Video & Transcript Research : 'elective course'
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MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- We'll take elected officials out of turn as is our custom.
- All of us are concerned about the housing crisis, of course. Everyone in this room is.
- Elected officials, residents, and community organizations have advocated for this authority.
- In conclusion, we citizens look to our elected officials to legislate wisely in the interests of the
- We kind of get lenient with these elected officials. You know how touchy they are? I do.
Summary:
The hearing focused on several climate and utility-related bills, especially H. 3449/S. 2292 to expand the municipal fossil fuel-free building demonstration program from 10 to 20 communities and related home rule petitions for Somerville and other municipalities. Witnesses from Somerville, Salem, Worcester, Cambridge, Newton, Arlington, Wellesley, Watertown, and the Massachusetts Municipal Association argued that local governments should be allowed to opt into fossil fuel-free or net-zero building standards, citing climate goals, environmental justice concerns, housing production, and data showing all-electric construction can cost about the same as or less than mixed-fuel construction. Committee members repeatedly pressed witnesses for cost data and asked for written follow-up, while also discussing whether strong environmental standards affect housing supply; witnesses responded that the main housing constraints are financing and that they would provide more data from local projects and state studies.
A second major topic was H. 3564, which would require gas companies to provide municipalities with detailed multi-year pipe replacement plans, allow local review and objections, and limit reimbursement for projects not previously disclosed except in emergencies. Municipal leaders and advocates said the bill would improve coordination of street work, reduce disruption and costs, and help cities plan for electrification, network geothermal, and non-pipeline alternatives. Testimony from Wellesley, Cambridge, Arlington, Newton, and others emphasized repeated problems with last-minute gas main work, the need for advance notice, and the value of municipal participation in planning gas system retirement and alternatives.
The committee also heard testimony on the “tactical transition” bills, S. 2249/H. 3539, aimed at managing the gas-to-clean-energy transition. Supporters from Gas Transition Allies, Rewiring America, and 350 Mass said the bills would require joint gas-electric planning, create an advisory council, eliminate subsidies for new gas hookups, shift investment toward repairs and clean alternatives, protect workers through retraining, and make utility plans more transparent. They argued these changes would reduce ratepayer costs, avoid stranded gas assets, and support orderly decarbonization. In addition, HEET testified on H. 3541, which would update greenhouse gas accounting to better reflect methane’s short-term climate impact, and H. 3543, which would establish a framework for managing shared thermal resources and thermal energy networks; committee members asked several questions about the meaning, ownership, and consumer-cost implications of the proposed “thermal commons.” No votes were taken during the hearing.
MS
Transcript Highlights:
- But of course, many of circumstances.
- This is required many days to elect service. If elected, no other provider may serve.
- <00:04:16.320>
If required many days to elect service. - If required many days to elect service.
- may elected, no other P other provider may serve. serve. serve.
Summary:
The committee took up several energy, utility, and infrastructure bills. Bill 2527 on solar decommissioning was presented as a landowner consumer-protection measure that would set statewide baseline requirements for solar lease agreements, preserve some freedom of contract, preempt duplicative local rules, and protect landowners from reclamation costs; after no questions, it was moved and passed. The committee also discussed changes to the Gulf Coast Regional Utility Act in HB 2058 and HB 2309, including new first-right-of-refusal language, prohibitions on unauthorized service, civil penalties and enforcement tools, and legislative intent language aimed at preventing duplication and protecting public investment; both were adopted as committee substitutes and passed. HB 2018 was amended to extend similar oversight to water systems, and it was reported after questions about the scope of the change.
Several bills focused on water and wastewater oversight. SB 2311 and SB 2312 would create statewide A-to-F grading systems for drinking water and wastewater systems, require annual public reporting, and direct the health and environmental agencies to adopt objective scoring rules; both were passed. SB 2526 would create a Mississippi Rural Water Oversight Committee, require rate studies, capacity studies, and asset management plans for water associations, and provide staffing and funding support from existing revolving-fund resources; it was adopted as a committee substitute and reported, with supporters saying it would help identify and assist troubled associations. The committee also heard a bill creating the Metro Jackson Water Authority, allowing a lease of city system assets, special revenue bonds to refinance legacy debt, and supplemental revenue sources such as sanitation fees and possibly sales tax revenues; the sponsor said no general fund money would be used, and the bill was reported.
