Video & Transcript : 'public interest' :

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NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Chamber Meeting Jan 30th, 2026 at 12:05 pm

New Mexico House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • For the record, it's all public.
  • , and what does that interest look like?
  • And usually the interest on these bonds is very low.
  • amending the public schools. ...an act relating to public schools, amending the Public School Finance
  • safety, creating the Public Safety Workforce Capacity Building Program, creating the Public Safety Workforce
Bills: HM3, HM11, HM14, HM15, HM21, HM25, HB9, SB2, SB19
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Local Government (Part II) May 15th, 2025

Local Government

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government met with a quorum and took up a series of pending bills, mostly local-government measures. Early action included final committee approval of Senate Bill 1633 and S.J.R. 60, followed by Senate Bill 3038 and Senate Bill 3045, both reported favorably and placed on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also considered House Bill 24, adopted a committee substitute, and reported the substitute version favorably; House Bill 2025 was likewise reported favorably and sent to the local and uncontested calendar. Members then handled several companion and local bills, including House Bill 2713 as the companion to Senate Bill 1331, which was reported favorably and placed on the local and uncontested calendar. House Bill 3348, House Bill 3370, House Bill 3505, and House Bill 4506 were each reported favorably, with no objections to local-and-uncontested placement. House Bill 5424 passed on a 6-1 vote, and House Bill 5652 passed with one present-not-voting, both also sent to the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also adopted substitutes and reported House Bill 3687 and House Bill 4205, though both were later reconsidered because the wrong script had been read. After reconsideration, House Bill 3687 and House Bill 4205 were each re-voted and reported favorably to the full Senate, with both placed on the local and uncontested calendar. Senate Bill 3071 was also reported out on a 5-2 vote after adoption of a committee substitute. The meeting ended with no further business and the committee standing at recess subject to the call of the chair.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 4/7/26

Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Uh anyone who's more interested in this.
  • </c> public wishing to testify? public wishing to testify?
  • </c> you meeting the consuming and public you meeting the consuming and public needs<01:20:56.800><c>
  • </c><01:24:50.000><c> organizations</c> pressure of of the public organizations pressure of of the public
  • </c> of the public wishing to testify? of the public wishing to testify?
Bills: HF4456, HF4544, HF3698
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Public Health Mar 23rd, 2026

Joint Committee on Public Health

Transcript Highlights:
  • Co-chair of the Committee on Public Health. Chair Decker will be joining us shortly.
  • during today's hearing, we'll gather testimony from legislators, advocacy groups, members of the public
  • Good morning, Chair Driscoll and honorable members of the Joint Committee on Public Health.
  • In the year 2020, we presented this data at the Italian Ministry of Health in a public conference that
  • It will begin building the foundation for provider awareness and public knowledge.
Bills: H5013, H5087, H5115, S2928
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama House Insurance Committee Mar 17th, 2026

Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:15:55.600><c> in</c> first responders here uh interested in first responders here uh interested
  • And we do have a public hearing, so we'll open up the public hearing portion of that now.
  • </c> people have to say from the public people have to say from the public hearing<00:19:02.720><c> and
  • Chairman. >> Let's get out of the public hearing. So we're officially out of the public hearing.
  • </c> wait till we're out of the public wait till we're out of the public hearing?
Bills: HB424, SB63, SB269, HB424, SB63, SB269
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/04/2026 - Senate Judiciary and Elections

Judiciary and Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • So we have to pay for a public defender? You do have to pay for a public defender.
  • Interesting. Okay. Questions? Yes. Not really a question or comment. Mr.
  • Public records requests attempting to unveil this number have gone unanswered.
  • still make up less than 0.1% of the public defense budget.
  • It seems that this does not have an exemption for parody content of public figures.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Feb 16th, 2026 at 08:30 am

State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • Public service is never an individual accomplishment.
  • It is ensuring government earns and keeps the trust of the public.
  • But I didn't keep that system building inside my business; I brought it into public service.
  • I'm a former public school teacher. I'm a mother, and I'm a current graduate student.
  • She was a legal resident, a victim of domestic abuse, a mother, and a dedicated public servant.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

