Video & Transcript Research : 'computational thinking'

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WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Joint Revenue Committee, June 9, 2026 - AM

Revenue

Transcript Highlights:
  • I think<00:17:00.560> if<00:17:00.880> we think if we think if we did<00:17:03.120>
  • If you think<01:18:45.760> about think about think about industries<01:18:48.640> in<01
  • Now, think about it.
  • Um, and I was thinking maybe uh I think I read in the study last year.
  • Um, and I was thinking maybe uh I think I read in the study last year.
Keywords: 916, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Financial Services Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am

Joint Committee on Financial Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • I think we need to look at adding more tools in the toolbox about how do we help long-uncle, I think
  • I think it is still morning.
  • Think about the little guy in there and think about us slinging drinks and flipping burgers.
  • I think our colleagues have done a great job today as well, and I think today's a precursor to the commission
  • You can speak up if you like, or I think everybody spoke. I think everybody spoke.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on several bills focused on financial security, banking regulation, and payment-card fees. Treasurer Deborah Goldberg supported the Massachusetts baby bonds proposal (H. 48) and also endorsed bills on matched savings (H. 1158/S. 737) and retirement planning/Secure Choice (H. 1143/S. 722), arguing these measures would help address wealth inequality, build assets, and improve retirement readiness. Supporters of baby bonds included policy experts and health advocates from Children’s Health Watch and Boston Medical Center, who said early-life asset building could improve long-term economic and health outcomes for children in low-income families. AARP also urged passage of the retirement planning bill, citing the large share of private-sector workers without access to an employer retirement plan. Representative Donato testified for H. 1143, describing it as a voluntary retirement-savings opportunity for workers at small employers. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3933, concerning the Massachusetts Credit Union Share Insurance Corporation, from former Bank Commissioner Mike Hanson, who defended the state’s full deposit insurance system for credit unions and savings institutions as a longstanding consumer-protection model. The Massachusetts Bankers Association raised concerns about the bill’s technical provisions and broader credit union/bank competitive issues, while the Cooperative Credit Union Association supported related legislation allowing modest compensation for credit union directors (S. 821/H. 1338) and flexibility for state financial institutions to grow through partnerships (S. 723). Bankers opposed those credit union bills, arguing they would upset a level playing field and blur long-standing distinctions between banks and credit unions. A major portion of the hearing focused on H. 1259/S. 688, which would prohibit card interchange fees on the tax and gratuity portions of restaurant transactions. Restaurant owners and the Massachusetts Restaurant Association testified in favor, saying the fees are a significant and growing expense, especially as most customers now pay by card; they argued the bills would save restaurants money without affecting state revenue. Credit union, banking, and payments-industry representatives opposed the bills, saying interchange helps fund fraud protection and payment infrastructure, that the proposal would create compliance burdens and likely litigation, and that it would mainly affect Massachusetts-chartered institutions while national banks could be preempted. Committee members noted that a commission on payment-card fees is being established and said the issue would be studied further. The hearing also included support for a separate bill on virtual credit cards for dental providers, with dentists saying automatic virtual-card payments impose hidden processing fees and fraud risks.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Municipal and County Government (01/20/2026)

Municipal and County Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • I think I got it right. >> Norwood. Okay. I think I got it right.
  • two, I think, wording questions. Mhm. two, I think, wording questions. Mhm.
  • It's just an error, I<02:48:47.760> think. I think. I think.
  • No, I think I dropped it. Um, I think OS took it out.
  • I think that individual probably may have a computer literacy problem.
Keywords: 1189, house, all
HI

