Video & Transcript Research : 'grid modernization'
Page 89 of 313
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- exactly the kind of scenario that reveals the urgent need for stronger tools, better detection, and modernized
- So combining sirens with old-tech sirens with, you know, modern cell phone alerts would be a positive
- First, modernizing flood alerts makes sense. Sirens may not work in some areas.
- I ask you to look at House Bill 4914, designed to fundamentally reconstitute and modernize the State
- It's applied on a sub-grid across the country, and they usually try to find places where there's going
Summary:
The joint Senate and House disaster preparedness hearing convened in Kerrville with quorum, public testimony limited to three minutes and invited testimony to 10 minutes. Leaders from both chambers, along with the lieutenant governor and speaker, framed the hearing as an unprecedented joint effort focused on learning from the July 4 flood, honoring victims, and identifying actions to reduce future loss of life. The committee also heard opening remarks about decorum, logistics, and the intent to continue work in future sessions.
The first panel included Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, Sheriff Larry Leitha, Emergency Management Coordinator William B. Thomas IV, Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr., Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice, Upper Guadalupe River Authority representative William Rector, Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk, and Real County Judge Bella Rubio. They described the flood as sudden and catastrophic, with Kerr County reporting 108 deaths and two missing. Local officials emphasized that they received no timely warning of the scale of the event, that responders and volunteers acted heroically under extreme conditions, and that communications, cell coverage, and rural emergency resources were strained. Several witnesses said the county’s existing alert systems were limited by geography, sparse broadband, and the speed of the flood.
Testimony focused on possible improvements, including real-time flood gauges and predictive monitoring, stronger rural emergency management staffing and training, better interoperability and alerting tools such as IPAWS, CodeRED, WENS, and sirens, and expanded broadband and radio coverage. Kerrville asked for a flood warning system before next summer and state help for stormwater, floodplain, and disaster recovery funding. UGRA described its past and current flood-warning and mitigation efforts, including gauge funding, a new software-based flood prediction project, and consideration of additional retention dams. Kendall and Real counties highlighted successful or needed alerting and evacuation practices, while also stressing the difficulty of funding and maintaining such systems in small rural counties. Members asked detailed questions about the timeline of the flood response, low-water crossings, communications failures, sirens, bridges, and whether regional consolidation or additional infrastructure could improve future preparedness.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- You can make them a place by actually putting down a street grid in that giant parking lot so that you
- So I definitely sympathize with that argument, but modern lifestyles have changed, you know, people have
- 04:43:00.200>
that <04:43:00.320>argument <04:43:00.840>but <04:43:01.240>modern - <04:43:01.600>
Lifestyles with that argument but modern Lifestyles with that argument but - modern Lifestyles have<04:43:02.360>
changed <04:43:02.760>you <04:43:02.840>know
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, February 9, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <03:54:39.439>
housing rightly focuses on modernizing housing rightly focuses on modernizing - Municipalities modernizing HUD programs.
- chassis will bring about modern chassis will bring about modern lowprofile<04:05:44.080>
builds - development opportunities in modernizing development opportunities in modernizing existing<04:11
- , modernizes streamlines permitting, modernizes outdated<08:35:21.280>
federal <08:35:21.600>
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
SPEED Task Force (STF) - Tue Jan 6, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <04:00:14.080>
A <04:00:14.319>modern <04:00:14.800>portal. - A modern portal. applicant guidance. A modern portal.
- <04:00:17.439>
portal [clears throat] A mo A a modern portal [clears throat] A mo A a modern - <04:24:31.840>
I kind of modernization and adjustment. - I kind of modernization and adjustment.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Resources, Recreation and Development (01/21/2026)
Resources, Recreation and Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Essentially, the electric grid was coming online and powering what they needed, and they therefore didn't
- Essentially, the<01:56:57.920>
electric <01:56:58.320>grid <01:56:58.560>was <01: - 56:58.800>
coming <01:56:58.960>online <01:56:59.440>and the electric grid was coming - online and the electric grid was coming online and and<01:57:00.000>
powering <01:57:00.400>
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, May 19, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And I and ideas to modernize Schaffe.
- These bills collectively modernize the John H.
- From his modern American history.
- /c><04:12:04.160>
modernized employees with a modern modernized employees with a modern modernized - S. 2393 authorizes up to $1.76 billion to modernize and expand the St.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:34:45.919>
market identified that a modern market identified that a modern market value-based - In practical terms, we are managing a modern investment portfolio under an outdated formula.
