Transcript Highlights:

• So those it's an income-based fee.
• Uh originally was incomebased fee.
• This tax, or this fee, is similar to a lot of the other fees that basically stay flat.
• So, even though the municipalities are paying into this fund as part of the fee, as part of this $4 fee
• So, even though the municipalities are paying into this fund as part of the fee, as part of this $4 fee

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Actually, sorry, I'll cover fees and fines just so for clarity.
• We establish fees to go into that fund.
• administrative and marketing purposes. that's when the fee is paid. that's when the fee is paid.
• they pay a 3 and 1/2 cent handling fee they pay a 3 and 1/2 cent handling fee for<03:20:35.560><
• handling fee The container handling fee has<03:21:02.920> remained<03:21:03.240> constant<

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House first suspended the rules briefly to make announcements, including welcoming former representative Doug Gage to the gallery. It then returned to House Bill 211 on data brokers and personal information, where the Appropriations Committee explained a $50,000 appropriation to the Secretary of State for a consultant-led study on an accessible deletion mechanism for consumers to delete personal data held by data brokers, with interim and final reports due in 2027 and 2028. The committee reported a 9-0-2 vote in favor, and the House agreed to the Commerce and Economic Development Committee’s amendment and ordered third reading. Floor debate on H. 211 focused heavily on the bill’s deletion and exemption framework. Supporters argued the bill is needed to give Vermonters meaningful control over their data and to prevent data brokers from commingling information for unrelated uses. Opponents warned the bill could conflict with existing federal frameworks such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Gramm-Leach-Bliley, and the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act, and could make credit, banking, insurance, fraud prevention, and identity verification harder. In response, the sponsor said the bill uses use-case-based exemptions rather than broad entity-level exemptions, noted testimony from banks, insurers, a data broker, a former data broker employee, and the Attorney General, and said no constitutional concerns were raised. The House ultimately adopted the amendment and advanced the bill. After H. 211, the House moved to House Bill 577, establishing the Vermont Prescription Drug Discount Card Program. Committee reports from Health Care, Ways and Means, and Appropriations were read into the record, and the Colchester member described the bill as a way to lower prescription drug costs by joining the multi-state Array Rx program. The bill would let any Vermont resident obtain a free discount card for FDA-approved prescription drugs, with claimed savings up to 80% on generics and 20% on brand-name drugs. The House then proceeded to second reading on H. 577.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um >> They've got to make, uh, pay their fee, which is a reciprocating fee to the board.
• Is there fees or appropriations or changes of fees or appropriations or changes of that in this bill
• >> We'll check with counsel and be sure. fees or appropriations or changes of fees or appropriations
• So, this would create, as many of you remember, a 1.5% fee. There's already a federal fee of 1.1%.
• These fees would add this language.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 4 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then heard several guest introductions, including a minister for the day, visiting school groups, forestry and farm organizations, and members of the Divine Nine. Members also recognized the East Webster Wolverines football team, the East Webster non-tumbling cheer champions, and the Simpson Academy Lady Cougars softball team for state championships. The chamber then moved to the calendar after dispensing with the journal reading. On the concurrence calendar, the House concurred in House Bill 1758 by a vote of 120-0 after members noted the Senate had made only grammatical changes. On the general calendar, the House passed Senate Bill 2126, with a strike-all amendment clarifying that sex-offender registry restrictions on name changes still allow changes for marriage or divorce with notice; the bill passed 118-0. The House also passed Senate Bill 2230, expanding authority for electronic hearings, notices, and certain electronic orders and warrants for justice, circuit, and county court judges on misdemeanors, by 116-0. Senate Bill 2631, creating a Mississippi Grain Indemnity Act to help grain producers recover losses if a buyer goes bankrupt, passed 121-0. Senate Bill 2637, giving the Northeast District livestock shows flexibility to move locations if facilities are inadequate, passed 121-0 after questions about the Verona site and possible improvements. Senate Bill 2648, allowing MSU Extension Service assistance with poultry litter plans and amended to include Alcorn State University in developing comprehensive nutrient management plans, passed 121-0. Senate Bill 2809, concerning ag theft officers’ firearm rights in the event of death or retirement, passed 116-2. Senate Bill 2638, removing a reverse repealer from a meat-labeling bill, passed 119-0. The House also began consideration of Senate Bill 2399, which would authorize DPS security personnel at certain Mississippi Department of Agriculture facilities to respond to security alarms because those facilities were omitted from the Capitol complex security arrangement. The transcript ends during the explanation of that bill, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have a problem with whether the land is uh fee, you know, in fee or whether you actually own the
• , you know, in whether the land is uh fee, you know, in fee<03:24:28.160> or<03:24:28.399>
• notaries who will um travel for a fee. notaries who will um travel for a fee.
• Could a notary um do secure their fee.
• allows them to charge the $25 fee. Okay. allows them to charge the $25 fee. Okay.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I just have one question, on the DMV being able to continue and collect our fees the constituents so
• >> I JUST HAVE ONE QUESTION, ON THE DMV BEING ABLE TO CONTINUE AND COLLECT OUR FEES THE CONSTITUENTS
• , or this doesn't create any new fees, it continues existing fees, that you don't necessarily want to
• tell people, we're continuing fees for another week and a half.
• Usually, these kinds of fees are Charged on an annual basis, where at the time that you're buying or