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

HHS Public Hearing 03-10-2025

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • We think that it's not necessarily the intent to include all of pharmacy.
  • So I think we got to look at the whole spectrum.
  • <00:30:54.120> that look at the whole Spectrum I think that look at the whole Spectrum I think
  • <00:31:02.880> it expansion you know relevant I think it expansion you know relevant I think
  • <00:31:08.519> I've this program either um I think I've this program either um I think I've
Keywords: 912, senate, all
Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related bills. HB 72 on pharmacy drew only support, with testimony from the University of Hawaiʻi system, the Board of Pharmacy, pharmacists, and others; no questions were raised. HB 237 on peer support programs also received broad support from the Department of Health, DHS, early learning officials, families, and advocates, with testimony emphasizing the value of peer-to-peer mentoring and support for parents, youth, and people with disabilities; no opposition or questions were noted. HB 250, the prior authorization bill, generated the most discussion. SHPDA supported a revised version focused on reporting prior authorization practices and creating a nonbinding working group to develop automation standards, while PCMA, HMSA, Kaiser Permanente, and others raised concerns about duplicative pharmacy requirements, unintended consequences, and alignment with federal timelines and reporting. Several medical groups and individual patients supported the measure, describing delays and burdens caused by prior authorization. A committee member asked whether the bill’s working group differed from a similar group in Senate Bill 1449, and the witness said it was intended to be the same. HB 303 on health care preceptors was supported by the Department of Health, University of Hawaiʻi, nursing and health care organizations, and the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, which asked that pharmacists’ residency programs be specifically tied to national accreditation standards. HB 341, relating to issuance of SPURS to assist the Hawaii Island Community Health Association, drew support from the health center and related groups. HB 692 on Preschool Open Doors received extensive support from early learning, education, family, labor, and community organizations; testimony stressed the shortage of child care and preschool slots, especially on Kauai, and the need to expand access for families. Committee members asked about adding family child care providers and about licensing/certification barriers, and DHS said the bill was focused on current licensed child care facilities and that certification issues were a separate, broader problem. HB 700 on cognitive assessments also drew strong support, with the Department of Health, the Executive Office on Aging, disability advocates, the Alzheimer’s Association, caregivers, and others urging use of a validated cognitive assessment tool during annual wellness visits and asking that the age 65 threshold be removed; some witnesses supported keeping the data-collection portion as a pilot and emphasized early detection and reporting.
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Joint Appropriations Committee, January 8, 2026 - AM

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Um, so I think Kentucky is one of them. Um, so I think Kentucky is one of them.
  • Um I think that um Gurum.
  • >> I think we're at the end. >> I think we're at the end.
  • use that computer monitor.
  • think it's spot on to the go rack. think it's spot on to the go rack.
Keywords: 916, all
MA
Transcript Highlights:
  • I just want to say one thing that I think is helpful in thinking about training is to think about how
  • It is helpful in thinking about training to think about how it gets applied.
  • They can take that or not, I think. I think that's exactly right, Chair.
  • I think it's a good idea.
  • Do you just want to think about it? We can think about it. Yeah.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Working Group on Education and Training of the Special Commission on Xylazine held its first meeting to begin developing findings and recommendations on education and training for first responders, the medical community, the substance use treatment community, and people who use drugs. Members discussed the need for baseline information on what xylazine is, its clinical effects and harms, signs of exposure or poisoning, wound care, and immediate response steps, while also noting that training should be tailored by audience, geography, and role. Several members emphasized that the training should be practical and action-oriented, helping people recognize xylazine exposure and know what to do next, including whether naloxone is relevant and how to reduce risk and mitigate harm. A major theme was whether the group should recommend a needs assessment or survey to identify what different audiences already know and what they still need to learn. Members suggested that BSAS, DPH, local public health departments, licensing boards, and other stakeholders could help gather this information, and that existing resources such as DPH materials, MADS data, Brandeis materials, and trainings already being funded at BMC should be reviewed. The group also discussed the importance of using plain language for non-clinical audiences while still including clinical detail for providers, and of distinguishing between clinical and non-clinical training tracks. The working group agreed to divide into subgroups: Senator Keenan will focus on first responders, Dr. Simon on the medical community, and Millie Batiya on the substance use treatment community, while Chair Domb will focus on people who use drugs. Staff will send meeting notes, an early draft PowerPoint framework, and a shared Google Drive folder for materials. Members were asked to gather sources and ideas by November 25 ahead of the December 11 public meeting. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, a second, and unanimous thanks to staff and participants.
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division Apr 9th, 2025 at 02:00 pm

