Video & Transcript : 'phone number' :
Page 96 of 500
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection (2-27-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Please, if you have a cell phone, just a reminder, please turn that down.
- numbers, to be provided on the website and in a booklet so veterans can use that as their first avenue
- </c><00:26:30.720><c> to</c><00:26:30.919><c> provide</c> and phone numbers to be able to provide and
- phone numbers to be able to provide that<00:26:31.480><c> on</c><00:26:31.640><c> the</c><00:26:31.840
- As a DAV Department Service Officer, I cannot count the number of veterans that I've helped with their
Summary:
The Senate VMAP Committee met with a quorum and heard three bills. Senate Bill 144, sponsored by Senator Danny Carroll, would require destruction of firearms used in homicides and allow destruction of certain defaced, hazardous, unsafe, or owner-requested firearms, while prohibiting agencies from intentionally damaging firearms before transfer and requiring written agency policies. Senator Tichenor asked about lost auction revenue; KSP said it could not track homicide weapons separately, that auctions bring in about $1.2 million annually, and that most proceeds support Kentucky Homeland Security. Senators Boswell and others said they generally oppose destroying firearms but supported moving the bill forward; the bill passed favorably with no nays.
House Bill 191, sponsored by Representative Aaron Thompson and presented with state and veterans’ officials, would align Kentucky law with federal changes to allow additional burials in state veteran cemeteries for certain National Guard and Reserve veterans, their spouses, and dependents who were not previously eligible. Testimony explained the bill would cover veterans who served in reserve components without Title 10 activation, including those who assisted during floods, fires, and tornadoes, and clarified eligibility rules for spouses and children. Senators asked about minimum service and dependent eligibility, and the committee passed the bill favorably and unanimously.
Senate Bill 198, sponsored by Senator David Yates, addressed protection of veterans’ benefits by regulating third-party claims consultants. The committee adopted a substitute adding definitions and accreditation-related provisions, and Yates said the bill was intended to curb abusive fee practices and direct penalties to the special license plate fund for veterans. He explained the bill’s fee limits, including a cap tied to three times the monthly increase in benefits and an overall ceiling, while senators questioned whether the cap might discourage good actors and how the dollar limits would work. A veteran witness, Bob Casher, supported the bill and urged more public information on free claims assistance; the committee held further action while allowing guest comments, and the discussion focused on balancing consumer protection with access to legitimate consultants.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Transportation, Highways and Public Works Mar 17th, 2026
Transportation, Highways & Public Works
Transcript Highlights:
- A couple announcements, please silence your cell phone.
- Announcements: please silence your cell phone.
- Amendments number one, three, and four are technical.
- Amendment number two inserts a new section that specifies that the portion of Louisiana Highway 3194
Keywords:
HB 129, Act 783, highway designation, memorial highway, Louisiana Highway 173, Louisiana Highway 3194, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Dr. Harry Blake Sr., Virginia Green Evans, DOTD, Department of Transportation and Development, road signage, honorary naming, commemorative sign, transportation, HB 130, Act 124, Louisiana highway memorial, road naming
Summary:
The House Transportation Committee met on March 17 and first took up House Bill 129, which would designate a portion of Louisiana Highway 173 as the Dr. Harry Blake Senior Memorial Highway. An amendment package was adopted that also added a separate designation for a portion of Louisiana Highway 3194 in Shreveport as the Virginia Green Evans Memorial Highway. Representative Walters described both honorees as important figures in civil rights and community service. HB 129 was then reported with amendments.
The committee next considered House Bill 130, which redesignates the elevated portion of Interstate 220 in Caddo Parish as the American Legion Post No. 14 Memorial Bridge. Amendments were adopted to add “Memorial Bridge” to the name. Representative Walters spoke in support of honoring veterans, and HB 130 was reported with amendments. The committee then heard House Bill 854, a specialty license plate bill. Amendments added several schools, made technical changes, required OMV implementation when statutory and system requirements are met, removed a provision allowing OMV to retain $1 per annual fee, and redirected annual fees to the Louisiana chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association and the R. Tamney-Fleming Lupus Foundation. Members raised concerns about the growing number of specialty plates and OMV’s ability to produce them, but HB 854 was also reported with amendments.
