Video & Transcript Research : 'class levels'

Page 88 of 500
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Education Policy Committee 2/26/25

Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • It was actually 8th grade, and it was 2012, December 14th, when in the middle of our first period class
  • <00:02:17.640> uh<00:02:17.760> we<00:02:17.879> got of our first period class
  • uh we got of our first period class uh we got interrupted<00:02:18.599> by<00:02:18.760> the
  • that a lot in our first grade class that a lot in our first grade class rooms<01:25:19.760> I
  • <01:34:24.679> or that outside of um theology classes or that outside of um theology classes
Keywords: 1183, house
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Committee on Taxes - 02/19/25

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • > um<00:02:38.840> at<00:02:38.959> a<00:02:39.120> high<00:02:39.400> level
  • <00:02:40.400> uh accept that but um at a high level uh accept that but um at a high level
  • Most of the income tax implications are at the federal level, but conforming with it at the state level
  • implications are at the federal level implications are at the federal level but<00:09:34.720>
  • It can still be determined to be an employee through other means that are done at the IRS level.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • For failure to distribute election supplies from a Class C misdemeanor to a...
  • Class A misdemeanor for obstructing the distribution of election supplies from a Class C misdemeanor
  • to a Class A misdemeanor.
  • The bill also creates two Class...
  • That's simply out of reach for most working-class and poor parents.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • Each leg of our triad is undergoing a generational modernization. includes the Columbia-class submarine
  • to replace the Ohio-class, the B-21 bomber to replace the B-1 and B-2 bombers, and the Sentinel ICBM
  • Since that time, what we have done has looked at the options that are available on all three levels.
  • could impact plan transition. from Ohio class submarines.
  • And you're right, right now we're anticipating a 12 to 16 month delay for the first Columbia class.
Summary: The meeting focused on the strategic posture of U.S. military capabilities with an emphasis on deterrence amid growing global threats. General Cotton from STRATCOM and General Whiting from SPACECOM provided insights into the modernization efforts of the nuclear triad. Key discussions involved the importance of maintaining control over specific frequency spectrums critical for military operations and the implications of potential auctioning of these bands. Members expressed concerns regarding the evolving landscape with adversaries like China and Russia, emphasizing that swift action is needed to adapt and preserve U.S. national security. Various proposals and existing programs, including the B-21 bomber and the nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missile (SLICOM), were debated, alongside the necessity of increasing military investment in hypersonic defense systems.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (04/11/2025)

Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • at the local level. at the local level.
  • B felony and often a class A felony?
  • B felony and often a at least a class B felony and often a class<03:44:49.680> A<03:44:49.920
  • class A felony. class A felony.
  • added, makes this a class A misdemeanor. added, makes this a class A misdemeanor.
Keywords: 1189, house, all
FL

Florida 2026 5th Special Session

Education Pre-K - 12 Oct 15th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • We can change the reading-level adjustments.
  • And then we have a wide range of both state-level and national outreach.
  • One, on the... ...K-12 level, these AI tools don't give you the answers.
  • look like in a classroom environment for the different levels?
  • So a teacher, in giving a lesson, can say level one: no AI.
Summary: The Committee on Education Pre-K through 12 held a panel discussion on artificial intelligence in K-12 education. Dr. Maya Israel of the University of Florida gave an overview of AI literacy, emphasizing that AI can support personalized learning, school operations, and teacher efficiency, but also raises concerns about data privacy, overreliance, mental health, and the need for human oversight. She described the Florida K-12 AI Task Force, which has produced guidance on policy, ethics, privacy, cybersecurity, classroom integration, and professional development, and is now working on district surveys, webinars, case studies, and teacher/family resources. Superintendents Van Ayers of Hillsborough County and Kevin Hendrick of Pinellas County described district-level implementation. Hillsborough outlined a governance council, a district AI policy, and an implementation guide; it prohibits generative AI for students below eighth grade, allows limited use for older students with teacher permission and district-vetted tools, and uses models for classroom AI expectations. The district also reported growing student enrollment in AI courses, teacher training through summer academies and quick learns, and pilots with tools such as Magic School and Microsoft Copilot. Pinellas emphasized academic integrity, student data privacy, digital responsibility, and the importance of human interaction in learning; it said state assessments already limit technology use and that districts need clear governance and parent transparency. Committee members asked about whether AI improves academic performance, the risk of student dependence, the possibility of returning to more paper-based testing, and who should set guardrails. Witnesses said reliable achievement data is still limited because the technology is new, though districts reported anecdotal gains in tutoring and early literacy. They also said there is no established statewide baseline for teacher AI training yet, so districts are using professional development, stipends, and partnerships with universities to build capacity. The committee also heard from Drew Andrew of FSU’s Inspire program, who argued that industry is moving faster than schools and that education should focus on teaching how AI works, building teacher confidence, and aligning training with workforce needs. No bills were considered and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was adopted.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session Aug 25th, 2025

