Video & Transcript Research : 'pencils'
Page 1 of 33
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Exempting pens, pencils, folders, and other office supplies is arbitrary and creates a more porous and
- <01:09:33.920>
office pencils, folders, and other office pencils, folders, and other office - We're looking at loose leaf ruled paper, colored pencils.
- We're looking at loose leaf ruled paper, colored pencils.
- It's also, uh, you know, if we don't even... pencil, any, you know, envelope is pencil, any, you know
Keywords:
school supplies, sales tax exemption, use tax, sales and use tax, back-to-school, classroom supplies, education tax relief, tax holiday, retail exemption, Minnesota sales tax, school materials, binders, calculators, notebooks, pencils, backpacks, book bags, local tax revenue, taxable sales base, income tax
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Commerce committee approves bill to eliminate prohibition of cadmium in some products 3/5/25
Transcript Highlights:
- With regard to mechanical pencils, again, there is a small amount of lead in those mechanical pencils
- With regard to mechanical pencils, again, there is a small amount of lead in those mechanical pencils
- With regard to mechanical pencils, again, there is a small amount of lead in those mechanical pencils
- With regard to mechanical pencils, again, there is a small amount of lead in those mechanical pencils
- regard to pens and mechanical pencils regard to pens and mechanical pencils we're<00:26:53.919><
Summary:
The committee took up House File 737, which would amend Minnesota’s lead- and cadmium-related product restrictions and was re-referred to the Committee on Environment, Finance and Policy. Representative Bjorn Olson said the bill was prompted by a constituent who could no longer make cadmium-based art supplies in Minnesota, and he argued the law unintentionally swept in professional art materials that are used safely and are important to Western art culture. The committee first adopted the author’s A2 amendment, which broadened the bill to include additional exemptions beyond paint and pastels, including certain pens, mechanical pencils, and vehicle keys/key fobs.
Testimony in support came from Darren Reenie of Wet Paint Artist Materials and Framing, who said artist paint and related supplies account for a significant share of sales and that the ban threatens independent art supply businesses and artists’ access to essential pigments. Josh Fiser of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation supported the key and key fob exemption, saying the current law is overly broad, exposure risk is minimal, and Minnesota should align with California and European Union standards. Bill Morgan of the Arts and Creative Materials Institute and Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association also supported the amendment, arguing there was little scientific basis for including pens, mechanical pencils, and professional artist materials, and citing prior reviews in the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the European Union.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, through Assistant Commissioner Kirk Kadelka, opposed broad exemptions and emphasized that no amount of lead is safe for children. He said the law was based on evidence from consumer products associated with elevated blood lead levels and argued that safer alternatives exist for many of the items in the amendment, including pens, mechanical pencils, and some key components. He also raised concerns about exposure during production and disposal. Committee members questioned the scope of the exemptions and whether the industry had workable alternatives. The A2 amendment was adopted, and the bill was then advanced for further consideration and re-referred as noted by the chair.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 3/5/25
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- He said there are also issues with ink pens and mechanical pencils, including specialty pencils and specialty
- He then said that with regard to ink pens and mechanical pencils, there are high-class specialty pencils
- 21:50.400>
pencils <00:21:51.039>and <00:21:51.320>Specialty like specialty pencils - Those mechanical pencils are high-end pencils used by engineers, architects, and others, and draftsmen
- regard to pens and mechanical pencils regard to pens and mechanical pencils we're<00:44:45.000><
Keywords:
lead, cadmium, consumer products, safety regulation, retail restrictions, motor sports, nonoxygenated gasoline, fuel regulations, storage requirements, racing events, HF325, flavored nitrous oxide, nitrous oxide, whippets, laughing gas, retail sales, consumer protection, misdemeanor, commerce, Minnesota Statutes chapter 325F
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 02/04/25
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- The final item is lead in pens and mechanical pencils.
- The final item is lead in pens and mechanical pencils.