- In practical terms, we are managing a modern investment portfolio under an outdated formula.
- In practical terms, we are managing a modern investment portfolio under an outdated formula.
- <01:09:33.839>
POV dividends only model to a modern POV dividends only model to a modern POV
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- and modernizing our system uh<00:15:29.279>
and <00:15:29.440>finally <00:15:29.839> - <00:20:30.640>
a where we are upgrading and modernizing a where we are upgrading and modernizing - upgrade and make assistance to modernize upgrade and make them<00:20:38.880>
um <00:20:39.039> - Thank you so much. of our system and modernize it in in of our system and modernize it in in effective
- consider when we upgrade or modernize consider when we upgrade or modernize that<01:29:01.719>
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Local Government (6-24-25) - Reupload
Transcript Highlights:
- modernization of county clerk's offices. modernization of county clerk's offices.
- You know, in the ought to modernize?
- election modernization and CAVIS coming into play.
- Uh modernization and electronic records.
- modernization cavis coming into play. modernization cavis coming into play.
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00:00
Roll Call 00:00:11
Discussion of County Clerks’ Land Records Update 00:02:42
Discussion of Area Development Districts 00:22:48
Discussion of Legislative Measures 00:50:09
Discussion of Local Taxing Sources 01:02:33
Adjournment 01:29:16, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first took up an update from the Kentucky County Clerks Association on the transition to electronic recording and land records modernization. Testimony explained that legislation from the 2021 task force created funding and deadlines for counties to provide online search portals and complete a 30-year property record search, with a later move to a 60-year standard. Speakers said the money has been awarded to counties, but much of the work is still in progress because records must be scanned, indexed, and manually verified. They said only a handful of counties are fully compliant with electronic recording so far, while many are still working through staffing and vendor issues. They also noted that the 60-year standard may ultimately be easier and more efficient to complete than the 30-year standard, and that compliance is expected to improve by next summer.
The clerks’ representatives also raised related issues, including deed fraud, the county document storage fee, and KDLA digitization grants. They said online recording can make deed fraud easier to attempt, so they expect to seek legislation next session to address it. They described an existing notification service available in many counties that alerts property owners when a document is recorded, which can help detect suspicious activity quickly. They also said the storage fee and separate county account structure has generally worked well, but that two recent KDLA grant cycles have not released money for clerks, limiting support for digitization work. Another topic was whether, once records are fully digitized and verified, some permanent records should remain publicly accessible or be moved to a safer archive under KDLA control.
Members asked about the balance in the KDLA fund, what the General Assembly could do to help lagging counties, and how much of the $25 million modernization funding had been spent. Witnesses said they did not have the current fund balance but would try to get it, that the main obstacle now appears to be staffing rather than additional money, and that the funds have been awarded but not fully expended because work is still ongoing. They emphasized that counties are helping one another and asked members to alert association leadership if any county is struggling. The committee then heard a presentation from Dan London, executive director of the Lincoln Trail Area Development District, who described area development districts as regional staff extensions and technical resources for cities and counties, and highlighted their role in coordinating regional services and partnerships across county lines.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Budget Review Subcommittee on Heath and Family Service. (6-3-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- We use a very modern data lake infrastructure in the cloud, as I mentioned.
- We use a very modern data lake infrastructure in the cloud, as I mentioned.
- The internal technology is very modern.
- Um so the the data lake is very modern.
- EMS learning management modernization EMS learning management modernization again<00:48:03.680><
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Attendance Roll Call 00:00:20
CRISP Shared Services 00:01:39
Rural Health Transformation Plan 00:30:55, 958, all
Summary:
The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services opened its first meeting of the 2026 interim session, took roll, and moved directly into presentations. The main presentation was from Ryan Bramble of Crisp Shared Services, who described the organization’s health information exchange and health data utility model in Kentucky and other states. He emphasized that Crisp is a nonprofit, that data ownership remains with providers, and that governance is local. He also outlined the technical infrastructure, including a master patient index, cloud-based data lake, support for modern standards like FHIR and USCDI as well as older formats, and data quality tools used to normalize and standardize information. Bramble said the model is intended to reduce duplication, lower costs, and support rural providers and future use cases such as reporting, analytics, and AI-enabled decision support.