The committee also advanced HB 2641, which was stripped down to a study committee on wind turbine facilities, grandfathered existing projects, and imposed a moratorium on new construction until the study is completed; members asked about existing projects and were told current projects under construction would not be penalized, and the committee substitute passed. SB 2783 would make targeted definition changes to BEAD-related broadband grant programs so remaining federal funds could support other state initiatives, including AI workforce training, and it was reported after questions about future federal guidance. Finally, HB 2787 would add propane to the school gas-leak testing statute; the sponsor said the inspections would not require additional state funding because propane dealers and the State Fire Marshal’s office already handle the checks, and the bill passed.
NY
New York 2025-2026 Regular Session
New York State Senate Session - 06/02/2026
New York Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- AS ELECT ELECTED OFFICIALS WE GA LOT OF THE ATTENTION IN THE CHAMBER AND CONSTITUENTS BUT HE WOULD BE
- And of course, these are only the reported numbers.
- And, of course, I'm talking about myself.
- We have a special day named after it just a few weeks ago, of course.
- And for me, as the last elected official who is Jewish from city...
Summary:
The Senate convened, approved the prior day’s journal, and then processed a large number of motions to discharge bills from committees and substitute identical Senate or Assembly versions for third reading. The chamber also adopted the resolution calendar with exceptions and took up several resolutions and ceremonial recognitions, including a resolution mourning Hudson Talbott, a Dairy Month resolution highlighting New York’s dairy industry, and introductions honoring Niskayuna academic teams, Gabriella Scheer for receiving the Liberty Medal, the Hartstein family’s civic engagement, and Diana Cochran’s advocacy for safe firearm storage.
The Senate then moved through the calendar and passed many bills on topics including insurance, public health, education, labor, social services, banking, local government, veterans, public service, consumer protection, criminal procedure, cannabis, parks, taxation, election law, and highway matters. Several members explained votes on notable measures: support for acupuncture insurance coverage, consumer protections for doorbell-camera data sharing, expanded protections in debt collection cases, trauma-informed procedures for sexual assault survivors, a Legionnaires’ disease awareness program, changes to mandatory minimum sentencing, and universal safe storage of firearms. A number of home rule and local authorization bills were also approved, including parkland alienation measures and local tax exemption authorizations.
Most measures passed with broad bipartisan support, though some drew recorded opposition. Notable roll calls included the consumer debt uniformity bill, the mandatory minimum sentencing bill, the safe storage/firearms bill, and the public housing and public health measures, each with more divided votes. The chamber also accepted a lengthy Rules Committee report sending many additional bills directly to third reading, and then began the supplemental calendar, passing at least the first items before the transcript ended.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on State and Local Government - 03/12/26
State and Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- Of course, I'm a yes on the bill and thank you for bringing it forward. is.
- <00:23:31.440>
Of <00:23:31.520>course, <00:23:31.760>I'm the results of the - Of course, I'm the results of the study.
- Of course, I'm a<00:23:31.920>
yes <00:23:32.280>on <00:23:32.400>the <00:23:32.480 - I just can't support it from the perspective of we don't like the results of an election and we've all
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Administrative Rules Jan 20th, 2026 at 02:00 pm
Joint Committee on Administrative Rules
Transcript Highlights:
- The first order on our agenda is the election of new chair and vice chair.
- If there are other questions, of course, I’m happy to answer them.
- Obviously, everyone here is an elected representative, an elected senator, and so you know that there
- Obviously, everyone here is an elected representative, an elected senator, and so you know that there
- But of course, there are going to be changes that we can't anticipate.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Twitty was a state-certified general appraiser before he was elected property appraiser. Mr.
- Twitty was a state-certified general appraiser before he was elected property appraiser. Mr.
- The millage side of the ball, well, that is, you know, the elected local officials answering to their
- So all property will be placed on the tax roles and value to course. evaluation of the property.
- Then I came into elected office and had to really learn the mass appraisal process.