HSH Public Hearing - Thu Feb 12, 2026 @ 10:30 AM HST

Human Services & Homelessness

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:11:32.640><c> when</c> that you have so much interest when that you have so much interest when
  • Poverty is a matter of public health.
  • </c><00:25:22.799><c> Defender</c> with the Office of the Public Defender with the Office of the Public
  • </c> poverty or homelessness or in the public poverty or homelessness or in the public housing<00:49:
  • </c> in response to some late night public in response to some late night public safety<01:06:59.839>
Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1877, which would expand the membership of the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission and add a youth seat. The commission’s vice chair supported the bill, saying the commission started with eight members, has growing interest, and would benefit from an odd-numbered board and youth representation. Members asked about quorum, and the commission said it has generally met monthly with only one quorum issue in the past 18–19 months and would work with legislative leaders to have appointments ready if the bill passes. Written testimony included support from Kokopac and one individual in opposition. The committee then took up HB 2006, which would create a cash assistance program for pregnant women and mothers of babies. The Department of Human Services explained current TANF rules, including eligibility requirements, child support cooperation, and work-program participation, and said the state has recently raised benefit levels to the maximum allowed, with a family of three or four receiving a little over $900 per month. Supporters from the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and others argued the bill could reduce child poverty and improve maternal and child health, citing evidence from Michigan’s Rx Kids program and the temporary federal child tax credit expansion. A mother and Oahu Youth Action Board member testified from personal experience about the need for direct support during pregnancy. The committee also noted support from several organizations and about 26 individuals. The committee next heard HB 2167, which would direct the Office of Youth Services to run a pilot program providing financial assistance to homeless youth. The Office of the Public Defender, youth advocates, and several organizations supported the measure, saying even small amounts of help can prevent homelessness and help youth transition safely to adulthood. The Office of Youth Services said it supports the intent of the bill but requested clarification, and committee members discussed whether the program should be run directly or through contracted community agencies, how to set performance metrics, and how to structure the RFP and contract process. The chair indicated the committee wanted to work with the vice chair and OYS offline to refine the bill before moving forward. The committee then began discussion of HB 2224, relating to Medicaid pharmacy benefit management, with testimony generally supporting giving DHS flexibility to negotiate with PBMs.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/12/2026 - House Artificial Intelligence & Innovation

Artificial Intelligence & Innovation

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's interesting because with the current times, with issues that we've been hearing in recent years,
  • But I can't mandate for public schools to do something.
  • notice and provided at least one opportunity for public testimony.
  • We think public zoning processes are important.
  • Public testimony, please. We have two people signed up to speak.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> and other public sectors. Thank you. and other public sectors. Thank you.
  • Kamakana Kima, United Public Workers. You have our written testimony in support.
  • Next we have Chris Koffield from the Hawaii Public Health Institute in support.
  • </c><00:40:16.400><c> and</c> departments, organizations, public and departments, organizations, public
  • </c> general public relating to wage theft. general public relating to wage theft.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AEN Public Hearing 02-04-2026

Agriculture and Environment

Transcript Highlights:
  • And a public notice will be posted on the legislature's website.
  • that age range, but there are new farmers and folks who maybe as a second career would still be interested
  • that age range, but there are new farmers and folks who maybe as a second career would still be interested
  • </c><00:27:16.880><c> on</c><00:27:17.120><c> the</c><00:27:17.279><c> best</c><00:27:17.520><c> interest
  • </c><00:27:18.080><c> on</c> chair acts on be on the best interest on chair acts on be on the best interest
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several agriculture-related measures, beginning with SB 2309, which would require the agricultural loan division to sell portions of its loan portfolio and use the proceeds to expand the agriculture loan revolving fund. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity and the Hawaii Farm Bureau supported the bill, along with several other organizations and individuals. A committee question focused on the risk of not finding a qualified buyer for the loan portfolio; DAB said a mandatory sale of the full amount could force a less favorable rate, while flexibility to sell different amounts could produce a more equitable return. The measure drew eight supporters and no opposition. The committee then took up SB 2317, which directs DAB to study insurance coverage for small producers and report back to the Legislature. DAB and multiple farm groups supported the bill. In response to a question about cost, DAB estimated about $250,000 would be needed, with the study likely covering crop, health, and liability insurance. The next measure, SB 2318, would establish an agriculture statistics program in statute. DAB said it strongly supported the bill and could ramp up quickly if positions were provided; the committee discussed whether a first report could be completed by year’s end if the bill became law midyear, and DAB said yes. SB 2319, which would fund and make permanent a full-time grant writer position at DAB, also drew strong support from DAB, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Ulupono Initiative, the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, the local food coalition, and others, with testifiers emphasizing the position’s return on investment and success in bringing in federal funds. The committee also heard SB 2321, establishing a two-year pilot program to respond to the twoline spittlebug. DAB, ranching groups, and many others supported the bill, citing the pest’s spread and the need to act before it becomes unmanageable. A DAB pest control manager said he would need to research past response details and provide them later. Members emphasized the importance of early intervention. For SB 2323, which creates a farmland transition commission to study barriers to farmland access and recommend solutions, DAB offered comments and support for the intent, while farm groups generally supported the concept but raised concerns about the proposed age range and whether a separate commission was necessary. DAB said the Board of Agriculture likely would not have the capacity to perform the commission’s duties and estimated there would be costs to establish it, though no figure was available at the hearing. Finally, the committee heard SB 2332, which reestablishes the agriculture and food security special fund, creates a carbon emissions tax and dividend fund, gradually raises carbon-related tax rates, and provides a refundable carbon cashback credit. DAB supported the measure and deferred to Taxation on details; the Department of Taxation said it would stand on its comments, and the Attorney General’s office offered comments and recommendations. Carbon Cashback Hawaii and the County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development supported the bill, arguing it would reduce emissions, protect lower-income households, and be relatively simple to administer.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Finance Feb 5th, 2026

