Video & Transcript : 'spent grain' :
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MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Corrections and Public Institutions Feb 9th, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Corrections and Public Institutions
Transcript Highlights:
- , and to hire... ...decisions for their personnel, which is where most of our money is spent, and to
- Do we know how much is in the account right now, or does that get spent down to zero every...
- Now or does that get spent down to zero every fiscal year? I don't know off the top of my head.
- Why aren't they being spent if the money is needed in these funds, like the Crime Victims Fund?
- If these funds are necessary, then why are they remaining in the fund rather than being spent?
Committee:
House Corrections and Public Institutions
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Corrections and Public Institutions Feb 9th, 2026
Corrections and Public Institutions
Transcript Highlights:
- Decisions for their personnel, which is where most of our money is spent, and to hire, to pay, and to
- Do we know how much is in the account right now, or does that get spent down to zero every fiscal year
- of these funds being underwater, so I’m curious why there’s a need for this if the money is being spent
- “So I’m curious why there’s a need for this if the money is being spent down.”
- Why aren’t they being spent?
Committee:
House Corrections and Public Institutions
Summary:
The committee first met in executive session and adopted a House Committee substitute combining House Bills 2592, 2834, and 2787 into one measure. The combined substitute was then voted do pass by a unanimous roll call, recorded as 15 ayes and 0 noes after a brief correction to the tally.
The committee then heard House Bill 1786, which would raise the Highway Patrol’s spending threshold for purchasing vehicles, watercraft, aircraft, and related specialized equipment without returning to the legislature from $100,000 to $500,000. The sponsor and Highway Patrol witnesses said the current cap is outdated because boats, armored vehicles, bomb trucks, and aircraft equipment now cost far more than $100,000, while members asked about inflation, the revolving fund, and whether a lower increase might be more appropriate. No opposition testimony was offered.
Next, House Bill 2885 was heard. It would redirect the first $1 million in annual boat registration fee revenue away from general revenue and into the Missouri Water Patrol Division. The sponsor and Highway Patrol said registration revenue has declined while operating costs have risen, and the division needs the money to support enforcement, search and rescue, dive operations, and boating safety programs. Members asked how much revenue is collected and whether the change would affect other programs; testimony indicated the bill would mainly earmark existing revenue rather than increase overall department funding.
The committee also heard House Bill 2694, which would exempt four fee-supported funds from the end-of-biennium sweep to general revenue: the Highway Patrol Academy Fund, the State Forensic Laboratory Account, the Boiler and Pressure Vessels Safety Fund, and the Elevator Safety Fund. The sponsor and Department of Public Safety witnesses said the sweeps make long-term planning difficult and can disrupt training, lab support, and safety inspection operations, though members raised concerns about excess balances, guardrails, and whether fee reductions should be considered if reserves grow too large. Finally, House Bill 1712 was heard; it would make intentionally failing to charge an electronic monitoring device a crime, closing a loophole in existing tampering law. The sponsor, a sheriff, and other witnesses said the bill addresses deliberate attempts to evade monitoring, while members discussed battery warnings, rural access to electricity, and the costs and benefits of pretrial release. No votes were taken on the later bills before the committee adjourned.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight Feb 3rd, 2026
Senate Committee on Post Audit and Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- one good thing that can come out of this, because we're lucky, is that it imploded before money was spent
- or significant funds were spent.
- It imploded before money was spent or significant funds were spent.
- the idea that we're backtracking and we're not holding them, then I don't really understand why we spent
- for anyone who didn't spend efficiently because you basically built in the amount of money that was spent
Summary:
The committee met to discuss MassDOT’s unsuccessful service plaza procurement, with Chair Montigny opening by stressing the committee’s investigative role, its refusal to take lobbyist calls or meetings, and its willingness to use subpoena power if needed. He said the committee was focused on understanding how the bid process unfolded, why the selected bid was far above the low bid, why the Capital Programs Committee did not vote on the matter, and what ex parte communications occurred. He also framed the issue as broader than one contract, criticizing procurement practices generally and noting future hearings on quasi-public entities and the Convention Center.
