Video & Transcript Research : 'rural development'
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NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Yet, New Mexico is 65% rural.
- Twenty-three percent are practicing in rural New Mexico, yet New Mexico is 65% rural.
- Yet, 65% of New Mexico is rural.
- communities. rural communities.
- He’s practicing in a rural area.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Nov 3rd, 2025
New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- So it is a developer tool.
- So plans are developed.
- to rural areas.
- To make it work in rural areas of the state, it seems that things like spec development take a lot of
- is not fully developed, and it takes a while to develop their capital stack.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 03/16/26
Jobs and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Grants will be provided to eligible rural hospitals and higher ed institutions for developing and employing
- maternity units in rural hospitals? maternity units in rural hospitals?
- And, um, you know, I think we kind of set the standard, and economic development in the rural areas wouldn't
- And, um, you know, I think we kind of set the standard, and economic development in the rural areas wouldn't
- economic development in the rural areas economic development in the rural areas wouldn't<00:23:35.360
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- The smaller communities with less capacity and the smaller rural developers that they will rely on for
- developers uh in mind. developers uh in mind.
- with less capacity and the smaller rural with less capacity and the smaller rural developers<00:
- rural community.
- and the back roads of rural Vermont. and the back roads of rural Vermont.
Summary:
The House returned to Senate Bill 325 on regional planning and Act 250 tier jurisdiction and first took up Representative Charlton’s amendment to extend the interim housing exemptions in tier one areas from 2028 to 2030. Charlton argued the change would better align the exemptions with the state’s 2030 housing targets and give rural communities and smaller developers more realistic time to plan and build. Committee members opposing the amendment said the exemptions would no longer be needed once 1A and 1B areas are established, and Ways and Means reported an unfavorable straw poll. After debate, the House rejected the amendment by roll call, 66-76.
During debate, members discussed whether the extension would help or hinder housing production, with supporters emphasizing rural Vermont, achievable timelines, and the need for certainty for developers, while opponents stressed that the temporary exemptions were meant to bridge the transition to the new tier system. The House also heard questions about whether any communities had actually adopted 1A or 1B status yet, and it was noted that future land use maps were not yet complete. The chamber then moved to a second amendment from Representative Dobervich, which would extend certain interim Act 250 exemptions for designated village centers and nearby areas through January 1, 2031, including projects of 50 units or fewer or mixed-income/mixed-use projects meeting specified infrastructure criteria, with municipal bodies able to opt out.
Dobervich said the proposal would expand access to the interim exemptions for rural communities that lack permanent zoning or subdivision bylaws but otherwise meet the criteria, helping more towns build housing in already developed areas. Opponents argued the amendment could allow too much development in small towns without local review and questioned how many municipalities would actually qualify. The debate continued with members discussing the relationship between Act 181, the temporary exemptions, and the ongoing work to create future land use maps and tier designations.
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband Mar 24th, 2025
S/C on Telecommunications & Broadband
Transcript Highlights:
- Now in terms of what should we do because rural pop rural areas all over the country and especially in
- I did a lot of field work in rural Texas and several other rural states where SpaceX, where Starlink
- I want to highlight the broadband development programs the Broadband Development Office has initiated
- Rural urban breakdown. I mean, I think it's mostly rural. We're looking at mostly rural areas.
- And so when you're talking about very small, very rural, um, we are solely very small and very rural.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - Part 1 - 04/02/25
Jobs and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- workforce development fund for the Rural workforce development fund for the Rural Cancer<01:35:22.280
- our rural patients with cancer. our rural patients with cancer.
- in rural areas for years.
- our rural areas, I think is important. our rural areas, I think is important.
- Development strategy.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Local Government Committee Apr 23rd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- The most affected are rural road projects.
- Our rural areas are subjected to the highest fire risk, and without the expansion of these rural roads
- And they may very well overlook rural, unincorporated areas.
- Well, so that's... seats completely rural.
