Transcript Highlights:

• I call this meeting of the House Housing Finance and Policy Committee to order.
• Minnesota Housing Finance Assembly would Minnesota Housing Finance Assembly would give<00:01:42.880><
• I know they they finance agency yet.
• <00:08:45.200> Agency the the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency the the Minnesota Housing Finance
• constructive way uh to deal with that. constructive way uh to deal with that.

Bills: HF3600, HF3809, HF3608

Keywords: housing, community land trusts, competitive development, development programs, Minnesota, HF3809, Minnesota eviction law, landlord-tenant, residential lease, minor child, children in eviction, eviction complaint, defendant prohibition, expedited eviction, expedited hearing, summary eviction, tenant protections, housing policy, civil penalty, nonwaivable lease terms

Transcript Highlights:

• morning the bagels uh we had state morning the bagels uh we had state government<00:02:33.720> Finance
• One of the primary drivers is simply the increase in construction costs that continue to rise through
• simply the increase in construction simply the increase in construction costs<00:21:34.159> that
• But there is no holy grail that shouldn’t be questioned in terms of our financing.
• <00:47:02.359> of<00:47:02.559> the just for the construction of the just for the construction

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and began with introductions from members and staff, who shared brief personal facts. Chair Franson then announced that the committee would hear the governor’s bonding request for state agencies, starting with the Department of Public Safety. Commissioner Bob Jacobson, BCA Superintendent Drew Evans, and State Patrol Colonel Christina Boich were introduced as the presenters. The Department of Public Safety focused on three capital projects: a new Southern BCA regional office and laboratory, an expansion of the BCA regional office and laboratory in northern Minnesota, and a new Minnesota State Patrol headquarters funded with trunk highway cash. Evans said the BCA’s St. Paul headquarters is severely overcrowded and that demand has grown because of sexual assault kit testing, digital evidence work, drug evidence, and a sharp rise in cybercrime and child exploitation cases. He said the regional facilities would improve turnaround times, reduce travel for testimony and evidence drop-off, expand training access for local law enforcement, and allow the BCA to serve southern and northern Minnesota more efficiently. Members questioned the high cost of the projects, including Representative Skraba’s concern about the per-square-foot cost. Evans responded that the facilities are expensive because they are specialized laboratories, not office buildings, and must include costly equipment, HVAC systems, redundant power, and other lab-specific features; he said retrofitting existing buildings would cost about the same as new construction. He also said the Southern Minnesota project had increased from about $48 million to $68.1 million due to final design changes, larger space needs, and rising construction costs. Representative Sexton asked about training availability, and Evans said the new facility would include a classroom for 40 to 60 students and could be used by other agencies at low or no cost. Representative Hansen asked about regional training centers, and Evans said the BCA uses them for specialized training but still needs this classroom-based regional space. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• CMS really constructed it to make us truly think differently.
• can't we can't pay for new construction. can't we can't pay for new construction.
• creation of the construction documents. creation of the construction documents.
• and with approval of the construction and with approval of the construction funding<00:27:20.880
• You're probably finance question.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:01 Department for Public Health Budget Request 00:01:46 Department for Community Based Services Budget Request 00:31:58 Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) 00:57:13, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes, then heard a lengthy presentation from the Department for Public Health on Kentucky’s rural health transformation plan and related budget questions. Commissioner John Langfeld said the state received a $212.9 million federal award, one of the larger awards nationally, and outlined five focus areas: maternal and infant health, integrated EMS/trauma response, behavioral health and substance use disorder, oral health, and chronic disease prevention with an emphasis on obesity and diabetes. He stressed that the effort is intended to be integrated, data-driven, and sustainable, and that the federal funds cannot be used for new construction, clinician salaries, research and development, EHR replacement, or to pay for currently billable services. He also said the program carries accountability requirements and that funds can be clawed back if milestones are not met. Members pressed for clarification on duplication with other budget requests, sustainability after the five-year funding period, and how success would be measured. Langfeld said he was not aware of any duplicate funding with the department’s additional budget requests and said the rural health funds were separate from those requests. He also said the program will be tracked through specific metrics and timelines, using both execution measures and outcome measures such as readmissions, with more rapid-cycle feedback to allow course correction. Representative Fleming raised concerns about possible overlap with navigator funding and asked for more detail on the budget breakdown; Langfeld said a detailed line-item budget had been prepared but was still awaiting final CMS approval before release, and that he would explore sharing more information once restrictions were lifted. The committee then heard from the Kentucky State Public Health Laboratory about a request for a new central lab expansion. The presenter described the current 35-year-old facility as outdated and constrained by aging infrastructure, obsolete equipment, deferred maintenance, and inadequate space, and said the lab performs critical work with no in-state alternative for many services, including newborn screening, select-agent and biosafety level 3 testing, animal necropsy for rabies, genetic sequencing, environmental and food safety testing, and response to emerging infectious diseases. The project is already in design phase C, expected to finish in mid-April, with construction funding sought at roughly $276 million on top of about $35 million already approved for design. Members asked about long-term operating costs, backup arrangements, and whether the current facility would remain in use; the presenter said the current lab would continue to be used by the department while other divisions move into vacated space, and that the lab has mutual-aid agreements with the Southeast Consortium and universities for contingency support. Finally, the Department for Community Based Services began its budget presentation on SNAP and relative caregiver issues. Commissioner Lisa Dennis and budget director Misty Sammons identified the governor’s recommended budget items tied to new federal requirements under HR1, including changes affecting payment error rates. The discussion was just beginning when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the Committee on Finance.
• SB 2543, HD2, relating to state construction projects.
• Next item: SB 1032, HD1, relating to campaign finance.
• Recommendations adopted. 10326221 relating to campaign finance.
• I mean, you know, the Finance Committee.