- There are a number of alternatives, including plastic mechanical pencils and traditional wooden pencils
- the interior of the pen or of the pencil the interior of the pen or of the pencil uh<01:26:30.639
- <01:30:13.239>
is to pens and mechanical pencils is to pens and mechanical pencils is anecdotal
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 2/11/25
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- The final item is lead in pens and mechanical pencils.
- High-end mechanical pencils often select metal tips or sleeves that could contain lead.
- alternatives such as plastic mechanical pencils or traditional wood pencils.
- Pens and mechanical pencils were not contemplated by this, and as a consequence, we have no data.
- Pens and mechanical pencils were not contemplated by this, and as a consequence, we have no data.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- But let's do some numbers here in order to make this line actually pay to pencil out.
- But let's do some numbers here in order to make this line actually pay to pencil out.
- But let's do some numbers here in order to make this line actually pay to pencil out.
- But let's do some numbers here in order to make this line actually pay to pencil out.
- But let's do some numbers here in order to make this line actually pay to pencil out.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Select Committee on Pension Policy Jun 17th, 2025
Select Committee on Pension Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- And then if there's anything else that you'd like to pencil in, we can... Presentations.
- And so you'll see that penciled in into October.
- And so does that sound like a doable thing, like pencil it in for December just in case?
- Well, let's pencil excess compensation in for December.
- All right, all right, let's pencil...
Summary:
The committee approved the May minutes by roll call vote and then received brief updates from the Attorney General’s office and the Office of the State Actuary. The AG’s office said it would handle legal analysis related to the committee’s work, while the actuary reported that staff were at capacity this summer due to annual valuation work, experience studies, and other retirement system projects, but would have more capacity in the fall. Members also requested access to fiscal note and actuarial materials related to the LEOFF 1 study and related legislation.
The main discussion focused on the LEOFF 1 study, including actuarial funding, a proposed merger/termination/restatement approach, and the possibility of a permanent COLA for Plan 1 members. Several members supported keeping COLA recommendations in the committee’s work, while others raised concerns about whether merging or restating plans could affect benefits, legal status, or IRS tax treatment. The actuary explained that the temporary pause in certain funding rates reflected prior overfunding buffers and assumptions about future investment returns, and said future base-rate funding could still be needed depending on experience.
Members also discussed constituent correspondence, which staff said largely fell into four categories: the LEOFF 1 study, Plan 1 benefits and COLAs, fossil fuel divestment, and ESSB 5357. The committee agreed that divestment concerns are more appropriately directed to the State Investment Board, not this committee. In reviewing the draft interim work plan, members added or adjusted several topics for future meetings, including a July educational briefing on LEOFF 1 history and tax/IRS issues, a September discussion of COLAs, and a December placeholder for excess compensation/pension spiking, pending coordination with the LEOFF 2 Board. The committee then approved the July agenda and adjourned.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
ALC-HIGHER EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE Mar 18th, 2026
ALC-HIGHER EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE
Transcript Highlights:
- And we have a program called PIN or Pencil. PIN stands for penitentiary.
- Pencil stands for education. PEN stands for penitentiary. Pencil stands for education.
- Pencil stands for... Pencil stands for education. It’s a choice.
- But we know pen or pencil. They know that. Take that negative if you go into the pen.
- But the pencil will put you in a position where you can become a productive citizen.”
Summary:
The meeting began with a report on institutions of higher education for annual certification/solvency, which required no action and was noted as coming later in the week. The main presentation featured students from Arkansas State University, Valley View High School, and the University of Central Arkansas discussing artificial intelligence in education and the workforce. They argued that AI should be taught responsibly in K-12 and higher education to prepare students for jobs, support Arkansas’s growing tech sector, and reduce misuse such as cybercrime, scams, plagiarism, and academic dishonesty. They also cited survey results from teachers showing broad support for responsible AI instruction, district-level management, and teacher training, while noting concerns about critical thinking, ethics, and unequal access. Examples were given of AI already being used at UCA and the University of the Ozarks, and the group suggested a statewide AI library and related training built on the Access Act framework. Committee members asked about student reactions, and the presenters said responses are mixed, especially in the arts, but that AI is already being used in real-world careers and should be integrated with clear standards.
