Transcript Highlights:

• 1088HD1 relating to school impact fees 1088HD1 relating to school impact fees which<00:19:36.640
• <00:22:13.919> fee about not only the school impact fee fee about not only the school impact
• fee fee program<00:22:15.120> but<00:22:15.360> its<00:22:15.600> predecessor<00
• The smaller projects also have to pay the impact fee, right, if it's in the declared impact fee district
• <00:26:30.400> is isn't the nexus for the impact fee is isn't the nexus for the impact fee

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Senate Committee on Education, Hawaiian Affairs, and Housing heard House Bill 1088 HD1, which would exempt housing developed by the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) from school impact fees. The Department of Education said it was open to working with DHHL and the Legislature, including possibly eliminating the construction-cost portion of the fee for DHHL and other government affordable housing projects, but it wanted to retain the land-dedication requirement for future school sites where growth would exceed existing school capacity. The School Facilities Authority supported the bill, and DHHL strongly supported it, noting that its testimony referenced an earlier emergency proclamation but that the exemption remains in the current proclamation. DHHL also said it had no objection to a proposed amendment from the Wahiawa Hawaiian Homestead Association. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii testified in opposition to the broader school impact fee program, arguing that the fund has accumulated about $29 million that has not been spent and citing concerns raised in State Auditor Report 19-13, including administrative and constitutional issues. Committee discussion focused heavily on whether the fee system is being applied fairly, especially to smaller projects and homeowners, and whether the districts and calculations used to assess fees have been updated. Members questioned the DOE and SFA about the distinction between land and construction costs, the use of fees in areas like Kīhei, Kalihi, Ala Moana, and Ewa, and whether the department had revisited district calculations as recommended in the audit. DOE said it had collected about $500,000 in construction money and $2.8 million in land contributions for Kalihi-related areas, and said it would follow up on questions about land conveyances and district updates. After discussion, the chair called for a vote. The Education committee recommended passing HB 1088 HD1 as is, with Senator San Buenaventura voting with reservation and Senators Ihara and Kole voting aye. The recommendation was adopted. The Housing committee then also deferred the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• fees.
• c> so<03:37:02.840> I<03:37:02.960> sum MV fees motor vehicle fees so I sum MV fees
• <04:08:48.640> are fee as versus the town fees are fee as versus the town fees are dependent
• No, we did courts fees, lottery, and then the last one would be utility property tax.
• No, we did courts fees and Lottery. We did Lottery, and then the fees.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee received a Department of Revenue Administration update from Commissioner Lindsay Stepp focused on revenue estimates for fiscal years 2025, 2026, and 2027. She explained the department’s forecasting method, which uses five scenarios based on the first seven months of actual collections and different assumptions for the remaining months, then selects a reasonable high and low range for FY 25 and applies projected growth rates for FY 26 and FY 27. Members asked several clarifying questions about how the scenarios are chosen and how the estimates relate to economic growth and taxpayer behavior. For business taxes, Stepp reported FY 25 year-to-date collections of $110.3 million, 18.2% below plan and 17.2% below prior year. She said the shortfall reflects both economic conditions and a resetting of estimated payments after unusually strong pandemic-era profits, and noted that the department cannot fully separate changes in taxpayer liability from changes in estimated payment behavior. She said approximately just under $72 million was refunded in FY 24 due to the CCO cap, and that FY 25 year-to-date refunds are at 41.7%. For business taxes, the department’s FY 25 range was based on either continued underperformance versus plan or a return to prior-year levels, with FY 26 and FY 27 growth projected at 3% to 8%. The committee also reviewed meals and rooms tax, tobacco tax, and related trends. Meals and rooms revenue was $6.9 million, or 3.3%, ahead of plan and prior year; the FY 25 gross estimate was $475.894 million, with a net range of about $331.82 million to $335.259 million after municipal transfers and school building aid. Stepp said recent monthly results suggest some fluctuation tied to disposable income, weather, and travel patterns, but no clear sustained decline. Tobacco tax was $18.1 million, 14% below plan and 4.8% below prior year; she said cigarette stamp sales are declining while e-cigarettes and other tobacco products are growing, with FY 25 tobacco revenue projected at $182.5 million to $185.3 million and FY 26-FY 27 growth ranging from -5% to flat. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• It does need to be utilized within the internal service fund itself.
• Um, I for us to utilize these funds.
• <00:02:13.599> these of options for how we can utilize these of options for how we can utilize
• It does need to be utilized funds.
• fee for to have a commercial food fee for to have a commercial food license.<00:35:47.680> But

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first is an educational 1-hour session on small water utilities.
• The first topic is an educational 1-hour session on small water utilities.
• <01:10:10.200> and obviously there can be print fees and obviously there can be print fees
• It would allow legislative input for projects that are utilizing state funds.
• And it that are utilizing state funds.