Bills: HCR93, HCR14, HR85

Keywords: image-based sexual abuse, working group, gender-based violence, Hawaii Commission on the Status of Women, prevention efforts, survivor protections, new technologies, legal reform, HCR14, House Concurrent Resolution, perpetual easement, non-exclusive easement, state submerged lands, submerged lands, shoreline easement, drainage outfall, stormwater outfall, lagoon outfall, pipelines, Kahala Hotel & Resort

Transcript Highlights:

• His research has been published in leading international journals, and he's taught economics and finance
• Sometimes it is financed out of taxes; sometimes it is financed out of the general fund.
• And then we're going to see the construction phase, the economic impacts of the construction phase, and
• then the of the construction phase, and then the operating and then but we have we need to have an idea
• And on the cost side, we're going to have the financing side, we're going to have the financing cost,

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, Kentuckians will find jobs in services, plumbers, construction, etc.
• Wrigley Media Group will finance the return, so you get your refund upfront.
• films at all, and is there disclosure for that financing?
• these films uh but that financing these films uh but that information<00:29:58.480> isn't<00:
• Ultimately, the goal and construction inflation cost that we've construction inflation cost that we've

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Roll Call 00:52 SB 1 Discussion 01:33 SB 1 Vote 32:39 SB 76 Discussion 34:35 SB 76 Vote 36:20 SB 162 Discussion 37:04 SB 162 Vote 46:35, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 1, which would create a Kentucky Film Office and a Kentucky Film Leadership Council to promote film production in the state. Sponsors said the bill is intended to expand Kentucky’s use of film tax incentives, improve marketing and infrastructure, and attract productions that could generate jobs, tourism, and broader economic development. They noted a committee substitute made two changes: adding a salary cap for the film office executive director and correcting a date. Members asked about whether the office should instead be housed in the Economic Development Cabinet, how Kentucky’s refundable credit compares with Georgia’s transferable credits, the bill’s obscenity language, the size of the current incentive cap, and whether there should be reporting on the program’s results. Supporters cited a University of Louisville study estimating about $200 million in industry revenue in 2022 and argued the state is not fully using existing credits; an outside witness, Andrew McNeel, opposed the bill, calling the incentives subsidies, warning that Georgia’s uncapped program could lead to pressure to raise Kentucky’s cap, and arguing the bill could subsidize films with little lasting local benefit. After debate, the committee adopted the substitute and passed Senate Bill 1 as amended by House Committee Substitute 1 with an expression of opinion that it should pass. Several members explained their votes, including concerns about transparency, local hiring, and the need for further review. The committee then moved on to Senate Bill 76, which would raise the threshold for a retainage/escrow requirement in certain real estate improvement contracts from $500,000 to $2 million. The sponsor said the change is meant to reflect construction cost inflation since the statute was enacted in 1990. The transcript indicates a motion and second were made, but the discussion was cut off before any final action on the bill is shown. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 162, a simplified bill on unemployment insurance fraud. The sponsor said it would require suspected fraud to be referred to the appropriate state or federal law enforcement authorities, including the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, county or Commonwealth’s attorneys, and, where applicable, the U.S. Department of Justice, to create a clearer process and accountability. The transcript ends during the presentation, before any vote or committee action on SB 162 is recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• this is one of the most uh constructive this is one of the most uh constructive um<00:53:52.520>