House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • They exceed the entire budget of that small local public body.
  • So this basically alleviates a lot of the red tape for small local public bodies.
  • The current system is that all public entities submit.
  • We authorize these public accounting firms to fan out and contract with public entities to conduct their
  • There's $4.7 billion for public education.
Bills: HB2, SB145, SB143
Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 143, which would raise caps on certain agriculture fees so they can keep pace with inflation. Senator Woods explained that the bill only adjusts fee ceilings, not automatic increases, and an amendment was adopted to tie the caps to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the U.S. Department of Labor. There was no public support or opposition testimony, and the bill was then passed on an 8-0 do-pass vote, with several members excused. The committee then took up Senate Bill 145, which would change the state audit system by raising thresholds for smaller local public bodies and creating a statewide federal single audit for state agencies. The State Auditor and DFA said the bill was intended to streamline audits, reduce delays, and align New Mexico with federal rules and other states, but multiple CPA and audit witnesses opposed the statewide single-audit concept, warning it could reduce transparency, weaken accountability, and increase the risk of fraud, waste, and abuse. Committee members pressed for clarification on how the audit structure would work, which agencies would be covered, and whether DFA or independent auditors would conduct the work; the sponsors said amendments were needed to clarify the bill and remove problematic language, including the appropriation and references to gifts and donations. The committee adopted an amendment striking the appropriation language and then continued questioning without taking final action in the excerpt. The final portion of the meeting shifted to the House Bill 2 budget presentation. Committee members reviewed the Senate Finance version of the budget, which included about a 2.7% increase in recurring spending, 30% reserves, and major investments in health care affordability, early childhood, public education, housing, clean energy, water, and agriculture-related priorities. Members asked about water testing needs, water settlement funding, career technical education funding, and the contingency fund/disaster reserve structure. The presenters said some items still needed technical work and that additional adjustments would be made before final passage.
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Healthcare Committee Jan 28th, 2026

Healthcare

Transcript Highlights:
  • Nobody called a public hearing, but I'm indulging that.
  • Nobody called a public hearing, but I'm indulging that.
  • Nobody called a public to speak.
  • Uh, and I understand the public.
  • </c> anyway, uh uh I think the general public anyway, uh uh I think the general public expects<00:22:
Bills: SB63, SB80, SB63, SB80
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Agriculture & Natural Resources Jan 27th, 2026 at 10:30 am

Agriculture & Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • With that, we're going to pause the public testimony, or the public hearing, on House Bill 2516.
  • We're going to pause the public testimony, or the public hearing, on House Bill 2516, and we're going
  • of receiving public testimony.
  • of receiving public testimony.
  • Representative Ranking Member Dent has asked me to just share with the public that if you have interest
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development Jan 21st, 2026 at 08:00 am

