed excess coverage system, and her view that it was mismanaged when hospital participation expanded without individualized risk assessments. She argued that hospitals underpaid surcharges, that the fund was depleted by claims, and that the 2021 amendments and later legislative infusions were meant to shore up deficits and phase hospitals out. Superintendent of Insurance Alice Kane and LFC analyst Julia Rodriguez presented a different perspective, emphasizing recent general fund infusions, current surcharge collections, the use of actuarial reviews, and the PCF’s budget and settlement activity. Kane said the market is highly concentrated, New Mexico’s malpractice costs and defense expenses are high, and the fund still provides lower-cost coverage than the open market, while also noting ongoing issues with future medical claims, TPA transition, and investment management.
Committee members questioned the presenters at length about why New Mexico malpractice premiums are so high, whether defense costs were being conflated with claim payouts, how the PCF works with primary coverage and excess coverage, and whether hospitals were properly assessed when they entered the fund. Several senators raised concerns about punitive damages, corporate practice of medicine, and whether the state’s legal environment is driving doctors away. Others challenged the data comparisons, noting differences between one-year figures and multi-year averages, and asked why New Mexico’s costs remain far above neighboring states. Kane and Hassey disagreed on the causes, with Kane pointing to high claims and defense costs over time and Hassey arguing that hospital participation and punitive-damage exposure distorted the market. The chair concluded the discussion by saying the committee had not exhausted the topic and that he still wanted a clear path to reducing doctors’ insurance costs.
After a break, the committee moved on to Senate Bill 41. Senator Charlie introduced the bill, which would eliminate the statute of limitations for the most serious sexual crimes in New Mexico. He argued that trauma, coercion, fear, and delayed disclosure often prevent survivors from reporting promptly, and said the law should reflect that reality. The bill was presented as a response to survivor testimony heard in a prior hearing, and the sponsor framed it as part of a broader effort to modernize the justice system for sexual violence cases.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Education Policy Committee Feb 11th, 2026
Education Policy
Committee:
Senate Education Policy
Keywords:
sales tax exemption, Consumer Price Index, local government, clothing, school supplies, emergency preparedness, Alabama Administrative Procedure Act, APA, administrative law, judicial review, agency deference, Chevron deference, de novo review, contested case, state agency, regulatory power, individual liberty, statutory interpretation, rule interpretation, license revocation
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Labor & Workplace Standards Jan 28th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Labor & Workplace Standards
Transcript Highlights:
- The third amendment, Rial 015 from Rep Obos removes the Attorney General's authority to enforce the act
- The Rep Obras removes the Attorney General's authority to enforce the act.
- The OAH must follow procedures in the Washington Administrative Procedure Act when serving administrative
Committee:
House Labor & Workplace Standards
Keywords:
transparency, industrial insurance, insurance rate increases, financial disclosure, regulatory oversight, unemployment, electronic notices, compensation, digital communication, order processing, workers' compensation, occupational disease, firefighters, fire investigators, law enforcement officers, first responders, heart disease, cardiac conditions, respiratory disease, cancer presumption
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Provisions of this act make it difficult for farmers to shift to Provisions of this act make it difficult
- oversight and that sort of transparency is provided by ADWR and the existing Groundwater Management Act
- , just as his predecessor took the opinion contrary to it. ...Clean Air Act, just as his predecessor
- They created the Clean Air Act; they created the EPA. In the course of it...
- They created the Clean Air Act; they created the EPA.
Committee:
Senate Natural Resources
Keywords:
electronic monitoring, nursing care, assisted living, resident rights, privacy, consent, surveillance, stormwater, water storage, replenishment credits, groundwater, aquifer, Arizona Revised Statutes, irrigation rights, water duty, water allocation, management areas, Arizona beef council, beef promotion, agricultural marketing
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- They are also prepared to act in emergency situations, further contributing to the safety of young pedestrians
- DART's impactful work, particularly in the drafting and advocacy for the Americans with Disabilities Act
- Act and proposed naming the facility as lead-on transit amenity to commemorate his legacy.