• 53:56.160> yeah<00:53:56.520> this um constructive uh overall uh yeah this um constructive
• <00:56:35.240> and Committee on Public Safety finance and Committee on Public Safety finance
• <00:56:47.240> and Committee on Public Safety finance and Committee on Public Safety finance
• House File 22 as amended is re-referred to the Committee on Health Finance and Policy.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Subcommittee on Education Finance in the Assembly.
• So we'll welcome and allow the Department of Finance to begin first.
• First, Chavez with the Department of Finance.
• Does the Department of Finance have a response to that?
• Justin Hurst, Department of Finance...

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and Rural Stimulus Act by increasing flexibility for redevelopment projects, broadening eligible financing
• It also uses tax abatement and use of tax increment financing districts.
• I'm here to tell you that tax increment finance districts don't work in Missouri.
• In my opinion, this bill is financing on the past, In my opinion, this bill is financing on the taxpayer
• We are financially broke because of tax credits and financing private entity and private growth, private

Summary: The Legislative Rules Committee met with a quorum and held a public hearing on Senate Bill 1694, along with related Senate Bill 1688, both described by the sponsor and supporters as a modernization and expansion of the Missouri Downtown and Rural Economic Stimulus Act (MODESA). Senator Steve Roberts said the bills would broaden redevelopment tools, extend timelines, expand residential incentives, and help projects in St. Louis and other communities without using general revenue. Supporters from the Cordish Companies, the City of Kansas City, Greater St. Louis Inc., Historic Revitalization for Missouri, and BioSTL emphasized past redevelopment successes, including Power & Light, Ballpark Village, and potential reuse of large vacant buildings such as the AT&T Tower and Railway Exchange Building. They argued the proposal would leverage private investment, create jobs, and provide a predictable statewide framework. One witness opposed the bill, arguing it would create more bureaucracy, rely on tax abatements and TIF, and burden taxpayers. Committee members asked questions about the bill’s scope, rural component, fiscal note, and specific redevelopment targets, and the public hearing then closed. After a brief stand-at-ease, the committee entered executive session and adopted a substitute for the combined Senate Bill 1694/1688 package, then voted do pass on the House Committee Substitute for Senate Substitute for Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bills 1694 and 1688 by a vote of 10-0. The committee also considered Senate Bill 1586, a solid waste measure, and voted do pass Senate Substitute Number 2 for Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1586 by a vote of 8-2. Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 889, a cleanup bill removing obsolete statutes, and voted do pass the House Committee Substitute for Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 889 by a vote of 8-0 with two members voting present. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• They can be constructed in about four years, so it's not a long lead time to build one.
• We have 673 active construction projects right now. That's just construction.
• And then once the right-of-way is done, we fund construction.
• Traditionally, to get from a conceived idea to construction, it takes 15 to 20 years.
• is building the initial construction of I-4, adding new lanes... ...week is building the initial construction

