Video & Transcript Research : 'January 12'
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ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Government and Veterans Affairs Apr 9th, 2025 at 11:01 am
Government and Veterans Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- 1 through April 30th, May 1 through September 30th, October 1st through December 31st, and January 1st
- So I think I left off on page 12 relating to the reporting dates. Those are switched around.
- Page 12 relating to the reporting dates. Those are switched around.
- And that's what that first sentence, starting on page 12, line 17 says, is that they're not required
- I do want to point out that page 13, line 12, this is requiring a candidate committee formed on behalf
Bills:
SB2156
Keywords:
campaign finance, disclosure, political contributions, election transparency, North Dakota Century Code, 908, all
Summary:
The subcommittee met to review HB 2156, which reorganizes North Dakota campaign finance disclosure law by repealing Chapter 16.1 and moving the provisions into a new Chapter 16.2 with mostly technical cross-reference updates. Legislative Council and the Secretary of State’s office walked through the bill section by section, explaining that most language is carried over from current law, with some cleanup to definitions, reporting requirements, public access rules, and filing procedures. The committee discussed how the new chapter would apply to candidates, candidate committees, political committees, political parties, ballot measure groups, and conduits.
Several substantive issues were raised and adjusted during the discussion. Members questioned the open-records language for expenditures and contributions over $250, the use of “deposit” versus “receipt” as the reporting trigger, and whether the 48-hour supplemental reporting deadline should be changed to three calendar days; the group ultimately favored keeping 48 hours and using “deposit” consistently. They also clarified reporting dates, including changing one special-election deadline from 40 days to 39 days, and confirmed that balances of campaign funds would be reported but not made publicly available. The Secretary of State’s office also explained that the bill would make late fees public and that the chapter-wide penalty for willful violations remains a Class A misdemeanor.
The main policy change debated at length was the late-filing fee schedule. Members expressed concern that the existing penalties were too low to deter intentional non-filers, and after discussion the committee agreed to increase the final late fee from $100 to $500 while keeping the new public posting of delinquent filers. The committee also reviewed an inflation-adjustment provision for reporting thresholds and the “ultimate true source of funds” language, which was described as existing law being carried into the new chapter. The meeting ended with the understanding that additional drafting changes would be made and that the bill would be ready for further committee action later in the week.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations (10-23-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- :48.399>
mostly <00:12:48.800>in <00:12:49.040>the <00:12:49.200>last <00: - <00:12:52.399>
In <00:12:52.639>2024 <00:12:53.200>they <00:12:53.440>only - <00:12:54.959>
Um <00:12:55.279>so <00:12:55.519>really <00:12:55.680>a <00:12:57.760>- Um so really a large buildup<00:12:56.639>
and <00:12:56.880>only <00:12:57.200>expecting that <00:12:58.320>to <00:12:58.800>go <00:12:59.040>up - Um so really a large buildup<00:12:56.639>
Summary:
The committee met on October 23, 2025, approved the September 25 minutes, and heard several informational presentations on occupational licensing and workforce access. The first major topic was the dietitian licensure compact, presented by Rep. Vanessa Gracel, Whitney Duddy, and Caitlyn Bison. They said the compact would be revenue-neutral, improve licensure portability, support military families, expand telehealth and rural access, and preserve state regulatory authority. Testimony noted that 15 states had joined the compact, including Ohio and Tennessee, and that Kentucky would have a seat on the compact commission if it enacted the measure. Members asked about bordering states and possible telehealth competition concerns; witnesses said they had not seen evidence of harmful effects in other compacts and described the compact as expanding access rather than displacing local providers.
The committee then heard testimony on music therapy licensure, with Chris Millet, Laura Elliot Buckner, and Dr. Kimberly Cinemore speaking in support of Senate Bill 42. They described music therapy as a clinical, board-certified profession requiring formal education, supervised training, and national certification, and argued that state licensure would protect the public, clarify scope of practice, and help retain Kentucky-trained professionals. Witnesses said the bill would not require new state funding, could be administered through a self-sustaining licensing structure, and would not prevent others from using music in their work. In response to questions, they said licensure could help open doors to insurance, waiver, and HSA reimbursement, but would not guarantee coverage.