Committee:
Senate Administration
Keywords:
Unplug Texas Day, digital detox, family activities, outdoor recreation, community engagement, crossing guard, school crossing guard, crosswalk safety, school safety, student pedestrian safety, traffic safety, elementary school, campus safety, pedestrian awareness, bicycle safety, traffic regulations, commemorative resolution, appreciation day, Texas Legislature, honorary designation
MN
Committee:
House Taxes
Keywords:
local government aid, Baldwin, taxation, base year formula, municipal funding, population aid, aid penalty forgiveness, Minnesota, city funding, appropriations, HF156, lawful gambling, veterans organizations, licensed veterans organization, Minnesota gambling law, gross profits, lawful purpose, real property repair, facility maintenance, capital assets
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development Apr 2nd, 2025
Trade, Workforce & Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- bills that responded to that devastation along the Gulf Coast from Refugio all the way up through Houston
- I'm from Houston.
- It landed on Texas, and the Lorenzos ended up in Houston, Texas.
- We supply pizzas and tortillas to grocers and restaurants around Houston.
- Houston et al. was 4.4%. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission was 6.2%. And Eagle Pass was 8.7%.
Bills:
HB 112 , HB199 , HB621 , HB1349 , HB2214 , HB3466 , HB3698 , HB3699 , HCR9 , HB112 , HB199 , HCR9
Keywords:
science park district, economic development, technology innovation, higher education collaboration, infrastructure development, Texas Economic Development Office, workforce development, unemployment benefits, state average unemployment rate, benefit year, economic support, Texas Workforce Commission, property owners' association, free speech, assembly rights, government officials, political candidates, floodplain, landlord, tenant
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Mar 31st, 2025
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services
Keywords:
gift card fraud, counterfeit gift card, gift card tampering, gift card theft, prepaid card, stored value card, retail fraud, financial crimes, consumer protection, organized retail crime, gift card skimming, magnetic stripe, chip card, redemption information, gift card packaging, Penal Code, felony theft, state jail felony, third-degree felony, second-degree felony
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 2/18/25
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Keywords:
HF110, Adrian Independent School District, Independent School District No. 511, school construction, sales tax exemption, use tax refund, refundable exemption, construction materials, capital improvements, school roofing, playground remodel, retaining walls, plumbing, bathroom remodel, locker room remodel, window replacements, local tax relief, general fund appropriation, Minnesota chapter 297A, retroactive tax refund
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee Feb 12th, 2025
Finance and Taxation Education
Transcript Highlights:
- Because it seems like the Civil Disabilities Act through HHS, I know we've done some things with matching
Committee:
Senate Finance and Taxation Education
Keywords:
workers' compensation, public education, employee injury, insurance trust fund, on-the-job injury, administrative procedures, adult-size changing table, changing station, accessible restroom, public bathroom, public building, public entity, ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act, accessibility, restroom renovation, new construction, grant program, state grant, local government facilities
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Feb 12th, 2025
Military and Veterans Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- The amendment is to replace line 245 on page N9 with the following: "The board is subject to the Open Act
- People have signed in, and as the acting chairman allocates, we will hear...
- From the GI Bill to the PACT Act, we acknowledge that the commissioner should serve as part of the governor's
Committee:
House Military and Veterans Affairs
Keywords:
veterans affairs, Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, State Board of Veterans Affairs, commissioner, governor appointment, board advisory, veteran service organizations, veterans homes, veterans cemeteries, veteran service officers, district managers, state veterans home trust fund, veterans benefits, military veterans, disabled veterans, elderly veterans, active-duty service members, state agency reorganization, executive authority, governance reform
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- So, Hunter, thank you, Brian. Senators, as Brian shared, my name is Hunter Heavlin.
- Um, so coming in from the OBBBA act.
- Yeah, I just continue with, uh, with Hunter here.
- So, you'd mentioned in your Hunter here.