Commonwealth Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro testified that his office would issue an investigatory letter on the service plaza procurement in the coming weeks. He said the procurement was a major one—18 locations, nearly $1 billion in value, and a 35-year term—and that his office had reviewed the process, its design, and execution. Shapiro emphasized that the OIG looks beyond fraud to the totality of a procurement and contract management, and he outlined best practices for large public procurements: clear planning, transparent solicitation terms, defined evaluation criteria and weights, limited and explicit non-negotiable terms, conflict-of-interest controls, and strong contract management after award. He said the Commonwealth was fortunate the procurement was canceled because a contract of that size and duration should mitigate risk factors.
Committee members then pressed Shapiro on broader procurement reform, including how to handle subjective criteria versus objective price comparisons, how to prevent ex parte communications, whether selection committees should be treated as public bodies subject to open meeting and records laws, and whether agencies should use outside experts or dedicated staff for major negotiations. Shapiro responded generally that agencies must define objectives and scoring before bids are opened, use forms that allow apples-to-apples comparisons, ensure boards understand their oversight duties, and think about enforcement and contract management from the start. The hearing ended with the chair saying the committee would continue its work and would hear from the Secretary of Transportation at a later date; the meeting adjourned at 4:12.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- This year, we spent more money than we ever had on educating students in the state of New Hampshire.
- This year, we spent more money than we ever had on educating students in the state of New Hampshire.
- This year, we spent more money than we ever had on educating students in the state of New Hampshire.
- This year, we spent more money than we ever had on educating students in the state of New Hampshire.
- This year, we spent through the budget.
Committee:
Senate Education Finance
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm a card player, so I spent a lot of time at the card room, but I haven't spent much time with horses
- They all happened with horses who spent time in Ocala.
- If that is true, the buyers who spent $65 million last week at OBS, Ocala Breeders' Sales, didn't get
- I spent five years trying to do some other work around this, but that one word...
- I spent five years trying to do some other work around this, but that one word, we should be able to
Committee:
House Commerce Committee
Summary:
The Commerce Committee held its first meeting, took roll, established a quorum, and heard opening remarks from the chair, vice chair, and ranking member emphasizing the committee’s broad scope and focus on Florida’s economy and daily-life issues. The committee then considered several bills, with members and staff noting the agenda included four bills and a PCS.
The first measures dealt with insurance and consumer regulation. CS/HB 367 on home and service warranty associations was explained as allowing financial requirements to be met through one or more contractual liability policies and reducing certain filing requirements; an amendment adding requirements for liability insurance coverage was adopted, and the bill passed favorably. HB 655 on pet insurance and wellness programs created a regulatory framework for pet insurance and also passed favorably. HB 6015, which deleted the word “reusable” from the wine keg statute, had brief support testimony and passed favorably.
The committee spent the most time on CS/HB 105, a strike-all PCS on thoroughbred permit holders and decoupling racing from gaming. The sponsor said the revised bill would decouple racing and gaming while adding protections for the thoroughbred industry, including a notice period before racing could stop, permit transferability, and changes to how breeders’ and owners’ funds are administered. Supporters argued the bill would preserve and strengthen the industry through clearer rules and more direct support, while opponents—horsemen, breeders, trainers, veterinarians, and related businesses—warned it would harm a major rural industry, threaten jobs, and favor casino interests. After extensive debate, the strike-all was adopted and the bill was reported favorably on a divided vote.
Finally, HB 11 on municipal water and sewer utility rates was presented as correcting an unintended consequence in surcharge law for utilities owned by one municipality but located in another. Testimony focused on the fairness of the current surcharge structure and the impact on Miami Gardens and North Miami Beach. After debate about negotiation, parity, and local impacts, the bill passed favorably. The committee then adjourned after its first meeting.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nomination of Jayanta Bhattacharya, of California, to be Director of the National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services. Mar 5th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Historically, the NIH has, as we all know, spent billions of dollars in developing important drugs.
- The NIH has spent a disproportionate amount of money on research on diseases that impacted very.
- , every dollar wasted on administrative costs that are not needed is a dollar not spent on research.
- Senator, I think that the funds that have been spent to date on Long COVID have not provided answers
- I'm committed to making sure that the NIH funds are spent to address America's chronic health needs.