- John Kennedy, with RCRC, on behalf of the rural counties.
Summary:
The Assembly Local Government Committee heard a full agenda of bills focused largely on housing, permitting reform, transportation governance, and local government finance. Early in the hearing, AB 24 by Assemblymember DeMaio proposed changing SANDAG board selection to give rural unincorporated areas a stronger voice; members raised concerns about the approach and local input, and the bill ultimately did not receive a second at the time it was heard. The chair later clarified that because no second was made, the bill was held rather than voted out, though the transcript also reflects confusion and later attempts to revisit the item.
Several housing and permitting bills advanced with committee amendments and broad support. AB 671 by Assemblymember Wicks would streamline restaurant permitting through self-certification and faster plan review; AB 920 by Assemblymember Caloza would require a centralized online portal for housing permit tracking in larger jurisdictions; AB 1061 by Assemblymember Kirk Silva would allow SB 9 housing in historic districts with limits to protect historic character; AB 818 by Assemblymember Anamarie Farías would streamline temporary manufactured housing after disasters; AB 660 by Assemblymember Wilson would tighten timelines and remedies for post-entitlement housing permits; AB 1308 by Assemblymember Hoover would allow third-party inspections for small residential projects if local inspections are delayed; and AB 1445 by Assemblymember Haney would expand downtown revitalization financing tools for mixed-use housing. Each of these measures drew support from housing, business, and industry groups, with some local-government and special-district stakeholders seeking continued amendments on certain bills.
The committee also approved AB 1156, which updates the solar use easement program to better accommodate renewable energy development on water-constrained agricultural lands, and AB 964, which would let local governments offset certain state mandate reimbursement debts against amounts the state owes them. AB 1223, by Assemblymember Wynn, would let Sacramento-area transportation authorities propose sales tax measures for portions of the county and keep revenues local; it advanced despite some transportation and taxpayer concerns. Consent items AB 36 and AB 1131 were also approved. Most bills were reported out on bipartisan votes, often with committee amendments and some members noting they would continue working on the measures in later committees.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- our rural communities.
- You have urban, and when does it change to rural? Mr.
- So this would be for the housing development revolving fund.
- That takes us through economic development, Mr. Chair.
- residencies and rural residency rotations.
Keywords:
SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects, SB132, DOIT, Department of Information Technology, software replacement, equipment replacement
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- And excuse me, I said the Rural Florida; it's the Florida Rural Jobs Act.
- And excuse me, I said the Rural Florida; it's the Florida Rural Jobs Act.
- This bill, along with our Rural Renaissance bill, will let our rural communities in Florida compete on
- developing and implementing regional comprehensive economic development strategies, by providing grant
- It's also connected into our rural initiative, our rural renaissance, the Senate president's primary
Summary:
The Commerce and Tourism Committee heard and favorably reported several bills. SB 1672 removed duplicative state provisions related to labor pools; CS/SB 940 prohibited third-party sale of restaurant reservations without the restaurant’s consent; and CS/SB 1820 made changes to motor vehicle manufacturer and dealer franchise law, including disclosure of performance measures, anti-retaliation protections, and limits on franchise termination or nonrenewal. The committee also approved CS/SB 324, creating a revolving loan program to help small businesses affected by prolonged public works construction, and SB 936, which creates a recurring three-year study of the effects of AI, robotics, and automation on Florida’s workforce and economy. SB 1322, the Florida Rural Jobs Act, was amended and reported favorably to encourage private investment in rural small businesses through a state tax credit program. The committee also reported favorably on CS/SB 910, which regulates for-profit veterans’ benefit assistance services, and CS/SB 656, which extends protections from extraordinary collection actions to all bill-of-care payment actions by hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers.