Appropriations - Human Resources Division

Transcript Highlights:
  • I was thinking, well... I was thinking about that last night.
  • I think there would be, uh,... I think there would be, uh, good benefit to it.
  • I think so. I think so. I think so. So I just sent it. That's okay. Don't be sorry.
  • I think, Mr.
  • I think that's the point of it, I guess. Am I understanding? I think so. Yeah.
Bills: SB2399
Summary: The committee reconvened and first reconsidered House Bill 1612, the aerospace medical and mental health support center bill. Senator Cleary offered an amendment to reduce the general fund appropriation from $500,000 to $250,000 and require the university or project sponsors to find the remaining funding from other sources. The amendment passed, and the bill was then recommended do pass as amended, with members citing concerns about university funding, but others supporting the project as a one-time seed investment. The committee also discussed a possible future FMAP increase beginning October 1, 2026, which could reduce general fund costs by roughly $9 million, though members noted the figures were still preliminary and could be addressed later if needed. The committee then returned to Human Services budget items, including early childhood and child care funding, a community cultural center grant, and several other adjustments. Members discussed reducing the “best in class” amount, changes to child care grants and quality/infrastructure funding, and clarifying that prior child care assistance appropriations were in fact being spent. They also agreed to reduce the 1915(i) Medicaid waiver line by $2 million, with the understanding that the entitlement would still be funded as needed. The committee also considered taking guardianship funding out of House Bill 1012 because a separate bill, Senate Bill 2029, would move that funding elsewhere; members agreed that removing it from the budget could help the overall bill and could be restored if the separate bill failed. Several study amendments were discussed. Senator Cleary proposed adding a maternal health study related to prenatal services, doulas, midwives, and Medicaid, and members expressed support. The committee also discussed a software/case-management study proposal, but the department said it had not requested it and would not support it as presented, so members leaned against advancing it unless the department first evaluated it. Another amendment would authorize the department to work with the city of Grafton on a long-term plan for the LSTC campus and require a report back to the legislature; members supported that as legislative intent. The committee also agreed to remove a truancy study section for later conference discussion, and it reviewed other possible study ideas, including assistive technology, before adjourning to await updated long sheets and bill text.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Legislative Review Jan 13th, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Legislative Review

Transcript Highlights:
  • I think they're close to the same.
  • I think it's a huge mistake. I think it's going to hurt a lot of people.
  • I think of all the places that... ...mistake. I think it's going to hurt a lot of people.
  • I think it's just how much we think that the government should specify particular cases.
  • But I think I understand the concerns. I think those are just the control. Are carried out.
Keywords: 959, house, all
US

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

US House Floor Proceedings (Wednesday, September 3, 2025)

US Federal House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • think of you as chancellor a metress. think of you as chancellor a metress.
  • <04:58:25.600> my So I I don't you know I don't think my So I I don't you know I don't think
  • critical<05:04:05.120> minerals think there were critical minerals think there were critical
  • Computers, home critical minerals.
  • So again, for all the reasons, I think So again, for all the reasons, I think we're<05:45:52.320
MA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Artists think very differently than, and I know they think very differently than government folks, and
  • So I think you said 12 slots are what's left? So I think you said 12 slots are what's left. Yes.
  • I think that makes a lot of sense.
  • I think it's a good process.
  • But I think those were great.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The commission met to advance planning for a proposed Cape Verdean Cultural Center in Massachusetts, with members emphasizing the historical significance of Cape Verdeans in the Commonwealth and the need to complete a feasibility study over the next year. After roll call and introductions of new participants, the commission unanimously approved the prior meeting minutes. Members also reviewed and approved a draft nomination criteria document, with a small edit to explicitly include Cape Cod in the geographic representation language. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on expanding commission membership. Rochelle Barbosa presented criteria aimed at ensuring regional, gender, generational, and sector diversity, along with needed expertise in areas such as history, museums, architecture, fundraising, nonprofit governance, language preservation, legal issues, and community organizing. The commission discussed several organizations and institutions that should have designees, including Bridgewater State’s Cape Verdean studies program, Mili Mila, the Schooner Ernestina Morrissey Advisory Board, and the New Bedford Whaling Museum. Members also reviewed a long list of suggested nominees and identified possible gaps, including legal expertise and representation from Taunton and Cape Cod-area communities. Because the commission had 16 additional nominees for 12 remaining seats, members agreed that more vetting was needed before final appointments. Representative Vieira proposed, and the commission approved, forming a three-member nominating committee consisting of Senator Miranda, Commissioner Monica Vega, and Commissioner Manny Lopes. The committee was tasked with narrowing the list and bringing back recommendations for a vote at a later meeting. Members also discussed scheduling another meeting before the end of the month so appointments could be finalized and the commission could begin its work plan, including monthly meetings, listening sessions, and visits to cultural institutions. The meeting adjourned after those next steps were outlined.
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:
  • Do you think this is what we had? Correct. Do you think this is what we had?
  • I think in the 2.3 statute, we have 39 days. And I think in this 2.4 statute, we have 40 days.
  • I think it's from us.
  • I'm just saying, if I can think of that, just on the fly, I think anybody else could look at this.
  • I think you just need to clarify steps to do that. I think we somewhat—I'm sorry, I think I'm...
Bills: SB2156
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.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