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The 2024-25 class of Assembly Fellows have served us in a wide range of staff functions.
  • We have no doubt that this class of fellows will continue the program's legacy of achievement.
  • All of Los Angeles cheered together, from wealthy families in the West Side to working-class families
  • He was a symbol of pride, possibility, and representation at the highest level of America's game.
  • He brought in a freshman class that year, very talented. Chandler was one of those.
Summary: The Assembly met on July 17, 2025, after a quorum call and prayer, then moved through a long ceremonial and floor session. The chamber recognized the 2025 Science and Technology Policy Fellows, the 2024-25 Jesse Marvin Unruh Assembly Fellows, and the 2025 Assembly Fellows, and also heard guest introductions honoring Brad Webb of Legislative Counsel, youth advocates supporting AB 1231, the Live Oak Lady Lions softball team, the new UC President J.B. Milliken, the Rohnert Park 11-and-under Cal Ripken All-Star team, and arts leaders from Auburn. The Assembly also took up several procedural motions, including removing some bills from the consent calendar and noting absences. On the floor, members adopted ACR 12 designating November 1 as Fernando Valenzuela Day, with broad support and 66 co-authors, and later adopted H.R. 56 recognizing August 2025 as Chicano Heritage Month, with 65 co-authors. The Assembly also adopted ACR 101 naming a portion of State Highway Route 46 the James Dean Memorial Highway, and H.R. 50 proclaiming November 25, 2025, as Elimination of Violence Against Women Day, with members emphasizing survivor support and prevention. In each case, authors and supporters highlighted the cultural, historical, or public-safety significance of the measures. The chamber also concurred in Senate amendments on several bills, including AB 359 on the Political Reform Act, AB 594 on student health insurance protections, AB 1085 banning license plate obstruction devices and penalizing sellers, AB 1286 on public employment transparency, and AB 1505, the Agriculture Committee omnibus bill. AJR 14, urging federal attention to the impact of tariffs on California ports, passed 44-1 after debate over trade policy and port jobs. AJR 17, calling for modernization of immigration law and a pathway to lawful status for long-term undocumented residents, passed 47-7 after extensive debate focused on immigrant families, the economy, and federal enforcement actions. The Assembly also adopted the resolutions by voice vote where required and recorded the roll-call results for the joint resolutions.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Senate Session Feb 13th, 2025