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The chairman opened by explaining that the committee would hear proposed interim topics and then rank them by written submissions rather than debating them one by one. The Public Service Commission presented two topics: an educational session on small water utilities, citing maintenance needs, water-quality compliance, and difficulty accessing capital, and a review of civil penalties for pipeline safety violations because Wyoming’s statutory penalties are far below federal levels and could affect compliance and funding. Members and outside presenters then outlined a range of additional topics. Representative Campbell proposed work on fire protection districts and EMS districts, focusing on financial stability, mill levies, and possible county authority to combine districts and levies. He also raised public records at meetings, corporate filing fees, and fraudulent corporate filings. The Community College Commission proposed updating annexation statutes so communities can join community college districts more easily, especially where current mill-levy rules create funding issues. Senator Crago supported the fraudulent corporate filings topic and noted related technology-based solutions and overlap with blockchain issues. Other proposals included CPA “Pathways” licensing changes to address a shortage of accountants, a review of public meetings and public records laws, continuation of the electricity study with emphasis on grid reliability and large-load capacity constraints, and a broader review of the public meetings and records act. Ashley Harpstreith of the Wyoming Association of Municipalities supported extending municipal audit deadlines and described a statewide shortage of auditors and CPAs. Healthy Wyoming proposed studying health coverage options for low-income working adults, including state-sponsored or cooperative models. Representative Chestek proposed making most nonpartisan county offices elected on a nonpartisan basis. No votes or final selections were taken in the portion provided; the committee mainly heard testimony and discussed whether topics should be assigned to this committee or another one.

Transcript Highlights:

• bill um on that on those attorneys fees bill um on that on those attorneys fees is<00:01:58.479>
• plus additional costs incurred in pursuing these fees.
• My understanding is the court is still considering, and there are motions about fees.
• rights uh Statute in order to claim fees rights uh Statute in order to claim fees from<00:06:55.400
• due soon the judgment on attorney's fees due soon the judgment on attorney's fees has<00:10:49.600

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, requiring the owner to live on the lot or imposing an impact fee of more than 50% of what
• , and especially why there's so much variability across the state in what you charge for a fee.
• Additional measures to avoid fee refunds: we have reasonable fees.
• We already have a fee model where we use the ICC for building valuations and then our project permit
• And then there’s a base hourly rate that we use to establish those permit fees.

Summary: The Local Government Committee met in work session and heard a series of presentations on SEPA, permitting reforms, and building code implementation. Department of Ecology staff gave an overview of the State Environmental Policy Act, explaining its role in state and local decision-making, common exemptions, planned actions, and recent housing-related statutory changes such as transit-oriented development exemptions and SEPA appeals protections for certain local ordinances. Committee members asked about repeated SEPA reviews, cultural and historic resource review, and how SEPA relates to NEPA; Ecology responded that repeated reviews usually occur when proposals change and that programmatic EISs can help front-load analysis. Seattle’s Department of Construction and Inspections described how recent SEPA exemptions reduced residential review volume and supported more housing permits, and said the city is considering raising thresholds further. The State Building Code Council provided an update on code adoption timelines and legislative tasks tied to the 2024 codes, including single-stair housing, multiplex housing, dwelling unit size, and temporary emergency shelter standards. Council staff said the content of the codes is largely set, but administrative timelines have been delayed, prompting a motion to postpone final adoption while pursuing ways to preserve the planned implementation schedule. Members asked about the timing of code changes and the impact on housing costs, and staff said the legislative topics remain on track for inclusion in the 2024 code package. Committee staff then reviewed recent permitting legislation, including SB 5290’s permit decision deadlines and fee-refund provisions, later bills limiting pre-application meetings and clarifying that building permits are excluded from those timelines, and project-specific changes affecting middle housing, ADUs, lot splits, passive house projects, self-certification, transit-oriented development, and parking requirements. Commerce’s Dave Anderson reported on SB 5290 implementation, including guidance on permit fees, studies on staffing and statewide permitting systems, grants to local governments, and the first annual performance report, which showed mixed results and highlighted the importance of digital tools, clear checklists, staff training, and coordination across departments. Local officials from Issaquah and Kitsap County described their own process improvements, including code updates, optional pre-application meetings, new staffing, reporting systems, and a phased “Two by Six” review model in Kitsap, while also noting challenges from staffing shortages, agency coordination, and the burden of implementing multiple new mandates.