Keywords:
NIH funding, healthcare research, chronic diseases, scientific integrity, public trust, pandemic response
Summary:
The meeting of the committee focused on various healthcare and scientific issues, with significant discussions surrounding the impact of recent administrative actions on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and its research agenda. Senators expressed concerns over funding cuts and personnel reductions, particularly the reported termination of over 1,200 NIH staff members, which could jeopardize ongoing and future research projects. The session included testimonies on the importance of supporting early-stage researchers and restoring public trust in scientific institutions following pandemic-related controversies. Additionally, the potential for future healthcare management based on diverse scientific ideas was emphasized as crucial to tackle chronic diseases effectively.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Natural Resources and Environment May 12th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I've spent 40 years with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, soil conservation service.
- She originally came from Puerto Rico, spent time in the northwest, somewhere up in the Washington, Oregon
- Puerto Rico, spent time in the northwest, somewhere up in the Washington, Oregon area, and then was sent
- She originally came from Puerto Rico, spent time in the northwest, somewhere up in the Washington, Oregon
- Puerto Rico spent time in the northwest, somewhere up in the Washington, Oregon area, and then was sent
Summary:
The House Natural Resources Committee met with a quorum and took up a series of hunting, wildlife, environmental, and property measures. It reported favorably HCR 79, which urges Congress and the U.S. Forest Service to allow deer hunting with dogs in Kisatchie National Forest, after testimony emphasizing the cultural importance of dog hunting and opposition from the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, which supported only the wounded-deer recovery component. The committee also reported favorably SB 419 on using pre-charged pneumatic devices during primitive firearms season, SCR 29 creating a study committee on Atchafalaya Basin water quality, and SB 111 setting black bass and crappie bag and size limits in the basin, with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries saying it would continue sampling and monitor impacts.
Members then approved SB 174 transferring state property in Caddo Parish from Louisiana Tech University to the Caddo Parish School Board, SB 189 prohibiting intentional release of fuels or chemicals for temperature-affecting purposes, and SB 99 modernizing DEQ communications to allow optional electronic notices. They also reported favorably HCR 54 requesting a federal study of flooded corn and migratory waterfowl behavior, and HCR 94 requiring annual boating safety reports from Wildlife and Fisheries; witnesses supported the reporting idea and suggested adding a 10-year average for context.
The committee next approved HCR 104, which asks the Department of Conservation and Energy and the Louisiana Geological Survey to study collection and access to subsurface data, with LSU’s Greg Upton describing ongoing modernization of core samples, well logs, and 3D subsurface mapping. It also passed SB 331, which temporarily removes a section of the Louisiana Scenic Rivers Act for five years to allow work on the lower Pearl River; conservation groups opposed the bill, warning about precedent, flooding, erosion, and habitat impacts, while the author said the measure was narrowly tailored to address severe silting and channel problems. Finally, the committee created a task force on illegal dumping in HCR 85 after amending its membership, adopted a substitute for HR 216 to authorize a committee hearing on the 2022 Louisiana Climate Action Plan, and reported favorably HCR 87 supporting a U.S. senator’s migratory flyway correspondence and SB 505 revising the Motor Fuels Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund grant process and related tank requirements.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Natural Resources and Environment May 12th, 2026
Natural Resources & Environment
Transcript Highlights:
- I've spent 40 years with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Soil Conservation Service.
- I've spent 40 years with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Soil Conservation Service.
