Video & Transcript Research : 'Division III Select'
Page 86 of 500
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Livingston III. I serve as president and CEO for a non-profit called ASD, A Home for Life.
Keywords:
bonds, education funding, Texas Permanent School Fund, financial transparency, speculative rating, school funding, deferred maintenance, tax revenue, education budget, school districts, education, finance, Texas Education Code, misconduct, child abuse, educators, investigation, criminal offense, education law, suspension
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- In a world filled with noisy distractions and deep divisions, we ask that you grant them the boldness
- Help us guard against the temptation of apathy and to avoid the subtle trap of division.
- Senate Bill 237, Senator Kagan, Election Law, Presidential Electors Selection and Voting.
- Select committees. ordered. ordered. Any<00:52:51.440>
others? - Select<00:53:52.080>
committees. Select committees. Select committees. Delegations.
Summary:
The Maryland Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation from Pastor Delman Coates, and received several guest introductions, including the doctor of the day, student visitors, homeschool advocates, community leaders, and the Braver Angels group. The chamber also journalized remarks welcoming Dr. Coates and recognized a prayer breakfast, with members offering brief thanks and acknowledgments before moving to legislative business.
The Senate handled several messages and nominations, including withdrawal of an appointment, Johns Hopkins Police Accountability Board nominations, and Prince George’s County Board of License Commissioners nominations, all referred to Executive Nominations. The chamber also received House Bill 156 and an Executive Nominations Committee report recommending confirmation of a slate of appointments, which was special ordered for later consideration. A motion to return Senate Bill 463 to second reader and special order it for Tuesday was adopted without objection, and Senate Bill 473 was also special ordered for Tuesday.
On third reading, the Senate passed a large number of bills, including measures on ignition interlock participation, school construction, port hearing notice, veteran status notation for educators, correctional officer scholarships, benefits exploitation, veterans trust fund applications, presidential electors, advance enrollment for children of active service members, retired law enforcement handgun permits, high-risk pregnancy discharge communication, charitable organization audit thresholds, child care criminal history checks, water pollution discharge permits, blockchain task force creation, franchise registration reform, licensing portability for foreign service members and spouses, Medicaid collaborative care cost-sharing, gift card fraud, school for the deaf board membership, vehicle dealer hearings, massage therapy advertising, protective body armor reporting, lithium-ion battery safety, pharmacy prescriber agreements for opioid use disorder treatment, human relevant research fund contributions, state and higher education email requirements, and auto insurance producer commissions. Most passed unanimously or by wide margins; Senate Bill 348 and Senate Bill 585 passed with 30 and 32 votes in favor, respectively.
Senate Bill 140, concerning benefits exploitation, drew extended debate over constitutionality and pending litigation, with one senator citing an Attorney General opinion and another citing a Supreme Court case on neutral principles in church property disputes; the bill ultimately passed with 40 votes. Members later changed several votes on the floor, including on Senate Bills 172, 376, 428, and 48. The session ended while the clerk was beginning to read Senate Bill 629, with the remaining calendar not completed in the transcript.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Agriculture Jan 14th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- COMMITTEE SHOULD COMPLETE AN APPEARANCE FORM AND HAND IT TO A MEMBER OF THE SERGEANTS OFFICE SHOULD YOU SELECT
- WE HAD 20 DIVISIONS, EACH ON A DIFFERENT IT PLATFORM.
- WE HAVE GREAT TEAMMATES AND ALL THESE DIVISIONS. IT'S KIND OF AMAZING.
- DIVISION BY DIVISION PEOPLE LOOKING AT THOSE EFFICIENCIES AND SHARING INFORMATION AND SOFTWARE CREATING
- IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION, WE CURRENTLY HAVE NO LAW-ENFORCEMENT WITHIN OUR FOREST.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Dec 10th, 2025 at 08:35 am
Transcript Highlights:
- One of those FTEs was assigned primarily to our Institutional Finance Division.
- That's through our Academic Affairs and Policy Division, but it's something that we'll get to you before
- We've selected the site on the corner of Lomas and University for placing this building, and that becomes
- We actually survey and track where residents go and why they go and where they select.