The committee then heard from a Pine Bluff community coalition led by Pastor Jesse Turner about school-based outreach and youth support programs. The group described long-running work in Pine Bluff schools and Watson Chapel, including Pass on Patrol, mentoring, anti-bullying and nonviolence efforts, drug and vaping education, gun-violence prevention, and leadership clubs for students. They emphasized that their approach is nonreligious in the schools, focused on encouragement, citizenship, scholarship, and keeping students engaged in class. They also highlighted the use of free curriculum resources on African American history and said they help students see themselves as having promise rather than being “at risk.” Members asked about whether the programs could be shared elsewhere and about impacts on behavior; the group said some materials are trademarked but can be adapted with support, and cited reported reductions in negative behavior and referrals in participating schools. The meeting ended after members praised both the AI presenters and the Pine Bluff outreach group, and the committee adjourned with no votes taken.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Select Committee on Pension Policy May 20th, 2025
Select Committee on Pension Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- order of business, kind of penciling some of those topics.
- And that is the next order of business, kind of penciling some of those topics.
- The presentation that Michael alluded to in September, both of those are penciled in.
- So we've penciled that into the parking lot.
- So election of officers was deferred, so we will pencil that into June.
Summary:
The Select Committee on Pension Policy executive committee met to approve the November minutes, which were adopted by voice vote. The committee then received an update from the Attorney General’s Office on two ongoing cases, Fowler and Joel Lynn, with briefing and oral argument timelines still pending. Michael Harbour of the Office of the State Actuary provided an actuarial update focused on ESSB 5357, explaining that the bill raised the assumed investment return from 7% to 7.25%, suspended UAL contribution rates for four years, and changed amortization for past benefit improvements; members asked for clarification on how those changes would affect long-term funding and contribution rates, especially for Plan 1 systems.
A substantial portion of the meeting was devoted to committee discussion of interim priorities and the need for more analysis of recent pension legislation. Members emphasized the importance of understanding the fiscal impacts of ESSB 5357 and related pension changes before the September economic experience study, and several asked staff to provide a more preliminary walkthrough of the bill’s effects. The committee also discussed the LEOFF 1 study and broader questions about overfunding, including when a plan should be considered overfunded and whether overfunding should be addressed through merger or closure proposals. One member suggested reviewing the operating budget’s excess compensation proviso during the interim as well.
Staff reviewed the draft 2025 interim work plan, proposing June topics including election of officers, a presentation on SB 5357 and its actuarial implications, and an initial LEOFF 1 study kickoff based on SB 5085 and HB 2034. The committee also placed excess compensation and demographic experience study items in a parking lot for possible later scheduling. The June agenda was adopted by roll call vote, with three ayes and three members absent or excused, and the meeting adjourned after no further business.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Exempting pens, pencils, folders, and other office supplies is arbitrary and creates a more porous and
- We're looking at lunch boxes, tracing paper, loose leaf ruled paper, and colored pencils.
- We're looking at lunch boxes, tracing paper, loose leaf ruled paper, and colored pencils.
- We're looking at loose leaf ruled paper, colored pencils.
- I don't know a single person who has a $1,500 pen or a $600 pencil. >> I mean, if you'd like to include
Summary:
The committee took up House File 331, as amended by the A1 amendment, and the bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill. The bill would permanently exempt school supplies from the sales tax, which the author described as a pro-family, pro-affordability, and pro-education measure intended to put money back into families’ pockets and avoid the burden of a temporary sales tax holiday.
A representative from We Make Minnesota testified in opposition, arguing the exemption would provide only modest savings to most families while reducing revenue for public services. He said Minnesota already offers more targeted relief through the K-12 education subtraction/credit, noted that similar exemptions in other states are usually temporary, and estimated the bill would cost tens of millions of dollars annually while saving the average family only a small amount per child. He also said the bill was broad enough to cover many office supplies and could benefit higher-spending purchasers disproportionately.