After the bills, the committee received an update on the proposed privatization of the Cameron Ferry Service. The Secretary said the process began with an unsolicited proposal from Laborde and a competitive solicitation that produced a qualified bid, and that negotiations would focus on service improvements rather than guaranteed cost savings. Members asked about costs, maintenance, fuel, staffing, and the impact on travel times if the ferry is out of service. The Secretary said the goal is to complete the process by the end of the fiscal year, around July 1. The committee then adopted the minutes from the listed 2025 regular session dates and adjourned.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
November 4, 2025 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- Seeing that we have a quorum, members, please make sure your cell phones and all other communication
- Seeing that we have a quorum, members, please make sure your cell phones and all other communication
- This bill saves from repeal the public record exemption for the address and telephone number of a person
- Thank you, Madam Chair, and my apologies for being on the wrong number bill. Okay. Question.
Summary:
The Government Operations Subcommittee met to consider five proposed committee bills under the Open Government Sunset Review Act, which requires certain public record and public meeting exemptions to be reenacted before automatic repeal. Each bill was briefly explained by its sponsor or a member presenting on behalf of the sponsor, with no amendments or public testimony offered on any of the measures.
The subcommittee favorably reported PCB GOS 26-01, preserving the Florida Gaming Control Commission exemption; PCB GOS 26-03, preserving the public emergency shelter address and phone number exemption; PCB GOS 26-04, preserving exemptions for financial information used in small business loan administration; PCB GOS 26-02, preserving the conviction integrity unit reinvestigation information exemption; and PCB GOS 26-05, preserving a Public Service Commission meeting exemption for portions involving proprietary confidential information. During discussion on the Public Service Commission bill, members asked about transparency and utility rate increases, and the sponsor responded that the exemption is narrow, has never been used, does not affect public discussion of rate increases, and does not limit lawsuits or discovery.
All five PCBs were reported favorably by roll call vote. The chair then thanked members for their participation, noted that more bills were being referred to the committee, and adjourned the meeting without objection.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session May 11th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- President, file item number one is a confirmation of Clint Kellum.
- Colleagues, file item number four is the confirmation of Dr.
- And that's when Filipinos started to come to this country in large numbers.
- Now, item number 40, Senator Daly. Secretary, please read.
- The first is item number one. Secretary, please call the roll. Blais, aye.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Corrections and Public Institutions Feb 9th, 2026
Corrections and Public Institutions
Transcript Highlights:
- I could continue to go on with a number of... Thank you, Mr. Chair. To inquire.
- I'll be happy taking questions while I pull up those numbers I've got written down.
- That has generated a number... We were able to raise the boiler fee recently.
- It’s not just like, well, my phone went dead or something. And they’re all...”
- It’s not just like, well, my phone went dead or something.
Committee:
House Corrections and Public Institutions
Summary:
The committee first met in executive session and adopted a House Committee substitute combining House Bills 2592, 2834, and 2787 into one measure. The combined substitute was then voted do pass by a unanimous roll call, recorded as 15 ayes and 0 noes after a brief correction to the tally.
The committee then heard House Bill 1786, which would raise the Highway Patrol’s spending threshold for purchasing vehicles, watercraft, aircraft, and related specialized equipment without returning to the legislature from $100,000 to $500,000. The sponsor and Highway Patrol witnesses said the current cap is outdated because boats, armored vehicles, bomb trucks, and aircraft equipment now cost far more than $100,000, while members asked about inflation, the revolving fund, and whether a lower increase might be more appropriate. No opposition testimony was offered.
Next, House Bill 2885 was heard. It would redirect the first $1 million in annual boat registration fee revenue away from general revenue and into the Missouri Water Patrol Division. The sponsor and Highway Patrol said registration revenue has declined while operating costs have risen, and the division needs the money to support enforcement, search and rescue, dive operations, and boating safety programs. Members asked how much revenue is collected and whether the change would affect other programs; testimony indicated the bill would mainly earmark existing revenue rather than increase overall department funding.