Summary:
The Committee on Finance and Tax met with a quorum present and heard a presentation from the Property Appraisers Association of Florida on ad valorem valuation, exemptions, and the property tax process. Lauren Levy reviewed the legal and historical framework of Florida property taxation, including Save Our Homes, the 10% cap on non-homestead assessments, portability, tangible personal property exemptions, TRIM notices, and the distinction between taxable value and millage rates. He emphasized that property appraisers are independent constitutional officers who assess just value, administer exemptions, and are overseen by the Department of Revenue, with values and exemptions generally determined as of January 1 and subject to challenge through the Value Adjustment Board or circuit court.
Mike Twitty described the mass appraisal process in Pinellas County, explaining how property appraisers value large numbers of parcels using the same core approaches as fee appraisals but with statistical testing, field reviews, aerial imagery, and technology. He discussed the importance of budget, staffing, and the January 1 valuation date, and noted that recent hurricanes caused significant damage, increased petitions, and required new procedures to help property owners with value reductions and FEMA-related issues. Paul Polk focused on Department of Revenue oversight, explaining sales ratio studies, uniformity measures such as COD and PRD, time adjustments, sales qualification reviews, and in-depth studies that can lead to corrective action if assessment standards are not met. He also noted that the Department reviews property appraiser budgets to preserve independence from county pressure.
Senators asked about the supersized homestead concept, DOR review and rejection standards, value trends, and the impact of storms and new construction on taxable value. Twitty and Polk said value growth has been driven by a mix of new construction, market appreciation, cap resets, and storm-related adjustments, while noting that some counties saw market value decline even as taxable value rose. They also said some property tax relief proposals would be easier to implement than others depending on how local tax bills are structured, especially where law enforcement millage is separately identified. No votes were taken on legislation, and the committee adjourned after the presentation.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Apr 21st, 2025 at 12:30 pm
North Dakota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I want to address a couple things that I've seen in my email over the course of the last couple days
- I want to address a couple things that I've seen in my email over the course of the last couple days
- It is overwhelming, I think, sometimes for us, but certainly also for voters at election time.
- So what we're looking at here is that, For voters at election time.
- , on the primary election ballot held in June.
Summary:
The Senate reconvened and handled several House messages and conference committee appointments before taking up a series of bills. It appointed conference committees on Senate Bill 2265 and House Bills 1454, 1448, and 1524. The chamber also adopted a Senate amendment to House Bill 1216, delaying its effective date for the copay accumulator prescription drug bill to January 1, 2026, with later renewal timing for non-PERS plans.
House Bill 1216 then came up for final passage. Senators debated whether allowing copay accumulator programs to count manufacturer coupons toward deductibles would help patients with expensive drugs or unfairly shift costs to insurers and other policyholders. Supporters said it would help people afford life-saving medications and that the coupon payments go to pharmacies, not insurers; opponents argued it could raise premiums and create perverse incentives for drug pricing. The bill passed 29-18. The Senate also concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 2160, which changes health insurance benefits under the Uniform Group Insurance Program to move from a grandfathered to a non-grandfathered plan, with supporters emphasizing added benefits and flexibility and opponents warning of higher costs and irreversible changes. That bill passed concurrence 33-14 and final passage 39-8.
The Senate next concurred in House amendments to Senate Bill 2339, the wildfire mitigation bill, which requires utility mitigation plans to be updated every two years, incorporate national electric standards, and creates a rebuttable presumption of reasonable care if the plan is followed. The bill then passed final passage 46-1. The chamber also adopted conference committee reports and passed House Bill 1460 on adult foster care and monitoring devices, House Bill 1440 on cigar lounge tobacco use, and Senate Bill 2374 on insurance-related provisions including property insurance arbitration, managed repair programs, and surplus lines issues; SB 2374 also added a study on towing and recovery coverage. The session ended with announcements of upcoming conference committee meetings and adjournment until April 22, 2025.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session-Day 12, February 23, 2026-AM
Wyoming Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And, of course, you know, my beautiful wife, Robin.
- And of course, you know, my beautiful And of course, you know, my beautiful wife<00:07:02.160>
Robin - 144, House Bill 84, falsifying election 144, House Bill 84, falsifying election documents.<00:22
- And then primary and general election.