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and then took up a Rules Committee report advancing several bills directly to third reading, including Senate Print 9630, an appropriations extender for government operations, and Senate Print 9631, an extender related to Part U1 of Chapter 61 of the Laws of 2023. The chamber then moved to the controversial calendar and debated the first extender, with Senator O’Mara questioning what the bill covered, how much funding it extended, and the status of budget negotiations. Senator Krueger said the extender covered about $1 billion for payroll and certain payments for agencies including Health, Law, OPWDD, and Veterans Services through April 7, and described the budget talks as still unresolved, with no announced follow-up Joint Budget Conference Committee meetings or table targets. She also discussed utility affordability proposals, including a three-year moratorium on A.I. and crypto data/storage facilities and support for green energy and low-income ratepayer relief. O’Mara argued the lack of urgency and absence of written proposals on climate and utility costs was concerning. Both extender bills were then passed, with the first receiving 59 ayes and the second passing 46-13 after debate over its two-year duration. The Senate then adopted the resolution calendar, excluding two items initially, and took up two resolutions. Resolution 1821, sponsored by Senator Ramos, recognized Farmworkers Day and highlighted the essential role of farmworkers, the history of organizing for farmworker rights, and concerns about immigrant workers facing fear and retaliation; Senator May added support, noting the importance of farm labor to dairy production and food supply and the impact of deportation fears on farms in her district. The resolution was adopted. Resolution 1823, sponsored by Senator Zellner, proclaimed March 20, 2026 as Behavior Analysis Day in New York, recognizing applied behavior analysis and its benefits for individuals with developmental disabilities, autism, education, healthcare, and other fields; it was also adopted. The chamber also welcomed a group of students from Queens visiting Albany, with Senator Comrie speaking about the importance of civics education and government engagement. After the introductions and acknowledgments, there was no further business, and the Senate adjourned until Wednesday, April 1, at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And does this also allow the Secretary of State to charge the municipality fees?
• ...allow the Secretary of State to charge the municipality fees?
• So not charge the municipal, I believe it's to charge the municipality fees, but would allow them to
• collect the fines and fees, which is not explicitly in statute.
• Like for them to have to pay additional fees, it would trigger their need to override the tax cap and

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Housing, Construction and Community Development Committee met with quorum present and considered a full agenda of housing, code enforcement, and rent regulation bills, many of which had passed the Senate in prior years. Early measures included a statewide residential rental registry (S.912), penalties and reporting for vacant and abandoned properties (S.925), and extending tenant response time for major capital improvement rent increase applications (S.1461). The committee also advanced several code-enforcement and fire/building-code bills, including measures to expand remedies for Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code violations (S.3406), increase the Secretary of State’s code enforcement powers (S.4165 and S.4534), and authorize investigations into code administration and enforcement (S.4535). Members raised concerns about local fiscal impacts, the scope of state authority, contractor use, and whether the bills adequately define or limit “imminent threat” and related enforcement powers. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on S.4852, which would require the Codes Council to review and act on updates to international model codes within 18 months. Senators debated whether the bill would speed up code adoption or, as some feared, weaken economic reasonableness considerations by striking the word “economically” from the statutory standard. Supporters said the bill was intended to ensure prompt review of widely used model codes and noted other statutory safeguards remain in place; opponents worried about reduced attention to cost and practical impacts, especially amid housing and utility capacity constraints. The committee also discussed S.6368A, requiring complainants to receive copies of compliance orders issued after code complaints, and S.6600B, mandating inspections of certain non-fireproof buildings in New York City. Additional bills advanced included standards for all-gender bathroom design and construction (S.7131A), compensation for required code-enforcement personnel training (S.7159), and audits of individual apartment improvements in rent-regulated units (S.8046A). Several measures were reported to Finance, while others were reported to the floor. Throughout the meeting, votes were largely along expected lines, with some members voting negative or “without recommendation” on the more expansive code-enforcement bills. No bill was defeated, and all items on the agenda were reported out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• And also on the fee provision, you're going to work on some changes to that. Yes.
• And also on the fee provision, you're going to work on some changes to that. Um, yes.
• the concerns that have been brought up and are working with other stakeholders on the development fees
• Number one is the development fee piece of this bill, which is what I would call maybe the second half
• the landowners who have land in the corridor have to sell to the state a conservation easement or a fee