Members asked how the state can ensure the data is actually used and who should drive priorities for health care improvement. Bramble said Crisp can provide tools, expertise, and examples from other states, but local teams such as KHI and state stakeholders must tailor and lead utilization efforts. In response to questions about ownership and coordination, he stressed that successful HIE governance requires a multistakeholder body that includes hospitals, health plans, government, and other interests, with a unified approach rather than multiple competing directives. He also said the Commonwealth has an opportunity to convene those stakeholders and set clear priorities.
A senator raised concerns that responsibility for Medicaid and broader health policy has become fragmented and suggested a stronger central role for the state, possibly through the Department of Public Health, to coordinate health priorities. Bramble agreed that a single convening authority and multistakeholder governance are important, and noted that local governance should determine what data is shared and how it is used. No votes or formal actions were taken during this portion of the meeting. After Bramble’s presentation and questions, the committee was told that Secretary Stack from the cabinet would testify next on the rural health transformation plan.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Our next priority is a strategic modernization pre-design request.
- <00:37:46.960>
This modernization pre-esign request. - This modernization pre-esign request.
- is about modernizing proposal is about modernizing Minnesota's<00:37:49.839>
corrections <00:37 - <00:37:59.920>
correctional to add modern correctional to add modern correctional infrastructure
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Financial Services Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- But when the DIF needs to modernize, we support it, and when we need to modernize, we support it too,
- And if we're going to survive for another 65 years, we need to modernize our statute and we need every
- And if we're going to survive for another 65 years, we need to modernize our statute and we need every
- We have done, over the years, as you know, banking modernization bills, credit union modernization bills
- , with everybody at the table coming together in good faith to look at bills and ways we can modernize
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on several bills focused on financial security, banking regulation, and payment-card fees. Treasurer Deborah Goldberg supported the Massachusetts baby bonds proposal (H. 48) and also endorsed bills on matched savings (H. 1158/S. 737) and retirement planning/Secure Choice (H. 1143/S. 722), arguing these measures would help address wealth inequality, build assets, and improve retirement readiness. Supporters of baby bonds included policy experts and health advocates from Children’s Health Watch and Boston Medical Center, who said early-life asset building could improve long-term economic and health outcomes for children in low-income families. AARP also urged passage of the retirement planning bill, citing the large share of private-sector workers without access to an employer retirement plan. Representative Donato testified for H. 1143, describing it as a voluntary retirement-savings opportunity for workers at small employers.
The committee also heard testimony on H. 3933, concerning the Massachusetts Credit Union Share Insurance Corporation, from former Bank Commissioner Mike Hanson, who defended the state’s full deposit insurance system for credit unions and savings institutions as a longstanding consumer-protection model. The Massachusetts Bankers Association raised concerns about the bill’s technical provisions and broader credit union/bank competitive issues, while the Cooperative Credit Union Association supported related legislation allowing modest compensation for credit union directors (S. 821/H. 1338) and flexibility for state financial institutions to grow through partnerships (S. 723). Bankers opposed those credit union bills, arguing they would upset a level playing field and blur long-standing distinctions between banks and credit unions.
A major portion of the hearing focused on H. 1259/S. 688, which would prohibit card interchange fees on the tax and gratuity portions of restaurant transactions. Restaurant owners and the Massachusetts Restaurant Association testified in favor, saying the fees are a significant and growing expense, especially as most customers now pay by card; they argued the bills would save restaurants money without affecting state revenue. Credit union, banking, and payments-industry representatives opposed the bills, saying interchange helps fund fraud protection and payment infrastructure, that the proposal would create compliance burdens and likely litigation, and that it would mainly affect Massachusetts-chartered institutions while national banks could be preempted. Committee members noted that a commission on payment-card fees is being established and said the issue would be studied further. The hearing also included support for a separate bill on virtual credit cards for dental providers, with dentists saying automatic virtual-card payments impose hidden processing fees and fraud risks.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am
Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Today we'll be hearing testimony on a wide range of issues within this industry, from retail modernization
- Retail modernization to labor protections, advertising regulations, sustainability, and financial resources
- bill in the House, so there is definitely room to make sure that... ...modernization bill in the House
- bill in the house, so there is definitely room to make sure that. modernization bill in the House.