Summary: The committee heard introductory remarks from Chair LaMarca and members, then received presentations on electric utility planning, transportation infrastructure, and broadband deployment. Public Service Commission staff explained how Florida’s utilities plan for reliability and cost through 10-year site plans, demand forecasting, and economic dispatch. The presentation emphasized Florida’s residential-heavy load, growing EV demand, expanding solar and battery storage, continued reliance on natural gas combined-cycle plants, and the role of nuclear power. Members asked about energy efficiency, rates, renewable options beyond solar, cybersecurity, grid resilience, data centers, and small modular nuclear reactors; the witness said efficiency programs are reviewed every five years, utilities must balance reliability and affordability, and large new loads like data centers generally must pay for their own infrastructure needs. Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue described FDOT’s five-year work program, decentralized district structure, and funding mix, noting that the agency is predominantly state-funded and prioritizes maintenance and preservation before expansion. He highlighted record investment levels, major congestion-relief projects, toll-road revenues, seaport and airport partnerships, spaceport investments, workforce and equipment needs, and emerging technology such as advanced air mobility. Members asked about project timing, MPO planning, rail and ferry funding, airport governance, winter storm preparedness, and flooding/sea-level rise; Perdue said faster delivery depends on resources, local governments lead transit operations with FDOT as a capital partner, and coastal and drainage projects are designed around storm surge and resiliency. The Office of Broadband reported on six grant programs supporting infrastructure, community facilities, digital connectivity, and future digital capacity and broadband expansion. Director Leo Garcia said the office has awarded hundreds of millions of dollars across most counties, leveraged significant private investment, and focused heavily on rural areas. He noted that broadband efforts are intended to support telehealth, education, workforce development, and economic growth, and said the state has reduced the number of unserved locations from more than 400,000 to a projected 170,000 after current awards are completed. He also said the office needs additional budget authority for the upcoming digital capacity program and that the larger federal/state broadband deployment program will be used to reach remaining unserved and underserved areas.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, be considered the on finance.
• Uh let's go ahead and read finance day.
• <01:46:14.159> for construction of housing projects for construction of housing projects for
• Finance is going to meet at 2:15 for voting, for finance, education, energy, and the environment. >>
• Uh recognize the chair of<02:53:59.359> finance. of finance. of finance.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, and handled several ceremonial and introductory matters before moving into committee reports. The chamber welcomed the doctor of the day, recognized an intern and a guest in the gallery, extended birthday wishes to Senator Chris West, and received remarks from the Romanian Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Andre Moraru, who emphasized Romania’s strategic partnership with the United States, NATO cooperation, investment ties, energy projects, and support for Ukraine. Senators also briefly noted Maryland’s military and diplomatic ties to Romania. The ambassador’s remarks were journalized, and members were given time to meet with him off the floor. The Senate then took up a series of second-reading bills, mostly from the Finance Committee, adopting committee amendments and favorable reports without objection. Among the measures advanced were Senate Bill 39 on behavioral health reimbursement rate methodology and a work group for certified community behavioral health clinics and outpatient mental health centers; Senate Bill 605 directing the Public Service Commission to study broadband and VoIP oversight; Senate Bill 721, Ralph’s Act, providing expedited DDA/Medicaid eligibility for certain recently relocated individuals; and Senate Bill 891 on perinatal mental health screening, coverage, training, and reporting. Each was amended in committee and ordered printed for third reading. The Senate also advanced several House bills, including House Bill 427 extending the task force on responsible use of natural psychedelic substances and adding an HBCU representative; House Bill 480 requiring transportation network companies to maintain written deactivation policies; House Bill 532 requiring overtime pay for firefighters employed by governmental units after 168 hours in a 28-day period; House Bill 816 reducing the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund assessment cap from 3% to 1% and authorizing an affordability program; House Bill 829 requiring human trafficking awareness training for certain for-hire and rideshare drivers; House Bill 862 requiring a two-person crew for certain freight rail operations in shared corridors, contingent on similar action in neighboring states; and House Bill 999 revising Class 9 limited distillery license rules and production limits. Most of these bills were reported favorably, with no objections, and were ordered to third reading or passed for third reading as applicable.