Finally, the committee heard testimony on expanding physician access through a provisional licensure pathway for internationally trained physicians. Adam Meyer of the Cicero Institute said Kentucky faces a severe physician shortage, especially in rural areas, and argued that qualified international physicians should not have to repeat residency if they meet strict criteria, including an employment offer, prior training and experience, good standing, U.S. exam passage, and a three-year provisional period before full licensure. Rapender Carr of Baptist Health supported the concept, saying it could help fill hard-to-recruit positions across the state and improve access in rural markets. No votes were taken on these policy topics during the meeting.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation May 20th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We will likely have a lunch break from 12 to 1.30.
- I was 12 years old. And now I'm in the legislature.
- So can you identify anything that's changed between January and now?
- That statute asks or mandates that we set up the Salton Sea Conservancy. by January 2026.
- Thank you very much and we'll move on to item 12, Exide.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Rules Mar 12th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- The first section makes it a violation of Section one, 12, the Florida code of Ethics for anyone who
- Thank you, Madam President. >> S P 3.56 would designate January 27th is Holocaust Remembrance Day here
- The UN General Assembly designated January 27th because it marks the anniversary of the liberation of
- Bill requires the governor to annually proclaim January 27th this Holocaust Remembrance Day.
- Madam Chair, Top 10 tab. 12 Bosa from Affirmative. Thank you know, is there any objection?
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legacy and Budget Stabilization Fund Advisory Board Mar 31st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And, Scott, for your content, is it through January 31 of 2026? That's correct.
- So I'm going to give you January through January 31, 2026, and that's the latest performance mark that
- And what you see is that we had a really good January.
- You could multiply that by 12 to get an idea of the run rate on that return.
- You could multiply that by 12 to get an idea of the run rate on that return.
Summary:
The committee met to approve prior minutes and receive updates on the Legacy Fund transparency website and fund performance. Staff reported the website procurement was in contract negotiations, with a planned go-live around November 1, and that the site would provide downloadable, more transparent information on fund holdings, allocations, history, and legislative appropriations while protecting confidential data. The investment office then reviewed performance through January 2026, describing strong returns relative to benchmarks, noting real estate and fixed income as weaker areas, and explaining that the fund’s diversification and internal management had helped offset market volatility, including recent geopolitical impacts.
Members also discussed the in-state investment program, especially the Bank of North Dakota’s CD-match allocation. Several members questioned whether the program had been static for years and whether the uncommitted balance should remain parked there if it was not being used. The committee voted to pause further transfers into the program until the Bank provides a report and the committee can consider possible statutory changes; the motion also requested a cost-benefit analysis from RVK, and it passed by roll call vote.
In the afternoon, RVK presented its review of the investment policy statement as it relates to the in-state investment program. The consultant said it found no major policy impediments, and that implementers and stakeholders generally felt the program was proceeding as intended. RVK emphasized best practices such as third-party due diligence, competitive risk-adjusted returns, diversification, pacing, and exit strategies, while cautioning that required lower-return investments or spending commitments can create pressure on the fund’s long-term real value. The consultant also raised ancillary concerns about state-level concentration risk, the need to distinguish between public and commercial infrastructure, and the lack of a central repository for all state funding commitments to the same projects.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
01/27/2026 - Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology
Appropriations, Transportation and Technology
Transcript Highlights:
- The 21-line Warner amendment dated January 26, 2026, at 10:30 a.m.
- The 21-line Warner amendment dated January 26, 2026, at 10:37 a.m. appropriates $3 million rather than
- Decades of wearing these lead aprons for 10, 12, 14 hours a day have left... ...wearing these lead aprons
- for 10, 12, 14 hours a day have left too many of us with career-ending spine and neurologic disabilities
- Fifty-five fatalities over 12 years sound small, especially compared to Maricopa County.
Keywords:
appropriation, transportation, safety improvements, Route 70, infrastructure, housing, zoning, middle housing, urban development, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, townhomes, historic preservation, Grand Canyon, Grand Canyon National Park, special license plate, special plate, license plate, vanity plate
Summary:
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee heard and advanced six measures. SB 1118, as amended, appropriates $3 million to the Department of Health Services for grants to rural hospitals to install radiation protection systems in cardiac catheterization rooms; testimony focused on protecting health care workers from ionizing radiation, with the amendment narrowing the bill from an unspecified appropriation to a specific amount and room type. The committee also approved SB 1154, a $500,000 General Fund appropriation for an ADOT traffic and safety study on SR 64 between Williams and the Grand Canyon, after testimony from local officials, law enforcement, and fire personnel describing heavy tourism traffic, crashes, and fatalities. SB 1063, which appropriates $10.4 million for safety improvements on U.S. Route 70, also received a do-pass recommendation after testimony from the San Carlos Apache Tribe, sheriffs, and tribal law enforcement describing a high number of fatalities and dangerous roadway conditions.