- <01:53:35.360>
to the majority of the members elected to the majority of the members elected
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- As a taxpayer, I demand my elected representatives do what they're elected for, and that's giving as
- As a taxpayer, I demand my elected representatives do what they're elected for, and that's giving as
- As a taxpayer, I demand my elected representatives do what they're elected for, and that's giving as
- As a taxpayer, I demand my elected representatives do what they're elected for, and that's giving as
- As a taxpayer, I demand my elected representatives do what they're elected for, and that's giving as
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- And of course, we're closely working with the director, but we do need to address that, Mr. Chair.
- And so as you mentioned, of course, there's extra cost when you're duplicating effort or you know doing
- sound judgment, professionalism and integrity, particularly in matters affecting employees and, of course
- and it is my understanding that the Board is willing to move forward with this if this memorial of course
- I did, and of course With Senator, I know there have been some health issues that she has been dealing
Keywords:
land grant, Las Vegas, governance, self-governance, judicial management, forced sterilization, coerced sterilization, Indigenous women, Native American women, women of color, reproductive justice, reproductive sovereignty, truth and reconciliation commission, memorial, trauma-informed care, reparative justice, human rights, bodily autonomy, Indian Health Service, Indian affairs
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, this was the bill I laid out that requires elected utilities to file mitigation.
- Over the course of the last 10 years, those decibels have dropped drastically.
- I would suggest over 10 to 15 decibels over the course of the last 15 years.
- the course of that hour.
- But, of course, we can't speak for every instance in this case.
Bills:
HB246, HB796, HB 1056, HB1544, HB1846, HB2001, HB2618, HB2625, HB2869, HB2898, HB3069, HB3114, HB3157, HB3228, HJR98, HB246
Keywords:
federal directives, state authority, Tenth Amendment, government enforcement, local governance, gold standard, legal tender, currency, transactional currency, financial transactions, electronic payment systems, state finance, regulatory compliance, electric trucks, charging infrastructure, advisory council, transportation, sustainability, criminal penalties, official information
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- We were here last night, of course, till after 2 o'clock working, and during the course of the night,
- I got elected to the Border Soil and Water Conservation Board based there in L.
- The law currently states that they have to have an elected board.
- They are having a hard time electing people to those positions.
- Currently, how often are the elections being held? Mr.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations (2-25-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Elected officials have the opportunity to review and discuss regulations that may be overly burdensome
- This bill gives us the opportunity to do the duty we were elected to do.
- Elected officials have the opportunity to review and discuss regulations that may be overly burdensome
- This bill gives us the opportunity to do the duty we were elected to do.
- officials have the opportunity elected officials have the opportunity to<00:02:52.640>
review
Summary:
The Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations met with a quorum and first heard Senate Bill 20, sponsored by Senator Matt Nunn, which would bar state agencies from adopting administrative regulations with implementation and compliance costs above $500,000 over a two-year period unless an exception applies. Nunn said the bill is intended to increase legislative oversight, reduce burdensome regulation, and preserve agency authority for routine rules, with exceptions for emergency actions, loss of federal funds, express legislative authorization, and health facility/service matters. Senators asked about the definition of “major economic impact,” whether broader societal costs were considered, and how the legislature could respond quickly to year-round agency rulemaking; Nunn said the bill is meant to force those larger policy choices into the legislative process. Several members voiced concern that the threshold was too low and could tie agencies’ hands, while others supported the bill as a check on regulation. The committee voted to report SB 20 favorably, with some members voting no or passing.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 127, sponsored by Senator Shelley Frommeyer, concerning real estate license reciprocity. Frommeyer and representatives from Perry Real Estate College explained that the bill would codify Kentucky’s current education and licensing standards for out-of-state real estate licensees, rather than relying on bilateral agreements that can be terminated by other states. They said the measure was prompted by the end of reciprocal agreements with states such as Ohio and West Virginia, which left students and licensees uncertain, and argued that codifying the standards would provide stability, help military spouses, and support Kentucky’s real estate industry. Senators questioned whether a compact would be better, whether the bill would disadvantage Kentucky licensees seeking to practice elsewhere, and whether it would weaken Kentucky’s leverage in future negotiations. Supporters said the bill only fixes Kentucky’s side of the process and could encourage other states to adopt similar standards; opponents worried it was unilateral and might not produce reciprocity from other states. The committee ultimately reported SB 127 favorably, with several members explaining yes, no, or pass votes, and then adjourned.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 5/14/26 - Part 2
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We worked productively with the Senate elections team to reach this agreement.
