Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, the potential for economic development is exciting for struggling communities across the state
• Data centers can represent an important opportunity for economic development and growth in Minnesota.
• from data center development.
• If your district lies outside the seven-county metro, you know that attracting economic development projects
• Immediate job creation will generate economic impact through construction jobs during development, and

Bills: HF2928, HF2912, HF2297

Keywords: water appropriation, data centers, environmental review, energy conservation, permit application, carbon-free energy, geothermal energy, renewable energy, Macalester College, appropriation, sustainability, solar energy, pollinator programs, license plates, agrivoltaics, environmental sustainability

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:23.920> The<00:09:24.240> member and economic development.
• The member and economic development.
• <00:09:38.560> Are commerce and economic development.
• Are commerce and economic development.
• the committee on commerce and economic the committee on commerce and economic development.<00:10

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional message from Representative Chris Marorrow centered on humility, uncertainty, and keeping a “beginner’s mind” when making decisions. He used a farmer story, a Zen teaching, and a Christian text to emphasize that outcomes are often unknowable and that lawmakers should remain open, curious, and aware of unintended consequences. The chamber then suspended rules to introduce 15 House bills by number only and referred them to committees, including bills sent to Energy and Digital Infrastructure, Judiciary, Government Operations and Military Affairs, Environment, Ways and Means, Commerce and Economic Development, Healthcare, Human Services, and Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry. The House also adopted JRS 34, a joint resolution setting the weekend adjournment schedule so the two chambers would reconvene no later than Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Several committee reassignment motions were approved: H.724, relating to involuntary psychiatric medication in emergency circumstances, was moved from Human Services to Healthcare; and H.661, relating to workers’ compensation coverage for firefighters with cancer, was moved from General and Housing to Commerce and Economic Development. Announcements included a Farmers Night event, a Climate Solutions Caucus meeting, and recognition of guests in the gallery. The House then adjourned until Thursday, January 22, 2026, at 3 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:42.000> sustainable<00:02:42.480> funding developing sustainable funding developing
• has the potential to drive economic has the potential to drive economic growth<00:04:52.720>
• everybody's talent to be developed as absolutely as far as they can go.
• everybody's talent to be developed as absolutely as far as they can go.
• We really need in the state, and we need to develop everybody's talent to be developed as absolutely

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the state advocacy director for the Eye Development and Economic Association, often referred to
• It's a strategic move toward a safer, more responsible, and economically prosperous future.
• More responsible and economically prosperous future.
• A lot of them develop stereotypies, compulsive disorders. They walk around in circles.
• Senate Bill 280... ...developing thoroughbred horse racing in communities across our state.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held a hearing on a range of gaming, racing, horse protection, problem gambling, and lottery bills. A major focus was H. 356 and related horse-racing legislation, which drew strong support from residents and animal-welfare advocates who argued that proposed racetrack and simulcast developments should require upfront traffic, environmental, public health, and economic studies, plus stronger local approval and transparency. They said past proposals in several communities had lacked adequate information and had imposed costs on towns. Opponents, including the New England Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, argued that the bills would harm racing, breeding, farms, and related jobs, and said horse racing is already heavily regulated and that claims about slaughter and safety were overstated. Several speakers also supported S. 280, which would protect horses and phase out or restrict horse racing, citing animal cruelty, injuries, and deaths. The committee also heard extensive testimony on SB 235 and HB 332 to authorize regulated online casino gaming (iGaming). DraftKings, FanDuel, IDEA, and the Sports Betting Alliance supported the bills, saying iGaming is already occurring illegally in Massachusetts and should be brought into a regulated, taxed market with age verification, responsible gaming tools, and consumer protections. They projected substantial annual tax revenue and argued legal iGaming would not cannibalize brick-and-mortar casinos, instead creating a “rising tide” effect. Opponents, including Local 26, the National Association Against iGaming, and problem-gambling advocates, warned of job losses, casino cannibalization, increased addiction, and greater harm to vulnerable players, citing experiences in other states and rising helpline calls. The committee asked for follow-up information on revenue and market-size estimates. Later, Rep. Scanlon testified in support of S. 240 and S. 241, which would standardize gambling disclaimers and require annual reporting on problem-gambling treatment funded through the Public Health Trust Fund. He said the bills would make it easier for people to find help and improve oversight of treatment programs. Rep. Garcia testified in support of H. 434, which would change the formula for distributing lottery revenues, arguing that gateway and lower-income communities such as Chelsea contribute heavily to lottery sales but receive too little back in local aid. After hearing additional testimony and reading into the record bills that received no testimony, the committee recessed briefly, then closed the hearing by motion and vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• The paper examines the economic effects of this bill.
• It has a $300 million annual economic impact.
• wanting to move into the region, and this current tax law cooling those economic development efforts.
• And so really, I think the offset here is with the economic development, yeah, and that is possible,
• And so really, I think the offset here is with the economic development, yeah, and that is possible,