- ,</c> Senator Gabbert, you had asked Hunter, Senator Gabbert, you had asked Hunter, you<01:47:33.440>
Summary:
The joint informational briefing focused on how federal policy changes, tariffs, funding cuts, the federal shutdown, and delays in the farm bill are affecting Hawaii agriculture and food access. Opening remarks emphasized Hawaii’s heavy dependence on imported food and farm inputs, the state’s vulnerability to disruptions in USDA services, and the need for stronger state, county, and community coordination. Speakers also noted that immigration enforcement and broader global supply-chain pressures can affect local farm labor, production, and food availability.
Sharon Herd, chair of the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, described both positive and negative federal impacts. She said Hawaii has benefited from some recurring grants and a large new $8.8 million federal grant, but also reported about $22 million in losses from suspended or terminated grants, including farm-to-school and water-related projects. She said some USDA programs, such as microgrants for food security and FISMIP, are currently suspended, while the specialty crop block grant remains active. She also said Hawaii farms declined from 7,328 to 6,569 between the 2017 and 2022 censuses and argued the state cannot rely on imports alone to feed its people.
Amanda Shaw of Agriculture Stewardship Hawaii presented findings from federal funding cut reports. She said the first report, in March, identified about $88 million in potential cuts, and the newer report found $64.7 million in confirmed cuts and about $175 million in potential cuts. She said federal shifts are creating uncertainty for farmers, food-system organizations, and school and community food programs, and noted that 4,000 to 5,000 Hawaii farmers could receive less money because of changes to payment-factor provisions for socially disadvantaged farmers. She also said Hawaii has lost 18% of local USDA staff since September 2024, with possible further national reductions expected. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only, and the chair noted that any legal questions, including the reported SNAP changes, would be for the Judiciary Committee to assess later.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
AEN-HOU, AEN-EIG, AEN Public Hearings 03-18-2026
Agriculture and Environment
Transcript Highlights:
- In support on Zoom, Hunter Hevlin from In support on Zoom, Hunter Hevlin from Hawaii<00:02:30.920><c>
- Hunter Hevlin chairs, committee members.
- Thank<00:02:51.880><c> you,</c><00:02:51.960><c> Hunter.</c> Thank you, Hunter. Thank you, Hunter.
- I got a question for you, Hunter. Yes.
- Hunter Evelyn on Zoom Not Thank you.
Committee:
Senate Agriculture and Environment
Keywords:
animal control, spay and neuter, pet overpopulation, sterilization, counties funding, tax designation, veterinary care, electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, energy policy, rebate program, environmental impact, renewable fuels, sustainable aviation fuel, tax credit, greenhouse gas emissions, local production, energy resilience, agricultural innovation, job creation
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on HB 1737, which clarifies allowable uses in agricultural districts for farm dwellings and farm employee housing, and HB 1604 HD2, which creates an agricultural workforce housing working group within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Testimony on HB 1737 was overwhelmingly supportive, with county agriculture officials, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Farmers Union backing the measure; one witness asked for a definition of “affordable” to guard against misuse of farm housing. For HB 1604, the Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Hawaii Farmers Union, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the bill, with OHA requesting disaggregated data and a seat on the working group. Committee discussion focused on housing shortages, possible misuse, affordability, and whether innovative housing models such as modular, tiny, and container homes should be considered.
The committee then took action on both measures. HB 1737 HD3 was recommended to pass with amendments that would limit farm employee housing to agricultural employees and their immediate family members actively engaged in the farm operation, add a grandfathering provision for existing permitted housing, preserve county zoning authority, clarify that ag tourism must be secondary and not occur in employee housing, delete a square-footage-per-acre ratio, and defer the effective date to July 1, 2050. HB 1604 HD2 was also recommended to pass with amendments adding OHA and a housing-shortage organization to the working group, expanding its scope to include modular, tiny, and container homes and permitting/zoning streamlining, and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. Both motions were adopted unanimously by the members present.