- Uh, this bill modernizes election statutes.
- election security.
- Elected officials have a duty to protect us from guns.
- to desperately urge my elected to desperately urge my elected representatives representatives representatives
Summary:
The House first adopted a conference committee report on House File 3426, a natural resources bill. Representative Jordan said the report largely reflected the House position, with changes including removal of the word “random” regarding DNR checks, clarification of minimum grant amount limits for trail maintenance and other projects, a two-year sunset on those caps, and repeal of obsolete language requiring DNR approval of ENRTF-funded acquisitions. Representative Heintzeman said the changes were technical and supported the bill. The motion prevailed, and the bill was given third reading.
The House then concurred in Senate amendments to House File 4239, the campaign finance bill, and House File 4240, the elections bill. Representative Fryberg said HF 4239 addressed campaign disclaimers and privacy of addresses on campaign documents, with a compromise $10,000 security spending limit, authority for the Campaign Finance Board to dismiss frivolous complaints, and limits on sharing addresses with caucus leaders. HF 4240, the Secretary of State’s administrative bill, added an immediate effective date for a Three Rivers Park Commissioner disclosure requirement, removed an appropriation and related policy language, included amendments on special school district elections and betting on elections, and corrected a discrepancy with public safety language. Both bills were passed as amended by the Senate, with 118-15 and 127-6 votes respectively.
The House also passed Senate File 3720, the workers’ compensation advisory council recommendations. Representatives Baker and Berg described bipartisan, unanimous council recommendations updating the workers’ compensation reinsurance process, allowing appellate judges to be assigned when needed, adding psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners as PTSD diagnosticians, updating attorney fee notice rules, increasing compensation for permanent partial disability, clarifying witness rules at employer medical exams, extending the time for employers to deny liability from 60 to 90 days, and correcting a prior error affecting DLI commissioner authority. The bill passed 132-1.
Finally, Representative Long moved to suspend the rules to recall House File 5140, the comprehensive gun violence prevention package, from committee and bring it directly to passage. Long and Representative Greenman argued the Senate had already passed the bill and urged immediate action, citing the Annunciation shooting and other gun violence incidents. Representative Heintzeman raised concerns about the bill’s language, arguing a provision on protruding grips could make all handguns illegal and questioning other penalty provisions. Debate on the motion and bill continued, but no final vote on HF 5140 is shown in the transcript excerpt.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, April 29, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The course of this debate.
- Now, of course, before he escalated.
- <08:54:26.958>
serving elected leaders belittle public serving elected leaders belittle public - So in fund elections of representatives.
- And of course, we read about we're God.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Press Conference: Senator Molly CookRegarding Senator Cook's legislative agenda and district priorities for the 89th Legislative Session. Mar 14th, 2025
Texas Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- It is our job as your elected representatives to stamp out corruption wherever we find it and guarantee
- highlight there, the one that you can really see from start to finish, was way back after I first got elected
- , sworn in after the special election, our constituents came to us, brand new senator, and said there
- And then, of course, we rely on informing people, so we would need to spread the word.
- Of course we rely on informing people.
Summary:
Senator Molly Cook held a press event on the deadline to file bills for the 89th Legislative Session to introduce her first legislative package, which she said is guided by a “nurse-first” approach focused on public health and safety. She described six pillars for the agenda: access to health care, safe homes and infrastructure, a clean environment, opportunity through jobs and public education, belonging and connection, and healthy and fair systems. She said the package includes 93 bills, with more than 20 developed from constituent input or collaboration in Senate District 15.