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard several tax and economic development bills. SB 935 would exempt counties from the motor fuels tax on fuel used exclusively in county vehicles; Sen. Hall and Cass County Judge Travis Ransom argued it would save counties money without changing fund allocations, and the bill was left pending while the committee waited for the House version. SB 2206 would extend and revise Texas’s research and development incentives by tying the franchise tax credit more closely to federal law and changing the program’s effective date; supporters from business, manufacturing, and tax policy groups said it would protect innovation jobs and help startups, while the Comptroller’s office explained the fiscal note and said the committee substitute was no longer needed. The committee later withdrew the substitute and left the bill pending before ultimately voting it out favorably. The committee also heard SB 2020, which would repeal the “rehab tax” on nonresidential remodeling. Sen. Campbell said a large fiscal note led him to delay a full presentation, but builders, architects, and contractors testified that the tax raises remodeling costs, complicates audits, and discourages reuse and reinvestment in existing buildings. The bill was left pending. SB 2018 would create a two-year “strong families” tax credit for businesses donating to nonprofits that provide family support services; supporters from Family First, Buckner International, and Texas Baptist said it would strengthen families, father engagement, and upstream prevention, while the author said the Comptroller and HHSC were still working on administration details. That bill was also left pending. After a quorum was established, the committee heard and later reported several bills favorably. SB 1030 would exempt certain aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul parts from sales tax for general aviation; industry, airport, and local economic development witnesses said it would keep high-wage aviation work in Texas and improve competitiveness with neighboring states, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 214 would create a temporary sales tax holiday for qualifying residential HVAC systems; it was laid out and left pending. SB 1901 would make administrative and ethics changes to the Opioid Abatement Fund Council, including staggered terms, conflict rules, and fund reallocation procedures; it was reported favorably. SB 266 would repeal the Texas Research Incentive Program and use the appropriation to address the existing backlog of unmatched donations; the chair and Sen. Paxton said the state should honor past commitments, and the committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• The name of our regional planning agency is the Nantucket Planning and Economic Development Commission
• The planning and economic development commission.
• Nantucket Planning and Economic Development Commission.
• As you go through a master plan process and an economic development plan process, we're hearing it's
• development commission does not author and does not planning an economic development commission does