- She originally came from Puerto Rico, spent time in the Northwest, somewhere up in the Washington-Oregon
- She originally came from Puerto Rico, spent time in the northwest, somewhere up in the Washington, Oregon
- Puerto Rico spent time in the northwest, somewhere up in the Washington, Oregon area, and then was sent
Committee:
House Natural Resources & Environment
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz delivers State of the State address 4/28/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- identify suspicious activity more quickly, and expands our capacity to ensure these funds are properly spent
- 00:32:41.160><c> funds</c><00:32:41.440><c> are</c><00:32:41.560><c> properly</c><00:32:42.120><c> spent
- </c> ensure these funds are properly spent ensure these funds are properly spent and<00:32:43.280><c>
- So Norm spent the day trying to figure out how to get money to a total stranger to buy a bus ticket to
- So Norm spent the day trying to figure out how to get money to a total stranger to buy a bus ticket to
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Health and Human Services Oversight REVISED: SB640, SB1502 and SB1562 - Added Apr 13th, 2026 at 03:00 pm
Health and Human Services Oversight
Transcript Highlights:
- And frankly, I don't mean this in a harsh way, but I don't know how a dollar, tax dollars spent through
- And frankly, I don't mean this in a harsh way, but I don't know how a dollar, tax dollars spent through
- And frankly, I don't mean this in a harsh way, but I don't know how a dollar, tax dollars spent through
- hope we're not saying that, you know, the life of a baby saved by a dollar, Oklahoma dollar that's spent
- out of state is worth less than the dollar spent in Oklahoma that saves an Oklahoma baby.
Bills:
SB206 , SB640 , SB667 , SB1344 , SB1380 , SB1423 , SB1425 , SB1436 , SB1484 , SB1500 , SB1502 , SB1503 , SB1557 , SB1562 , SB1572 , SB1644 , SB1645 , SB1794 , SB1796 , SB1806 , SB1849 , SB1984 , SB2007 , SB2074
Committee:
House Health and Human Services Oversight
Keywords:
SB206, emergency medical services, EMS, ambulance, 911 response, emergency response, essential services, federal funding, grant funding, public health, health care facility, municipality, county, ambulance service district, tribal entity, public entity, contract ambulance service, Oklahoma, 63 O.S. 2021 Section 1-2502, emergency clause
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- remember Charles saying that the Environment Department circular economy had $25 million and they haven't spent
- And so we have a poor system to know exactly when that money is spent.
- So it could be spent. It could be partially spent.
- And all that was, was the tribes that spent the money. ...we had in Capital Outlay, and all that was
- was the tribes that spent the money, but the system.
Committee:
Senate Senate Finance
Keywords:
telecommunications, low-income assistance, lifeline, broadband, rural broadband, universal service fund, public regulation commission, PRC, 911 surcharge, telecommunications relay service, VoIP, mobile service, internet affordability, digital equity, digital inclusion, rural internet, broadband infrastructure, eligible telecommunications carrier, ETC, tribal consent
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Transportation Jan 28th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- But no, I just wanted to recognize the fact that you spent your able lobbyist, Mr.
- Moran, took me around, but you spent a full day with me taking me around various parts of the tribal
- With so much emphasis and hundreds of millions of dollars being spent each year on wellness, health,
- With so much emphasis and hundreds of millions of dollars being spent each year on wellness health and
- And I'll be honest, I spent years in construction.
Summary:
The Transportation Committee held public hearings on House Bill 2550 and House Bill 2645, then moved to executive session on three other bills. HB 2550 would require certain community and technical college students enrolled in degree- or certificate-seeking programs to be allowed to ride transit for free as a condition of transit support grant eligibility. Staff said the current program already requires zero-fare access for riders 18 and under, and the bill would expand that requirement to CTC students. Testimony from the sponsor, students, and transit advocates supported the goal of reducing barriers to education, while the Washington State Transit Association raised implementation concerns, including how eligibility would be verified and the potential loss of fare revenue and added administrative costs. The fiscal note discussion estimated local impacts of roughly $10 million to $12 million per year for affected transit agencies.
HB 2645 concerned the emergency replacement of the closed Fairfax Bridge on State Route 165. The bill and proposed substitute would declare an emergency and give WSDOT expanded authority to expedite bridge replacement by waiving or suspending certain state requirements. The sponsor and many local residents, business owners, recreation advocates, and emergency responders testified that the bridge closure has cut off communities, limited access to Mount Rainier and public lands, and significantly increased emergency response times. WSDOT testified that it is already moving forward with planning and design for a replacement bridge, but said much of the timeline is driven by federal requirements such as NEPA, historic preservation, and endangered species review. No vote was taken on HB 2550 or HB 2645 in the transcript.