The committee also heard House Bill 2694, which would exempt four fee-supported funds from the end-of-biennium sweep to general revenue: the Highway Patrol Academy Fund, the State Forensic Laboratory Account, the Boiler and Pressure Vessels Safety Fund, and the Elevator Safety Fund. The sponsor and Department of Public Safety witnesses said the sweeps make long-term planning difficult and can disrupt training, lab support, and safety inspection operations, though members raised concerns about excess balances, guardrails, and whether fee reductions should be considered if reserves grow too large. Finally, House Bill 1712 was heard; it would make intentionally failing to charge an electronic monitoring device a crime, closing a loophole in existing tampering law. The sponsor, a sheriff, and other witnesses said the bill addresses deliberate attempts to evade monitoring, while members discussed battery warnings, rural access to electricity, and the costs and benefits of pretrial release. No votes were taken on the later bills before the committee adjourned.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Administration of Criminal Justice Mar 18th, 2026
Administration of Criminal Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- All members and those in the audience, please place your cell phones on vibrate.
- If you need to receive a phone call, we ask that you step out of the committee room to do so.
- It's Amendment Number 1803. Mr.
- It's amendment number 1803. Mr.
- And may be arrested for stealing a phone or a fight or something of that nature?
Committee:
House Administration of Criminal Justice
Summary:
The committee met on March 18, 2026, with a quorum present and heard several criminal justice bills. HB 36 by Rep. Butler, as amended, removed Evangeline Parish from the Acadiana Regional Juvenile Justice District and was reported favorably. HB 160 by Rep. Knox increased penalties for domestic violence offenses involving strangulation; the committee adopted an amendment requiring at least one year without probation or suspension, heard strong support from survivors and prosecutors, and reported the bill favorably as amended. HB 552 by Rep. Bryant, handled by Vice Chair LaFleur, clarified DWI law to include impairment beyond alcohol; a technical amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably as amended. HB 119 by Rep. Fontenot created and strengthened penalties for AI-generated sexual images, especially involving minors; after amendments, including a new possession offense and a name change to “Act Ivy Daniels,” the bill was reported favorably as amended. HB 171 by Rep. Spell corrected a citation in the personal surety provisions and was reported favorably without opposition.
HB 140 by Rep. Cox drew the most debate. The bill lengthened juvenile delinquency filing and adjudication timelines and changed procedures for extensions and dismissals. Prosecutors and law enforcement supported the bill as a practical update to account for modern evidence gathering and case complexity, while public defenders, juvenile advocates, and other opponents argued it would prolong detention, undermine speedy-trial protections, increase costs, and harm children. After extensive testimony and discussion, the committee adopted amendments and reported HB 140 favorably as amended by a roll call vote of 8-3, with Representatives Knox, LaFleur, and Moore voting no.
The committee also heard HB 68 by Rep. Schlegel, combined with concepts from Rep. Glorioso’s similar bill, to update disturbing-the-peace law to protect houses of worship from intentional disruption. An amendment clarified definitions of worship spaces and interruptions and increased the mandatory minimum jail time from 15 to 30 days, while enhancing penalties to a felony for more serious conduct such as battery, property damage, or carrying a dangerous weapon during the offense. Supporters framed it as a deterrent and protection for religious liberty, while opponents, including the ACLU, raised First Amendment concerns and asked for tighter language. The transcript cuts off during opposition testimony, and no final vote on HB 68 is shown in the excerpt.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Public Safety Subcommittee - Morning Session Jan 12th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- Oklahoma has never seen those numbers, and so those are numbers that are specified by the name accreditation
- So our numbers, excuse me, you'll have a big jump.
- It gets us back to our 1990 numbers.
- We've seen our recruiting numbers go back up.
- It totals it's a big number. It's 165 million.