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government held its first hearing of the year and took testimony on a large slate of home rule petitions and related local bills. Early testimony focused on H. 2314 for the Dukes County Regional Lockup Fund, with supporters from Martha’s Vineyard saying the island’s lockup is essential to local policing and that the fund would be supported by town assessments rather than state money. The committee also heard support for S. 21, a Nantucket bill to amend the Nantucket Planning and Economic Development Commission, and for several local governance measures including Akushnet’s charter change to remove a two-year waiting period for former officials taking appointed paid positions, Rochester’s governance reform bill defining the town administrator’s role, Berkeley’s proposal to convert the treasurer-collector position to an appointed office, Hanson’s permitting enforcement bill, and a Wellfleet bill authorizing a lease for the food pantry. A major portion of the hearing centered on S. 21 for Nantucket, with witnesses sharply divided. Supporters argued the commission needs broader representation, more transparency, and a structure that better reflects town meeting votes, citing repeated town meeting approvals and frustration with delays in bringing reforms forward. Opponents, including current commission members and staff, said the existing commission is already working on its own reform proposal, that the bill was advanced without sufficient collaboration, and that elected seats and term limits would narrow participation and complicate the commission’s advisory role. Committee members questioned both sides about the town meeting process, the commission’s responsibilities, and the timing of competing proposals. The committee also heard testimony in favor of a bill allowing the Cotuit Fire District to pursue source-water protection projects on private property with owner consent, citing concerns about aquifer contamination and rising treatment needs, and in support of legislation requiring AEDs, with a Norfolk County register of deeds describing the low cost and life-saving value of the devices. Another witness spoke in favor of a regional commission proposal for Middlesex County, arguing that local communities need stronger regional planning tools to address development and environmental pressures. No votes were taken on the bills during the hearing; the chair later read many additional bills into the record and then adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is bad economic development.
• Was there an economic development analysis done with regard to the project and its economic impacts on
• Was there an economic development analysis done with regard to the project and its economic impacts on
• WAS THERE AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ANALYSIS DONE WITH REGARD TO THE PROJECT AND ITS ECONOMIC IMPACTS ON
• I WANT TO QUICKLY HIGHLIGHT TWO REALLY REALLY IMPACTFUL AND BIG ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation, then approved the prior day’s Journal and moved into motions, resolutions, and budget-related business. Senator Gianaris called up Senate Print 5898A for reconsideration; the Senate voted 59 ayes to restore the bill to the third reading calendar. Several amendments were also received on third-reading bills, and the Finance Committee was called into session while the chamber proceeded with resolutions. The Senate adopted Resolution J.2106 recognizing Second Chance Month and the mental health impacts of incarceration, with Senator Brisport speaking in support and a guest from the community recognized in the chamber. The body also adopted Resolution J.1492 designating May 27, 2026, as Taiwan Heritage Day, with remarks from Senators Sepúlveda, Stavisky, and Liu highlighting Taiwanese contributions to New York and expressing support for Taiwan amid current geopolitical tensions. The Finance Committee then reported several budget bills, including Senate Prints 9003D, 9004D, 9007C, and 9009C, which were moved to third reading. The remainder of the session focused on the supplemental and controversial budget calendars, especially tax and spending provisions. Senators debated the “Protecting Our Wallets” energy rebate, with supporters describing it as a one-time check for eligible taxpayers and critics arguing it was too small and not tied directly to utility bills; the chamber accepted the message of necessity and laid the bills aside. Members also debated extensions and changes to tax provisions affecting corporations, alternative fuel exemptions, Broadway and theatrical production tax credits, charitable deductions for certain 501(c)(3)s, nicotine pouch taxes, a new New York City pied-à-terre tax, and a standardbred horse-racing testing fee. Several senators criticized the budget as raising costs or favoring certain industries, while supporters defended the measures as revenue-raising, affordability, or public-health policies. No final votes on the controversial budget bills are shown in the excerpt beyond procedural rulings, adoption of the resolution calendar, and acceptance of committee reports.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is how you protect ratepayers while continuing to attract modern economic development in Texas.
• The opportunity to lead the nation and secure significant jobs, economic development, and tax benefits
• The opportunity to lead the nation and secure significant jobs, economic development, and tax benefits
• We believe that economic development must be the central tenet of the legislative and regulatory processes
• We bring a lot of revenue, we bring a lot of economic development, but we don't use services.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman and members of the committee, I have the Deputy Economic Development Secretary and the Chief
• One of the main issues with economic development projects is the timelines, which are taking too long
• and construction of owned or contracted resources for economic development projects.
• This is innovative legislation that helps maintain utility infrastructure and further develop economic
• Department as being certified Economic Development Potential projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll call the Committee on Jobs and Economic Development to order.
• Greater Minnesota and economic Greater Minnesota and economic development<00:21:21.960> and
• A lot of them have some attempt at some kind of ADA-type development or economic development, and they
• development uh or Economic Development development uh or Economic Development um<01:00:14.680>
• Minnesota Economic Development within R Minnesota Economic Development within R Minnesota and<01

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We primarily fund economic development and community development projects.
• Um, that's how you access our economic development and community development programs.
• development revolving fund, the cannabis microprogram, which was an offshoot of our economic development
• Um, so the Economic Development Department has rulemaking authority there.
• So the return of those dollars in terms of economic development, community development, that has not

Transcript Highlights:

• Do pass as amended to Business, Professions and Economic Development.
• Do pass to Business, Professions and Economic Development. Senators Allen, Ochoa Bogh, aye.
• Do pass, as amended, to the Committee on Business, Professions, and Economic Development.
• Do pass to the Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee.
• Do pass to the Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee. Current vote 12-0. Allen?