- IAEA, there's also a creative industry division within economic development.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education Jan 15th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education
Transcript Highlights:
- Should you select to waive your speaking time, your position will be included in the meeting records.
- Chair provided, I am with the Department of Education within the Division of Public Schools.
- The Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services within the Division of Public Schools consists
- The Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, or CARD, is a state project selected by our state to
- We also have the Division of Early Learning.
Summary:
The committee held its first meeting and received an overview of the Pre-K-12 education appropriations jurisdiction and base budget. Staff explained that education funding is driven largely by enrollment and per-student formulas, with most money coming from state and local sources. The presentation highlighted the major budget areas: early learning, the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP), non-FEFP K-12 programs, federal programs, and the State Board of Education. Members asked about instructional materials funding and how scholarship students who return to public schools are counted and funded; staff explained that instructional materials remain in the base and that funding depends on survey timing, with districts ultimately funded through the enrollment count process.
The committee then reviewed federal IDEA funding for students with disabilities. Department of Education officials explained how IDEA Part B funds are split between state set-asides and local educational agencies, and noted that Florida ranked fourth nationally in total IDEA Part B funding and received a 95% state determination for meeting IDEA requirements. They also described the bureau’s responsibilities, including monitoring, dispute resolution, instructional support, and the Hope Florida unit for ages 3 to 5. Members asked for more information on student performance outcomes and how the state measures success beyond compliance, and the department agreed to provide follow-up data.
The final major topic was the Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS), including associate centers, multidisciplinary centers, and specialized centers for deaf/hard of hearing and visually impaired students. Presenters described services such as child find, family support, assessments, professional learning, accessible instructional materials, and technical assistance. Committee members focused on whether families and schools have equal access to services across the state, how IEP disputes and reevaluations are handled, and whether more support is needed for parents, teachers, and rural districts. FDLRS representatives said they do not write IEPs but help connect families to districts, provide training and assessments, and support compliance and data collection; they also emphasized staffing and resource needs, especially for low-incidence disabilities and multilingual family outreach.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- It's inherently anti-police bias and encourages division over reconciliation.
- The selective restriction is not educationally justified and reflects political targeting rather than
- It's fairly common to have children select alternative names that they want to be called for a short
- Not only did this individual take playing time on the court, they took a roster spot on a Division I
- They took a scholarship on a Division I team, opportunities for education.
Summary:
The committee first heard Superintendent Tom Horn’s State of Education address, which focused on school safety, academic outcomes, teacher pay, school choice, and opposition to DEI/CRT in schools. Horn argued that students cannot learn unless schools are safe, cited increased funding for school police officers and a recent Tucson charter school incident as evidence for more officers, and said the department’s academic efforts have centered on Project Momentum, tutoring, cell phone restrictions, career and technical education partnerships, and support for Native American districts. He also urged direct teacher pay increases through Proposition 123 and said the state board should revise teaching standards and school grading practices. Members questioned him about DEI compliance, cell phone enforcement, ESA accountability, teacher preparation programs, school safety funding, and literacy outcomes; Horn said the department’s role is largely advisory in a local-control state, that it tracks school practices on a website, and that it lacks academic outcome data for ESA students because private schools are not tested by the state.
The committee then took up House Bill 2008, which would prohibit public school libraries from using public funds to pay dues or memberships to professional library associations that advocate for libraries and information services. Representative Cooper, the sponsor, said the bill was intended to keep school libraries politically neutral and prevent taxpayer money from supporting ideological advocacy, while arguing that membership could still be paid privately and that free professional development options exist. Opponents, including former librarian Judy Schweber, Marana board member Hunter Holt, and the ACLU of Arizona, argued the bill would undermine professional development, local control, and constitutional rights of association and petition, and that there was little evidence public funds were actually being used this way. Supporters, including Adrienne Johnson, said some library materials and associations promote political viewpoints and should not be funded with public dollars.