Transcript Highlights:

• I call this Committee on Housing Finance and Policy to order.
• Typically, the PUD agreement is not finalized and signed until shortly before construction begins.
• Typically, the PUD agreement is not finalized and signed until shortly before construction begins.
• , to the Committee on Judiciary, Finance, to the Committee on Judiciary, Finance, and<00:37:14.960
• <00:54:18.720> Pretty<00:54:19.200> simple Finance A's website.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise to present SB 165, our skilled nursing facility financing reauthorization.
• I rise to present SB 165, our skilled nursing facility financing reauthorization trailer bill.
• While this bill makes no substantive changes to the financing structure beyond the extension date, it
• The growth of America was made possible by generations of workers and immigrants who helped construct
• It reorganizes affordable housing financing, but it does not lower construction costs, reduce permitting

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then you add in another variable, which would be new construction.
• and there there's it be new construction and there there's a<00:08:35.440> a<00:08:36.000>
• “That would help reduce the cost of construction and help reduce the final cost of that home.
• Senator, you mentioned a lot of new construction that is needed, and we know a lot of these new construction
• You mentioned one about construction.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In February 2026, SOU projected that it could fail to meet financing obligations by spring of 2027.
• That it could fail to meet financing obligations by spring of 2027.
• The revenue for that is accounted in the updated cash flows and overall finances that we've been reporting
• Construction cash account to support the request that other funds expenditure increase the Reese Training
• Establish a federal funds capital construction expenditure limitation of $3,620,000 for the Reese Training

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The Emergency Board met on June 17, 2026, and approved a series of subcommittee recommendations, mostly on consent, related to federal grant applications, agency funding adjustments, and position authority. Early actions included approval of four federal grant applications from natural resources agencies, three public safety grant applications, a one-time increase for Judicial Department court security, retroactive approval for an AmeriCorps volunteer-generation grant, and a $7.5 million allocation to Southern Oregon University from a special appropriation for short-term financial stability. Members supporting the SOU item emphasized the university’s structural deficits, declining enrollment, and the need for a long-term higher education plan; several members voted no or raised concerns about sustainability, but the motion passed. The board also approved a federal apprenticeship expansion grant for the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, a school nutrition equipment grant for the Department of Education, and an Oregon Health Authority request tied to Medicaid community engagement requirements under H.R. 1. Public safety items included funding for Oregon Military Department readiness facilities, a report on the stalled juvenile justice information system modernization project with a follow-up viability report due in 2026, and a statewide evacuation planning tool for emergency management. The evacuation tool drew strong support as a wildfire preparedness measure, with members noting it could significantly reduce alert times and save lives. A major point of debate was the Department of Justice request to add 16 permanent positions and increase other funds limitation for antitrust enforcement. Supporters argued the federal government has pulled back and Oregon needs capacity to pursue active cases and protect consumers; opponents objected to the process, the size of the expansion, and the incentive structure tied to settlements and awards. Despite those concerns, the motion passed. The board also approved Water Resources Department requests for the Water Well Abandonment, Repair and Replacement program, an assistant water master position in Washington County, and federal funding for Lower Umatilla Basin groundwater data collection. The water master item prompted questions about county cost shifts, but staff said the position would remain externally funded and would not be filled without those resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• know if I'm going to have a few seconds left, but if you would allow me, having somebody with the finances
• watched and listened to constituents over the years lose wells, financially struggle to repair or construct
• watched and listened constituents over the years lose wells, financially struggled to repair or construct
• Chair, for the record, Molly Graber, the Senate Finance Analyst. Mr.
• Chair, for the record, Molly Graber, the Senate Finance Analyst.