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But we do not just develop new crops; we also develop new scientists, including graduate students and
• But we do not just develop new crops; we also develop new scientists, including graduate students and
• But we do not just develop new crops; we also develop new scientists, including graduate students and
• But we do not just develop new crops; we also develop new scientists, including graduate students and
• <00:26:23.640> Development significant Economic Development significant Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Another topical area for the Food Policy Forum: regional food infrastructure and rural economic development
• For areas that are already developed or unusable.
• There's a pretty vast economic impact there.
• We are also working on developing a farm bill, a state farm bill.
• We are also working on developing a farm bill, a state farm bill.

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a work session on food systems and food security, with no public testimony. The first panel focused on household food security and data. Marie Spiker of the University of Washington explained what food insecurity means, its health impacts, and the importance of reliable measurement, warning that the federal Census food security data is being terminated and that there is no true replacement. She described Washington’s WaFOOD surveys as a useful complement, not a substitute, and noted that they show food insecurity affects households at a range of income levels. Katie Raines of WSDA described the state’s food systems work, the need for shared data and dashboards, and the role of agriculture in both food production and the hunger safety net. Committee members asked about the $2.2 million state food assistance allocation, the scale of the SNAP gap, and how household size, housing costs, and other factors intersect with food insecurity. The committee then heard from Tracy Roof of the University of Richmond on the history of SNAP and its relationship to agriculture. She traced the program from Depression-era commodity distribution through the modern farm bill, emphasizing that food assistance has long functioned both as anti-hunger policy and as an agricultural and economic stabilizer. She highlighted how SNAP expands during recessions, supports retailers and farmers, and has become more important since the Great Recession because participation stayed high even as the economy recovered. Roof also noted that Washington has relatively high SNAP participation and low payment error rates, but that recent federal changes could reduce eligibility and shift more costs to states. Members asked how Washington compares to other states and why the program is structured as it is. A later panel featured the Washington State Food Policy Forum and a joint systems presentation from the Washington Farm Bureau, Washington Retail Association, and Washington Food Industry Association. The Food Policy Forum described its consensus-based recommendations on food insecurity, climate and water, regional food infrastructure, farmland protection, and farm viability, including more support for producer purchasing, water planning, and farmland conservation. The industry groups presented a systems map showing how agriculture, processing, retail, and transportation are interconnected, and argued that rising costs, regulations, labor and fuel expenses, retail theft, and thin margins make it harder to keep farms and stores viable. They said food security depends on store viability and local agricultural profitability, and promised to provide a more detailed list of policy recommendations. The final panel included state agency staff from DSHS, DOH, and WSDA. Bryce Montgomery said the Basic Food program serves about 920,000 Washingtonians monthly and warned that H.R. 1 could require Washington to pay up to 15% of SNAP benefits, broaden work requirements, and restrict immigrant eligibility. Karen Mullen described DOH nutrition programs, including WIC, farmers market nutrition benefits, fruit and vegetable incentives, and a fruit-and-vegetable prescription program, while noting funding instability and the end of SNAP-Ed. WSDA’s Katie Raines began describing ongoing food assistance and farmer support challenges, including farmer mental health and the need to address food insecurity across both producers and consumers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we have HB 450 relating to the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.
• the Department of Business Economic the Department of Business Economic Development<00:17:35.799
• this Economic Development and Tourism this Economic Development and Tourism this transfers<00
• de Development and of Business economic de Development and Tourism<00:18:40.240> culture<00:18
• Department of Business Economic Department of Business Economic Development<00:31:55.240> and<