Committee:
House Public Safety
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Aug 18th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm sure you have her phone number to tell her congratulations on a job well... ...done.
- I asked them to redo the numbers again.
- And she knows how I appreciate her for a number of reasons.
- I know your number one thing is your family.
- Your sisters, your children, but number one, Jesus.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- a phone call, please step out of the committee room.
- Set number 3564 is going to be filed online shortly, and it is...
- Set number 3801 will be filed online shortly, and our clerk is passing it out.
- In number three, I was thinking about fines and, like, how is that adjudicated?
- So I, too, also field the phone calls. And I want to thank the department, Ashley.
Committee:
House Education
Summary:
The committee first heard HB 1079 by Rep. Boudreaux, which would allow charter schools to give enrollment preference to children who attended a licensed early learning center operated by the charter school or under an articulation agreement. An amendment expanded the preference to include children of active-duty military members, foster children, and children in court-ordered custody situations, and a second amendment clarified that the preference is permissive. Supporters said the bill would improve continuity from preschool to kindergarten and encourage more early learning centers. The committee adopted the amendments and reported HB 1079 as amended.
The committee then took up HB 737 by Vice Chair Amedee, which would remove the state requirement that students show proof of meningococcal vaccination for school or post-secondary entry. The author argued the bill aligns state law with updated CDC guidance and preserves parental choice and physician consultation, while opponents, including pediatricians, public health advocates, and meningitis survivors, warned that removing the requirement would lower vaccination rates and increase the risk of severe illness or death. After extensive testimony and questions, the committee voted 4-8 against the motion to report the bill, so HB 737 failed.
Next, the committee considered HB 628 by Rep. Landry, as substituted, to allow school boards and the Department of Education to work with licensed early learning centers to operate micro centers at schools, including dual licensing at one location. Supporters said it would expand access for three-year-olds, improve school readiness, and help families and the workforce. The substitute was adopted, and the bill was reported by substitute without objection.
Finally, the committee heard HB 1008 by Rep. Owen, which would prohibit public post-secondary institutions from retaliating against faculty for disclosing certain violations or exercising academic freedom and free speech. The author and a professor witness said the bill would protect open inquiry and reduce self-censorship in higher education. The committee adopted two amendments to clarify academic freedom and tighten remedies; the transcript cuts off before any final vote on the bill.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Yeah, I see that number. So that's the number that they gave.
- I’m assuming you came up with all these numbers on—” “Be and where your numbers are.
- So that’s number one.
- That’s number one.
- I can get that number, the exact number for you, though.”
Committee:
House Appropriations
Summary:
The House Appropriations Committee met on May 26, 2026, and first took up Senate Bill 433, which would provide Medicaid coverage for certain weight-loss medications. After adopting a House amendment adding customary subject-to-appropriation language, the committee heard from LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein, who said the state currently spends about $240 million a year on GLP-1 drugs for Medicaid patients with obesity and certain other conditions, and that the bill would let the department expand coverage gradually while controlling costs and negotiating better pricing. Members spoke in strong support, and SB 433 was reported favorable as amended.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 157, which creates paid parental leave for eligible public K-12 educators and staff. An amendment was adopted to adjust fund language and make the bill proper for Appropriations. Senator Jenkins and supporters, including the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, described the bill as providing six weeks of paid leave for birth, adoption, fostering, and related family-building events, while members discussed whether medical leave should also be included and confirmed the leave applies to fathers as well. The bill drew broad support and was reported favorable as amended.
Senate Bill 250, requiring the Office of Group Benefits to offer a comprehensive weight management plan with employees paying the full premium and medication costs, was briefly discussed and reported favorable without objection. The committee then spent considerable time on Senate Bill 237, a child welfare measure from Senator Barrow that would expand notification, access, and investigative procedures for the Child Ombudsman and DCFS, including child-on-child sexual abuse cases and multidisciplinary fatality reviews. Members and agency officials debated the fiscal note, with estimates ranging from about $525,000 to $3.2 million and disagreement over whether some costs were already covered or could be absorbed; after a roll call, the bill passed 10-9 and was reported favorable as amended.