Texas Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I just want to kind of look at it on a couple different levels, but actually...
  • There's got to be a self-leveling here.
  • , the council's level.
  • But I'm sobered that when we permanently reduce the burden on one class of property owners.
  • So in some respects, if we overuse use tax exemption on just one class of property owners.
Bills: SJR2, SB4, SJR36, SJR2, SB4, SJR1, SJR5, SB9, SB40, SJR2, SB4, SR98, SJR40, SJR41, SJR42, SJR43, SJR44, SJR45, SJR46, SJR47, SCR13, SB6, SB13, SB21, SB826, SB827, SB828, SB829, SB830, SB831, SB832, SB833, SB834, SB835, SB836, SB837, SB838, SB839, SB840, SB841, SB842, SB843, SB844, SB845, SB846, SB847, SB848, SB849, SB850, SB851, SB853, SB854, SB855, SB856, SB857, SB858, SB859, SB860, SB861, SB862, SB863, SB864, SB865, SB866, SB867, SB868, SB869, SB870, SB871, SB872, SB873, SB874, SB875, SB876, SB877, SB878, SB879, SB880, SB881, SB882, SB883, SB884, SB885, SB886, SB887, SB888, SB889, SB890, SB891, SB892, SB893, SB894, SB895, SB896, SB897, SB898, SB899, SB900, SB901, SB902, SB903, SB904, SB905, SB906, SB907, SB908, SB909, SB910, SB911, SB912, SB913, SB914, SB915, SB916, SB917, SB918, SB919, SB920, SB921, SB922, SB923, SB924, SB925, SB926, SB927, SB928, SB929, SB930, SB931, SB932, SB933, SB934, SB935, SB936, SB937, SB938, SB939, SB940, SB941, SB942, SB943, SB944, SB945, SB946, SB947, SB948, SB949, SB950, SB951, SB952, SB953, SB954, SB955, SB956, SB957, SB958, SB959, SB960, SB961, SB962, SB963, SB964, SB965, SB966, SB967, SB968, SB969, SB970, SB971, SB972, SB973, SB974, SB975, SB976, SB977, SB978, SB979, SB980, SB981, SB982, SB983, SB984, SB985, SB986, SB987, SB988, SB989, SB990, SB991, SB992, SB993, SB994, SB995, SB996, SB997, SB998, SB999, SB1000, SJR40, SJR41, SJR42, SJR43, SJR44, SJR45, SJR46, SJR47, SCR13, SB6, SB13, SB21, SB826, SB827, SB828, SB829, SB830, SB831, SB832, SB833, SB834, SB835, SB836, SB837, SB838, SB839, SB840, SB841, SB842, SB843, SB844, SB845, SB846, SB847, SB848, SB849, SB850, SB851, SB853, SB854, SB855, SB856, SB857, SB858, SB859, SB860, SB861, SB862, SB863, SB864, SB865, SB866, SB867, SB868, SB869, SB870, SB871, SB872, SB873, SB874, SB875, SB876, SB877, SB878, SB879, SB880, SB881, SB882, SB883, SB884, SB885, SB886, SB887, SB888, SB889, SB890, SB891, SB892, SB893, SB894, SB895, SB896, SB897, SB898, SB899, SB900, SB901, SB902, SB903, SB904, SB905, SB906, SB907, SB908, SB909, SB910, SB911, SB912, SB913, SB914, SB915, SB916, SB917, SB918, SB919, SB920, SB921, SB922, SB923, SB924, SB925, SB926, SB927, SB928, SB929, SB930, SB931, SB932, SB933, SB934, SB935, SB936, SB937, SB938, SB939, SB940, SB941, SB942, SB943, SB944, SB945, SB946, SB947, SB948, SB949, SB950, SB951, SB952, SB953, SB954, SB955, SB956, SB957, SB958, SB959, SB960, SB961, SB962, SB963, SB964, SB965, SB966, SB967, SB968, SB969, SB970, SB971, SB972, SB973, SB974, SB975, SB976, SB977, SB978, SB979, SB980, SB981, SB982, SB983, SB984, SB985, SB986, SB987, SB988, SB989, SB990, SB991, SB992, SB993, SB994, SB995, SB996, SB997, SB998, SB999, SB1000
MA
Transcript Highlights:
  • apprenticeship in painting, in the trades, building trades, to have people with disabilities in those classes
  • And they have a nice example of how we can lattice apprenticeship programs with a sort of an entry-level
  • And so, you know, typically we see the entry-level wage for an apprenticeship might be less than the
  • entry-level wage for, you know, a typical person, but they very quickly make that up.
  • I mean, that's a good way to wrap around a class of people who can do this work. Absolutely.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The subcommittee opened with roll call and approved the January minutes. Members then heard from Undersecretary of Labor and Workforce Development Josh Cutler, who gave an update on the Healey-Driscoll administration’s apprenticeship efforts and emphasized apprenticeship as an earn-while-you-learn model that can help address workforce shortages while including people with disabilities. He described growth in apprenticeships across sectors such as banking, bio, early education, health care, and human services, and noted recent milestones including the state’s 10,000th registered apprenticeship, expanded tax credits, reduced program fees, added apprenticeship liaisons, and Grow grants to support program development. Committee members focused on how apprenticeship could be adapted for human services and disability-related jobs, including early education, direct care, PCA work, sterile processing, and related health occupations. They asked about funding structures, employer participation, community college involvement, and how to make programs accessible to people with disabilities. Cutler explained that apprenticeship programs are employer-designed but must meet core requirements such as paid employment, at least 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning, related technical instruction, mentorship, and progressive wages. He said the state can support programs through the registered apprenticeship tax credit, which he said is $4,800 per apprentice and can be stacked with the disability employment tax credit, and through Grow grants, which were most recently awarded at about $2.1 million statewide. Members and Cutler discussed using intermediaries such as trade associations, nonprofits, and disability organizations to help employers set up programs and navigate incentives. He said the commission could be useful as a convener and suggested a targeted panel or information session with apprenticeship liaisons, employers, and existing sponsors to identify a few specific occupations and build a proof of concept. The meeting ended with agreement to follow up offline on potential partner employers, including Eastern Bank, and on possible next steps for a focused panel or pilot opportunities.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Taxes - 01/30/25