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met with a quorum present and heard three bills. First, the committee considered Senator Osgood’s home hardening products bill (CS/SB 78). An amendment was adopted that changed the sales tax exemption for impact-resistant doors and windows into a refund process, limited eligibility to homeowners with site-built homesteads valued at $700,000 or less, capped the refundable tax at $500,000 per property, and set the refund period for two years beginning July 1, 2026. After the amendment, the bill was reported favorably. The committee then took up Senator McClain’s SB 208 on land use and development regulations. The bill would define compatibility and infill residential development, allow administrative approval of certain infill projects, and set standards for local development-related fees. Several members and stakeholders discussed possible changes to the compatibility and fee provisions. Testimony included opposition from Audubon Florida, the Florida Association of Counties, the Florida League of Cities, and 1,000 Friends of Florida, who raised concerns about sprawl, public participation, the 100-acre infill threshold, and impacts on rural lands and the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Support came from Highland Homes and several groups that waived in support, including AARP, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, and Associated Industries of Florida. The bill was reported favorably after debate. Finally, the committee heard Senator Trumbull’s SB 118 on special assessments for recreational vehicle parks. The bill clarifies that if a local government levies a special assessment on an RV park space or campsite, the assessed square footage cannot exceed the maximum square footage allowed for a recreational vehicle. An amendment clarified the maximum square footage as 400 square feet. After brief discussion and no opposition, the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The alternative is raising fees on our local ranchers, so I really urge this body to try to get.
• Do you see any potential fee increases for ranchers?
• New fee increases were adopted at this last board meeting that we had. They're small increases.
• We've been flat budgeted for the past 7 years or so because we didn't have a fee increase.
• You graciously passed a fee increase for us in SB 5 last year, which goes into effect in April.

Transcript Highlights:

• And you think about it, um if you fees.
• <00:21:30.480> are skyrocketing credit card fees are skyrocketing credit card fees are causing
• Passing credit card fees to my guests is a risk to my business.
• , and it rises as taxes go up and credit card fees and inflation.
• , and it rises as taxes go up and credit card fees and inflation.

Bills: HF1016, HF2800, HF156, HF3051, HF526, HF2658, HF2062, HF2801

Keywords: local government aid, Baldwin, taxation, base year formula, municipal funding, population aid, aid penalty forgiveness, Minnesota, city funding, appropriations, HF156, lawful gambling, veterans organizations, licensed veterans organization, Minnesota gambling law, gross profits, lawful purpose, real property repair, facility maintenance, capital assets

Transcript Highlights:

• actually would have to pay the the fees actually would have to pay the the fees to<00:39:18.880>
• This establishes the small boat harbor commercial vessel special fund and increases moorage fees for
• fee vessels requires revenue from the fee increase<00:42:21.640> be<00:42:21.880> used
• It requires registration fees to be deposited into the State Park special fund.
• a registration fee a registration fee and<01:30:25.239> so<01:30:25.520> is<01:30:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several water, land, and conservation measures. HB 86, which would fund a permanent DLNR Makai Watch coordinator position, drew strong support from DLNR and community advocates. Testifiers said the coordinator is needed to connect community-based nearshore monitoring groups with government, support training and reporting, and provide stable civil-service funding instead of relying on grants and philanthropy. The committee discussed the position’s duties and cost, estimated at about $110,000 with fringe benefits, and noted broad support from organizations including Kuaʻulu, The Nature Conservancy, OHA, and others. HB 36, relating to state water code penalties, was also supported in principle by DLNR, but the agency proposed amendments to create two tiers of violations, distinguish first-time/non-harmful violations from repeat or harmful ones, and give the commission discretion on whether each day counts as a continuing violation. DLNR said the bill is intended to address egregious cases such as Red Hill while avoiding undue impact on small farmers and others without malicious intent. Testifiers from the Board of Water Supply, Lono Initiative, and others supported stronger penalties and transparency, while Earthjustice raised concerns about broader structural issues and the risk of penalties being applied unfairly. The committee then heard HB 316, which appropriates funds to continue the Green Jobs Youth Corps program. DLNR, the Hawaiʻi State Energy Office, Kōkua, The Nature Conservancy, and other groups testified in support, describing the program as a workforce pipeline that places young professionals in communities, builds trust, and helps recruit future state employees. Supporters said the program has expanded capacity in watershed and reef management and has drawn extensive public backing. Finally, HB 506, funding equipment for the Oʻahu branch of DOCARE, received support from DLNR and others. DOCARE said recent recruit classes are moving through training, that the new positions will expand patrol capacity, including nighttime enforcement, and that the Oʻahu-specific funding is tied to priorities such as the Māʻili Bay herbivore rules. The committee also began hearing HB 510 on water shortage and emergency declarations. DLNR proposed limiting shortage declarations to 90 days unless extended, capping groundwater reductions at 20% for lower-priority permits, removing climate-crisis language as a standalone criterion, and moving the process into rulemaking for more public input. The Board of Water Supply supported the bill and the proposed changes, while Earthjustice urged deferral absent broader Water Commission reforms. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided; the chair indicated the committee would be decision-making after the hearing on items on the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Due to the cost, that project has incurred the additional fees of a civil engineer.
• We don't need to pay a monthly service fee.
• First one I'll address is service fees.
• Nobody is justifying or advocating for the service fees.
• It’s a fee-for-service for the IT staff.