After public comment and debate, the committee voted 7-5 to give HB 2008 a do pass recommendation. Members who explained no votes said the bill targeted a non-issue, lacked data showing a problem, and would divert attention from funding and literacy needs. Members supporting the bill said it was a reasonable restriction on public spending and a way to keep school libraries ideologically neutral. The committee then announced it would move on to House Bill 2249, the Parents’ Bill of Rights and Remedies.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
Public Health and Welfare - Room 216, 4 June, 2026; 2:30 PM
Public Health and Welfare
Transcript Highlights:
- That act requires federal agencies to select the appropriate funding instrument through which it will
- receiving those responses, the governor's office received in-person presentations from nearly 20 groups selected
- community outreach, KIV's administration for one in Alabama has administration for one in Alabama has selected
- necessary to reflect the specific... necessary to reflect the specific subrecipient or contractor selected
- In the governor's plan, I assume there are budget numbers with each division in that plan.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Should you select to waive your speaking time, your position will be included in the committee meeting
- And they would say to the selection committee... ...it's an extraordinary point.
- And they would say to the selection committee, and this is one that I remember: 'We've been doing this
- There are beekeepers whose job it is to select and breed stocks of honeybees for special traits.
- So there's this whole contingency of our industry that selects stock, tries to maintain that stock through
Summary:
The Committee on Agriculture heard two informational presentations before taking up legislation. Tracy Dean of Conservation Florida described the organization’s work protecting wild and working lands, especially ranch and timber lands within the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and argued that agricultural conservation easements are essential to preserving habitat, water resources, family farms, and the corridor itself. Senators discussed how conservation easements can help family operations remain viable across generations, and Dean emphasized strong demand for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program and Florida Forever funding. Dr. Jamie Ellis of the University of Florida then gave a detailed presentation on honeybees, their role in pollination and Florida agriculture, and major threats such as Varroa mites, queen quality, nutrition issues, hurricanes, and the yellow-legged hornet; senators asked about colony losses, pollination alternatives, and the economic importance of beekeeping in Florida.
The committee then considered SB 210 on animal cremation, sponsored by Senator Harrell. The bill was described as a response to a case involving mishandled pet cremation and would require crematories to provide clear disclosures about services, prohibit false or misleading information, and authorize civil penalties enforced by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote. Next, the committee took up SJR 318, a joint resolution by Chair Truenow creating a proposed ad valorem tax exemption for tangible personal property used in agricultural production or agritourism on agricultural land and owned by the landowner or leaseholder. Several industry and agency representatives appeared in support, and the resolution was also reported favorably by unanimous vote.
The meeting concluded with no further business and adjournment motioned by Senator Rouson.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Transportation Feb 4th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Should you select to waive your speaking time?
- Now, 2 considerations are strategic route and corridor selection in addition to infrastructure optimization
- ground congestion, airspace, restrictions and potential time savings that strategic route in quarter selection
- that were interested in development and limited space, we would likely go through an RFP process to select
- It's Pernell which is the advanced Air Mobility Division of Hyundai Motor Group.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Select Committee on Gaming, May 14, 2026 - PM
Select Committee on Gaming
Transcript Highlights:
- The probability of any individual buying a ticket or any individual ticket being selected is equal and
- When I select them as a nonprofit, they're expected to help.
- c> nonprofit,<00:47:25.960>
they're select them as a nonprofit, they're select them as a nonprofit - , not with the Behavioral Health Division, not with the Behavioral Health Division, I<01:38:53.280
- > funding<01:41:50.000>
to Division does provide funding to Division does provide funding
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Government Contract Review Committee (5-12-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- So there was a time when our office had a division of, uh, I can't remember the title of it but...
- So there was a time when our office had a division of, uh, I can't remember the title of it but...
- So there was a time when our office had a division of, uh, I can't remember the title of it but...
- So there was a time when our office had a division of, uh, I can't remember the title of it but...
- is a child health division who is a neonatlogy<00:43:06.720>
specialist.
Summary:
The committee first approved the April 13 minutes and then turned to a large agenda of contracts. Chairman Douglas said there were 52 contracts totaling about $369.3 million, and noted that most vendors were registered with the Secretary of State except for item 118 on the routine personal services green list and item 19 involving Morehead State University and Kentucky State University. The committee voted to defer item 118 to the June 26 meeting and later also deferred the Kentucky State University contract on the deferred list to the June 26 meeting.