Committee members debated the bill’s scope and cost. Supporters said the exemption would help families immediately and noted that many eligible families do not claim existing credits because they must save receipts and file for reimbursement. Opponents argued the same money could be better used for K-12 formula increases or expanded targeted credits, and one member said the bill would narrow the sales tax base and was not well targeted. The author said he was open to working on limits to make the bill more targeted, but emphasized that the goal was direct tax relief for families.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Select Committee on Pension Policy May 19th, 2026
Select Committee on Pension Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- But like Michael said, there's just one item penciled in for June: the preliminary 2025 AVR results.
- need to do that now or provide kind of guidance on next steps or future topics that you might want penciled
- Staff could pencil in a briefing, an initial briefing even, on that and bring that back for you to get
- Yes, if that's what you'd like to study, we can pencil that in. Yes, let's pencil it in.
- Yes, let's pencil it in. And I think the June... Yes, let's pencil it in.
Summary:
The Executive Committee approved the April minutes by roll call vote, with members present voting aye and the minutes adopted. The committee then received an Attorney General update on several pension-related cases. Counsel discussed the newly filed Dawson class action, which seeks to invalidate Gross Second Substitute House Bill 2034 on federal and state constitutional grounds; she said the pleadings were unclear, the committee’s involvement was uncertain, and the case would need monitoring. She also reported that the Dolan case appears concluded after the Court of Appeals upheld the trial court’s ruling on constructive payment of attorney fees, and that the Fowler case remains pending after an oral ruling for plaintiffs on retroactive interest and possible disgorgement of state gains, with a written ruling still awaited.
The actuarial update said June would include the preliminary 2025 valuation results and contribution-rate discussion, along with commentary on the demographic experience study, and staff noted actuarial resources were limited for additional items until later in the summer or fall. The committee then discussed the interim work plan and correspondence, including letters supporting a Plan 1 COLA recommendation, retiree organization comments, and a request from Senator Robinson to study whether certain animal control technicians should be included in PERS. Members emphasized the need to keep working on an ad hoc COLA for Plan 1 retirees while also exploring a longer-term COLA mechanism, including possible budget proviso language to require COLA consideration each budget cycle.
Staff also explained changes to correspondence handling: materials will no longer be posted publicly on the website, but will still be available through public records requests and distributed securely to members by email or form submission. The committee agreed to add a June briefing on the PERS animal control technician issue and an introductory discussion of Plan 3, and to bring back COLA proposals in July for further executive committee review. The agenda was approved as amended, and the meeting adjourned.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
ALC-HIGHER EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE Mar 18th, 2026
ALC-HIGHER EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE
Transcript Highlights:
- And we have a program called PIN or Pencil. PIN stands for penitentiary.
- Pencil stands for education. PIN stands for penitentiary. Pencil stands for education.
- Pencil stands for education. It’s a choice. And we tell them that’s a choice you make.
- But we know pen or pencil. They know that. Take that negative if you go into the pen.
- But the pencil will put you in a position to where you can become a productive citizen.”
Summary:
The meeting opened with a report on annual solvency certification for institutions of higher education, which required no action and was to be distributed later. The main presentation focused on artificial intelligence in K-12 and higher education, delivered by students from Arkansas State University, the University of Central Arkansas, and Valley View High School. They argued that AI is becoming central to education and the workforce, especially as Arkansas adds major data center investments, and said students should be taught to use AI responsibly so they can compete for jobs, improve internships, and keep talent in-state. They also emphasized concerns about academic integrity, cybercrime, and the need for ethics training and district-level guidance.
The presenters shared survey findings from educators in several Arkansas districts, saying most teachers support teaching responsible AI use, believe students without access to AI will be disadvantaged, and want training and district-level management. They described existing AI uses at Arkansas colleges, including AI tutors, AI-generated practice exams, homework feedback tools, and classroom applications in business, climate science, and urban forestry. They also proposed an AI library built on the state’s Access Act infrastructure so K-12 and college students could access shared AI tools and resources across Arkansas.