The committee then passed SB 1153, which creates a Grand Canyon National Park specialty license plate and fund; the Grand Canyon Conservancy testified that proceeds would support park conservation, research, education, and preservation work. SCM 1001, as amended, urging the renaming of State Route 260 as the Donald J. Trump Highway, was approved after a contentious debate over the symbolism of the memorial. Finally, SB 1209, which exempts people without a residence address or whose address is a homeless shelter from non-operating ID license fees and extends the validity period for those IDs, received a do-pass recommendation after testimony from homeless services providers that IDs are essential for housing, employment, and access to services. Votes were 10-0 for SB 1118, 6-4 for SB 1154, 6-4 for SB 1063, 10-0 for SB 1153, 6-4 for SCM 1001, and 9-0 with one not voting for SB 1209.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, February 24, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- He<00:12:42.320>
is <00:12:42.480>a <00:12:42.720>reckless, <00:12:43.279>ruthless - And<00:12:45.519>
what <00:12:45.839>he <00:12:46.000>is <00:12:46.240>doing< - /c><00:12:46.560>
at <00:12:46.800>the <00:12:47.040>top <00:12:48.480>has <00:12:50.560>- things
all <00:12:50.800>the <00:12:51.040>way <00:12:51.200>< - way down the line<00:12:51.920>
to <00:12:52.160>the <00:12:52.320>very <00:12:52.639
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:
- :13.000>
can <00:12:13.320>say <00:12:13.760>with <00:12:14.040>pride <00: - 12:14.480>
we're <00:12:14.640>a <00:12:14.720>state we can say with pride we're - c><00:12:16.320>
goes <00:12:16.600>hungry <00:12:16.960>in where no student goes - c><00:12:18.520>
our <00:12:18.680>kids. - During<00:12:21.840>
the <00:12:21.960>first <00:12:22.320>2 <00:12:22.480><
Summary:
This was Governor Tim Walz’s final State of the State address to the Minnesota Legislature. He opened by recognizing legislative leaders, constitutional officers, tribal leaders, the judiciary, and members of his administration, then asked for a moment of silence for the Hortman family and spoke at length about recent tragedies, including the Annunciation Church shooting, political violence, the COVID-19 pandemic, and what he described as the impacts of federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota. He framed the address around resilience, unity, and the state’s response to grief and disruption.
Walz reviewed major accomplishments from his time in office, emphasizing investments in education, child care, free school meals, housing, infrastructure, climate initiatives, paid family leave, voting access, and worker protections. He also highlighted tax cuts, rebate checks, Social Security tax relief, medical debt protections, and efforts to lower costs for families. Looking ahead, he proposed expanding the dependent care tax credit, cutting the statewide sales tax for the first time, adding housing and first-time homebuyer support, and providing aid to businesses and households affected by Operation Metro Surge.
A major portion of the speech focused on public safety and fraud prevention. Walz said he wanted lawmakers to reestablish the binary trigger ban, pass additional gun violence measures including bans on weapons of war and high-capacity magazines, and strengthen safe storage and insurance requirements for firearms. He also urged passage of his anti-fraud package, which would increase penalties, create a centralized fraud prevention office, and restructure human services administration to improve oversight and program integrity. He closed by urging lawmakers to act on these proposals during his remaining months in office and said the next governor would inherit a fiscally strong state.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- :12:21.600>
hasn't <00:12:21.880>been <00:12:22.079>introduced <00:12:23.079> - uh I can<00:12:23.440>
only <00:12:23.639>speak <00:12:23.839>for <00:12:24.000> the <00:12:24.120>oia <00:12:24.839>in <00:12:25.079>in <00:12:25.240>- /c><00:12:38.360>
could <00:12:38.519>be <00:12:38.959>some <00:12:39.120>of< - <00:12:39.800>
when <00:12:39.920>it <00:12:40.000>comes <00:12:40.160>to
Summary:
The House Committee on Culture and the Arts met on January 29 at 10:30 a.m. and heard four bills. HB 133, relating to surfing, drew testimony from the Department of Education and one individual in support. Committee discussion focused on the department’s estimated cost of about $44,000 per event, including judges, lifeguards, security, and administrative expenses. Members also asked about why surfing has been difficult to implement statewide and were told safety concerns, open-water conditions, and league-level decisions were among the barriers. The committee moved the bill forward with amendments, including blanking out the appropriation, and noted it wanted the Education Committee to review the cost breakdown further.