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • Madam Chair, Senator Miller, in Minnesota we recognize a three-class bicycle system.
  • We have a class one bicycle that can go up to 20 miles an hour with pedal assist.
  • Minnesota we recognize a three-class Minnesota we recognize a three-class bicycle<00:30:11.360><
  • <00:30:12.840> one bicycle system um we have a class one bicycle system um we have a class
  • system um so them based on their class system um so class<00:30:44.880> 3es<00:30:45.440>
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House of Representatives May 20th, 2026

Louisiana House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • This year, we're going to kind of go on a bit of a macro level, tied strictly to Louisiana.
  • was stationed at Fort Polk, Sergeant First Class James Moore, was killed in a firefight.
  • Sergeant First Class Moore was a native of La Trobe, Pennsylvania.
  • This is Sergeant First Class Moore's daughter.
  • Whereas on March 19, 1969, United States Army Sergeant First Class James H.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Jan 14th, 2026

Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Transcript Highlights:
  • Current uniforms for detention officers are considered Class B, or polo-style shirts and dress pants.
  • Purchasing new Class A uniforms for our staff, which will meet professionalism standards, will be dress
  • , beyond the standard education offered across schools throughout the state, career and technical classes
  • It wasn't state or at our level. And we have legislation moving.
  • It was federal legislation; it wasn't state or at our level.
Bills: S0054, S0156, S0296, S0298
Summary: The committee first heard a presentation on the Governor’s fiscal year 2026-27 public safety budget, which totals about $8.2 billion within a $117.4 billion overall state budget. Caitlin Dawkins of the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget outlined funding and reductions across the public safety silo, including the Department of Corrections, Juvenile Justice, FDLE, Legal Affairs, the courts, and related entities. Agency heads then presented their requests, with FDLE seeking funding for fentanyl enforcement, career offender registry staffing, alert system upgrades, alcohol testing equipment, officer mental health, criminal alien detection, and statutory staffing needs; DJJ requesting money for the Florida Scholars Academy, uniforms, residential contract rate increases, a new Broward detention center, and facility maintenance; and DOC requesting major funding for correctional officer pay increases, 500 additional FTE, facility construction and maintenance, communications and security technology, offender information system modernization, inmate health care, pharmaceuticals, and food service. Members discussed staffing shortages, prison conditions, immigration enforcement, public records burdens, mental health and substance use treatment, and the need for continued investment in corrections. A member of the public also testified about poor conditions in some prisons, including clothing, food, medical care, and maintenance issues. The committee then considered and passed CS/SB 156, the Jason Rayner Act, which would clarify that a person may not resist a law enforcement officer with violence when the officer is performing official duties and would increase penalties in cases involving violence against officers. The bill sponsor described the case of Officer Jason Rayner and said the measure was intended to prevent defendants from using claims about unlawful detention or arrest to justify violence. An amendment conforming the bill’s language was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably after support was noted from several law enforcement and municipal groups. Next, the committee passed CS/SB 54, which addresses use of substances affecting cognitive function. An amendment narrowed the medical-records language to records relevant to investigations of violent offenders and clarified privacy protections. The bill was then reported favorably. The committee also passed CS/SB 296, the Haven Act, which would direct a study of a secure web-based alert system for domestic violence victims so they can contact 911 without alerting an abuser, and would expand the Address Confidentiality Program to include dating violence victims. Testimony from survivors and advocates emphasized the danger victims face when trying to leave abusive situations. Finally, the committee passed CS/SB 298, the public-records companion bill, which extends confidentiality protections for participants in the Address Confidentiality Program to dating violence victims as well. All three bills were reported favorably, and the committee adjourned after no further business.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Education Policy - 03/09/26

Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Because of this, I had to start taking Spanish classes in 10th grade, putting me two years behind the
  • years ago, I was taking French classes years ago, I was taking French classes as<00:04:31.120>
  • <00:04:41.680> in had to start taking Spanish classes in had to start taking Spanish classes
  • <00:06:37.120> you you probably do have some classes you you probably do have some classes
  • Olympic hockey level of excitement in Minnesota. Um, but it's growing.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Vets Committee Meeting - 2025-03-19

Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:
  • Law enforcement at every level is tracking this. And this bill is a modest solution.
  • There are not significant wait lists at the state level. to get assistance in appeals.
  • The federal VA has a disability chart for the level of rating.
  • Today, you heard that there was a 16-month course with some college classes.
  • At the congressional level, the federal level, we are working with a bipartisan group of members of Congress
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Corrections Mar 12th, 2025

Corrections

Transcript Highlights:
  • They're operated at a local level, but there are 2,677 probation officers in Texas.
  • , so counseling level care, medication level care there with the university providers all the way. to
  • location because we have crisis level with our hospitals and then we have unit level but at the same
  • , personal health classes. entrepreneurship.
  • We offer mental health classes and services to include medication management classes such as impulse
Keywords: 1184, house, all
AL

Alabama 2026 1st Special Session

Alabama House Apr 1st, 2026

Alabama House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:09:06.000> 4A School Athletic Association Class 4A School Athletic Association Class 4A
  • B, class C felony.
  • <02:54:04.160> If<02:54:04.399> they<02:54:04.560> was a class B class C felony
  • If they was a class B class C felony.
  • <02:54:06.960> C using the weapon, it went to a class C using the weapon, it went to a class
Keywords: 1136, house, all
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Finance Jul 22nd, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • The tower will expand care at the state's only Level 1 Trauma Center, which serves more than 7,000 of
  • I believe at the local level, we have done an incredible... amount of work with your support to make
  • This affirms the need to grow the size of our School of Medicine. of the medicine class.
  • Are they from the university level, the state level, or the federal level?
  • Are world-class providers once they've gone through this process with us.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