The main discussion centered on a deferred personal services contract for the Kentucky Board of Optometric Examiners, involving outside legal counsel. Senator Meredith raised concerns about KRS 320 and whether the board had authority to hire outside counsel when the statute says the Attorney General shall provide legal services to the board. Dr. Mary Beth Morris, the board president, and Christopher Thacker of the Attorney General’s office testified after being sworn in. Thacker explained that the statute and related law allow both Attorney General assistance and independent counsel, and argued that outside counsel is appropriate for day-to-day legal work because it avoids conflicts, especially on open records issues, regulatory advice, and disciplinary hearings.
Senator Meredith said he agreed with approving the contract but questioned how the board had reached this point and whether the current statutes reflect modern practice. He raised concerns about transparency and accountability, referencing a prior advisory opinion involving the board’s handling of exam requirements during COVID and saying the board should have consulted the Attorney General before acting. Thacker responded that the Attorney General’s office serves the Commonwealth as a whole, not as counsel to one board, and that the board’s use of outside counsel is a reasonable and economical arrangement. The exchange ended with Meredith suggesting that broader legislative action may be needed to clarify reporting relationships and oversight for the board.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- An act for the Department of Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, Public School
- An act for the Department of Energy and Environment, Division of Environmental Quality appropriation
- the Gospel Music Workshop of America, and chairman of the Gospel Music Workshop of America quartet division
- So I'm going to ask that we do a vote by division of the whole body, which is something different than
- Okay, with 20 votes in affirmation, I'd like to announce and congratulate selected Senator Breanne Davis
Summary:
The Senate convened for the final day of the fiscal session of the 95th General Assembly, with routine introductions and recognitions of guests, students, athletes, and staff. Members also received notice of several bills already signed by the governor and House-passed Senate bills returned for enrollment. The chamber then moved into its budget agenda, where Senator Dismang presented House Bill 1100, the Revenue Stabilization Law measure that creates funds, makes transfers, and carries an emergency clause. Senator Penzo explained his procedural vote on the companion Senate bill, and Senator King spoke against the bill, arguing that declining turnback percentages have reduced funding for counties and cities and worsened local fiscal pressures. Despite that criticism, HB 1100 passed 32-0 and its emergency clause was adopted.
The Senate next approved a batch of House budget bills by a 34-0 vote, including appropriations for the Department of Education, Arkansas Development Finance Authority, Department of Human Services, Treasurer of State, Department of Health programs, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, DFA Disbursing Officer, and the Department of Energy and Environment’s Division of Environmental Quality. Members then adopted House Concurrent Memorial Resolution 1001 honoring Bishop Kenneth Lindell Robinson, Sr., with remarks from Senator Love and a brief statement from Dr. Robinson. The chamber also adopted Senate Resolution 32 recognizing the Parkview Arts and Sciences Magnet High School boys basketball team as the 2006 Class 5A state champions, followed by comments from Coach Jason Harrison and a short recess for photographs.
After returning to session, the Senate moved into Committee of the Whole to select its President pro tempore designee for the 96th General Assembly. Senator Blake Johnson nominated Senator Breanne Davis, and Senator Ron Caldwell also announced his candidacy. On a division vote, 20 members stood in support of Senator Davis, and she was declared the President pro tempore designee. She thanked members for their support and emphasized cooperation among senators. The Senate then reported back into session and moved to adjourn sine die, with leaders noting that a special session was expected early the following week and that staff and outgoing members would be honored then.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
February 11, 2025 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- I've asked each group to select a spokesperson on behalf of their group, and we will start with Representative
- Operational issues: $5.8 million to address increased operational costs and equipment needs across nine divisions
- $11.6 million in General Revenue to address critical maintenance and repair and space needs for the Division
- million in federal trust funds to address numerous needs related to the federal grant awards and divisions
Summary:
The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee met to hear member-led presentations on agency budget requests after prior meetings with the agencies. Representative Barnaby summarized the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ fiscal year 2025-26 request, highlighting major funding for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, Florida Forest Service wildfire and land management needs, citrus disease and research efforts, a new Conner Complex facility and lab, agricultural water and BMP projects, agricultural law enforcement staffing and equipment, maintenance and vehicle needs, and federal grant-related spending. No vote was taken on the department’s request during the meeting.