Committee members asked about student attitudes, classroom concerns, and whether AI could help standardize course materials and objectives across institutions. The presenters said reactions among students are mixed, with arts students especially worried about copyright and originality, but that many recognize AI’s real-world value. A UCA representative added that faculty training, ethics discussions, and academic dishonesty guidance are already underway there. The chair thanked the students, noted their work on related research projects, and then moved to a second presentation from Pine Bluff community leaders.
The Pine Bluff group described community-based school support efforts, including the Pastors on Patrol program, mentoring, anti-bullying and nonviolence training, drug and vaping education, leadership clubs, and a youth diversion effort for students at risk of detention. They said their work is aimed at improving school climate, encouraging citizenship and scholarship, and reducing negative behavior. Members praised the group’s efforts and asked about expanding the programs to other districts; the presenters said their model and curriculum can be shared and adapted. The meeting ended after the chair thanked both groups and adjourned with no further business.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
HOU-EIG, WLA-HOU Public Hearings 03-31-2026
Transcript Highlights:
- They're the leaders in housing, not us, and to ensure that whatever housing gets put out there pencils
- They're the leaders in housing, not us, and to ensure that whatever housing gets put out there pencils
- They're the leaders in housing, not us, and to ensure that whatever housing gets put out there pencils
- As long as, at the end of the day, everything kind of pencils out and works.
- We just have to make it pencil out, yeah, the swap.
Summary:
The joint committees on Housing, Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs, and later Water, Land, Culture and the Arts and Housing, heard several resolutions related to affordable housing and the East Kapolei transit-oriented development area. SCR 48 and SR 47 proposed declaring that affordable housing credits are perpetual until redeemed, and testimony from DHHL, OPSD, and NAIOP Hawaii supported clarifying that intent. The committees voted to pass SCR 48 and SR 47 unamended.
The committees then considered SCR 107 and SR 101, which were amended to make clear the resolution applies only to the City and County of Honolulu and will be carried out in collaboration with the Department of Housing and Land Management and the Department of Planning and Permitting. Those measures were recommended for passage with amendments and adopted by the committees.
In the later joint hearing, SCR 68 and SR 63 addressed the East Kapolei TOD project, urging DLNR to transfer certain parcels to HHFDC and urging HHFDC to work with HCDA on the non-housing portions of the project. Testimony from DLNR, HHFDC, HCDA, and DHHL focused on the balance between housing and revenue-generating or light industrial uses, the need for an EIS and market study, and the possibility of MOAs to memorialize agreements. After discussion, the committees amended the resolutions to prioritize rental housing as well as for-sale housing and to require MOAs before the board, then passed SCR 68 and SR 63 with amendments by unanimous votes.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 3/25/25
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Mechanical pencils have alternatives of regular wood pencils as well as plastic mechanical pencils.
- Uh mechanical pencils have exemption.
- >
wood <01:18:45.040>pencils <01:18:45.360>as alternatives of regular wood pencils - mechanical pencils specifically pencils mechanical pencils specifically high-end<01:30:35.520>
mechanical - uh high-end mechanical pencils used by uh high-end mechanical pencils used by uh architects<01:30
VA
Transcript Highlights:
- You know, we sit up here with pencil and shake our head and everything.
- And there is not one time that he has not had a very sharp pencil for me.
- I am one of those people who must have a pencil, and it must be sharp.
- And he keeps my pencil sharp. And when they get dull, he hands me another sharp pencil.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- So HB 2033 allows schools to choose to offer the statewide testing with paper and pencil, and I'm open
- Paper and pencil removes that barrier and allows students to focus on demonstrating true understanding
- A core component of Spalding's instructional model is daily pencil-and-paper practice.
- She said it would be very interesting to see how test scores compare between paper-and-pencil testing
- And, well, I really do actually support paper and pencil.