Finally, the committee began Senate Bill 155, which requires insurance coverage for medically necessary dental care tied to cancer treatment. Senator Talbot and medical and cancer advocacy witnesses said the bill would remove a barrier to timely chemotherapy or radiation and could prevent more expensive complications later. Members expressed support and discussed a relatively small fiscal note, but the transcript cuts off before final action on the bill.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/18/2026 - House Ways & Means
House Ways & Means Committee of Reference
Transcript Highlights:
- I have a number of questions for you.
- So that's number one. We've got to have that certainty.
- So that's number one. We've got to have that certainty.
- Over the phone, received at that business location because it was done over the phone, not by some phone
- It is a number of systems.
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 2290, which would clarify transaction privilege tax sourcing rules for tangible personal property by specifying that servers are not used to determine where an order is received and by defining business location. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill simply codifies existing origin-based treatment for Arizona businesses and provides certainty, while the League of Arizona Cities and Towns and ATRA warned it would shift revenue, create compliance problems, and potentially subject businesses to multiple tax rates depending on distribution or pickup locations. The Department of Revenue said it was neutral, noted a 2023 draft ruling had reflected a legal analysis of the issue but was never finalized, and said the bill would address a real need for clarity. After extensive debate over examples involving feed stores, Target, pizza delivery, and online orders, the committee voted 5-3 with one absent to return HB 2290 with a do pass recommendation.
The committee then heard House Bill 2373, which would add a space on the individual income tax return for taxpayers to voluntarily contribute part of a refund to the Veterans Donations Fund or Veterans Service Organization Fund. The sponsor and a veterans policy advocate said the measure would give taxpayers a simple way to support veterans organizations, with examples from Colorado and local veterans projects. The bill passed unanimously, 8-0 with one absent, and was returned with a do pass recommendation.
Finally, the committee considered House Bill 2143, a technical PSPRS measure that would limit the 5% ownership cap to publicly traded corporations. PSPRS representatives said the change would align the statute with its intended purpose, reduce unnecessary workarounds and legal costs, and preserve broader investment flexibility while maintaining other risk controls. Members discussed how the cap compares with ASRS and other retirement systems, and the bill was still under discussion at the end of the transcript.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Please silence your cell phones.
- It isn't based on any particular number.
- I've got those numbers in front of you. So Mr.
- Yeah, so it was a large, large number.
- What was the number?
Committee:
Senate Finance
Keywords:
inmates, department of public safety, per diem, local correctional facilities, jail funding, insurance premiums, Municipal Fire and Police, dedicated fund, assessments, Louisiana legislation, hazardous waste, cleanup fund, environmental protection, state treasury, Consumer Price Index, law enforcement, firefighters, health insurance, survivors benefits, Lafayette
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Mar 4th, 2025
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- And now, especially among seniors, I get scams on my cell phone all the time.
- to the total number of children adopted.
- They would be eligible for the federal numbers. Additional questions of the sponsor.
- I wish I knew the exact numbers, but just say that a very small number of children made up over, like
- I don't know the total number.
Committee:
Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs
Summary:
The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs met with a quorum and first took up SB 398, which would create a statewide public health awareness campaign through the Department of Elder Affairs on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Senator Burgess said the campaign would focus on early detection, brain health, risk reduction, clinical trial access, and community resources. The committee heard supportive testimony from a caregiver, AARP, the Alzheimer’s Association, and others, with members discussing the need for culturally responsive outreach and continued funding. SB 398 was reported favorably by roll call vote.
The committee then heard SB 106, which would strengthen Florida’s exploitation injunction law for vulnerable adults by allowing service of an unascertainable exploiter through the same communication method used to contact the victim, such as text, Facebook Messenger, or WhatsApp. Senator Martin explained the bill as a way to close a loophole that lets scammers evade traditional service, and witnesses from the Florida Bankers Association and the Florida Bar’s Elder Law Section supported it, describing how the bill could stop ongoing thefts more quickly while preserving due process. Members asked about gift card scams, clerk workload, and the definition of an unascertainable respondent. SB 106 was reported favorably.