HB 307, relating to special license plates for the island of Kahoʻolawe, received strong support from Protect K Ohana, the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission, and other supporters in person and via Zoom. Testimony clarified the name of the receiving entity and noted a recent petition showing significant public interest. The bill was advanced with technical amendments, and the chair said the fund name was already correct and that the measure would not reflect DCCA but the bank account designation.
HB 450 would transfer the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission from DAGS to DBEDT and move authority over the Works of Art Special Fund to DBEDT’s director. The State Foundation and DBEDT’s Creative Industries Division supported the measure. In response to questions, the State Foundation said it had researched the transfer, believed funding would not be lost, and requested about a year for the transition to avoid payroll and payment disruptions, along with consideration of an additional DBEDT staff position. The committee adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass the bill with amendments, including adding the requested FTE and noting a two-year transition period in the report.
HB 663, authorizing a special license plate commemorating the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, had little testimony and no one signed up to speak. The chair said OHA advocacy testimony was on file but that support for the measure appeared limited, and the bill was deferred. The committee then adjourned.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Ways and Means (02/11/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- :19.079>
front <00:12:19.279>of <00:12:19.399>you <00:12:19.720>from <00:12 - so<00:12:32.079>
all <00:12:32.240>right <00:12:32.560>so <00:12:33.279>um <03:12:10.040>- c><00:12:33.480>
would <00:12:33.639>someone <00:12:33.880>like <00:12:34.000>has <03:12:10.160>been <03:12:10.359>suggested <03:12:10.880>< - c><00:12:33.480>
- when you get<03:12:11.200>
in <03:12:11.319>the <03:12:11.439>26 <03:12:11.880><
Summary:
The committee met in a work session on revenue estimates and reviewed updated spreadsheet pages for several tax categories, using prior agreements and new testimony to refine FY 2025-2027 estimates. Early discussion covered insurance tax estimates, where members reviewed a letter from the insurance commissioner saying he was comfortable with the numbers provided; the committee accepted those estimates without opposition. Members also discussed utility property tax, with testimony about recent infrastructure buildout, tariffs, depreciation, and the difficulty of forecasting future growth. After debate over whether to use the average of high and low estimates or lean lower, the committee unanimously adopted the utility property tax numbers.
The committee then turned to real estate transfer tax and communications tax. For real estate transfer tax, members cited county input, housing market conditions, interest rates, lumber costs, and uncertainty about future policy; they agreed to use the averages and adopted those estimates unanimously. For communications tax, members noted the decline in landline-based revenue and the shift to data services. After discussion of whether to use the low estimate or the average, the committee settled on the average with a small rounding-down adjustment when the figure ended in .5, and adopted the numbers unanimously. The chair also clarified that these estimates remain subject to change until the final resolution is adopted.
The committee next accepted interest and dividends estimates as presented, with members noting the decline in that revenue source and the lack of additional information beyond the department’s analysis. Finally, the committee began discussing tobacco tax revenue, with members noting long-term declines in smoking, offsetting effects from out-of-state sales, and a suggestion to take a slightly conservative approach by reducing the average by 0.5. The transcript cuts off during that discussion, so no final vote on tobacco is shown in the excerpt.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division I (03/17/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- c> they<00:12:04.200>
would <00:12:04.440>take <00:12:04.639>on <00:12:04.920 - ><00:12:07.920>
but <00:12:08.120>it's <00:12:08.480>but <00:12:08.639>it - they're not<00:12:12.240>
as <00:12:12.399>good <00:12:12.560>at <00:12:13.040>< - >
so <00:12:19.199>we <00:12:19.320>want <00:12:19.480>to <00:12:19.600>- :12:23.040>
ahead <00:12:23.320>representating <00:12:24.320>I <00:12:24.360> - :12:23.040>
Summary:
The committee first took up a House Bill 2 amendment to remove a bail-related section that had already passed in another bill and was now considered duplicative. Members discussed the earlier change to how bail commissioners are reimbursed, concerns that the Judiciary was losing money collecting the fees, and whether the magistrate-related language would still be needed. They noted the bill had already crossed over to the Senate, that the section was obsolete, and that any remaining issue about magistrates’ five-year terms might need to be raised with the Criminal Justice Committee. Amendment 997H, deleting section one, was moved, seconded, and adopted unanimously.