The committee spent substantial time on CS/SB 1264, a broad Department of Commerce agency bill. The strike-all amendment added or revised provisions on Secure Florida, the RISE venture capital tax credit program, data center tax exemptions, business development classifications, military land transfers, and other economic development matters, while also repealing regional planning councils from statute. That repeal drew extensive opposition from local officials and regional council representatives, who argued the councils are important for emergency management, grant writing, planning, and support for small and rural communities. Supporters of the amendment said the councils could continue locally without state statutory involvement. After debate, the amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably, though Senators Davis and Smith voted no.
The committee also considered CS/SB 1238, which would tighten reemployment assistance rules by disqualifying claimants who fail to meet job-search requirements or refuse work, and by adding verification and reporting requirements. Supporters framed it as adding guardrails and preventing fraud, while opponents argued Florida’s unemployment system is already difficult to access and that the bill would add unnecessary barriers and costs. Despite opposition from labor and advocacy groups, the bill was reported favorably, with Senators Smith and Arrington voting no. Finally, the committee unanimously recommended confirmation of Alexis Yarborough and John Gilbert to the Board of Supervisors of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Commerce and Economic Development Jan 30th, 2026 at 07:51 pm
House Commerce & Economic Development Committee
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 2/12/25
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- the Center for Rural Policy and Development.
- the Center for Rural Policy and Development.
- And our third item on today's agenda, the Center for Rural Policy and Development.
- And our third item on today's agenda, the Center for Rural Policy and Development.
- And our third item on today's agenda, the Center for Rural Policy and Development.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Finance Subcommittee Oct 28th, 2025
A&B Finance Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- Our plan is to scale this model across rural and urban communities across the state as rural grocery
- We're looking at rural, where you'd be out in the country.
- I don't know what the USDA actual rural population is. Considered to be rural or urban.
- When I think of rural, I...
- We tried to get a broad overview of not just the metros but the rural as well, by any definition of rural
Summary:
The committee heard an interim study on expanding or simplifying sales tax exemptions for Oklahoma nonprofits. Representatives Stark and Schreiber said the issue has been filed repeatedly over several sessions and framed it as a bipartisan effort to keep more charitable dollars in service of communities rather than paying sales tax. Schreiber also suggested broader tax reform or an omnibus approach rather than continuing to add individual exemptions.
Marnie Taylor of the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits gave an overview of the sector, describing nonprofits as a major part of the state economy and safety net, and argued that many organizations are highly regulated, under-resourced, and facing declining donations and funding. She said the current patchwork of exemptions is uneven and that a blanket or broader exemption would help organizations serving public needs. Committee members asked for sources behind some of the poverty, education, and health rankings cited in her presentation.
Several nonprofit leaders testified about how sales tax affects their operations. RG Foods described the cost of opening neighborhood grocery markets in food deserts and said sales tax on a Tulsa project would divert about $85,000 from programming. Jubilee Partners, Skyline Urban Outreach, the Pencil Box, the Tulsa Police Foundation, Blue Rose Ranch, and Legacy Parenting Center each explained how exemption status or the lack of it affects food assistance, school supplies, public safety equipment, animal rescue, and diapers and family support. Members asked follow-up questions about food desert definitions, budgets, and how much sales tax savings would change operations. No vote was taken in the excerpt, but the study concluded with closing remarks emphasizing that the exemption would keep more money in direct services and support the nonprofit sector statewide.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Water Topics Overview Committee Jun 10th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- water development plan.
- I'll speak from a rural water standpoint... I'll speak from a rural water standpoint.
- The rural system.
- the rural water bucket?
- water system improve their system because they're like a rural, rural customer.
Summary:
The Water Topics Overview Committee met to receive interim status updates on several water-related studies and Department of Water Resources projects. The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes, observed a moment of silence for the late Representative Conmy, and then heard updates on the watershed management study and the stormwater/wastewater study. Staff reported that the committee had already received the testimony contemplated in the study plans, including input from state agencies, local governments, and out-of-state entities, and that any further action would be at the committee’s discretion.