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 2266, which would change school district and charter governing board policy from permissive to mandatory for excusing students for religious instruction during the school day. The sponsor and supporters framed it as a parental-choice and religious-liberty measure that preserves release-time programs, while opponents argued it would reduce local control, take students out of core instruction, create peer pressure and bullying, and raise constitutional concerns. After testimony from Secular AZ, a LifeWise Academy board member, and a school board president, the committee voted 7-5 to give HB 2266 a do pass recommendation.
The committee then took up House Bill 2193, a cleanup measure related to student directory information and parent organizations such as PTOs/PTAs/APTs. Supporters said the bill would restore parent-to-parent communication that had been unintentionally limited by prior privacy legislation, while some members raised concerns about how the information could be used and suggested narrowing the language to prevent political or lobbying uses. The bill advanced on a 10-1 vote, with members generally supporting school-community communication but asking for possible amendments.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2075, which requires public school districts to submit superintendent and other top administrator contracts or attestations to ADE and have the information posted in a searchable database. The sponsor and Goldwater Institute supporters said the bill is a transparency measure because base salary reports do not show total compensation, benefits, or allowances; opponents from school administrator groups and rural districts argued the bill singles out districts while ignoring charters and other publicly funded education providers, and they said superintendent pay is already publicly available in other forms. Discussion also touched on whether the bill should be expanded to charters and private schools. The sponsor closed by emphasizing transparency and the committee continued discussion of the measure.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- out or it only pencils out with a million-dollar house.
- out or it only pencils out with a million-dollar house.
- out or it only pencils out with a million-dollar house.
- out or it only pencils out with a million-dollar house.
- out or it only pencils out with a million-dollar house.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (05/05/2026)
Science, Technology and Energy
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Select Committee on Pension Policy May 19th, 2026 at 12:20 pm
Select Committee on Pension Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- But like Michael said, there's just one item penciled in for June: the preliminary 2025 actuarial valuation
- if you need to do that now or provide guidance on next steps or future topics that you might want penciled
- Staff could pencil in an initial briefing on that and bring that back for you to get more acquainted
- Yes, if that's what you'd like to study, we can pencil that in. Yes, let's pencil it in.
Summary:
The Executive Committee approved the April minutes by roll call vote, with members present voting aye and the minutes adopted. Staff then provided an Attorney General update on pension-related litigation, including the newly filed Dawson class action challenging Gross Second Substitute House Bill 2034, the concluded Dolan case, and the Fowler case, where the trial court orally ruled for plaintiffs on interest calculations and potential disgorgement of state gains, with a written ruling still pending. Committee members emphasized the need for ongoing monitoring and regular reporting on the Dawson case because of its potential impact on the committee and retirement systems.
An actuarial update followed, noting that June will include the preliminary 2025 valuation results and contribution-rate information, along with commentary on the demographic experience study. Staff said actuarial resources are limited and asked that any additional actuarial agenda items be scheduled for July or later. The committee also discussed the draft interim work plan and agreed to move the OSA annual update to July.
A substantial portion of the meeting focused on Plan 1 COLA policy. Retiree representatives urged the committee to keep working on both immediate ad hoc COLA relief and a longer-term ongoing COLA solution. Members discussed a possible budget proviso requiring legislators to consider a COLA each budget cycle, and staff was asked to develop proposals for further discussion. The committee also agreed to add a June briefing on the PERS/PEACERS request involving animal control technicians, and to include an introductory Plan 3 briefing, with possible comparison to Plan 2, on the June agenda. Staff also explained changes to correspondence handling, including removing letters from the public website to better protect privacy while still making records available upon request. The committee approved the revised June agenda and adjourned.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And then this pencil is gonna cost you about $10. It's more than a regular electrosurgical pencil.
- This is gonna cost, a smoke pencil is gonna cost about $10 more per case.
- It's not just a $10 difference in the type of pencil.
- If you're using a smoke pencil, that is correct.
- The difference in using an evacuation pencil like this is about $15 to $20.