The committee then reviewed a package of HB 1 position transfers involving the Department of Environmental Services, Fish and Game, and the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Staff explained that several positions were being shuffled to correct position numbers and align permitting functions, including one Fish and Game position moving back to Fish and Game, one DEES position remaining funded after ARPA money ends, and adjustments to hours for permitting and environmental services positions. Members discussed whether the Fish and Game position had been intended to be temporary, but ultimately agreed to accept the first four Environmental Services items and the last two Natural and Cultural Resources items as a package; that motion passed unanimously. They then also accepted sections 2 through 8 of HB 1 with the related amendments and footnote language.
The committee next turned to dredge-and-fill fee changes in section 11, where one member objected to a 50% fee increase for seasonal docks, arguing it could discourage permitted work and might apply to repairs that only require notification. Staff said the increase was intended to help cover the cost of additional positions in future biennia, but members decided to hold that section for more information, including how many seasonal dock repair fees are actually collected. Finally, the committee began discussing HB 215 and a proposed tipping-fee/surcharge structure to make a solid waste accounting unit self-funded, with members saying the fee could offset about $2.9 million in general fund costs and support the grant program, but no final action was taken on that item in the portion of the meeting provided.
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:10:24.560>
12 from 12 members of the legislature. 12 from 12 members of the legislature - <01:12:28.080>
With <01:12:28.320>that, <01:12:28.560>I <01:12:28.800>stand - Okay.<01:12:33.440>
Thank <01:12:33.600>you <01:12:33.679>so <01:12:33.840>much - <01:12:34.080>
Yeah, <01:12:34.320>we <01:12:34.480>have Okay. - <01:12:35.840>
So, <01:12:36.239>thank <01:12:36.400>you <01:12:36.640>though
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Children and Family Law (01/30/2025)
Children and Family Law
Transcript Highlights:
- :37.399>
or <00:12:37.600>the <00:12:37.839>office <00:12:38.160>and <00:12 - <00:12:40.600>
this <00:12:40.839>kid <00:12:41.480>you <00:12:41.639>know sort <00:12:49.320>of <00:12:49.600>act <00:12:49.839>as <00:12:50.000>- intermediary<00:12:51.839>
and <00:12:52.040>try <00:12:52.199>and <00:12:52.360- :12:54.480>
for <00:12:54.639>example <00:12:54.959>in <00:12:55.040>those - intermediary<00:12:51.839>
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Health and Human Services (01/22/2025)
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- :00.320>
to <00:12:00.519>do <00:12:00.720>this <00:12:00.920>work <00:12: - >
of <00:12:09.000>um <00:12:09.079>in <00:12:09.279>this <00:12:09.440>- c> with<00:12:15.680>
doing <00:12:16.680>um <00:12:16.839>the <00:12:16.959>- /c><00:12:20.079>
is <00:12:20.320>the <00:12:20.639>bulk <00:12:21.160>of - c> with<00:12:15.680>
- :12:43.639>
be <00:12:43.760>able <00:12:44.040>to <00:12:44.880>um <00:12
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- :13.199>
Um <01:12:13.600>this <01:12:13.840>is <01:12:14.000>one <01:12:14.239 - c> rule<01:12:16.719>
of <01:12:16.960>law <01:12:17.360>in <01:12:17.600> - 01:12:25.120>
the <01:12:25.280>executive <01:12:25.679>order <01:12:26.080>called - called for them<01:12:26.640>
to <01:12:26.960>essentially <01:12:27.199>be <01:12 I <01:12:37.199>think <01:12:37.280>it <01:12:37.520>was <01:12:37.760>
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing on the State of Hawaii’s affirmative litigation against the federal administration, with no public testimony. Attorney General Lopez and deputies said the office’s goal is to enforce the rule of law, not make partisan points, and noted that Hawaii is involved in 27 ongoing cases. They grouped the cases into four broad areas: immigration, funding freezes and grant terminations, federal agency dismantling/reductions in force, and protecting elections, health, and safety.