Representative Bartleman presented the Department of Environmental Protection request and said the subcommittee supported it fully. The request emphasized Everglades restoration, water quality grants, springs, harmful algal bloom and red tide response, alternate water supplies, resilience and flood prevention, beach and coral reef restoration, land acquisition and state parks, and cleanup of petroleum, dry cleaning, and hazardous waste sites. Representative Alvarez asked DEP to provide a list of the most contaminated lakes, along with estimated costs, so the committee could prioritize cleanup efforts.
Representative Black summarized the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission request, which included additional law enforcement funding in high-demand areas, oyster and reef restoration, habitat restoration, heavy equipment for land management and prescribed burning, a water survival training center, and red snapper data research. Representative Salzman then presented the Department of Citrus request, describing a lean agency budget focused on operations, PALM readiness, marketing and consumer awareness, greening-resistant plant material, and building repairs; the workgroup recommended fully funding the request. The meeting ended with members thanking the chair and staff for the more member-driven budget process, and the subcommittee adjourned without objection.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- During that period, John Etemura was our chief counsel of the division.
- <00:43:19.320>
And the Division of Consumer Advocacy. - And the Division of Consumer Advocacy.
- <00:44:07.200>
for will make him an excellent selection for will make him an excellent selection - , and the Division of Consumer Advocacy.
Summary:
The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee heard and considered a long list of Governor’s messages for appointments to state boards and commissions, including the Board of Dentistry, Barbering and Cosmetology, Speech Pathology and Audiology, Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board, Elevator Mechanics Licensing Board, Real Estate Commission, Board of Naturopathic Medicine, State Boxing Commission, Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects, Hawaii Medical Board, Board of Physical Therapy, Board of Pharmacy, and the Public Utilities Commission. Most nominees and supporting agencies testified in support, and many nominees simply stood on their written testimony. Several nominees also answered questions about their experience and the issues facing their boards, including dental insurance and Medicaid concerns, condo and real estate disputes, pharmacy regulation and telepharmacy, boxing and MMA rule updates, and medical board service in rural areas.
The committee discussed some contested or notable nominations in more detail. Richard Emery’s nomination to the Real Estate Commission drew opposition testimony tied to a condo management dispute, and he responded by emphasizing the need for factual evidence, mediation and complaint data, and better consumer education. Trinette Kahui and Andrea Ushijima were also nominated to the Real Estate Commission, with broad support. For the Boxing Commission, Robin Jumawan described ongoing statutory updates, MMA-related work, and delegation of amateur boxing rules. For the Hawaii Medical Board, Elizabeth Ignacio was strongly endorsed by state and industry witnesses as highly qualified and familiar with rural health issues, while Rebecca Sawai also received support from the board and Kaiser Permanente.
In the decision-making portion, the committee moved to advise and consent to nearly all nominees on the agenda. Senator McKelvey stated reservations about Richard Emery due to opposition and possible conflicts, and also about nominees who were not present at the hearing, specifically Corrine Muldrow Soto and Stacie Kealoha Inouye; Senator Lamasao also noted reservations on those absent nominees. The chair disclosed personal acquaintance with Dr. Sawai and Andrea Ushijima. The committee then voted to adopt the recommendations, with the noted reservations and one no vote on GM 697 reflected in the record, and later reconvened to take up Governor’s Message 514/515 for John Etemura as chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission, where additional support testimony was heard from the Governor’s office, DCCA, and former consumer advocacy staff.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Feb 19th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education
Transcript Highlights:
- 28 colleges through that funding formula, and then the balance is really operational support to selected
- process, I will say, just to give credit where credit is due, the college budget office and our division
- As I mentioned, upper division baccalaureate is less than 10 percent of what we do.