The Department of Children and Families then presented an update on the Adoption Benefits for Qualifying Adoptive Employees Program, describing its expansion over time and the current one-time lump-sum benefit structure for eligible adoptive parents. The presentation covered eligibility rules, open enrollment, funding history, and the program’s impact on adoption placements, with members asking why tax collectors were included but other constitutional offices were not, and whether foster relatives could qualify. Finally, the committee considered SPB 7012, a committee bill addressing child welfare workforce shortages, treatment foster care for high-acuity children, and improved data collection on commercially sexually exploited children. The bill would direct DCF to recruit former public safety workers for CPI and case manager roles, create a treatment foster care pilot in two judicial circuits, and require more detailed, analyzable data and capacity studies. The bill drew support from child welfare advocates, with some members urging DCF to return with a more developed framework; it was adopted as a committee bill and reported favorably.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee 10/14/25
Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- So, if members and staff don't already have my personal cell phone number, I will make sure that you
- So, if members and staff don't already have my personal cell phone number, I will make sure that you
- So, if members and staff don't already have my personal cell phone number, I will make sure that you
- Can you tell me the number? identified. Can you tell me the number?
- What was the number?
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Corrections and Public Institutions Mar 23rd, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Corrections and Public Institutions
Transcript Highlights:
- Yeah, Representative, we had discussed this parcel number six previously.
- Yeah, Representative, we had discussed this parcel number six previously.
- Yeah, Representative, we had discussed this parcel number six previously.
- The witness responded that number nine is the Richwood Tower site.
- She heard it through the phone. But anyway.
Committee:
House Corrections and Public Institutions
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
February 19, 2025 - 09:30 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- Please silence your cell phones.
- right number.
- I don't know what the right number is, and I don't think there is a right number.
- I'm open to finding whatever the right number is, but I don't know if a right number exists.
- That's number one.
Summary:
The subcommittee first heard HB 6507, a claims bill for Marcus Button, who suffered severe permanent injuries in a 2006 school bus crash. Representative Andrade explained that a jury awarded Button more than $2 million in 2009, but only a small amount was paid under sovereign immunity limits. He said Pasco County later reached a settlement with Button, but believed it lacked legal authority to pay without legislative approval. The bill would give the county that authority. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed unanimously, 18-0.
The committee then took up HB 301, which would substantially revise Florida’s sovereign immunity framework. Representative McFarland said the bill would raise liability caps for state and local governments from $200,000/$300,000 to $1 million/$3 million, with a later increase in 2030, align statutes of limitations with private suits, allow governments to settle above the caps without a claims bill, and prevent insurance policies from conditioning payment on legislative approval. She framed the bill as a way to reduce the need for the claims bill process and provide faster redress to injured people.
Testimony on HB 301 was sharply divided. Local governments, school districts, counties, cities, hospital groups, and insurance representatives opposed the bill, arguing the higher caps would sharply increase insurance and taxpayer costs, especially for small or fiscally constrained entities, and that the claims bill process and special masters provide useful review and leverage. Supporters, including the Florida Justice Association and several members, argued the current system is too slow and political, leaves seriously injured people waiting years for compensation, and should be modernized to better hold government accountable. No vote was taken on HB 301 in the portion of the meeting provided.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- Okay, so again, these are in page and line number order.
- I'll try and phone a friend, see if I can, and if not, don't worry about it. So, um...
- I'd phone a friend, see if I can, and if not, don't worry about it. So thank you.
- I'd phone a friend see if I can and if not don't worry about it so thank you so we will be at ease for
- Asking for a no vote, the underlying substitute does have a number of these policies in it, especially
Committee:
House Housing
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- you know, beautiful flowers that all of you have sent all the way to your thoughts, text messages, phone
- That's mess up number one. next, I'm gonna go back to CCJ.
- Or maybe you'll recommend that we increase the number of, which would be ironic. All right, yeah.