Several immigration-related cases were discussed in detail. These included a challenge to the federal sharing of Medicaid data with DHS for immigration enforcement, a similar challenge to USDA’s demand for SNAP applicant and recipient data, and litigation over immigration-enforcement conditions attached to federal grants. The office also described the birthright citizenship executive order, saying it conflicts with the 14th Amendment and Supreme Court precedent; lower courts granted preliminary relief, and the U.S. Supreme Court later addressed only the scope of nationwide injunctions, not the merits. In the Department of Transportation case, the court granted a preliminary injunction against the “Duffy directive,” finding the immigration conditions lacked statutory authority, were arbitrary and capricious, and violated the Spending Clause and APA.
The briefing also covered multiple funding disputes. In the education funding freeze case, the Department of Education and OMB withheld about $6 billion in formula funds, including roughly $33 million for Hawaii; after suit was filed, the funds were released. Other cases included the termination of over $11 billion in public health grants, which affected Hawaii Department of Health grants, the NIH indirect cost cap case, and NIH grant terminations tied to DEI, transgender issues, and vaccine hesitancy. The speakers said some cases have already resulted in preliminary or permanent injunctions, while others remain on appeal or are still being litigated.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
FIN Info Briefing - Mon Jan 6, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:12:23.720>
New Year<00:12:26.920>first <00:12:27.399>uh <00:12:27.519>I< - /c><00:12:27.639>
think <00:12:27.880>I <00:12:28.839>submit <00:12:29.639>my - > last<00:12:31.079>
week <00:12:31.560>Friday <00:12:32.560>uh <00:12:32.720 - >
I <00:12:33.399>added <00:12:33.839>today <00:12:34.399>is <00:12:34.839 - :56.680>
uh <00:12:56.839>most <00:12:57.279>of <00:12:57.480>the <00:12:57.639
Summary:
The Committee on Finance held its first informational briefing for 2025, beginning with member introductions and then hearing an economic outlook presentation from Dr. Eugene Tian of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Dr. Tian said Hawaii’s economy was in relatively good shape in several areas, especially construction, which he described as at a historical high, with construction employment above 40,000 monthly and building permit values and contracting tax base both up sharply. He also noted real estate sales had rebounded in 2024, the labor market had stabilized with unemployment around 2.9%, and initial unemployment claims were below 2019 levels. At the same time, he highlighted challenges including inflation running above the national rate, a shrinking labor force, lower employment compared with 2023, and continued weakness in visitor spending and arrivals. He said future growth would likely come from health care, professional services, construction, tourism recovery, and diversified sectors such as renewable energy, aquaculture, creative industries, and technology.
Dr. Tian also discussed Hawaii’s economic structure and recovery, saying the state remains more concentrated in a few industries than the U.S. overall, with government and hospitality making up larger shares of the economy. He said non-tourism sectors had recovered, but tourism-related jobs and output were still below pre-pandemic levels, with Maui and the visitor industry still affected by the wildfire and COVID-19 impacts. He projected tourism and non-agricultural wage and salary jobs would not fully recover until 2027, and said population trends remain a concern because of aging, the likelihood of deaths outpacing births in coming years, and reliance on in-migration. After his presentation, the chair said questions would be taken later and the committee took a short break.
After the break, Dr. Carano of the Hawaii Executive Director’s office presented a second outlook, saying Hawaii’s economy in 2025 looked better than 2024 overall, though he emphasized substantial uncertainty tied to the incoming federal administration. He said possible changes to tariffs, tax policy, immigration, and federal spending could raise inflation and keep interest rates higher than previously expected, which would affect housing, consumer debt, the dollar, and Hawaii’s visitor industry. He noted that U.S. visitors account for roughly three-quarters of visitor spending in the state, making federal policy especially important. He also said deregulation could be a long-term positive but would not likely have much effect in 2025 or 2026. As an additional risk, he pointed to bird flu and its effect on livestock, poultry, and egg prices. No votes or formal actions were taken during the briefing.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Revenue Estimating Conference May 8th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I've got a 12% growth rate in there.