House - Appropriations and Finance Mar 20th, 2025

House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • I, I don't think it was 11.
  • Yeah, I think, um, I think we'll go to director Sale this, I think it's the, the, and I recall it's the
  • I think it's also the 5th. It's the.
  • I don't think, did we? Yeah, Mr.
  • Uh, I think they're, yeah, um. Uh, Mr.
AR

Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session

HOUSE CONVENES Apr 29th, 2026

Arkansas All Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • But I think that we owe this opportunity.
  • I think Mr.
  • And so I think this is something that's hard, I think, sometimes for agencies to do, to go out and seek
  • I think Mr.
  • So I think from that standpoint, I don't think we're doing anything special or nefarious.
Keywords: 1204, all
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

HOUSE CONVENES Apr 29th, 2026

Arkansas All Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • I think Mr.
  • And so I think this is something that's hard, I think, sometimes for agencies to do, to go out and seek
  • I think it's something very appropriate for members to do, which is what I think is happening in this
  • I think Mr.
  • So I think from that standpoint, I don't think we're doing anything special or nefarious.
Summary: The House convened with prayer, recognized guests, and adopted consent-calendar resolutions before taking up House Resolution 1052 regarding Arkansas Girls State. Rep. Vaught explained that about 150 eligible girls were denied registration because a counselor missed the deadline, and said the House would instead host an “elite Girls State” program for them this summer. He then moved to withdraw the resolution, and the withdrawal was accepted. The chamber also presented a citation to Pastor Richard Hamlin for his service during the session. The House then considered several Senate appropriation bills. Senate Bills 3, 4, 7, 15, 21, and 31 all passed with broad support and emergency clauses. Senate Bill 77, an unfunded appropriation related to Arkansas Television Network/PBS matching funds, drew extended debate. Supporters said it would encourage private donations and could help with programming and infrastructure, while opponents argued the department had not requested the money and that the House should not force additional funding. The bill failed on the first vote, was brought back for a second vote after questions about the rules and the nature of the appropriation, and failed again. After the fiscal session business concluded, Rep. Meeks moved to adjourn sine die, and the House agreed. The House caucus then met to elect the Speaker-designate for the 96th General Assembly. The chamber suspended the formal election process by voice vote and unanimously elected Speaker Brian S. Evans as Speaker-designate. Evans thanked members, reflected on the 95th General Assembly, and pledged continued leadership and accountability.
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee Apr 2nd, 2025

Finance and Taxation General Fund

Transcript Highlights:
  • I think about 3 minutes each.
  • I think that Senator Coleman Madison… Um, I think that Senator Coleman Madison could tell you why presumptive
  • I urge my colleagues to think better about the constituents in which they serve, to think better about
  • Do any of you have a computer?
  • I think it's going... ...them's going the way I think it's going to go, and so I just don't feel like
Bills: SB245, SB246, HB30, HB30
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Commerce and Tourism Dec 10th, 2025