Transcript Highlights:

• collect only about $2,000 a year in family fees.
• , all while penalizing families who have delinquent fees with a threat of disenrollment.
• Five, we recommend eliminating state licensing fees for all subsidized programs.
• It makes no sense to eliminate the fees for subsidized programs.
• If you have one contract, any program can operate utilizing any of those models.

Summary: The joint hearing focused on California’s child care, preschool, and transitional kindergarten oversight, with chairs emphasizing the state’s Master Plan for Early Learning and Care and the need to break down silos between programs. CDSS and CDE reported progress toward the plan’s goals, including universal access to TK for all four-year-olds next school year, expanded access for low-income three-year-olds, and more children with disabilities being served in state preschool. They also noted ongoing work on quality rating/review reform, funding structure changes, and the need to address rates, workforce shortages, and federal uncertainty around Head Start. Testimony from advocacy groups and providers largely supported expanding access while simplifying the system. Children Now, Every Child California, and the California Budget and Policy Center argued that California still has uneven access, especially for infants, toddlers, and three-year-olds, and urged investments in mixed delivery, inclusion, full-day options, and a cost-of-care rate methodology. Every Child California recommended consolidating part-day and full-day contracts, streamlining eligibility priorities, making the two-year-old option permanent, and funding staffing incentives. Parent testimony highlighted how child care gaps and county-to-county transfer delays can disrupt work, safety, and children’s stability, and providers described low reimbursement rates, the need for health and retirement benefits, and support for delinking subsidy rates from private pay. The second panel addressed universal transitional kindergarten. The Learning Policy Institute reported rapid TK expansion, with most districts now offering TK, but said access still depends on facilities, staffing, and whether programs are available at all school sites. The Department of Finance said the governor’s budget would fully implement TK by adding funding for all eligible four-year-olds and lowering the adult-to-child ratio from 12:1 to 10:1. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the administration’s enrollment and cost assumptions were optimistic and estimated lower TK enrollment growth and lower costs for the ratio change. CDE supported the expansion and urged continued funding for UPK coordinators, teacher development, and mixed-delivery planning grants. Members questioned facilities shortages, staffing competition, and how to ensure TK expansion does not displace CSPP or Head Start classrooms. No formal votes or actions were taken in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill will not add any additional fees or generate any new revenue.
• Veterinary telemedicine is a valuable tool that we already utilize.
• There's a $10 fee down below that you didn't know about, and there's another $10 fee if the bird actually
• If it runs, there's a $10 fee as well.
• Carbon sequestration in our soil by utilizing grazing animals to do so.

Bills: SB34, SB119, SB261, SB532, SB1035, SB1245, SB1247, SB1267, SB1442, SB1930, SB1948, SB2078, SB2112, SB2143, SB2155

Keywords: wildfire, wildfire mitigation, wildfire prevention, volunteer fire department, Texas A&M Forest Service, West Texas A&M University, prescribed burning, fuel loading, fuel reduction, firefighting equipment database, emergency communications, disaster preparedness, rural fire protection, asset hardening, natural resource management, emergency management, large wildfire risk, fire grant funding, fire suppression, Texas Legislature

Transcript Highlights:

• We have the buildings; we pay the utilities 100% federal.
• Um, we are currently leasing or utilizing part of that...
• Do you have utility access?
• We utilize the VA grant program enabled under 38 CFR 5141. Under 38 CFR 5141.
• Utility fees were not included, and there was no escalation of cost...

Keywords: 928, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This just goes over how they intended to utilize them.
• The probation officer utilizes DOCS/DOCKSTARS.
• some adjustments to the fee structure.
• He works at BCI, to discuss the fees and the current structure.
• of the fees had been adjusted since it was established.

