Video & Transcript Research : 'human occupancy'

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TX

Texas 89th Regular

Economic Development Apr 7th, 2025

Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:
  • Senate Bill 1553 would allow Kerr County to collect a 7% hotel occupancy tax on travelers staying in
  • Senate Bill 1553 would allow Kerr County to collect a 7% hotel occupancy tax on travelers staying in
  • The additional revenue generated by this tax... ...occupancy tax on travelers staying in the county.
  • As Senator Flores has laid out, Kerr County... ...to impose a hotel occupancy tax.
  • Senate Bill 1087 allows Mason County to impose a hotel occupancy tax. That was short and sweet.
Summary: The committee heard a series of bills, mostly related to economic development, tax incentives, and workforce programs. Senate Bill 1534 would direct a study by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Workforce Commission on health physics education and workforce needs; resource witnesses from the Workforce Commission and Coordinating Board testified, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 1553 would authorize Kerr County to impose a hotel occupancy tax for tourism-related uses, and Senate Bills 1086 and 1087 would authorize similar county hotel taxes for Children’s County and Mason County; all three bills received supportive testimony and were left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1754, which would prohibit county and local tax abatements for renewable energy facilities selling power wholesale, with testimony sharply divided between landowners and policy groups opposing renewable subsidies and industry representatives and some senators arguing the bill would harm clean energy investment and local decision-making; the bill was left pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2322, which would exempt dispatchable electric generation facilities from the JEDI program’s compelling-factor test so they could qualify for school district tax incentives; testimony was mixed, and the bill was left pending. Later, the committee heard Senate Bill 1718, which would add the NRA annual meeting to the state’s major events reimbursement program. The bill’s sponsor and NRA representatives argued the event brings substantial tourism and economic activity, while opponents said it would use taxpayer funds to subsidize an organization that opposes gun safety measures; the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 2004 would add the Arlington Grand Prix to the major events reimbursement program, with the committee substitute exempting it from the usual competitive site-selection requirement because of timing; testimony from the event organizers and Arlington tourism officials was supportive, and the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 2448 would create a rural workforce development grant program at the Texas Workforce Commission to support college-and-career readiness and technical assistance in rural communities; witnesses from Texas 2036, Collegiate Edgination, and a rural school district supported it, and it was left pending. Finally, Senate Bill 913 would repeal a special requirement that Alpine dedicate at least 50% of its hotel occupancy tax to advertising and promotion, and Senate Bill 1143 would require more coordination and reporting for youth workforce programs serving disconnected young Texans; both bills received supportive testimony and were left pending. At the end of the hearing, Senator Johnson moved that the committee stand in recess, subject to the call of the chair.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • The revenue generated by a hotel occupancy tax may only be used for directly enhancing and promoting.
  • A county can levy a hotel occupancy tax by ordinance, but counties need legislation under Chapter 352
  • of the Texas Tax Code in order to be enabled to impose a hotel occupancy tax.
  • Senate Bill 1087 allows Mason County to impose a hotel occupancy tax. Any other questions?
  • Department of Health and Human Services.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • Hotel occupancy taxes allow these communities to levy a 7% tax on hotel rooms and short-term rental sales
  • Senate Bill 1553 would allow Kerr County to collect a 7% hotel occupancy tax on travelers staying in
  • Members, Senate Bill 1087 allows Mason County to impose a hotel occupancy tax.
  • As I just mentioned previously, these bills will allow these counties to impose a local hotel occupancy
  • In 2003, the Legislature required Alpine, Texas, to allocate at least 50% of its hotel occupancy tax
Summary: The Senate Economic Development Committee met to hear a series of bills and informational primers, with several resource witnesses from the Governor’s Office, the Texas Workforce Commission, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The chair opened by noting the death of Senator King’s son and asking members to keep the family in their prayers. Most bills were laid out and left pending subject to the call of the chair after brief author presentations and public testimony. The committee heard several local hotel occupancy tax bills: SB 1553 for Kerr County, SB 1086 for Childress County, SB 1087 for Mason County, and SB 913 for Alpine. Supporters, including the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association and local officials, said the measures would allow counties or the city to use hotel tax revenue for tourism-related projects and local development. The committee also heard SB 1534, which would direct a study on health physics education and workforce needs in Texas; resource witnesses from TWC and THECB testified on the bill. All of these measures were left pending. A major portion of the hearing focused on SB 1754, which would prohibit local tax abatements for renewable energy facilities selling power at wholesale, with an exception for certain battery storage tied to dispatchable generation. The bill drew strong support from witnesses who argued counties should not subsidize wind and solar projects that can harm neighboring landowners and that renewables already receive substantial federal support. Opponents from the solar and storage industry argued the bill would remove a voluntary local economic development tool, raise power prices, and discourage investment. Senators also debated landowner impacts, grid reliability, and whether the bill was the right policy tool; the bill was left pending. The committee also heard SB 2322, a committee substitute related to the Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act, which would exempt electric generation facilities from the program’s compelling-factor test so they can qualify for school tax limitation agreements. Supporters said the change would correct an unintended barrier for dispatchable generation, while Senator Johnson argued it would weaken the program’s purpose by subsidizing projects that would locate in Texas anyway. SB 1718 would add the NRA annual meeting to the major events reimbursement program; the NRA supported it, while gun violence prevention advocates opposed using state incentives for the organization. SB 2004 would add the Arlington Grand Prix to the major events program, and SB 2448 would create a rural workforce development grant program; both drew supportive testimony and were left pending. The committee also heard SB 1143, a substitute bill aimed at improving transparency and coordination in programs serving opportunity youth ages 14 to 24, with witnesses supporting better reporting and workforce alignment. At the end of the meeting, Senator Johnson moved that the committee stand in recess subject to the call of the chair.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Leg Committee Meeting - 2025-03-26