- For some background, the laws around advertising, and an act to modernize cannabis retail operations.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy held its fourth hearing, with opening remarks from Senate Chair Adam Gómez and House Chair Dan Donahue emphasizing the committee’s broad agenda, including retail modernization, labor protections, advertising rules, sustainability, and financial resources. Testimony began with public health advocates supporting H.157/S.9 to ban cannabis billboard advertising, arguing that billboards normalize use for youth and are linked to cannabis-related harms such as psychosis, addiction, and cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. Witnesses cited research, family stories, and court decisions in Mississippi and Virginia upholding similar restrictions, while committee members questioned the scope of the state’s authority to regulate billboards on private property and the relevance of federal highway funding and federal cannabis law.
The committee also heard testimony on H.175, a proposal to allow cannabis drive-through sales. A dispensary operator argued drive-throughs would improve access, especially for disabled customers and veterans, and said security and ID checks could be handled with cameras and staff screening. Committee members pressed him on how employees would assess impairment, whether drive-throughs could increase access for minors, and whether the industry should be treated like alcohol, with the witness responding that staff already refuse service to intoxicated customers and that education, not prohibition, is the better approach. Another bill, H.3982, would apply the bottle deposit law to carbonated hemp- or THC-infused beverages; the sponsor said the measure would standardize recycling requirements for products already sold in dispensaries and other markets, and members asked about container types and recycling compatibility.
A major portion of the hearing focused on labor peace agreements, with UFCW representatives, cannabis workers, and Sen. Lydia Edwards supporting S.77/H.161. They said the bill would require cannabis businesses to remain neutral when workers seek to organize, arguing that unions improve safety, wages, benefits, and job stability in an industry they described as underregulated and prone to retaliation. Witnesses cited workplace hazards, wage theft, and the death of a worker at a Holyoke facility as examples of why stronger worker protections are needed. Committee members asked how the proposal differs from existing labor law, whether tying LPAs to licensing and renewal could create legal or administrative problems, and how other states handle similar requirements. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Water and Natural Resources Jul 1st, 2025
Water & Natural Resources Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- They modernized their plant.
- One, we must modernize and fortify our water infrastructure.
- Number one is to modernize.
- We want to modernize and upgrade the existing infrastructure with new facilities, meaning... ...upgraded
- The modernization could take anywhere from three to four years, and that's if there's not a lot of red
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
To receive a closed briefing on Department of Defense cyber operations. Feb 25th, 2025 at 03:00 pm
Cybersecurity Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- also ensuring the department has the resources it needs to achieve current missions and invest in modern
- Nuclear modernization, aircraft development, cyber defense, hypersonics, counter space, defending our
- that was designed in 2010 when the threat environment looked different before Russia and China modernized
- If confirmed, would you work with the Secretary to make sure that these modernization programs continue
- Our Navy's the smallest it's ever been in modern history.
Keywords:
Steven Feinberg, Deputy Secretary of Defense, national security, budget cuts, military readiness, global threats, Department of Defense
Summary:
The meeting primarily focused on the nomination of Steven Feinberg as Deputy Secretary of Defense. The committee emphasized the urgent need for strong leadership in response to a complex array of global threats posed by adversarial coalitions, including China, Russia, and Iran. The discussions highlighted concerns regarding budget cuts and personnel reductions within the Department of Defense, showcasing the challenges posed by the current economic context and the pressing need to maintain military readiness and capabilities. Various members expressed their apprehensions about how impending layoffs and budget reductions would impact the defense workforce and national security.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Transportation Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Transportation
Transcript Highlights:
- This would modernize a transportation system that has for too long been stuck in the past, and this bill
- These requirements might make sense for a traditional yellow school bus, but not for a safe, modern vehicle
- Importantly, the bill doesn't lower safety standards; it modernizes them.
- As was previously stated, this bill modernizes student transportation options for school districts to
- Advances in modern military medicine and rapid battlefield transportation have dramatically increased
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Transportation held a hybrid hearing on 36 bills covering aviation, commercial vehicles, school buses, veterans license plates, and related transportation issues. Chair Jim Arciero and Senate Chair Brendan Crighton outlined the hearing procedures, then the committee heard testimony on a range of measures, including a bill to modernize alternative student transportation for vulnerable students such as those covered by McKinney-Vento, foster children, and students with disabilities; a bill on unmanned aerial systems that would define drones and restrict weaponization, interference with aircraft, and certain surveillance; and a bill addressing airplane noise and reporting at Beverly Regional Airport. Supporters of the student transportation bill argued it would update outdated school bus requirements while preserving safety standards, while drone-related testimony was split between sponsors and public safety advocates who supported stronger restrictions and industry representatives who warned the bills could conflict with federal law and harm legitimate commercial uses.