In executive session, the committee adopted a proposed substitute for HB 2109, which allows certain towed vehicles with debris on them to be covered instead of cleaned before transport, and passed it out of committee 27-0. The committee also adopted an amendment to HB 2134, which updates regional transportation planning requirements related to greenhouse gas and vehicle miles traveled reductions, and passed the bill out 16-12. Finally, the committee adopted two amendments to HB 2323 creating the Blue Envelope Program for traffic stops involving neurodiverse individuals, then passed the bill out of committee 28-0.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans Jan 27th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans
Transcript Highlights:
- Career-wise, I have spent 20 years in public service between three state agencies, and I also in the
- My name is Linda Lowry, and I am a Washington State resident who has spent most of my career working
- Washington State resident who has spent most of my career working in workforce development.
- My name is Linda Lowry, and I am a Washington State resident who has spent most of my career working
- Washington state resident who has spent most of my career working in workforce development.
Keywords:
artificial intelligence, AI regulation, algorithmic discrimination, high-risk AI, machine learning, generative AI, synthetic content, impact assessment, risk management policy, consumer protection, civil rights, discrimination, facial recognition, automated decision-making, deployers, developers, Washington RCW, Title 19 RCW, employment, housing
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Rural Health Transformation Committee - Appropriations Division Jan 13th, 2026 at 02:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- I don't think it's any different than things that are currently allocated from whether the feds spent
- CMS has put very limited structure in place as to what the capital improvements could be spent on.
- So there's going to be some small limitations where these dollars could be spent on capital.
- Donna said the department must be very directive about what can be done and what can be spent by the
- Okay, and just for the committee's understanding is, you know, we spent a lot of time deciding on what
Summary:
The Appropriations Division met in a work session on the draft Rural Health Transformation appropriations bill, 25.1392.01000, with no public testimony taken. Legislative Council and the Department of Health and Human Services walked through the bill, which would appropriate about $397.8 million in federal grant funds over two federal fiscal years, provide transfer authority, allow certain federal funds to be used for salaries and wages without counting against existing transfer limits, and authorize OMB to adjust other agencies’ spending authority if they receive grant awards through HHS. The bill also includes several temporary statutory exemptions to help implement the program, plus recipient acknowledgement/reporting requirements, periodic reports to Legislative Management, and an immediate effective date upon filing.
Committee discussion focused heavily on how the federal rural health transformation money can be used and administered. Department officials explained that CMS will review projects for allowability and sustainability, that the state has flexibility to move funds among categories, and that the grant is limited to 10% administrative costs. Members asked about whether the funding could support renovations, equipment, ambulances, bulk purchasing, food distribution, and other rural health ideas, and were told many details will depend on CMS approval and the eventual applications. Questions also addressed cash flow, timing of obligations and reimbursements, FTE funding, and whether grant recipients should be told the program will not continue beyond the federal period; officials said the language is meant to prevent expectations of automatic continuation, not to bar future legislative action.
The committee also discussed the bill’s use of a two-year appropriation amount, with staff explaining that the state must appropriate enough authority to cover the federal grant cycle and that unused authority would lapse if the full amount is not received or spent. Members raised concerns about whether the bill’s language could limit creativity or future program design, but department officials and several members emphasized the need for flexibility because CMS may reject overly specific directives. After discussion, the committee voted to recommend the bill draft to the full committee; the motion carried on a roll call vote, and the chair said the full Joint Appropriations Committee would take up the bill at the special session next week.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
November 4, 2025 - 01:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Following advanced nuclear is more efficient fuel use leads to longer periods between refueling unless spent
- But as far as the treatments of of spent nuclear fuel by Mike reactors and some more is, I'm not sure
- was mentioned that actually operates using spent fuel.
- And that's again, the close reactor that use the spent fuel.
- of the state, the state says this isn't the good of the state in some amount of dollars needs to be spent
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
JLARC – Joint Legislative Audit & Review Committee Sep 17th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And I'm one for making sure that the money gets spent correctly.
- The use of lodging taxes is related to compliance auditing to make sure that the lodging tax is spent
- In the 2023-25 biennium, OPDP was appropriated $2.74 million, and it spent about $2 million.