The joint hearing then moved to HB 1736, which would establish a spay and neuter special fund and require sterilization and declaration provisions for cats, with some discussion of dogs. DLNR and the Hawaiian Humane Society supported the bill, while Pacific Pet Alliance objected to the broader requirements and the inclusion of dogs; the Hawaiian Humane Society and American Bird Conservancy supported cat-focused sterilization and the special fund, while some testifiers opposed mandatory sterilization as too costly or intrusive. Members raised questions about toxoplasmosis, trap-neuter-release, enforcement, neighbor-island access, and funding needs, and DLNR indicated additional funding and third-party contracting would likely be needed. The transcript then began HB 1620 HD2 on energy, which would increase the environmental response energy and food security tax and shift funds from the hydrogen fueling subaccount to EV charging infrastructure; state agencies generally stood on written testimony in support, while the Tax Foundation objected to special fund earmarks and noted the bill raises only one part of the barrel tax structure.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill will impose a particularly rigid and different structure for the University of Houston.
- When I meet them, I try to tell them how great Houston is—that's where I am.
- I'm a Master of Social Work student at the University of Houston.
- Representative VanDeaver, A&M Commerce, and Representative Ward Johnson, University of Houston.
- I'm a professor of English at the University of Houston.
Bills:
SB 37
Committee:
House Higher Education
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture & Natural Resources Jan 21st, 2026 at 08:00 am
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- Hunter, you are in the Zoom room and ready to go.
- My name is Melissa Hunter.
- Hunter while she's with us? Okay. Ms.
- Hunter shaking her head online. So thank you both for joining us today.
- Hunter shaking her head online. So thank you both for joining us today.
Committee:
House Agriculture & Natural Resources
Keywords:
wildfire prevention, Washington wildfire council, fire safety, environmental protection, state regulations, HB 2238, HB2238, statewide food security, food security strategy, hunger, food insecurity, food access, food assistance, anti-hunger, nutrition education, food system literacy, agricultural viability, supply chain resilience, Washington Department of Agriculture, food policy forum
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture & Natural Resources Jan 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Hunter, you are in the Zoom room and ready to go.
- My name is Melissa Hunter.
- Hunter. Thank you for sharing your story. ...of the wildfire. You're doing great. Ms. Hunter.
- Hunter while she's with us? Okay. Ms.
- Hunter shaking her head online. So thank you both for joining us today.
Summary:
The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2275, which would create a Wildfire Prevention and Protection Fund and a new council to oversee utility wildfire mitigation, claims payments, and related administration. Staff explained that investor-owned utilities would be required to participate, consumer-owned utilities could opt in, and utilities would pay annual contributions and maintain approved wildfire mitigation plans to qualify for claims coverage. The prime sponsor, Rep. Christine Reeves, said the bill was intended to address wildfire liability, support prevention, and create a more comprehensive statewide approach to wildfire risk. Members asked about retroactivity to July 1, 2021, utility contribution limits, and whether the bill would lower rates or improve mitigation funding.
Public testimony was split. Supporters included the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Department of Natural Resources, wildfire survivors, and several wildfire and insurance advocates, who emphasized the need for compensation, stable funding, prevention, and better resilience planning. Opponents included several utilities, utility associations, business groups, and public utility district representatives, who argued the bill would shift uncapped costs to ratepayers, lacked clear liability reform and solvency protections, and could be vulnerable to future fund sweeps. Some witnesses cited California’s wildfire fund as a model, while others said Washington needed a broader, more holistic solution focused on prevention and liability reform. No vote was taken on HB 2275; the public hearing was closed after testimony.