- I've got 12% growth in that.
- So once that's known in January, that's known.
- So the department collects grand total, all the taxes, about 12.
- But the department collects $12 billion.
Summary:
The Revenue Estimating Conference met with four members present and first approved the prior meeting minutes and recognized the FYI end-of-balance of $577,077,871 as nonrecurring revenue. The main business was revising the state revenue forecast for FY 2026, FY 2027, and the long-range outlook. The Division of Administration recommended a $113 million reduction to the FY 2026 State General Fund forecast and a $104 million reduction for FY 2027, citing weaker-than-expected individual income tax collections, softer corporate income tax receipts, and some weakness in general sales tax, partly offset by stronger motor vehicle sales tax and higher mineral-related revenues tied to oil prices. The Legislative Fiscal Office presented a somewhat different but broadly similar forecast, with modest net increases to the general fund bottom line in the current year and next year, emphasizing caution on income and corporate taxes and more optimism on sales, severance, royalties, and some other revenue streams.
A substantial portion of the discussion focused on the causes of the income tax shortfall, especially withholding and refund patterns after tax changes that lowered rates. Department of Revenue officials explained that withholding tables had been set with a cushion that may be producing larger refunds, and said changing the tables could quickly reduce overwithholding, though the effect would take time to show up. Members also discussed corporate collections, the lingering effects of the franchise tax repeal, the role of settlements and audits, and the extent to which collections are voluntary versus enforcement-driven. The Department of Revenue said corporate collections still had key filing and estimated-payment milestones ahead in May and June, and that refund and audit activity related to the former franchise tax would continue for some time.
The conference then adopted the Division of Administration’s FY 2026 forecast, the FY 2027 recurring forecast, and the long-range forecast, along with the proposed inflation rates for the Millennium Trust and parish severance allocation. Members also adopted the incentive expenditure forecast, noting that the reported amount is only the REC-reported portion and that larger tax exemption amounts come off the top before appropriations. The Treasurer reported a General Fund cash balance of about $404.1 million as of May 5, 2026, and an interfund borrowing base of about $9.18 billion, saying cash levels were similar on average to the prior year. The meeting ended with a note that another REC meeting might be needed depending on the May 16 election, and the conference adjourned without objection.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 2/18/26
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:12:14.880>
divisions <00:12:15.920>um <00:12:16.000>is <00:12:16.240> - <00:12:19.360>
terms <00:12:19.519>of <00:12:19.600>the <00:12:19.760>grants< - uh that<00:12:20.639>
we <00:12:20.800>we <00:12:21.040>have <00:12:21.200>at - We started<00:12:22.800>
um <00:12:23.120>with <00:12:23.680>one <00:12:23.839>- So we want<00:12:26.160>
to <00:12:26.240>make <00:12:26.399>sure <00:12:26.480>< - So we want<00:12:26.160>
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 2/13/25
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:12:35.760>
just <00:12:35.880>for <00:12:36.120>awareness <00:12:36.600>< - >
State <00:12:37.720>uh <00:12:37.839>law <00:12:38.079>enforcement <00:12 - >
enforcement <00:12:49.360>that <00:12:49.560>this <00:12:49.959>uh <00:12 - <00:12:53.160>
laboratory <00:12:53.720>system <00:12:54.480>um <00:12:54.760> - <00:12:57.680>
all <00:12:57.800>87 <00:12:58.399>counties <00:12:59.240>
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, May 21, 2025 - Part 1)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <01:12:16.320>
that <01:12:16.560>only <01:12:16.880>benefit <01:12:17.280>- those<01:12:21.040>
who <01:12:21.280>are <01:12:21.520>the <01:12:21.679>- For<02:12:47.760>
what <02:12:47.920>purposes <02:12:48.320>the <02:12:48.480>- speaker<02:12:54.239>
and <02:12:54.400>extend <02:12:54.719>my <02:12:54.960>- Gentleman is<02:12:56.000>
recognized <02:12:56.480>for <02:12:56.719>one <02:12: - those<01:12:21.040>