Bills: HB2014, HB2031, HB2078, HB2102, HB2103, HB2117, HB2261, HB2262, HB2264, HB2278, HB2428, HB2494, HB2756, HB2758, HB2762, HB2782, HB2932, HB2933, HB2986

Keywords: air emissions, fuel blends, environmental quality, feasibility study, Arizona Department of Agriculture, water rights, groundwater, Willcox, active management area, certificate of grandfathered rights, Arizona legislature, aggregate mining, reclamation plans, environmental protection, public safety, land use, domestic water, improvement district, water delivery, water hauling

Summary: The committee began with an informational presentation from Gordon Shemp of Nemecu Analytics on Arizona transportation fuel supply and pricing. He explained that Arizona sits at the end of the pipeline system, relies on limited terminal inventories, and can experience only about a seven-day fuel supply if pipelines are disrupted. He attributed recent price spikes to constrained pipeline capacity, Kinder Morgan pressure reductions after PHMSA anomaly reviews, and recovering demand, and he also discussed California refinery closures, increased imports from overseas, and proposed new pipeline capacity into Phoenix from the east. Committee members asked about fuel formulations and pipeline logistics, and Shemp said the proposed project would not change fuel specifications, only transport capacity. The committee then took up House Bill 2758, which would allow eligible entities in La Paz County’s McMullen Valley groundwater basin to transport groundwater to AMAs under specified limits and conditions, with related provisions on fees, districts, and water improvement programs. Supporters, including Stan Barnes, Jim Downing, and Barry Arons, argued the bill follows the Harquahala model, provides needed augmentation for urban Arizona, and includes local benefits and guardrails. Opponents, including La Paz County Supervisor Holly Irwin, Devonna Sater, and Ed Curry, said the bill would worsen groundwater decline, subsidence, and well failures in Salome and Wenden and favored outside investors over rural residents. After debate, the committee approved HB 2758 on a 4-3 vote. The committee also heard and advanced several other water-related bills. HB 2031, extending the deadline to apply for grandfathered groundwater rights in the Wilcox AMA from 15 to 27 months, passed 5-2 after some members said the extension was unnecessary and would delay protections. HB 2102, allowing county improvement districts in subsequent AMAs or groundwater transportation basins to use eminent domain for a well and standpipe site and water hauling, passed 4-3 after Sierra Club testimony called it a limited “band-aid” rather than a real solution. HB 2103, which would let water improvement programs accept gifts and dedicate groundwater transportation fee revenue to local residential water hauling and delivery, also passed 4-3. HB 2117, a technical cleanup bill shifting Environmental Special Plate Fund administration to the Natural Resource Conservation Board and raising education-center distributions from $5,000 to $10,000, passed 5-2 despite concerns about the fund’s administration. The committee then considered HB 2261, which changes agricultural property tax terminology and valuation rules. County assessors and the Arizona Association of Counties opposed it, warning it would effectively exempt many agricultural improvements from taxation and shift costs to residential taxpayers; the Arizona Farm Bureau supported it as a clarification that would provide certainty for agriculture. The bill passed 4-3. Finally, HB 2262, transferring the Resource Analysis Division from the State Land Department to the Arizona Geological Survey and revising geospatial advisory responsibilities, was introduced, with State Land Department staff saying they were neutral but noting the bill would need clearer statutory duties if RAD is removed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those would be Section 8 new construction and substantial rehabilitation.
• The bill would clarify that HOME's Section 8 new construction and Section 8 substantial rehabilitation
• There have been no new Section 8 new construction projects funded since 1983.
• When a housing authority undertook a Section 8 new construction project, It entered into a long-term
• Developers use these tax credits to finance the acquisition, construction, and rehabilitation of affordable