Summary: The committee opened with a moment of silence for a deceased member, then approved the April minutes and heard a presentation from HHS on the Diversion Task Force and related youth services grants. Chelsea Florey described the $750,000 one-time appropriation from HB 1012, the five awarded grants, and how programs in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, and Minot are using the funds for youth diversion, including school-based groups, physical activity, and services for problematic sexual behavior. Members raised concerns about staffing shortages, family engagement, service silos, and whether diversion eligibility rules are too rigid; Florey said the task force is focused on better coordination, broader education about available services, and possible changes to diversion criteria, with the Children’s Cabinet likely to drive broader recommendations. The committee then received a North Dakota Lottery biennium report from Director Thomas Lawler, who reviewed the lottery’s history, games, retailer commissions, player programs, and revenue distribution. He reported about $67 million in ticket sales for the 2023-2025 biennium, about $16.2 million transferred overall, including roughly $13.6 million to the general fund, plus transfers to drug task force and compulsive gambling funds. Members asked about the compulsive gambling allocation and whether it is set by statute. Next, the Department of Corrections presented on criminal justice data sharing and reentry. Adam Anderson explained that jails, courts, DOCR, HHS, and other entities use separate systems with limited interoperability, making real-time communication largely manual. He outlined possible hub or point-to-point IT solutions, but noted cost, vendor, identifier, and data-definition challenges. Robin Schmolenberger followed with an update on a Medicaid data exchange project between DOCR and HHS to suspend and reactivate inmate Medicaid coverage automatically and improve care coordination, with full bi-directional exchange expected in fall 2026. The committee also heard from county representatives on 24-7 sobriety program fees and an AG opinion allowing local sheriffs to use cheaper testing options when courts waive fees. Finally, the North Dakota Racing Commission reviewed a troubling audit. Bruce Johnson acknowledged serious findings involving overspending from the promotion fund, missing grant documentation, a reversed decision on breeders fund eligibility, and repeated procurement violations. He said the commission has begun corrective actions, including monthly tracking of the promotion fund cap, stricter grant documentation, written procurement procedures, and clearer eligibility rules in condition books. Members pressed him on how the overspending occurred, whether the commission board would impose consequences, and whether statutory clarification is needed on the promotion fund limit and related spending rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• the state agency. accountability and greater ability to utilize the state agencies and what the state
• We came back and passed legislation eliminating fees for all state documents for individuals who were
• And I think kind of what we're trying to advocate for at the Cicero Institute is how do you utilize the
• So it's not that old fee-for-service model.
• The requirements of the statute say that the registrant has to pay a fee, and the amount of the fee was

Summary: The committee first approved a motion, then heard a lengthy presentation on homelessness policy and behavioral health. Testimony focused on the view that Arkansas should shift toward more data-driven, outcomes-based responses to homelessness, including stronger treatment options for serious mental illness and substance use disorder, better data collection, provider accountability, and possible statewide use of the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model. Speakers from Fort Smith, Restore Hope, Our House, and Western Arkansas Counseling described local work, the need for better coordination across providers, and the role of crisis services, ACT teams, and employment support. Members asked about sex offender tracking, the difference between sheltered and unsheltered homelessness, how to scale successful programs statewide, and whether Arkansas could apply for a statewide Continuum of Care or CCBHC planning grant. The discussion also touched on camping bans, civil commitment, and federal funding changes, with several speakers urging the state to pursue the CCBHC planning grant and more transparent reporting systems. After the homelessness discussion, the committee moved through a series of Department of Energy and Board of Nursing rule reviews. DEQ proposed updating the post-closure cleanup threshold for solid waste matters from $50,000 to $2 million to match Act 791 of 2025, and members asked about financial assurance and oversight; the rule was reviewed without objection. The Board of Nursing then presented multiple rule changes tied to recent acts, including adding fees for dialysis patient care technician registration, expanding contact-information requirements, implementing APRN delegation authority to unlicensed workers, clarifying APRN authority for death certificates and durable medical equipment prescriptions, updating certified medication assistant training and insulin-injection authority, and conforming independent-practice rules for clinical nurse specialists. Each rule was reviewed without objection. Near the end of the meeting, Senator Irvin announced that UAMS had completed its NCI designation submission for the Winthrop Rockefeller Cancer Institute, calling it an important milestone for the state. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• What percentage is it raising the fee from the previous Representative Block: current fee, I guess?
• What is the new fee? Representative Lujan: Mr.
• How grave a violation would require a daily fee?
• I do think that the fees increasing by 100% is a lot.
• So this program is currently in practice and being utilized.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh which allows fees and fines.
• and fees together have been and fines and fees together have been shown<01:15:17.840> through
• <01:17:33.679> and co-drafted to repeal youth fees and co-drafted to repeal youth fees and
• <01:43:35.760> and 1028 SD1 relating to youth fees and 1028 SD1 relating to youth fees and
• substitute community service for fees substitute community service for fees and<01:44:01.840>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 281 SD1, which would define and prohibit torture as a Class A felony. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office, HPD investigators, and other supporters said the bill is needed because existing laws do not adequately capture torture, especially cases involving children and vulnerable persons. Several testifiers emphasized that starvation is a common method of torture that often leaves little visible evidence, and they urged the committee to restore the original starvation language removed from the measure. The Office of the Public Defender said it did not oppose the bill’s purpose but raised concerns that the language was too broad and could create trial issues, particularly around minors and vulnerable people, and suggested narrowing amendments. The chair indicated the testimony had made a strong impression and said the committee would try to move the bill forward. The committee then heard SB 292 SD1, relating to sexual exploitation and safe harbor protections for survivors seeking medical or law enforcement help. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the measure, noting that a prior version raised equal protection concerns that were no longer present, and said survivors should be able to seek help without fear of prosecution. Written support was also noted from several advocacy and state groups. Testimony in support focused on retaliation fears, trafficking, and the need for manpower and resources to address exploitation and related crimes. Finally, the committee took up SB 295 SD1, which would increase penalties for violating temporary restraining orders and orders for protection and treat a violation of one as a second offense for the other. The Public Defender’s Office objected to the mandatory jail component, arguing judges should retain discretion and that there was no clear evidence mandatory jail deters violations. The transcript cuts off before any final committee action or vote on SB 295 was recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• CS for House Bill 1075 improves how essential Representative Alvarez: utility services are delivered
• All of these have tiny towns with tiny water utilities to serve the residents.
• The bill would force these tiny utilities to risk becoming large regional-type utilities to support massive
• And yes, the bill does offer a way for utilities to recover the initial upfront cost of extending the
• But here's the reality: municipal utilities operate beyond their municipal boundary.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is an application fee to become licensed. Then there is a much... is that unlike?
• That would be the initial application fee, and then the renewal could be slightly lower.
• The fees, including initial renewal and change of ownership, relocation type A and B licensing fees,
• are as follows: it's a $300 fee plus $15 per bed, and there's a $2,250 maximum fee for a three-year license
• They're not trying to utilize them because of the fact that they just want to be on them.