Cook highlighted several measures, including SB 1312, which would bar electric service disconnections during extreme weather events; SB 1550, which would require hands-on CPR instruction in schools; SB 1764, which would set clearer rules for exiting a state takeover of a school district; SB 2725, the “Safe Streets Bill,” which would let cities lower residential speed limits to 20 mph without a costly study; SB 2723, which would repeal homosexual conduct as a criminal offense; and SB 2728, which would help new mothers use their Medicaid card to enroll newborns. She also noted bills on AED access, housing affordability and renters’ rights, youth e-cigarette exposure, hurricane preparedness, criminal justice reform, LGBTQ+ protections, women’s health, education accountability, and anti-corruption.
In response to questions, Cook emphasized that the smoke-shop and e-cigarette bills were prompted by constituents concerned about a vape shop near an elementary school and would restrict advertising near schools and other sensitive locations, keep minors out of shops, and limit proximity to schools. She also explained that the speed-limit bill would remove the need for a costly study before cities lower residential speeds, while still requiring signage and public notice. The event ended with Cook thanking her staff and saying she looked forward to continuing the work in Austin.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 4th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- to, they were elected to school boards.
- Election centers could very well be a bipartisan issue. I personally prefer voting on election day.
- State elections and federal elections happen at the same time, but duly noted.
- I rise as a former chair of the Elections Committee, joining the former chair of the Elections Committee
- from Menlo Park and the current chair of the Elections Committee.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Republican Press Conference 1/21/25
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill talks about waste, fraud, and abuse, and there's different definitions within them, of course
one <00:10:02.920>we've <00:10:03.079>seen <00:10:03.360>the them of course- The other reason is the State Auditor is an elected official, and generally the State Auditors have not
- And it’s no different than in each of your companies: you have auditors that come in over the course
- And it’s no different than in each of your companies: you have auditors that come in over the course
Summary:
The meeting focused on a package of anti-fraud bills and oversight reforms. House File 3 would direct the Office of Legislative Auditor to compile existing audit and recommendation data into a matrix or numeric score showing how well agencies have implemented past recommendations over a five-year look-back period, with the goal of giving legislators a clearer, more usable accountability tool. Supporters said it would not create new data, only aggregate what already exists, and estimated the bill’s cost at about $240,000. They argued it would help lawmakers identify agencies that repeatedly fail to address waste, fraud, and abuse.
House File 2 would require state employees and agencies to immediately report suspected fraud to law enforcement and to legislative committee leaders, require unannounced in-person site visits for grant recipients, and add criminal penalties for failing to carry out those duties. House File 1 would create an independent state Office of Inspector General to investigate fraud in state government, with subpoena power, authority to stop payments, and the ability to share information with other agencies. Speakers said the new office should be independent and nonpartisan, separate from existing agency inspector general functions, and more focused on investigations than the Legislative Auditor.
Members also discussed the new fraud and oversight committee, which will meet on Mondays and plans to invite DHS Commissioner Jodi Harpstead to testify. The committee said it will work alongside standing committees, create a whistleblower reporting website, and investigate issues as they arise. In response to questions, Robbins said HF 3 already had a fiscal note and HF 2’s fiscal note was still pending. She also said the committee is considering AI tools to flag irregularities in state programs, and that such tools might have detected problems like those seen in Feeding Our Future.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy (05/20/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- Of course, we know in the media that there have even been recently some concerns about the HANA virus
- <00:30:39.760>
Of <00:30:39.919>course, <00:30:40.159>we <00:30:40.559>we - Of course, we we potential pandemics.
- <00:55:19.280>
So uh prior to the November elections. - So uh prior to the November elections.
Summary:
The Special Committee on COVID Response Efficacy met briefly without a quorum because many members were tied up in legislative committee of conference work. The chair said the committee would resume in June and, in the meantime, directed members to the committee webpage and the 2024 committee’s report and COVID-19 after-action report, which he said could be reviewed for possible updates and legislative recommendations on how New Hampshire should respond to future pandemics.
The chair then introduced two recent articles as framing material: one about the U.S. Supreme Court declining to hear a challenge to the Los Angeles Unified School District’s COVID vaccine mandate, and another about CDC internal emails and alleged failure to publicly acknowledge vaccine safety signals. He argued these examples raised concerns about mandates, transparency, and the balance between individual rights and public health, and said the committee would revisit the issue in future meetings. Representative Pollazok thanked the chair for presenting both legal and medical perspectives and suggested the committee focus on reviewing scientific methodology and the quality of evidence behind competing claims.