The Department of Water Resources then provided project and budget updates on NAWS and the Southwest Pipeline Project. Reese reported NAWS is expected to serve about 81,000 users, with a total projected cost of about $571 million and about $96 million remaining, while the Southwest Pipeline Project is estimated at $1.06 billion total with about $409 million remaining. Members asked about funding sources, capacity needs, and whether current and future construction is being designed for increased demand; department staff said current work is designed for ultimate capacity, but some future components may need redesign based on new requests. The committee also discussed local cost shares, Minot’s role in NAWS funding, and whether the system is adequate for peak demand.
A major portion of the meeting focused on the department’s cash management, carryover, and long-term water funding outlook. The department said Resources Trust Fund revenues are tied to oil extraction taxes and are affected by stripper well exemptions and future oil price declines. Members expressed concern about large carryover balances and whether the state is obligating more money than can realistically be spent in a biennium. The department reported about $340.6 million in remaining carryover and said it is trying to reduce that through a two-tier pre-construction/construction process and closer project vetting.
The department also summarized the Deloitte studies on regional governance and finance and on cost-share policy. Stakeholders generally favored keeping the current governance structures for NAWS and Southwest with improvements, while Red River stakeholders leaned toward a different option; the department said it will bring an implementation plan back in September. On cost share, Deloitte’s recommendations would reduce some percentages, prioritize projects differently, and use other measures to close a projected long-term funding gap. Members debated affordability, local burden, deferred maintenance, and whether statutory changes may be needed to allow the commission more flexibility in prioritizing and funding projects. No formal votes or final actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the updates.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Cmte on Rules - Subcommittee on the Federal Impact on Minnesotans and Economic Stability - 01/15/26
Transcript Highlights:
- As the rural health office of the state, we are charged with developing and supporting policies and strategies
- clinic rotations, developing a technical assistance center for excellence in rural clinical training
- Highlight a few: supporting the building of a children's mental health initiative, developing a rural
- rural clinic rotations, developing<00:23:18.640>
a <00:23:18.880>technical <00:23:19.360 - developing a rural teleaalth services developing a rural teleaalth services center,<00:24:23.440
Summary:
The Select Subcommittee first took up adoption of three previously prepared nonpartisan committee summary reports dated October 15, November 13, and November 21. Senator Rasmusson objected to the lack of advance notice about the day’s testifiers and criticized the practice of having nonpartisan staff summarize what he described as a partisan agenda. The chair responded that the committee’s purpose is to gather information, not hear bills, and that the summaries were intended as neutral resources for the Senate. Senator Coopek moved adoption, the motion was opposed by Rasmusson and another member, and the motion passed.
The committee then turned to the day’s hearing on federal impacts on Minnesota, with the chair focusing on federal funding threats and the effect of congressional budget actions on health care, especially in greater Minnesota. The first presentation came from the Minnesota Department of Health on the state’s rural health transformation work. Assistant Commissioner Carol Broom introduced the team and described the rural hospital transformation program as a major opportunity to invest in rural health, while acknowledging longstanding challenges such as demographics, transportation barriers, and the financing of care. Nitha Moibi outlined the state’s rural health chart book and data showing an aging population, workforce shortages, and many health professional shortage areas, and described proposed strategies including workforce pipelines, bridge payments for low-volume birth hospitals, telehealth access points, mental health urgent care, and chronic disease prevention.
Acting Assistant Commissioner Anna Ashby of the Minnesota Management and Budget office explained the state’s application to CMS for the Rural Health Transformation Program, which was created in federal law and awarded Minnesota just over $193 million for federal fiscal year 2026. She said the application was shaped by public comments, stakeholder meetings, and legislative outreach, and included initiatives on preventive care, workforce, care access, behavioral health, and provider financial stability. She also reviewed implementation constraints, including a January 30 revised budget deadline, limits on administrative spending, restrictions on using funds to offset Medicaid losses, and the need to show measurable progress to remain eligible for future funding. The presentation noted that most year-one funding would go to rural hospitals, with additional support for federally qualified health centers, community mental health centers, tribal partners, and technical assistance.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Health Service (1-14-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- know that this bill, especially in rural know that this bill, especially in rural Kentucky,<00:02
- the development and proposing the development and implementation<00:19:50.080>
of <00:19:50.240 - rural communities.