The committee then moved to executive session on House Bill 2238, which directs the Department of Agriculture to develop a statewide food security strategy and adds food security coordination and food system performance monitoring to the department’s duties. Four amendments were adopted: L-061, requiring consideration of regulatory cost metrics and periodic competitiveness reporting; L-062, directing the strategy to recommend legislative actions to make food more affordable and reduce food assistance need; L-060, adding people with lived experience of food insecurity and BIPOC small farmers to consultation requirements and focusing on root causes of hunger; and L-063, adding fuel and labor cost tracking to agricultural viability metrics. Amendment L-064, which would have required a consultant study on proposed agricultural labor legislation, failed on a 5-6 roll call vote. The committee then adopted the amended substitute and reported Substitute House Bill 2238 out of committee with a due pass recommendation by an 11-0 vote.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> that the artwork was then at a Houston that the artwork was then at a Houston auction<00:04:30.320
- </c> Next is House Bill 577, which is an act Next is House Bill 577, which is an act relating<00:32:06.400
- </c><00:42:44.560><c> relating</c> which is an act relating which is an act relating an<00:42:45.960>
- </c> Next is Senate Bill 202, which is an act Next is Senate Bill 202, which is an act relating<00:46
- So with that, Senate Bill 298 is an act relating to creating the Vermont Voting Rights Act.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- I do have an appearance form on the amendment: Tripp Hunter. Is it waiving in support?
- Tripp Hunter, Farm Bureau, waiving in support.
- I do have an appearance form on the amendment Trip Hunter. Is it waiving in support?
- Trip Hunter, Farm Bureau. prosperity, waiving in support, Tripp Hunter, Farm Bureau, waiving in support
- You'll see fewer Baker Acts.
Committee:
Senate Banking and Insurance
Summary:
The committee heard and acted on six bills. SB 480, by Senator DeSigley, would allow a narrowly tailored nonprofit agricultural organization to offer health coverage to its members, especially farmers and ranchers, outside the Florida Insurance Code; supporters said it would improve affordable access in rural areas, while the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network warned the plans would not have to cover preexisting conditions or comply with ACA protections. An amendment aligning the bill with the statute for nonprofit religious organizations was adopted, and the bill passed as amended. SB 1226, also by Senator DeSigley, would create a regulatory framework for pet insurance and wellness programs; it drew no opposition and was reported favorably. SB 988, by Senator Truenow, would revise securities exemption and filing requirements under Florida’s Invest Local exemption law; a strike-all amendment clarifying terms, fingerprinting, and related compliance provisions was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably with the committee substitute.
SB 944, by Senator Davis, would correct an omission in the law governing insurance overpayment claims so the 12-month limit applies to psychologists and HMO claims, with an effective date tied to January 1, 2026; the Florida Psychological Association supported the measure, and it was reported favorably with committee substitute after an amendment. SB 756, by Senator Burton, would remove the age-8 diagnosis cutoff and age cap for mandated insurance coverage for autism services, update the autism definition to the current DSM, and also repeal age caps for Down syndrome diagnosis; disability advocates and provider groups supported the bill, and it passed as amended. SB 1078, introduced on behalf of Senator McLean, would streamline permitting and inspection procedures for certain fire alarm and sprinkler projects, set deadlines for local agencies, limit extra documentation demands, and restrict enforcement of local ordinances not properly submitted; fire industry representatives supported the compromise amendment, some senators questioned local flexibility and permitting delays, and the bill was reported favorably after the amendment was adopted. The committee also approved a motion allowing staff to make technical and conforming changes and then adjourned.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Criminal Jurisprudence S/C New Offenses & Changed Penalties Apr 15th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Too often, cats and even dogs are injured or killed due to negligence when people act without concern
- that she was acting in a cruel manner.
- Houston alone accounted for 215 of those cases, the highest of any city in the United States.
- We want to be safe on the roadway, and Texas and Houston are... very car-centric places.
- I represent Crime Stoppers of Houston. And you're testifying for or against House Bill 795?
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Caldwell, Houston.
- A bill related to the Emergency Medical Services Act.
- As amended, the Scrivener Act ensures prosecutors cannot As amended, the Scrivener Act ensures prosecutors
- These acts are not isolated. They are not faceless.
- These acts are not isolated. They are not faceless.
Committee:
House Public Safety