Business, Trade & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • So we will go right into our public hearing.
  • The tribe and the state share public protection interests, which tie back to the core goals of IGRA.
  • The tribal state compacts address these shared public protection interests to ensure that there is no
  • The tribal state compacts address these shared public protection interests to ensure that there is no
  • Thank you, and that concludes our public hearing on Senate Bill 6031 and a public hearing for the committee
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Judiciary Jan 20th, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • And this amendment is a result of discussion with public defenders, and we return the public defenders
  • to two public defenders.
  • The public defenders are in favor of this amendment.
  • And this amendment is a result of discussion with public defenders, and we return the public defenders
  • to two public defenders.
Summary: The committee considered several bills and reported each favorably. SB 624, by Senator Yarborough, would allow batterers intervention programs to offer optional supplemental faith-based activities, with no participant required to take part. Supporters said it would expand provider options and help address a shortage of certified programs; opponents raised concerns about mixing government-ordered programming with religion and about the state’s prior rule change. The bill passed 7-2. The committee also approved CS/SB 834, which repeals a 2022 restriction barring licensed insurance agents from partnering with health care sharing ministries to market or sell their programs. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill restores free speech, consumer choice, and access to faith-based alternatives, while opponents warned about consumer confusion, higher commissions, and weak protections because these ministries are not insurance. After extended debate, the measure passed 8-2. Other measures advanced unanimously or near-unanimously. CS/SB 502, as amended, would give Florida concurrent jurisdiction over certain juvenile offenses on military installations so juveniles can be handled in the state system; it passed 9-0. CS/SB 52 would exempt volunteer armed security for houses of worship from Class D or G licensing requirements, and supporters cited rising threats to churches and the need for organized volunteer security; it passed 9-0. SB 840, a cleanup bill to narrow and clarify last year’s emergency-related land-use restrictions after hurricanes, also passed 9-0, and CS/SB 758, which updates the membership of the Justice Administration Commission, passed 9-0 after an amendment restoring two public defenders to the commission.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • The chair opens up public testimony.
  • The chair opens up public testimony, recognizing Jared Vanden Heuvel from DPS, Public Safety Solutions
  • Jared Vanden Heuvel, Director of Public Safety Solutions at the Texas Department of Public Safety, is
  • Hearing none, the chair now opens public testimony.
  • Seeing no one, public testimony is closed.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Ways and Means Committee 5/18/25

Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • It was agreed upon between the teachers and those in education and those in public safety, which included
  • education<00:04:15.120><c> and</c><00:04:15.360><c> those</c><00:04:15.599><c> in</c><00:04:15.840><c> public
  • </c><00:04:16.079><c> safety,</c> education and those in public safety, education and those in public
Bills: SF2884, HF1889
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • 14.320><c> none,</c><00:05:14.639><c> please</c><00:05:14.880><c> call</c><00:05:15.039><c> the</c> Public
  • Staying in Public Protection Cabinet, Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, 804 KAR 4:415, with staff
  • rates, but when we take on as a state that commitment, we are supposed to be looking at the best interest
  • </c><00:29:41.279><c> taking</c><00:29:41.760><c> in</c> interest of that child. taking in interest of
  • and I just couldn't their best interest and I just couldn't let<00:30:23.200><c> this</c><00:30:23.440
Summary: The Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee met to reorganize its leadership for the new term, renewing Representative Derek Lewis as House co-chair and Senator Steven West as Senate co-chair. The committee then approved the minutes and moved through a series of agency regulations, generally adopting staff-suggested amendments without objection. Among the regulations reviewed were an Attorney General rule changing how a commission reviews and distributes funds and how grant reporting is handled; Personnel Board changes abolishing and renaming certain job classifications and adjusting probationary periods; an Education and Labor Cabinet rule removing references to local board of education members; several Public Protection Cabinet rules covering Board of Claims and Crime Victims’ Compensation procedures; an Alcoholic Beverage Control rule on direct-to-consumer shipping forms; and a Medicaid Services emergency regulation establishing the Kentucky Trauma Hospital Rate Improvement Program for rural hospitals serving many Medicaid patients. The committee also heard that the Board of Claims and Crime Victims’ Compensation regulations included both staff and, in one case, an agency amendment, which were approved. The most extended discussion came on the Department for Community Based Services’ regulation increasing per diem rates for private child-placing therapeutic foster care levels 2 and 3. Committee members questioned the estimated $10 million biennial cost, the source of the funding, and why the cabinet had not yet filed regulations implementing Senate Bill 151 on kinship care. DCBS staff said the rate increase was discretionary and intended to address placement crises for children with high needs, while acknowledging they could not personally explain the budget decisions. A kinship caregiver testified in support of the rate increase but urged the cabinet to also implement SB 151 and expand support for kinship families. The committee expressed frustration over the lack of SB 151 implementation but stated the rate increase itself was appropriate and allowed the regulation to proceed.
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Health Committee Apr 30th, 2025

Health

Transcript Highlights:
  • I was going to allow him to do that, but we learned we had the public hearing last Wednesday.
  • There has been a public hearing.
  • We will vote on this at the end of the public hearing, but there has been a public hearing called.
  • We do this through research, public awareness, and advocacy.
Bills: HB491, SB85