- I have phone calls, my DLA calls me.
- Um, you need to make this meeting, you need to make this phone call.
Committee:
House Legislative Council
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Funding (01/14/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> hail I've chaired education for a number hail I've chaired education for a number of<00:12:19.120
- As you all know, if in fact there is a security issue, I've highlighted that phone number, which you
- number number three<01:16:08.159><c> our</c><01:16:08.400><c> University</c><01:16:09.080><c> system
- </c> assistance medical assistance any number assistance medical assistance any number of<01:55:28.400
- </c> Paramedic program that's a large number Paramedic program that's a large number of<02:04:27.239>
Summary:
The meeting was the first session of a newly created House Education Funding Committee, which also handles career technical education and higher education legislation. The chair explained that the committee was split off from the larger education committee because of the high volume of bills in the prior biennium, and said its focus would be on education funding policy and related fiscal issues. He noted that the committee had already reviewed major topics with the Department of Education, including the foundation formula, building aid, career technical education, special education aid, catastrophic aid, and higher education funding, and that chancellors from the university and community college systems were scheduled to appear later that morning.
The bulk of the meeting was an orientation on committee procedures and decorum. The chair reviewed attendance and replacement rules, hearing procedures, time limits for testimony, and how the committee would handle crowded hearings, early bills, and fiscal notes. He emphasized that hearings are not debates, that sponsors and co-sponsors may present but should not use their position to dominate questioning, and that the chair controls whether additional technical questions are asked of witnesses. He also stressed neutrality, saying members should not display buttons or placards or engage in running debates with testifiers, and that the committee should treat all testimony respectfully regardless of party or viewpoint.
Additional housekeeping guidance covered security procedures, use of cell phones and computers during hearings, breaks and hydration in the dry hearing rooms, and courtesy toward the clerk and other staff. The chair also asked members to notify leadership in advance of absences and explained that some bills may require larger rooms or overflow arrangements. No votes were taken and no bills were acted on during this portion of the meeting.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Do you have those numbers? >> I don't have those numbers exactly.
- Do you have those<01:26:47.040><c> numbers?</c> those numbers? those numbers?
- Give us a number number number to fill in backstop monthly for all food basket food banks statewide to
- Give us a number number number >> to<01:31:26.239><c> fill</c><01:31:26.560><c> in</c><01:31:26.880
- um number of people?
Summary:
The joint informational briefing focused on how federal policy changes, tariffs, funding cuts, the federal shutdown, and delays in the farm bill are affecting Hawaii agriculture and food access. Opening remarks emphasized Hawaii’s heavy dependence on imported food and farm inputs, the state’s vulnerability to disruptions in USDA services, and the need for stronger state, county, and community coordination. Speakers also noted that immigration enforcement and broader global supply-chain pressures can affect local farm labor, production, and food availability.
Sharon Herd, chair of the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, described both positive and negative federal impacts. She said Hawaii has benefited from some recurring grants and a large new $8.8 million federal grant, but also reported about $22 million in losses from suspended or terminated grants, including farm-to-school and water-related projects. She said some USDA programs, such as microgrants for food security and FISMIP, are currently suspended, while the specialty crop block grant remains active. She also said Hawaii farms declined from 7,328 to 6,569 between the 2017 and 2022 censuses and argued the state cannot rely on imports alone to feed its people.
Amanda Shaw of Agriculture Stewardship Hawaii presented findings from federal funding cut reports. She said the first report, in March, identified about $88 million in potential cuts, and the newer report found $64.7 million in confirmed cuts and about $175 million in potential cuts. She said federal shifts are creating uncertainty for farmers, food-system organizations, and school and community food programs, and noted that 4,000 to 5,000 Hawaii farmers could receive less money because of changes to payment-factor provisions for socially disadvantaged farmers. She also said Hawaii has lost 18% of local USDA staff since September 2024, with possible further national reductions expected. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only, and the chair noted that any legal questions, including the reported SNAP changes, would be for the Judiciary Committee to assess later.