- I would say the compensation is just their direct way of looking at lower division enrollment that's
- I would say the compensation is just their direct way of looking at lower division enrollment that's
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee for Higher Education met to review Florida’s workforce and Florida College System funding models as part of budget planning. Chair Harrell opened by emphasizing the state’s growing focus on technical education and workforce pathways, and the committee first heard from Tara Goodman of the Department of Education on district workforce education. Goodman explained the programs funded through district workforce dollars, including career certificates, applied technology diplomas, registered apprenticeship, and adult general education, and described the model’s reliance on lagged enrollment, program cost weights, local tuition offsets, and supplemental factors such as disability services, GED testing, and minimum funding for small rural districts. She also noted federal support through Perkins and WIOA and said the model is used to determine unmet need and guide appropriations. In response to questions, she said health care programs are generally among the higher-cost offerings and may be supplemented by pipeline funds.
The committee then heard from Kathy Hebda, Chancellor of the Florida College System, on the college system’s funding model. Hebda described the main funding sources, including the program fund, student success incentive funds, pipeline funds, tuition and fees, and performance-based incentives, and explained that the current model was developed by the 28 college presidents under legislative direction. She said the model uses a three-year average FTE, weights workforce enrollment more heavily than non-workforce enrollment, gives significant weight to completions, includes a small-college factor and regional cost differentials, and also provides targeted funding to bring colleges up to a floor based on per-FTE funding. Senators asked about colleges below the target, cost differences among programs, faculty salaries, and health insurance costs; Hebda said the model is meant to provide flexible operating dollars that colleges can use for those expenses, but specific salary and benefit decisions are left to the institutions.
Seminole State College President Georgia Lorenz also testified in support of the college funding model, saying it holds institutions accountable for enrollment and completions, can be adjusted to reflect state priorities like workforce, and addresses differences in size and regional costs. No bills were voted on, and the committee adjourned after brief closing remarks thanking Seminole State College and the presenters.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Delivery of Government Efficiency Mar 5th, 2025
Delivery of Government Efficiency
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, so it varies by division.
- The five measures that we identified, well, we selected for testing...
- We refer all those to the university's internal audit division.
- So our division offers training. on Expenditure Processing and Documentation, my colleague's division
- We're a division of the Comptroller's Office, So that is the Procurement Division, the Procurement Department
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jun 22nd, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- before us, may we be guided by compassion over judgment, understanding over fear, and unity over division
- We cannot celebrate our history without selectively forgetting parts of Pride.
- We cannot celebrate our history without selectively forgetting parts of it.
- Major Zura served with the Army's 1st and 35th Infantry Divisions and currently serves on the California
- Major Zura served with the Army's 1st and 35th Infantry Divisions and currently serves on the California
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Appropriations - Education and Environment Division Apr 14th, 2025 at 02:30 pm
Appropriations - Education and Environment Division
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, that would be the wishes of this committee as far as what the division, as far as what you would
- responsibility for the appointment of institutional presidents, including who determines and who selects
- Well, that'd be the wishes of this committee as far as what the division, as far as what you would like
- responsibility for the appointment of institutional presidents, including who determines and who selects
- present this to, I just want to clarify it, did you present that to the Senate Appropriations E&E Division
Bills:
SB2003
Keywords:
higher education, student loans, scholarships, capital projects, workforce development, funding, North Dakota university system, 908, all
Summary:
The committee met to work through the higher education budget, beginning with a conflict-of-interest request from Representative Martinson, who was excused from voting because of a partnership that leases office space to Bismarck State College. Members then reviewed the higher education institution budget sheets, covering ongoing and one-time funding items for campuses and system projects such as BSC housing, Lake Region roof repairs, UND’s STEM and National Security Crossroads projects, the UND allied health facility, NDSU projects including New Horizons, DSU deferred maintenance and campus security, Mayville’s Old Main, Minot projects, and the regional health institutes. Members also discussed student financial assistance, the professional student exchange program, IT security funding, and workforce/education innovation grants.
Several amendments and policy questions were debated. The committee adopted an amendment to make workforce education innovation grants competitive rather than automatically distributed, and then voted to remove language prohibiting those funds from being used to duplicate academic programs. Members also removed similar anti-duplication language from the New Horizons section. They agreed to extend the UND hyperbaric chamber transfer authority to 2027 and clarified language around UND land-sale proceeds. A proposed amendment to add $5.6 million for the Wahpeton State School of Science building purchase failed for lack of a second, and a proposal to restore fetal alcohol spectrum disorder funding to UND was left for conference. The committee also discussed, but did not add, a tuition cap change, a study on the Praxis exam, and several governance-related provisions.