Bills: HB164, HB164, HB411, HB627, HB 1226, HB1677, HB1865, HB1997, HB2985, HB3462, HB4188, HB4685, HB4840, HB5370, HB5424, HB5466, HB5509, HB5660, HB5673

Keywords: HB 164, HB164, Texas Flood Recovery, Reimbursement, and Reconstruction Program, Texas Division of Emergency Management, TDEM, Hill Country floods, July 2025 floods, flood recovery, disaster relief, flood reimbursement, reconstruction grants, resiliency standards, floodplain, base flood elevation, FEMA, Federal Emergency Management Agency, insurance denial, property damage, tenant assistance, rental property

Transcript Highlights:

• of our programs will have the opportunity to obtain an OSHA 10-hour, either general industry or construction
• Personal finance, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, sports management, introduction to business,
• Next year, we are introducing a new AP Business with Personal Finance class.
• I've also gotten a lot of opportunities through the program to meet other women in the construction field
• I've gotten to talk to big construction management firms like Lee Kennedy and learn how what I want to

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held an informational hearing at Quincy Public Schools focused on career and technical education (CTE). Committee members said the visit was intended to gather input for statewide CTE legislation, including efforts to expand awareness and access, improve middle school exposure, invest in equipment and facilities, and strengthen ties to workforce boards and labor pathways. Quincy officials described their CTE system as integrated with academics and highlighted support from district, city, and state partners. School leaders outlined Quincy’s CTE offerings, including 15 Chapter 74 programs at Quincy High School and four at North Quincy High School, with about 1,360 students enrolled. Presenters emphasized curriculum aligned to DESE frameworks, work-based learning, industry-recognized credentials, safety training, business electives, dual enrollment and articulation with Quincy College, and grant funding such as Skills Capital and Perkins. They also discussed support liaisons for nontraditional careers and military pathways, advisory committees, and plans to seek Chapter 74 approval for an engineering program at North Quincy, along with new computer science and business offerings. Testimony from MassHire South Shore described workforce partnerships, YouthWorks, job fairs, resume workshops, and the Credit for Life Fair, while the assistant superintendent explained Quincy’s MyCAP planning grant and efforts to build a student-driven college and career readiness system. Three students testified about their pathways in welding, early education and care, and healthcare technology, describing hands-on learning, certifications, clinical or co-op experiences, and future plans for college and careers. Committee members praised Quincy as a model for combining CTE with general education, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn and unanimous adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good afternoon, Matt Woodwani, the Finance and Economic Development Officer for the Puyallup Tribe of
• We built these homes without HUD finance.
• course, Commencement Bay, a marina, Tahoma Fuel and Market, seven stations, a logistics company, construction
• And another development, which we started about seven months ago, is our own construction company, Tahoma
• Construction.