Commerce and Tourism

Transcript Highlights:
  • I think that there are a lot of people that are getting benefits.
  • But I think this is a good start.
  • But it is my intent that, you know, I think the thing that we have to think about here a little bit is
  • just that, you know, My intent that, you know, I think the thing that we have to think about here is
  • I think this is no different than that.
Summary: The Commerce and Tourism Committee first heard SB 410, which would add current and former licensed private investigators, and their spouses and children, to the list of people whose home address, phone number, date of birth, photographs, and related family information are exempt from public records disclosure. Sponsor Senator Trunow said the exemption is meant to protect investigators who work on sensitive matters such as fraud, missing persons, human trafficking, and abuse cases and may face retaliation. After a technical amendment was adopted, the committee heard testimony from a private investigator describing threats and safety concerns, then voted to report the bill favorably as CS/SB 410. The committee then took up SB 216 on reemployment assistance eligibility verification. Senator McClain said the bill is intended to combat unemployment fraud by requiring claimants to contact five prospective employers per week, appear for scheduled interviews, and undergo regular identity, immigration, employment, and incarceration checks, with fraud information shared among agencies and published annually. Opponents, including labor advocates and representatives of construction and rural workers, argued the bill would add barriers for legitimate claimants, worsen Florida’s already low recipiency rate, and create problems for seasonal, rural, and transportation-limited workers. Supporters said the system needs stronger fraud controls and that employers and taxpayers bear real costs from noncompliance. The committee reported SB 216 favorably after debate. In routine open-government sunset review business, the committee approved two committee bills. SPB 7014 extends for five years a public records exemption tied to Department of Legal Affairs investigations of a social media standards law, with staff noting the exemption has not been used because of ongoing constitutional litigation. SPB 7016 preserves a public records exemption for certain financial information held by an economic development agency when administering state or federally funded small business loan programs; supporters said the exemption protects applicants from fraud and harassment, while Senator Smith said he would vote no to remain consistent with his prior opposition. Both measures were submitted as committee bills and reported favorably, and the committee adjourned.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • Chair and I think Senator Grall answered it.
  • But we really when we think about our kids and we think about their liberties and those liberties being
  • And and I think about those people, I think about my friend Mike, who used to play the guitar, who also
  • And I think that is our role, too.
  • And I think that, you know, every every opinion, every point of view on this committee, I think certainly
Keywords: 999, senate, all
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Oct 15th, 2025

Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • I think next year we're going to see even better progress.
  • I think we would very much like that.
  • I think once we start building that out, you'll see longer term.
  • Well, I think just one minute—Senator Bracey Davis is next.
  • But I think you're right.
Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education heard a presentation on the State University System’s new strategic plan, SUS 30, and its legislative budget request. University officials described the plan’s five priorities: One SUS collaboration, elevating student success, operational excellence, world-class talent, and innovative research and economic development. They highlighted Florida’s continued status as the top higher education system in the nation, low tuition, strong graduation outcomes, rising median wages for graduates, and expanded use of the My Florida Future website to help students and families compare degree outcomes and earnings. Members asked for follow-up information on programs of strategic emphasis, mental health and social work workforce needs, wage data over time, and how the system supports innovation moving toward commercialization. The committee also discussed campus safety, prompted in part by recent events at FSU. System officials said universities and the Florida College System recently held a safety summit to share best practices on building security, threat assessment, and coordination with law enforcement, and they agreed to provide a report back to the committee after the Board of Governors reviews recommendations in November. Senators also raised questions about Pell student support, first-generation student success, and whether liberal arts graduates’ earnings catch up over time. Officials said Pell students are tracked through performance-based funding metrics and that the system’s accountability plans will continue to emphasize access and completion. A separate update covered line funding for nursing and health care partnerships. Officials said the $6 million appropriation was fully subscribed through 24 proposals from all 10 nursing programs, supporting scholarships, faculty recruitment, internships, simulation, and licensure preparation. They reported over 1,900 new nursing graduates, more than 200 new student slots, over 300 scholarships, and a 92% NCLEX pass rate. Senators asked about expanding eligibility for the program, and staff said that issue would be revisited this year. The Board of Governors’ legislative budget request totaled $634.5 million and included $295 million for performance-based funding institutional investment, a request to restore and increase the state investment portion to $400 million, $125 million for preeminence funding, $100 million for faculty recruitment and retention, $6.4 million for UF/IFAS extension workload, and $3.1 million for State Fire Marshal inspections. The chair noted that resources are limited and that difficult budget decisions lie ahead. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentations and questions.
CT
Transcript Highlights:
  • I think, actually, I think you did a great job, Emily.
  • Senator Marr, I think you were able to log on now.
  • I got a couple, and I think my questions are building on Alice's.
  • And I don't think that has gotten approved as of yet.
  • If that makes sense, I mean, I think that would be our spot position on it.
Keywords: 962, all
Summary: The meeting began with approval of the May minutes and then moved into administrative updates on several 2025 legislative workstreams. Staff reported progress on two marketing efforts tied to the youth mental health crisis: one focused on increasing awareness and use of urgent crisis centers, and another broader crisis-continuum campaign led by United Way. Both projects are refining materials based on working-group feedback and aim to have materials ready before the start of the school year. Updates were also given on the UCC private insurance review and the crisis continuum review, both of which are gathering data and reconvening working groups over the summer. The main discussion centered on a Civic Solutions Group update on Medicaid school billing. The contractor explained that the project is examining why Connecticut schools are not billing for behavioral health and related services, with the goal of maximizing federal reimbursement. Members clarified that the study is about schools billing for services, not private providers billing in schools. Questions focused on whether Medicaid has caps or authorization issues when students receive services both in school and in the community, and whether recent federal or state changes affect billing. The contractor said the work is still in data collection and analysis, and that some issues, such as reauthorization procedures, were outside his scope. Participants also raised concerns about perceived barriers, fee-for-service limitations, and the need to distinguish school-based billing from provider billing. A second major presentation came from Disability Rights Connecticut on a separate legislative study concerning behavioral health issues affecting students receiving special education. The subgroup is examining the feasibility and impact of requiring evidence-based interventions, especially for challenging behaviors that can lead to restraint and seclusion, and is also looking at monitoring and random audits of restraint and seclusion practices. The team described its project plan, including literature reviews, interviews, focus groups, surveys, and data requests from the State Department of Education and other stakeholders. Members emphasized that the work is aimed primarily at private providers under the statute, but may have broader relevance. Questions from the group focused on whether the study would include public schools, how evidence-based practices apply to students with intellectual disabilities and autism, and whether caregivers or parents would be interviewed; the presenters said caregiver input is not currently part of the charge. The meeting ended with reminders about the July 15 meeting, which will include a Solnit briefing, and a note that August TCB meetings will not be held, though a workshop on the Connecticut Children’s Behavioral Health Provider Survey is being planned for late July or early August.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Local Government (Part I) May 26th, 2025