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Culture and the Arts met on January 29 at 10:30 a.m. and heard four bills. HB 133, relating to surfing, drew testimony from the Department of Education and one individual in support. Committee discussion focused on the department’s estimated cost of about $44,000 per event, including judges, lifeguards, security, and administrative expenses. Members also asked about why surfing has been difficult to implement statewide and were told safety concerns, open-water conditions, and league-level decisions were among the barriers. The committee moved the bill forward with amendments, including blanking out the appropriation, and noted it wanted the Education Committee to review the cost breakdown further. HB 307, relating to special license plates for the island of Kahoʻolawe, received strong support from Protect K Ohana, the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission, and other supporters in person and via Zoom. Testimony clarified the name of the receiving entity and noted a recent petition showing significant public interest. The bill was advanced with technical amendments, and the chair said the fund name was already correct and that the measure would not reflect DCCA but the bank account designation. HB 450 would transfer the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission from DAGS to DBEDT and move authority over the Works of Art Special Fund to DBEDT’s director. The State Foundation and DBEDT’s Creative Industries Division supported the measure. In response to questions, the State Foundation said it had researched the transfer, believed funding would not be lost, and requested about a year for the transition to avoid payroll and payment disruptions, along with consideration of an additional DBEDT staff position. The committee adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass the bill with amendments, including adding the requested FTE and noting a two-year transition period in the report. HB 663, authorizing a special license plate commemorating the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, had little testimony and no one signed up to speak. The chair said OHA advocacy testimony was on file but that support for the measure appeared limited, and the bill was deferred. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, economic development often comes down to site readiness.
• The Committee on Economic Development moved to amend the title of the bill.
• The Airport Hangar Development Project Fund, which is a subfund of the Economic Development Project Fund
• No chances for economic development.
• But let me just be clear: This is an economic development bill.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll evaluate infrastructure readiness for vertiports, electric charging networks, the economic development
• development opportunity through new logistics and cargo.
• opportunity to support not only oil and gas, but research and development economic opportunity to support
• not only oil and gas, but research and development.
• And they're all betting that that's tomorrow's economic development to get parts out there in bad weather

Summary: The Louisiana Advanced Aviation and Drones Advisory Committee met with a quorum and opened by noting that, under current law, the committee will sunset after the 2026 regular session unless legislation is passed to reconstitute it. Members discussed the need for a smaller, more workable committee structure in the future so quorum requirements would be easier to meet, and they added an agenda item to consider reconstitution and another for a legislative briefing. The June 2025 minutes were approved. Subcommittee reports focused heavily on counter-drone policy and advanced air mobility. Mr. Muley described the new counter-UAS effort, referred to as the “Let’s Go Act,” which would create a joint task force of state police, sheriffs, and municipal police chiefs to develop training standards and equipment standards for counter-drone operations. Members also discussed federal developments in the NDAA and DOJ’s role in authorizing mitigation capabilities for states with laws and training plans. Public safety members reported that training on recently enacted drone laws is underway in north Louisiana. The committee also heard a major update from Josh Deplanis, newly named Louisiana’s first advanced aeronautics director. He outlined Louisiana’s selection for the FAA’s Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing/Advanced Air Mobility Integration Pilot Program, branded “Lift Off Louisiana,” and described plans for real-world operations beginning as early as August, centered on Houma-Terrebonne Airport. He also reviewed the state’s broader advanced air mobility strategic plan, including vertiport readiness, charging infrastructure, logistics, workforce training, and community engagement. Members emphasized Louisiana’s opportunity to influence FAA policy and international airspace issues related to operations over the Gulf and beyond 12 nautical miles. In final action, the committee adopted a resolution supporting reconstitution of LADAC, with revised proposed membership language reducing the committee from 15 members to 11 and setting a simple majority of six for quorum, with new appointments effective July 1, 2027. No public testimony was offered, and the meeting adjourned after the motion passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Development.
• Refer to the Committee on Trade, Workforce and Economic Development.
• On trade, workforce, and economic development, HB 1094 by Lamprey relating to the regulation of transportation
• Our unit and an apartment referred to the Committee on Trade Workforce and and Economic Development.
• Refer to the Committee on Trade, Workforce and Economic Development.

Transcript Highlights:

• , economic development and diversification, and environmental sustainability.
• , education and workforce development, education and workforce development, economic<00:32:50.799
• > development<00:32:51.279> and economic development and economic development and diversification
• First, the Department of Business and Economic Development, then the Department of Commerce and Consumer
• First, the Department of Business and Economic Development, then the Department of Commerce and Consumer

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair. there's been a lot of economic activity there's been a lot of economic activity that<00:35:32.240
• component of Minnesota's past economic component of Minnesota's past economic success<00:48:37.200
• Our state has a strong foundation for R&D, according to the Department of Employment and Economic Development
• Our state has a strong foundation for R&D, according to the Department of Employment and Economic Development
• research and development stays done in research and development stays done in Minnesota<00:58:53.799

Bills: HF4, HF173

Keywords: tax relief fund, budget surplus, surplus revenue, tax rebate, tax refund, one-time refund, income tax, property tax, constitutional amendment, Minnesota Constitution, general fund, budget reserve, taxpayer relief, state surplus, fiscal forecast, wealthy taxpayers, high-income exclusion, 2026 ballot, referendum, surplus distribution