- But notably, OPDP spent $640,000 primarily on contractors to develop educational materials and resources
- During the 2023 biennium, the state agency spent $86 million on recreational boating activities.
Summary:
The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee met on September 17, 2025, in hybrid format. After roll call, the committee initially lacked a quorum and deferred approval of the July 15 minutes until Representative Berg arrived; the minutes were then adopted. Members also discussed the proposed 2026 JLARC meeting schedule, including possible changes to address crowded July meetings and the annual tax exemption review workload.
Staff presented the annual lodging tax expenditures report, noting that 213 municipalities received distributions in 2024, with 91% reporting compliance, $114 million awarded for more than 1,700 activities, and no independent verification of the self-reported data. Several members questioned the value and usefulness of the report, and the executive committee indicated it may recommend removing the statutory reporting requirement. The committee then heard the preliminary performance audit of the Office of Privacy and Data Protection, which found the office meets its statutory responsibilities and has high user satisfaction, but recommended updating the statute to better match the office’s current capacity and focus and improving performance measures to reflect long-term privacy outcomes rather than outputs. Members asked about FERPA and other federal privacy laws, and OPDP staff said they provide general privacy training and consultation but not law-specific training unless requested.
The committee adopted the final report on Washington State recreational boating programs without recommendation, after staff reported that boating revenues support both general government and boating activities and that no participating agencies submitted formal comments. Members asked about boater safety education and possible overlap among the six agencies involved; Parks staff said education has reached more than 500,000 boaters and that fatalities and incidents have declined. The committee also reviewed planned study questions for a JLARC review of Labor and Industries’ enforcement of farm worker laws, with members raising scope questions about the term “farm worker” versus “agricultural worker,” and for DNR’s Eastern Washington sustainable harvest calculation, which JLARC will review as DNR completes its recalculation. Finally, staff outlined the 2026 tax preference performance reviews covering seven preferences, and members asked about racial equity, environmental impacts, disclosure of beneficiary savings, and how the reviews will measure effectiveness; the meeting adjourned before noon.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Transportation Committee Sep 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We need to make sure that these dollars are being spent effectively and that we are making sure that
- We need to make sure that these dollars are being spent effectively and that we are making sure that
- We spent a lot of time, I think, because we both wanted to come to an agreement in good faith, and we
- And first of all, I, before I was elected to the Senate, I spent six years as a commissioner on the MTC
- And to say you are stuck in the petition process is a reactive way of monitoring how tax dollars are spent
Summary:
The Assembly Transportation Committee heard SB 63 by Senator Wiener, as amended and coauthored by Senator Arreguín, a Bay Area transit funding measure intended to avert major service cuts at BART, Muni, Caltrain, and AC Transit. The authors said the region faces a fiscal cliff and that without new revenue, BART could collapse and other systems could face severe reductions. They described the bill as the product of extensive negotiations among the five Bay Area counties and transit operators, with San Mateo and Santa Clara counties opting in during the process.
Much of the discussion focused on accountability and governance. Supporters said the bill includes some of the strongest oversight provisions in recent memory, including a third-party efficiency review and ad hoc adjudication committees that can withhold a portion of funding if operators fail to correct problems. Assembly Member Papin and Assembly Member Lackey argued the measure amounts to a taxpayer bailout with insufficient representation and too much control left to MTC, while the authors responded that the bill gives affected counties direct complaint and enforcement authority and that MTC must follow the ad hoc committees’ recommendations. Several members asked about complaint procedures, withholding thresholds, opt-in/opt-out issues, and whether the funding would return to the source counties if withheld.
Testimony in support came from SPUR, Caltrain, MTC, the Bay Area Council, BART, SamTrans, VTA, San Francisco MTA, transit coalitions, environmental groups, local governments, and labor. Supporters emphasized the risk of severe service cuts, the importance of preserving recent investments such as Caltrain electrification, and the need for regional self-help. There was no registered opposition witness, though some members spoke against the bill. The committee ultimately voted 11-5 to pass SB 63 as amended to the floor, with the committee amendments also removing urgency language.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine certain pending nominations. May 1st, 2025 at 09:30 am
Foreign Relations Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- He went to Villanova, got in a car wreck, lost one of his classmates, spent the entire first semester
- I have spent my entire career defining challenging goals and working towards them.