02/11/2026 - Senate Public Safety

Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • change the demeanor of the subject without moving to other levels of force.
  • Sorry, we know our... ...state level to harm our democracy.
  • So taking the class felony from a five to a four at the lower level makes it harder to get down to a
  • But the fact is, as of right now, it's a class five felony in all circumstances.
  • What this will do is make it a class five in some.
Summary: The committee first approved its February 4 minutes and announced several bills would be held, including SB 1317, SB 1416, SB 1419, SB 1490, and SB 1493. It then heard SB 1579, which would appropriate about $4.7 million from the state general fund to expand a law enforcement data-sharing pilot through the Department of Administration, with funds for DPS, county sheriffs, university police, and city/town police departments. Testimony from the sponsor, Flagstaff’s mayor, Eloy’s police chief, and Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office staff emphasized faster records access, better coordination, and officer safety; an amendment added $125,900 for the Scottsdale Police Department after it had been omitted. The committee adopted the amendment and gave SB 1579 a do pass recommendation by a 6-0 vote with one not voting. The committee next considered SB 1581, which appropriates about $1.4 million from the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund for pepperball equipment and about $1.316 million for public safety training simulators, with an amendment increasing the Nogales Police Department’s pepperball allocation and expanding simulator funding so Yavapai County could buy two simulators with a three-year warranty. Supporters from Navajo County, Phoenix, Glendale, Flagstaff, and Cochise County described pepperball as a de-escalation tool and simulators as important for crisis-response and use-of-force training. The committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1581 as amended on a 7-0 vote. SB 1673 was heard next and would appropriate $8.2 million from the general fund to the Law Enforcement Crime Victim Notification Fund, exempting the appropriation from lapsing. The sponsor and law enforcement witnesses said the automated notification system has improved victim communication, reduced workload, and sent millions of updates; committee members asked about funding sources and why a bill is needed for a constitutionally mandated program. The committee approved SB 1673 without amendment on a 7-0 vote. The committee also heard SB 1544, which would make adult probation records public on request, while requiring redaction or withholding of sensitive information such as victim data, minors’ information, medical or counseling records, active investigations, and confidential informants, and creating a process for written denials and court appeals. The sponsor said the bill is intended to increase transparency and data access, while witnesses raised concerns about risk-assessment language and confidential information; the sponsor said amendments would be brought later to clarify those provisions. The committee passed SB 1544 on a 4-3 vote. Finally, SB 1376, creating a civic leadership development special plate and fund for a youth mentoring nonprofit, passed unanimously, and SB 1550, a three-year Queen Creek pilot program to prevent runaway youth exploitation and improve investigations, also passed after testimony from Queen Creek officials and police; one senator voted no, citing concerns about how runaway youth are treated in other legislation. The committee then began hearing SB 1504, a pension bill modifying retirement dates and COLA timing for Tier 2 and Tier 3 public safety personnel, with supporters arguing it would improve recruitment and retention and opponents warning it would create significant unfunded liabilities, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 2/19/26

Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:04:20.479> of poly floral alkal substances class of poly floral alkal substances class
  • I feel very large class of chemicals.
  • bioolids and then based on the levels bioolids and then based on the levels they<00:16:07.360>
  • We do have a level of PAS threshold.
  • <00:42:52.319> in level, assembly level or something in level, assembly level or something
Keywords: 1183, house
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 01/28/25

Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:
  • It is at the city level; it is at the state level.
  • and Zoning reform at the state level and Zoning reform at the state level that<00:24:39.799>
  • <00:25:59.559> um<00:25:59.679> and level it is at the state level um and level it
  • Class C rents dropped more than Class A rents in all of these markets. How?
  • Class C rents dropped more than Class A rents in all of these markets. How?
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
Summary: The committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention heard informational presentations from Housing First Minnesota and the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities on the state of housing in Minnesota. Mark Foster of Housing First Minnesota said the state has a severe housing shortage, with demand outpacing supply since the 2007-09 housing crash, and argued that Minnesota is nearly 100,000 units short of a healthy market. He said new homes are increasingly unaffordable, citing a median new single-family price above $530,000 and declining affordability in the Twin Cities metro, and he urged lawmakers to remove exclusionary zoning and other regulatory barriers that he said make starter homes and smaller-lot housing difficult or illegal to build in many growing cities. He also highlighted the group’s Housing for Heroes projects, including transitional housing for veterans and other crisis housing projects around the state. Members asked Foster about starter-home examples and his view that the committee’s top priority should be reforming residential development approvals. He said most new housing is negotiated through planned unit developments rather than built under base zoning, which he argued adds cost and reduces supply. The committee then heard from Elizabeth Wael of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, who said housing challenges outside the metro are different but equally serious. She said many Greater Minnesota cities face a lack of developers, inadequate infrastructure such as roads and utilities, and gaps in the housing continuum, especially starter workforce housing and senior housing. She thanked the committee for 2023 housing funding and said cities are contributing their own resources, updating zoning, reducing parking requirements, allowing ADUs, and partnering with developers and nonprofits. Wael also urged faster rollout of the Greater Minnesota infrastructure grant program and said the state should consider changes to the housing tax credit and housing TIF rules to make them easier to use. In response, senators said they shared frustration with the slow implementation of the infrastructure program and emphasized the need for state investment and locally tailored zoning reforms. No bills were heard and no votes were taken; the meeting was informational and focused on stakeholder testimony and committee discussion.