Local Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • I think it's called 408s now. They would be.
  • And it's so late, we didn't even print it out from the computer, so... Okay.
  • I think most of us have, most of y'all have been there. I was born there.
  • I think the other one has got my name of Johnson.
  • I don't think local— I don't think local, but admin might work. Listen to that.
Summary: The committee heard and discussed several local-government-related bills, mostly with committee substitutes. House Bill 2731 would let certain border counties regulate roadside vendors selling live animals in unincorporated areas and along public rights-of-way; the substitute narrowed the bill to live animal sales only and excluded livestock and other roadside commerce. House Bill 3483 would streamline TCEQ review of special utility district revenue bonds by removing tax-bond requirements that do not apply to SUDs. House Bill 4308 would create a county industrial development district framework, limited in the substitute to certain counties including Fort Bend County, to help finance industrial sites and related infrastructure. House Bill 5663 would create a Wood County Hospital District memory-care-focused district with no taxing power, intended to help pursue grants and other funding for a new facility. House Bill 4582 addressed attainable housing in Dallas and Tarrant counties, allowing local reimbursement tools for developers under a uniform, optional framework. House Bill 5509 would let municipalities suspend or revoke a hotel’s certificate of occupancy if law enforcement and a criminal court both find probable cause of human trafficking, with the substitute adding due-process protections. House Bill 1532 created a Lake Houston dredging and maintenance district funded by revenue from dredged material sales and revenue bonds, with no taxing authority or eminent domain. House Bill 23, heard as pending business, would revise the process for local governments to rescind development documents and adjust third-party reviewer liability and eligibility rules. House Bill 4580, concerning property tax exemptions for charitable organizations such as the Houston Rodeo, was amended to remove language about exempting revenue from property use and instead focus on land used for agricultural, youth, and educational support. Public testimony was generally supportive on the bills heard, with witnesses including county officials, utility and water association representatives, hotel industry representatives, and housing developers. Several speakers emphasized the need for faster financing or permitting tools, flood mitigation, housing affordability, anti-trafficking enforcement, or local economic development. Some members raised concerns about scope, precedent, consultation with affected senators, and due process, particularly on House Bill 4582 and House Bill 5509, but the committee largely accepted the committee substitutes as improvements. No public testimony was offered on several bills, and most measures were left pending before later being voted out. The committee took recorded votes on multiple pending bills and reported them favorably, often with committee substitutes adopted in lieu of the filed versions. House Bills 1532, 2731, 3483, 5509, 5663, and 4580 were reported out, with 1532 and 5663 passing unanimously and 3483, 2731, and 5509 also receiving favorable votes despite one present-not-voting on 3483. House Bill 23 and House Bill 4582 were left pending subject to call of the chair. The committee then recessed until adjournment or later.