- As the founder of Kushner Companies over 40 years ago, I have spent decades building and managing a diverse
- I spent over 18 years leading the Freeman Company, together with my team, transforming us. into the global
- And I know a lot of senators in the past, certainly, have spent a lot of time and effort on this.
Committee:
Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Keywords:
diplomatic nominations, foreign policy, ambassadors, U.S.-European relations, Bilateral relationships, security, trade
Summary:
The meeting focused primarily on diplomatic nominations, featuring discussions about the implications of these roles on U.S. foreign policy. Notable was the introduction of nominees for key ambassadorial positions, including ambassadors to the Dominican Republic, France, and the Netherlands. Senator Shaheen emphasized the importance of U.S.-European relations, particularly in light of current global challenges, while other members voiced their concerns regarding the nominees’ qualifications and the impact on bilateral relationships. Public support for these nominations was evident, as was the committee's commitment to fostering stronger connections with allied nations, particularly in addressing security and trade issues.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- It limits the tourist development tax revenue that must be spent to promote and advertise tourism to
- It limits the tourist development tax revenue that must be spent to promote and advertise tourism to
- It limits the tourist development tax revenue that must be spent to promote and advertise tourism to
- It limits the tourist development tax revenue that must be spent to promote and advertise tourism to
- It limits the tourist development tax revenue that must be spent to promote and advertise tourism to
Committee:
Senate Finance and Tax
Summary:
The Finance and Tax Committee met and first heard SB 674, which would allow county property appraisers, like tax collectors already can, to budget for and pay hiring or retention bonuses if approved in their Department of Revenue budget. Support came from property appraiser representatives, who said the bill would help them compete for specialized staff without requiring new funding. The bill was reported favorably.
The committee then considered SJR 318, a proposed constitutional amendment on tangible personal property used on agricultural land, along with an amendment clarifying the exemption’s scope and allowing the Legislature to set conditions by general law. Farm Bureau and the Florida Chamber supported the measure, and the committee adopted the amendment and reported the joint resolution favorably. Members also took up CS for SB 1664, which would require voter reapproval of local discretionary taxes when they expire; an amendment changed the bill to require expiration dates and tied reapproval to tax expiration rather than a fixed eight-year cycle. Local government and tourism groups raised concerns about impacts on tourist development taxes, transportation surtaxes, beaches funding, and long-term financing, while supporters argued voters should periodically affirm local taxes. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably.
Next, the committee considered SJR 1510 and its implementing bill SB 1512, both dealing with a homestead-style property tax benefit for certain long-term leased residential properties. After multiple amendments narrowed the proposal substantially, limiting it to one qualifying property and then to single-family homes, mobile homes, and condominium units, counties and cities still opposed the measures as a tax shift to other taxpayers. The sponsor said the changes reduced the scope and fiscal impact, and both measures were reported favorably.
Finally, the committee heard SPB 7034, the Senate tax package, which includes permanent sales tax exemptions, multiple tax holidays, motor vehicle fee reductions, a property tax study, rural investment tax credits, a freeze on local communications services tax rates, and other tax changes, with an estimated $2.1 billion revenue reduction. Testimony was mixed: property appraisers supported the property tax study, while many public commenters opposed the firearm and ammunition tax holiday and urged inclusion of gun safes and locks instead. County, city, tourism, and lodging representatives raised concerns about tourist development tax limits and other local revenue impacts, while supporters emphasized tax relief and the study’s value. After debate, the committee adopted a motion to submit SPB 7034 as a committee bill and reported it favorably.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Mar 18th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- . >> The majority by education and trade and I spent 3 years here in Tallahassee working. >> On to turn
- I spent 3 years up here as deputy general counsel for both Governor Rick Scott and Governor Ron DeSantis
- I spent 20 years in education in Pasco County as a special education teacher.
- And I spent 28 years in private practice as a consultant currently on the on our president and CEO of
- and staff monthly to review pledges to expenditures to sure tax dollars are collected and are being spent