Bills: HB2510, HB3589, HB4611, HB4655, HB4665, HB4666, HB4670, HB4700, HB4730, HB4798, HB4838, HB5136, HB5243, HB5302, HB5539

Keywords: assisted living, healthcare, licensing, criminal offense, personal assistance, group home, regulation, health and safety, inspections, resident care, criminal background checks, adoption, parental rights, registry, vital statistics, disclosure, counseling, foster care, independent living, financial literacy

Transcript Highlights:

• We also do utility bill payment assistance programs and home weatherization, colonial activities and
• Uh, along with Census Bureau data is utilized to, uh, project future populations per county, but also
• At one point in time, they were utilizing a facility in West Texas.
• Uh, we utilize DIR contracts extensively. So, yes. So there, there should be some value in that.
• Because I'd, I'd like to know where there are municipal utility districts that are.

Transcript Highlights:

• fees and application fees u licensing fees and application fees that<01:12:28.560> went<01:12:
• from utilization? Mr. room. Uh, Mr. from utilization? Mr. room. Uh, Mr.
• <01:14:38.480> That's about access and utilization. That's about access and utilization.
• not going to ever do the parental fee not going to ever do the parental fee thing<01:54:31.599><
• the people not getting rides are the fee the people not getting rides are the fee for<01:55:15.119

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:02.640> transaction recommendation for no fee transaction recommendation for no fee
• Line 397 is for a fee increase to the no-show fee that's currently $20.
• That is for a fee recommendation.
• c> increase to the uh no-show uh fee that's increase to the uh no-show uh fee that's currently<00:29:
• [Music] utilize it later. Uh if you take it with utilize it later.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For the Air Resources Board, we have a refinement to a Governor's budget proposal for regulatory fee
• To adjust and assess what's happening with DTSC's fees and the under-collection of fees that were assumed
• Intended to help reduce utility bills. That's something that's a focus of many of ours.
• How much savings can Californians expect on their utility bill as a result of this extension?
• Not general fund: the environmental license plate fee, the waste discharge permit fund, etc.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• you to think that it's banned as a primary teaching source in this legislation, but you can still utilize
• you to think that it's banned as a primary teaching source in this legislation, but you can still utilize
• of<00:23:58.880> the<00:23:59.039> techniques<00:23:59.360> in still utilize
• You have to complete required application materials, fees, and criminal background check.
• ,<00:40:30.720> and application materials, fees, and application materials, fees, and criminal

Keywords: 1136, house, all