A member asked whether vaccine pamphlets now include risks and benefits, and the chair responded that FDA-approved products should have patient inserts available on the FDA website, including sections listing adverse events from clinical studies and commercial use. He said he would research and email the committee copies or excerpts. Members also discussed how to evaluate studies over different time periods, dosing levels, and the timing of side effects, as well as the difficulty of comparing vaccinated and unvaccinated outcomes when definitions change over time.
Before adjourning, the chair said the committee would ask the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services how it would monitor and assess vaccine or pandemic-related issues in real time and whether additional structures would be needed in a future emergency. He said the committee would likely take July and August off, resume in September, and aim to have a draft report by mid-October and a final report by late October ahead of the November elections.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Transportation, Highways and Public Works May 5th, 2026
Transportation, Highways & Public Works
Transcript Highlights:
- They do not get a salary, and each one of the members are elected.
- Of course, I just got over here. You have state police at the table with you, ma'am.
- So you're going to see a lot of the elected officials, local elected officials, community leaders, and
- One was an elected official. A bad position.
- One was an elected official, and he was running for re-election, and, you know, it put him in a bad spot
Bills:
HR170, HR191, HR206, HR207, HR208, HCR53, HCR60, HCR68, HB714, HB762, SB40, SB48, SB55, SB56, SB69, SB115, SB133, SB151, SB170, SB235, SB278, SB330, SB420, SB438, SB449, SB489
Keywords:
U.S. Highway 90, US 90, Highway 90, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, DOTD, bridge removal, closed bridges, bridge demolition, transportation funding, federal appropriations, THUD appropriations, Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, infrastructure, road reconstruction, evacuation route, hurricane evacuation corridor, New Orleans metro area, Mississippi Gulf Coast, public safety
Summary:
The House Transportation Committee met on Tuesday, May 5, and considered a long agenda of mostly transportation, public safety, and local infrastructure measures. Among the bills reported favorably were Senate Bill 420, which adds Vermilion and Iberia Parish representation to the Lafayette Metropolitan Expressway Commission; Senate Bill 69, which updates appointments to the South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission after redistricting; Senate Bill 40, which expands Louisiana’s move-over/safety protections for emergency and disabled vehicles; and House resolutions from Rep. Dickerson urging DOTD action on Highway 16 widening, turn lanes on Highway 1024, and a roundabout on Highway 1019. The committee also advanced HCR 53 creating a study committee on oversized vehicle permits, SB 438 increasing per diem for the Greater Lafourche Port Commission, SB 449 giving the New Orleans Public Belt more procurement flexibility, SB 115 allowing DOTD to assume certain federal NEPA duties to speed project delivery, and SB 489 authorizing third-party verification of vehicle insurance coverage.
Members heard testimony on several safety and enforcement measures. SB 151 would flag OMV records for people who owe DNA samples under CODIS-related criminal provisions; State Police explained it would help law enforcement collect required samples and aid cold cases. SB 48 would create driver’s license reciprocity between Louisiana and Ireland, and SB 235 would clarify payment and liquidated damages rules for public contracts, with contractors and industry representatives saying it would help ensure timely payment to contractors, subs, and suppliers. SB 55 clarified that seat belts must be worn across both the lap and shoulder, and SB 278 required ignition interlock devices for DUI-related license reinstatement; committee members raised questions about due process, vehicle use, and how the devices would work, but both bills were reported favorably.
Several measures drew more extensive debate. HB 762, as amended, would give OMV discretion over referring certain debts to the Office of Debt Recovery or Attorney General, and the amendment passed 14-2 after discussion about relief for drivers who cannot pay. SB 330 on school-zone automated speed enforcement received an amendment preserving existing compliant pavement markings, but a separate amendment to exempt Shreveport, Gretna, Livonia, and Westwego from the law failed on a roll call vote. HB 714, as substituted, would have created a railroad commission and required railroads to address blighted or abandoned lines, but after concerns about federal preemption, definition of blight, and whether a new commission was needed, Rep. Phelps moved to defer the bill, and the committee agreed. The meeting ended with adjournment after a brief recognition of committee staff and visitors.