Summary: A joint hearing of the Senate Business, Financial Services and Trade Committee and the House State Government and Tribal Relations Committee was held on an amendment to the Puyallup Tribe of Indians Gaming Compact. The Washington State Gambling Commission and Puyallup Tribal representatives described the compact as a restatement of the tribe’s 1996 agreement, updated to reflect prior amendments and current gaming operations. Commission staff outlined several changes, including authorization for electronic table games, extension of credit with customer-protection safeguards, removal of per-facility limits, changes to wager limits, a stepped increase in the tribe’s player-terminal allocation, and new licensing/eligibility/registration and definitions appendices. They also noted added provisions on responsible gaming, non-smoking areas if smoking is offered, emergency-services access, and community commitments. Puyallup Tribal leaders gave extensive testimony on how gaming revenue has supported tribal self-governance, cultural preservation, education, housing, health care, elder services, youth programs, environmental protection, and charitable giving. They said gaming revenue has funded tribal facilities, a school, a longhouse, housing projects, a funeral home, health and behavioral health services, substance-use treatment, and donations to nonprofits and local public health efforts. Tribal economic development staff also described diversification efforts funded by gaming, including businesses in hospitality, fuel, construction, manufacturing, logistics, and a planned terminal partnership with the Northwest Seaport Alliance. The casino CEO emphasized responsible gaming, compliance, self-exclusion tools, staff training, and a problem-gambling campaign. Committee members asked about the compact negotiation process and the state’s interests. Gambling Commission staff explained that compact changes are negotiated under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, with the governor’s office, commissioners, and ex officio members providing policy input, and that the current hearing was required within 30 days of completion of the state process. Staff said the commission would hold a public meeting on Thursday to take comment and then vote whether to forward the restated compact to the governor or return it for further negotiation. No public testimony was signed up at the hearing, and no vote was taken by the legislative committees.

Transcript Highlights:

• It restricts housing finance corporations.
• It stops the so-called practice of traveling housing finance corporations, ...housing finance corporations
• corporations not to have the test on new properties, on new construction?
• But these finance corporations are really just a few, a handful of them.
• The caption is read: House Bill 21, relating to housing finance corporations.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered an invocation, approved the previous day’s journal, and received a House message announcing passage of HB 4 on public school accountability and assessment. The chamber also recognized the Doctor of the Day, adopted SR 520 honoring Rosser Coke-Newton Sr. for his biography of former Governor Richard Coke, and adopted SR 518 recognizing Texas Moral Injury Awareness Day, with remarks focused on the impact of moral injury on veterans and first responders. The Senate later adopted SR 395 honoring the ninth class of Governor William P. Clements, Jr. Scholars, and several other resolutions were adopted by voice vote, including college savings awareness recognition and other member-sponsored recognitions. The body then took up several bills and resolutions on the floor. HB 3307, allowing online continuing education for arbitrators in property tax appeals, passed unanimously after suspension of the rules and the three-day rule. HB 913, renaming and reorganizing certain state hospitals, and HB 2970, governing the Gulf Coast Protection District and coastal barrier design, also passed unanimously. HJR 1 and HB 9 advanced a proposed constitutional amendment and statutory change to raise the business personal property tax exemption from $2,500 to $125,000; both measures passed, with HJR 1 receiving one no vote and HB 9 passing unanimously after a clarifying amendment. The Senate also passed HB 1151, which limits child removals and termination of parental rights based solely on parental medical treatment decisions, and HB 116, which revises grounds for involuntary termination of the parent-child relationship by removing the “O grounds” and requiring support from financially able parents whose rights were terminated. HB 1899 lowered the age for pyrotechnic operator licenses and fireworks display permits from 21 to 18. SB 1285, as amended, passed to protect bats by prohibiting entombment while preserving removal options from unoccupied spaces, and SB 2847 passed to promote innovations in core curriculum for faster bachelor’s degrees. On criminal justice, SJR 87, a proposed constitutional amendment requiring denial of bail for certain repeat violent felony offenders, passed after two floor amendments clarifying due process and representation language; Senator Eckhardt spoke against it on final passage, arguing it lacked judicial discretion and a clear-and-convincing standard. SB 3073, requiring magistrates to make written findings in certain criminal proceedings, also passed. Later, SB 128, requiring hospitals to report suspected child abuse-related information to HHSC, advanced on a divided vote, and SB 2619 and SB 2972 passed on public school accountability and expressive activities at public colleges, respectively, with Senator Eckhardt opposing SB 2972 as too restrictive on campus protest rights. The chamber also heard extended debate on HB 21, targeting “traveling” housing finance corporations and their use of tax exemptions for apartment projects, with supporters arguing it curbs abuse of the tax code and critics warning about unintended effects on affordable housing; the discussion continued with questions but no final action shown in the excerpt.