- > healthcare<00:29:39.520>
or <00:29:39.760>rural focused on rural healthcare or rural - focused on rural healthcare or rural health,<00:29:40.480>
and <00:29:40.720>I'm <00:29
Keywords:
26RS SB 38 Testimony 00:28
26RS SB 38 Roll Call Vote 06:54
26RS SCR 9 Testimony 11:06
26RS SCR 9 Roll Call Vote 32:00
Adjournment 32:49, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first considered Senate Bill 38, sponsored by Sen. Richardson, which would require Medicaid to reimburse pharmacists for services already within their legal scope of practice. Richardson and Taylor Williams of the Kentucky Pharmacists Association argued the bill would improve access to care, especially in rural areas, reduce emergency room use, and lower Medicaid costs by using pharmacists as lower-cost providers. Members asked whether the bill’s language simply aligned Medicaid with an earlier commercial parity law, and Richardson confirmed that it did. He also cited prior study work, research articles, and examples such as strep/flu testing and medication therapy management as covered services. The bill passed unanimously, and several members commented in support, including concerns about pharmacy access and the need for pharmacists to remain available to patients.
The committee then took up a concurrent resolution sponsored by Sen. Meredith calling for a feasibility study of a proposed new Medicaid delivery model. Meredith argued that Kentucky’s Medicaid spending is growing unsustainably and that current managed care arrangements are not improving outcomes enough. He proposed an accountable community health care organization, described as a locally owned, not-for-profit public-private partnership combining elements of accountable care models, with the goal of reducing bureaucracy, improving outcomes, and lowering costs. He said the study would examine a five-year program and ultimately test the model in five regions, with initial focus on the Lincoln Trail, Green River, and Barren River area development districts. Members asked about the study timeline, vendor costs, rural versus urban impacts, and provider recruitment; Meredith said the resolution would be studied by November and that no fiscal note had been prepared. The resolution passed unanimously.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Appropriations Apr 7th, 2025 at 08:30 am
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- It's in a rural area.
- This is a rural area. It is going to cost a lot more. It's in a rural area.
- Let's move on then to the next two bills, which are concerning development of rural communities.
- It's a difficult situation to try to help spark economic development in our smaller rural communities
- It's a difficult situation to try and help spark economic development in our smaller rural communities
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 2265, which would provide the Fargo National Cemetery with up to a $3 million line of credit to help fund improvements such as indoor bathrooms, parking, a family gathering area, an office, a hearse garage, and a veterans gallery. Supporters said the cemetery has expanded rapidly since 2019, has already conducted about 1,000 burials, and needs better facilities for families and the Honor Guard; they also said the project would be subject to federal VA approval and, once completed, would be taken over by the VA. Members raised questions about the project’s cost, timing, funding sources, whether the bill should be a grant instead of a line of credit, and whether a chapel should be specifically included. No vote was taken on SB 2265 during the excerpt.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 2230, which would have the Secretary of State mail active voters a guide on ballot measures at least 45 days before an election, with objective summaries, fiscal impacts, and arguments for and against each measure. Secretary of State Michael Howe said the office already receives many questions about ballot measures and would post the same information online and at polling places, while emphasizing the need to keep the material objective and consistent with election-law restrictions. Members generally supported the idea as a voter-education tool, and the committee adopted a due pass motion on SB 2230 by a 19-0 vote.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2256, which would provide one-time state support for the NDSU Research and Technology Park in Fargo to expand its role in commercialization, robotics, precision agriculture, and defense-related technology. Park CEO Brenda Weiland explained that the park is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit spun out of NDSU, governed by a board with both university and industry representation, and that the new model is intended to bridge the gap between research and market-ready products without competing directly with private industry. Members asked about ownership, intellectual property, the planned partnership with Carnegie Mellon’s robotics center, and how the park would use the funding; the discussion focused on contracts, licensing, and the park’s intent to build technical capacity and attract companies. The excerpt ends before any vote on SB 2256.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Water Topics Overview Committee Jun 10th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Water Topics Overview Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- First off, we are required with the State Water Commission to develop a comprehensive water development
- water development plan.