The committee also heard testimony on workforce and school transportation bills. Representatives and industry witnesses supported a proposal to create a grant program and career outreach for the trucking industry, citing a persistent driver shortage and the importance of trucking to the state’s economy. Teamsters Local 170 supported a bill to ease unemployment job-search requirements for school bus drivers and monitors who are expected to return to work within a short period, saying the current rules create unnecessary burdens during summer layoffs. Another school transportation bill would create an under-the-hood exception for CDL licensing of school bus drivers; several chiropractors testified in support, saying they already perform DOT-style exams and should be explicitly authorized to do school bus driver medical certifications.
Veterans-related testimony focused on license plate and disability-definition bills. Advocates supported a Medal of Fidelity license plate for Gold Star families and a separate bill to create an air medal plate. The Office of the Veteran Advocate testified in favor of revising the state’s definition of disabled veteran for RMV purposes, arguing the current language is tied to special monthly compensation categories and does not adequately reflect modern service-connected disabilities, including invisible wounds. The American Legion also urged clarification of the definition, while opposing a separate women veterans plate on the grounds that it could divide veterans unnecessarily. The committee took no votes during the hearing and ended with a motion to adjourn.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Local Government Committee Jun 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- pressures driven by rising health care and public safety costs, as well as the need to maintain and modernize
- Chair and members, it's my pleasure to present SB 1400, which will modernize the government structure
- SB 1400 would modernize the government structure for the Alameda Health System, providing Alameda County
- Chair members it's my pleasure to present SB 1400 which will modernize the SB 1400, which will modernize
- As noted, SB 1400 will modernize AHS governance and give the Alameda County Board of Supervisors more
Summary:
The Assembly Local Government Committee heard a long agenda of local government, housing, transportation, and public safety bills. Early items included SB 762, which would give certain local governments a voter-approved path to seek additional local sales tax authority to address fiscal pressures; SB 1400, which would modernize Alameda Health System governance and give Alameda County more flexibility and oversight; and SB 1408, which would authorize Contra Costa County to place a renewal of its transportation sales tax on the ballot. Supporters for those bills included local officials, county representatives, labor groups, fire and police organizations, and transit advocates, while no organized opposition was presented on those measures in committee.
The committee also heard SB 1272, which would give homeowners more time to correct certain inherited code violations and allow an affidavit process for buyers who did not know about the violation at purchase. The bill drew support from the California Apartment Association and opposition from code enforcement and county groups, who argued it would reduce local enforcement discretion and create health and safety risks. After questions about disclosure and enforcement, the committee approved SB 1272 as amended and re-referred it to Appropriations. SB 1055, dealing with procurement flexibility for Pajaro flood control and levee repairs, also passed as amended and was sent to Appropriations.
Later, the committee approved SB 1379, which would separate the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner and create an independent medical examiner system. The author and supporters argued the change was needed for transparency and independence in in-custody death investigations, while opponents raised labor, cost, and governance concerns; some opposition was softened after the author agreed to employee-protection amendments. The committee also passed SB 1172, limiting consultant compensation and adding transparency rules for local tax-sharing agreements, and several housing bills from Senator Grayson: SB 1003 on pro-housing infrastructure financing districts, SB 1014 on early disclosure of infrastructure requirements for housing projects, and SB 1169 on extending tentative vesting map validity. The committee took votes on consent items and later add-ons, with most measures passing on bipartisan or unanimous votes and several being re-referred to Appropriations or Housing and Community Development as appropriate.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Emergency Management Committee Apr 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It is often described as a form of modern-day slavery. ...as a form of modern-day slavery, where victims
- The goals of this project are essential, as they are basic to modernize our 911 infrastructure away from
- outdated wired infrastructure known as the legacy system and into a modern Internet Protocol system.
- These modernizations will provide the public with increased access and faster communications with emergency
- The solution is that it's time we modernize and approve our safety standards for pipelines operating
Summary:
The committee heard several bills related to public safety, emergency response, wildfire prevention, and environmental protection. AB 2152 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez would streamline CEQA litigation for new fire station projects and add best-practice requirements; supporters, including firefighters, said it would help communities and firefighter safety, while opponents argued the project labor agreement requirements would raise costs and limit participation for small and nonunion contractors. The bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2041 by Assembly Member Carrillo would expand reporting related to 911 dispatcher pre-arrival medical instructions; after amendments and stakeholder agreement, opposition groups said they would remove their opposition, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 2101 by Assembly Member Gipson would require human trafficking notices and training at disaster sites and for disaster response workers; supporters said it would protect vulnerable workers, while broadband, city, and county representatives raised implementation concerns, especially in rural disaster areas. It passed to Appropriations despite a no vote from Vice Chair Hadwick.