The committee spent significant time on broader higher education policy items, including a $3 million enterprise resource planning request for the university system, a $2 million grant program for students who are pregnant, recently gave birth, or are caring for young children, and a $1.1 million request for library age-verification software tied to the Odin system. Members also discussed dual-credit authority for UND and NDSU, a goal for the UND medical school to increase North Dakota resident enrollment, and intent language regarding the commissioner/chancellor model and presidential search authority. At the end of the meeting, the committee approved the amendments and then gave the higher education budget a do-pass recommendation as amended, with Representative Sanford designated as the carrier. The Forest Service budget was also approved, including two additional FTEs, and the committee adjourned after noting it would continue with other budgets the next day.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
WAM-JDC, WAM DEFER, WAM, WAM DEFER Public Hearings 04-01-2025
Ways and Means
Transcript Highlights:
- Recommendation is to amend section two to appropriate funds and FTEs for the division of conservation
- 00:24:55.840>
the <00:24:56.000>fire <00:24:56.240>marshal <00:24:56.559>selection - amendments, adopting LRB tech amendments and attaching the State Fire Council and the Fire Marshal Selection
- Requires the State Historic Preservation Division of DNR to contract its review of proposed state projects
- reviews beginning 712027 requires state historic<00:30:34.480>
preservation <00:30:34.960>division
Summary:
The committee took up a long decision-making agenda on numerous House bills, largely in the tax, appropriations, public safety, agriculture, and land-use areas. Early action included HB 476, which passed with amendments after discussion of tax impacts and a committee report change; HB 796 also passed with amendments to protect several individual income tax credits from the bill’s effect. Other measures were advanced with amendments or without changes, including HB 1059, HB 1145, HB 1173, HB 1439, HB 800, HB 934, HB 990, HB 101, HB 106, and a series of bills in the 1026–1055 range, many of which were passed unamended or with technical/effective-date changes. Several bills were deferred, including HB 1147, HB 807, and later items on the agenda.
The committee also approved a number of policy and agency-structure changes. HB 430 was amended to create or expand an internship/workforce development program with reporting requirements; HB 505 and HB 506 were amended to adjust appropriations and FTEs; HB 774 added an appropriation section for two FTEs; HB 1052 limited use of universal service fund money; HB 1296 shifted a reporting requirement from BNF to the Department of Defense; and HB 1064 moved the State Fire Council and Fire Marshal Selection Commission to the Department of Law Enforcement and set the fire marshal salary. HB 427 made major biosecurity-related changes, including moving the Hawaii Invasive Species Council to the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity in 2026 and adding new appropriations. HB 830 was amended to allow third-party historic preservation reviewers under ethics and conflict rules, with a two-year sunset and committee-report comments on vacancies.
Public safety and regulatory bills also moved forward. HB 302 on cannabis drew opposition from Senator Awa, who said it would shut down a medical provider in his district; the bill nevertheless passed with amendments adding criminal penalties, enforcement authority, and a 2027 effective date for cultivator licenses. HB 306 on water code penalties passed unamended, HB 860 on liability for road resurfacing passed with amendments to limit liability to the work actually performed and eliminate joint and several liability, and HB 141 on public land leases passed with technical amendments. HB 1159 establishing a commercial harbor emergency evacuation working group passed as is, and HB 1482 on hemp passed with amendments exempting existing permit holders and certain retailers, aligning THC limits, and setting a far-future effective date. Most votes were adopted without recorded opposition, though several members noted reservations on specific measures.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Its list of divisions is long accounting, administrative law, antitrust, bankruptcy and collections,
- designee or agent to appear in front of our committee and answer questions about those important divisions
- So I know the Houston Division 11, the Houston Business Court, has the highest number of filings.
- Lavoie on the Judicial Selection Reform Commission.
- It's one of the challenges, Vice Chair Johnson, we have in a system that where we elect instead of select