- , would those 272 cities that are served by rural water fall under the cost share of the rural water
- It includes Northwest Rural Water, McKenzie County Rural Water, Burke, Divide, and R&T.
- It includes Northwest Rural Water, McKenzie County Rural Water, Burke, Divide, and R&T.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Community Affairs Mar 3rd, 2025
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Water Topics Overview Committee Jun 10th, 2026
Water Topics Overview Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- First off, we are required with the State Water Commission to develop a comprehensive water development
- water development plan.
- ... ...would those 272 cities that are served by rural water fall under the cost share of the rural water
- It includes northwest rural water, McKenzie County rural water, Burke, Divide, and R&T.
- It includes northwest rural water, McKinsey County, rural water, Brook, divide, and R&T.
Summary:
The Water Topics Overview Committee met to review several interim studies and receive updates from the Department of Water Resources. The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes, observed a moment of silence for the late Representative Conmy, and welcomed Representative Hansen to the committee. Staff then reported that the watershed management study and the stormwater/wastewater study had both satisfied the presentation requirements in their study directives, with no further required testimony unless members wanted additional information.
The department’s main presentation focused on major water projects and agency operations. Reese Haas and staff updated members on the NAWS project, the Southwest Pipeline Project, Devils Lake outlet operations, low-head dam safety work, floodplain management repository implementation, data center water use, and the 2027 Water Development Plan. Members asked detailed questions about NAWS funding sources, remaining project costs, capacity concerns for All Seasons and other users, and whether current construction is being designed for future demand. The department said NAWS remains on track for substantial completion by October, that remaining NAWS funding will come from a mix of federal, state, and local sources, and that current construction is designed for ultimate capacity while some future components will be adjusted for increased demand.
A large portion of the meeting was devoted to the department’s cash management, Resources Trust Fund revenues, carryover balances, and the State Water Commission’s cost-share program. The department reported $340.6 million in carryover remaining, explained that much of it is already obligated to long-term projects, and noted that oil price forecasts and stripper-well exemptions will affect future revenues. Members raised concerns about large carryovers, affordability for local sponsors, and whether the state should continue obligating money multiple bienniums ahead. The department said it is working with the commission on a revised prioritization framework, including high/moderate/low project categories and a two-tier pre-construction/construction approach, to better manage obligations and affordability.
The committee also reviewed Deloitte’s finalized studies on regional governance/finance and cost-share policy. Deloitte presented options for Southwest, NAWS, and Red River governance, with stakeholders generally favoring keeping NAWS largely as is, using the current Southwest model with improvements, and pursuing a more structured governance option for Red River. On cost share, the department said Deloitte’s recommended package would cover projected needs through the 2030s, but would require policy changes such as lower percentages for some project types, a 25% replacement-project rate with a cap, and possible bonding or delayed reimbursement strategies. No votes were taken on these policy questions, and the chair indicated the committee would continue the discussion at future basin meetings and the September Water Topics meeting.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It relates to the Rural Economic Development and Investment Program in the Texas Economic Development
- the growing economic development needs of rural areas in Texas.
- assistance under the Rural Economic Development and Investment Program.
- This bill expands the rural economic development and investment program to serve rural counties with
- For rural counties, supporting infrastructure needs for rural economic development.