Legacy Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • And for members at a vacation, there is a letter from the Humanities Center.
  • What that means is that we don't necessarily operate the way the Department of Human Rights or the Department
  • of Human Services would.
  • The Minnesota Humanities Center must prepare the program to leverage the unique skill sets and relationships
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Legacy Finance Committee 3/26/25

Legacy Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • For members' edification, there is a letter from the Humanities Center, and CEO Kevin Lindseay, who I
  • from the humanities center uh that<00:16:08.560> uh<00:16:08.720> CEO<00:16:09.040>
  • of Human Services would.
  • The Minnesota Humanity Vietnam veterans.
  • The Minnesota Humanity Center<00:23:37.760> must<00:23:38.000> prepare<00:23:38.400>
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Judiciary Committee Meeting - 2026-03-25

Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm the government relations director for the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.
  • First, it aligns the language of the Minnesota Human Rights Act to better reflect the hearing process
  • And I will turn it over to Human Rights.
  • Minnesota Department of Human Rights. Minnesota Department of Human Rights.
  • First, it aligns the language of the<00:59:17.040> Minnesota<00:59:17.440> Human<00:59:
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

HSH Public Hearing - Thu Feb 12, 2026 @ 10:30 AM HST

Human Services & Homelessness

Transcript Highlights:
  • here today, uh, Thursday, February 12th, 2026, 10:30 a.m. in Conference Room 329 for the Committee on Human
  • requires the Department of Human requires the Department of Human Services<00:13:18.720> to
  • Thank you for Human Services in person.
  • Aloha, Chair, Vice Chair, and members of the Committee on Human Services and Homelessness.
  • Um, okay, next up we have Department of Human Services. Is that on Zoom?
Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1877, which would expand the membership of the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission and add a youth seat. The commission’s vice chair supported the bill, saying the commission started with eight members, has growing interest, and would benefit from an odd-numbered board and youth representation. Members asked about quorum, and the commission said it has generally met monthly with only one quorum issue in the past 18–19 months and would work with legislative leaders to have appointments ready if the bill passes. Written testimony included support from Kokopac and one individual in opposition. The committee then took up HB 2006, which would create a cash assistance program for pregnant women and mothers of babies. The Department of Human Services explained current TANF rules, including eligibility requirements, child support cooperation, and work-program participation, and said the state has recently raised benefit levels to the maximum allowed, with a family of three or four receiving a little over $900 per month. Supporters from the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network Speaks, and others argued the bill could reduce child poverty and improve maternal and child health, citing evidence from Michigan’s Rx Kids program and the temporary federal child tax credit expansion. A mother and Oahu Youth Action Board member testified from personal experience about the need for direct support during pregnancy. The committee also noted support from several organizations and about 26 individuals. The committee next heard HB 2167, which would direct the Office of Youth Services to run a pilot program providing financial assistance to homeless youth. The Office of the Public Defender, youth advocates, and several organizations supported the measure, saying even small amounts of help can prevent homelessness and help youth transition safely to adulthood. The Office of Youth Services said it supports the intent of the bill but requested clarification, and committee members discussed whether the program should be run directly or through contracted community agencies, how to set performance metrics, and how to structure the RFP and contract process. The chair indicated the committee wanted to work with the vice chair and OYS offline to refine the bill before moving forward. The committee then began discussion of HB 2224, relating to Medicaid pharmacy benefit management, with testimony generally supporting giving DHS flexibility to negotiate with PBMs.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • advises the patient that if they are a victim of domestic abuse, sexual abuse, physical abuse, or human
  • the wall that they were supposed to put a red dot on the urine cup if they were a victim of abuse or human
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 4/8/26

Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • human service delivery redesign. human service delivery redesign.
  • human services programs. human services programs.
  • Uh, slide nine is our human services redesign, which invests $2.5 million in fiscal year '27 and $1.3
  • and support their preferences for human and support their preferences for human service<00:11:35.360
  • Services as we jointly assess the Human Services as we jointly assess the landscape<00:11:43.880>
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

AGR Public Hearing - Wed Feb 18, 2026 @ 9:30 AM HST

Agriculture & Food Systems

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:04:12.080> Resiliences Agriculture and Human Resiliences Agriculture and Human Resiliences
  • This measure requires the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience to establish a center
  • the College of Tropical<00:05:56.800> Agriculture<00:05:57.280> and<00:05:57.440> Human
  • Tropical Agriculture and Human Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience<00:05:58.160> to
  • See, First up to testify, we have Director Yamani, Department of Human Services.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 3/20/25

Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Transcript Highlights:
  • But the Human Services judges at DHS were not included, so this just adds those Human Services judges
  • administrative hearings but uh the Human administrative hearings but uh the Human Services<00:22
  • so this just adds those uh Human so this just adds those uh Human Services<00:22:13.279> judges
  • with the Department of Human with the Department of Human Services<00:28:50.760> um<00:28
  • Madam Chair, I believe it's 35 Human Services judges that we have at the Department of Human Services
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Health and Human Services (Part II) May 7th, 2025

Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services will come to order.
  • It's not human.
  • It's not human.
  • But in nature, whether it’s plants, animals, or humans, there are four components.
  • One of them is uracil in animals and plants and humans forever.
Summary: The committee first reopened testimony on House Bill 2216, which would strengthen child welfare requirements by expanding “active efforts” to help families avoid removal and support reunification, while also raising standards related to removals and terminations. Supporters from child welfare and family defense groups said the bill would better protect families and align Texas more closely with ICWA-style principles, but several warned it would require significant new funding, staffing, and community services such as mental health care, housing, child care, and substance use treatment. The committee then left HB 2216 pending. The committee next heard Senate Bill 1782, aimed at boarding and group homes. Senator Miles said the bill closes enforcement gaps left by prior law by requiring retention of background-check records and creating misdemeanor penalties for failing to conduct or keep them, or for knowingly hiring people with serious convictions. Harris County sheriff’s investigators testified in support, describing illegal boarding homes, operators who evade permits and background checks, and exploitation of vulnerable residents; the bill was left pending. The committee also took up Senate Bill 481 on emergency preparedness for nursing facilities and assisted living facilities, adopted a new committee substitute that softened some requirements and removed the fiscal note, and left the bill pending. The committee then heard House Bill 388, which would require the Texas Department of Insurance to create a single standardized coordination-of-benefits form for dual health plans to reduce errors and surprise bills; it was left pending. Senate Bill 1590 would move paternity registry searches for adoptions to an electronic process with a 10-day target, and House Bill 2809 would track child suicide attempts in managing conservatorship and require related reporting and parental notice; both were left pending. The committee also heard Senate Bill 1887, which would prohibit administering mRNA-containing products for immunization for 10 years, with exceptions for cancer and genetic disorders. Supporters argued the bill was needed for safety, informed consent, and medical freedom, while opponents from the medical, research, and public health communities said mRNA vaccines are well-studied, save lives, and that the bill would harm access, research, and Texas’s biotech economy. The bill remained under discussion as testimony concluded.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Health and Human Services (Part I) May 7th, 2025

Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services will come to order, and the clerk will please call
  • Members, this is a cleanup bill requested by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
  • I'm with the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, Texas, and we're for the bill.
  • Lee Spiller, with the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, Texas, is for the bill.
  • It had been forwarded multiple times from the foster care... ...and human services.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services met with a quorum and took up several House and Senate bills, with public testimony limited to two minutes per witness. The committee first heard HB 2358, a cleanup bill requested by HHSC that would repeal outdated training and conference requirements for long-term care facility surveyors and certain providers; there were no witnesses, and the bill was left pending. The committee then heard HB 18, the rural hospital stabilization bill, which would create financial assessment tools, a rural hospital finance office at HHSC, an academy for rural hospital officers, multiple grant programs, enhanced Medicaid reimbursement tied to average cost, OB/GYN add-on payments, expanded pediatric telehealth connectivity, and a rural pediatric mental health program. Senator Perry and witnesses from TORCH, a rural hospital, AARP Texas, and ARCHI strongly supported the bill as a way to stabilize rural hospitals, improve OB access, and address workforce and financial pressures. Committee members discussed rural hospital closures, low-volume quality metrics, system affiliation, and the need for predictable monthly reimbursement; the bill was left pending after testimony and questions. The committee next heard HB 37, which would create a perinatal bereavement care initiative for families experiencing stillbirth, neonatal death, or intrauterine fetal demise, including counseling, staff training, and access to cooling devices, with possible grants and a recognition program for hospitals. Senator Huffman explained the bill, and several witnesses testified in support, sharing personal stories about infant loss and the importance of time with the baby, trained staff, and cuddle cots or similar devices. A neonatologist also supported the bill while suggesting clarification that hospitals should not be penalized if state funding is unavailable and recommending use of regional advisory councils to help implement training. Public testimony was then closed and the bill left pending. The committee also heard HB 879, which would create a streamlined licensing pathway for veterans with medical or nursing experience to practice in Texas, and HB 913, which would add new state hospitals to statute and split the North Texas State Hospital into two separate hospitals with their own superintendents; both bills had no opposition testimony and were left pending. Later, the committee heard SB 2744, a heart disease screening bill that would update the 2009 Texas Heart Attack Prevention Act to require insurance coverage for coronary CT angiography with plaque analysis, including soft plaque detection, as a preventive screening tool. The author and invited witnesses argued the technology is more effective than calcium scoring alone, can identify patients before symptoms appear, and could save lives at a cost comparable to or lower than colonoscopy. An insurance industry witness opposed the bill, arguing the technology has not been recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force for universal screening and that the mandated coverage and payment level would raise costs; the bill was left pending after testimony. Finally, the committee heard HB 1151, a parental rights bill clarifying that refusing psychotropic medication or psychiatric treatment is not neglect unless the child is harmed. Supporters, including parent advocates and attorneys, said the bill would protect parents from CPS overreach and preserve medical decision-making authority, while one witness urged broader attention to physical causes of behavioral issues. Public testimony was closed and HB 1151 was left pending.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Public Health Apr 21st, 2025

Public Health

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm with the Citizens Commission on Human Rights.
  • I say this as a human being.
  • Department of Health and Human Services.
  • Did anyone have questions for Health, Human Services?
  • And as I've already stated, it is going to provide clarification for the health and human Human Services
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Public Health Apr 7th, 2025 at 03:30 pm

Public Health

Transcript Highlights:
  • Are you saying that human bones, after 30 days, are reduced to soil?
  • We oppose this bill because composting human remains is disrespectful to the human body.
  • does not respect the human body. ...the human person.
  • We don't know what the issues are for human consumption.
  • So if we're going to have, you know, human...
Summary: The meeting of the public health committee focused on the pressing issue of opioid addiction in Texas, with a particular emphasis on House Bill 3717. Chairman Harris detailed the bill's intent to fund a grant program for Ibogaine clinical trials, framing it as a critical response to the ongoing opioid crisis. He shared poignant testimonies highlighting the struggles of families and veterans battling addiction and mental health issues. The conversation underscored the necessity of innovative treatments, like Ibogaine, which showed promising results in studies for reducing symptoms of withdrawal and PTSD.