The committee also considered AB 1805, which would require an audit and stronger oversight of the state’s Next Generation 911 project after concerns about major spending and delays. CalNENA supported the bill’s transparency and accountability provisions, and the measure passed to Appropriations. AB 1536 by Assembly Member Addis would tighten safety and public review requirements for offshore oil pipeline restarts and require decommissioning of certain spill-prone pipelines; environmental and coastal government groups supported it, while the Western States Petroleum Association warned it would threaten fuel supply and pipeline operations. The bill passed to Appropriations on a divided vote. AB 1964 would direct the State Fire Marshal to survey home hardening in fire-prone areas and estimate costs; it passed to Appropriations with broad support.
AB 1960, also by Assembly Member Bennett, would use a portion of wildfire prevention grants to encourage community-level home hardening certification. The author said the bill would create incentives and broader public awareness, while the vice chair argued it would favor communities that can already afford hardening and divert resources from higher-need areas; the bill still passed to Appropriations. AB 1863 by Assembly Member DeMaio would clarify that people cannot be charged simply for calling 911 or when no services are rendered, while preserving fees for actual services and allowing billing for legitimate emergency response costs; it passed to the Assembly floor. The committee also took up consent item AB 2517, which passed to Appropriations. After add-on votes for absent members, the meeting adjourned.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Land Grant May 30th, 2025
House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- This started what we consider the modern era for land grant communities.
- That division, in the modern years, has really grown, and I think it embodies the spirit of what the
- The modern role of land grants has changed a bit since some land grants have lost a vast majority of
- Some of that reverence is carried over from indigenous knowledge keepers to our communities in modern
- I'm going to proceed to tell you what the role is of AEs in our modern communities.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- That's not efficient, that's not modern, and it certainly isn't good government.
- That's not modern, and it certainly isn't good government.
- Red states, blue states, big states... ...similar modernization.
- It offers a secure, simple, and modern way to register right from a phone or a computer.
- It offers a secure, simple, and modern way to register.
Keywords:
voter registration, electronic, Texas election law, Signature verification, DPS, internet application, Texas Election Code, signature verification, online application, data security, electronic application, Department of Public Safety, information security, electronic voter registration, voting technology, voter access, state election laws, digital signature, election irregularities, audit
Summary:
The House Committee on Elections met with a quorum present and heard several election-related bills, with public testimony limited to two minutes per witness. The first measure, SB 447, would allow the City of Mission to move its municipal elections from May to November on a one-time, permanent basis. Supporters, including Mission’s mayor, said voters had already approved the change by a wide margin and argued it would improve turnout and reduce costs. The bill was left pending after no objection.
The committee then heard SB 2217, which was described as a transparency measure to standardize election data reporting and reconciliation across counties. Testimony focused on a technical issue involving discrepancy thresholds for electronic voting system reconciliation, with one witness urging the bill be aligned with existing law’s “more than 3” standard rather than a 1% threshold, and another suggesting a definition fix. The bill was left pending.
Members also heard SB 2753, a major proposal to create a continuous in-person voting period by combining early voting and election day into one uninterrupted period, with a committee substitute making it a pilot and permissive. Supporters said it could simplify administration and improve security, while opponents warned it would increase costs, require more staffing and equipment, delay results, and create logistical problems for counties. The committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending. Finally, SB 505 would let certain election stakeholders request explanations of irregularities from election officials and, if unresolved, escalate the matter to the Secretary of State for audit or possible conservatorship. Supporters framed it as a tool for accountability and transparency, while opponents called it overly broad and vulnerable to abuse. The bill was left pending.
The committee also took up HB 311, which would expand online voter registration to first-time registrants and direct state agencies to develop a pathway for Texans without a driver’s license to register online. Supporters argued it would modernize the process, reduce errors, and save money, while opponents said first-time applicants still need a wet signature and raised concerns about signature verification and implementation. Due to the late hour and floor deadline, testimony was cut off, the names of remaining witnesses were read into the record, and the bill was left pending before the committee adjourned.