Summary: The task force reviewed survey results from state agencies on potential statutory revisions, with Levi reporting 70 proposals from 20 agencies and noting that about 33 might become agency pre-file bills. Members discussed the need to share the survey more broadly within higher education and to better coordinate issues involving IT and other cross-agency functions. The task force then heard from the Office of Management and Budget on three topics: concessions, architect/engineering pre-qualification, and legal notices. OMB said the concessions law is outdated and inconsistent with current practice, and suggested a collaborative rewrite to allow best-value evaluation, raise the threshold, and standardize solicitation templates. On architect/engineering pre-qualification, OMB proposed expanding authority beyond current state-agency limits and creating uniform templates. On legal notices, OMB proposed modernizing publication requirements, exploring online and abbreviated notices, and working with newspapers and other stakeholders on technology and accessibility improvements. Members asked about where concession revenues go, whether political subdivisions must follow the same rules, and how to move from discussion to action. The task force agreed to have OMB work with Legislative Council and affected stakeholders to develop bill drafts, and the motion passed unanimously. The University of North Dakota then presented a series of proposed revisions focused on public buildings and procurement. UND asked to rework the definition of construction so routine maintenance and one-for-one replacements over $250,000 would not automatically trigger public-improvement requirements, suggested raising the threshold to $500,000, and asked for more flexibility based on project complexity and risk. UND also proposed changes to public bid advertisements to reflect electronic bidding, revisions to construction manager-at-risk selection criteria, changes to architect/engineer procurement rules, an increase in the direct-hire design threshold, and a higher legislative-consent threshold for privately funded projects. The task force supported having UND work with counsel and OMB to develop bill drafts, and that motion also passed. The Department of Public Instruction concluded with proposed cleanup to credentialing and education statutes. DPI recommended reviewing its credential categories for relevance, possibly transferring credentialing authority to the Education Standards and Practices Board, removing outdated school safety patrol language, clarifying waiver provisions, and updating dyslexia screening reporting requirements so the statute reflects current practice. Members focused mainly on whether the dyslexia reporting requirement should remain, and DPI said the screening itself would continue even if reporting language were revised. No votes were taken on DPI’s suggestions, and the task force recessed after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a diagram of the fees that flow into the fund that are supposed to flow into the fund.
• And that takes me to what this bill does, which is this bill has fees throughout.
• We fund the operations of the court system through fees, through what we file, different people file,
• does, which is this bill has fees does, which is this bill has fees throughout.<00:08:20.639>
• <00:08:24.960> through the court system through fees through the court system through fees

Keywords: Judiciary, Division A - Room 216, 29 January, 2026; 3:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee met to discuss several bills, beginning with a block motion on Senate Bills 2138, 2697, 2707, 2717, and 2726. Those measures were described as code-section updates involving redrawn Supreme Court districts, youth court reforms, Administrative Office of Courts matters, replacement of the MyKids youth court computer system, and Mississippi opioid settlement commission procedures. The committee agreed to take them up together, and the motion to report them title sufficient and due pass carried without opposition. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2890, dealing with the judicial operations fund. Members were told the fund no longer has sufficient revenue to cover court operations and requested judicial raises, and the proposed committee substitute would repeal the fund while conforming related code references. The substitute was adopted and the bill was reported title sufficient and due pass. Senate Bill 2730, granting immunity to nonprofits and churches that open during declared emergencies, was amended with a reverse repealer and then passed as amended. Next, Senate Bill 2135 was explained as a change to jury summons procedures so clerks could use the SEMS active/inactive voter designation and summon only active voters, without removing anyone from the voter rolls. The bill drew no opposition and passed, though a reverse repealer was later requested on similar procedural grounds in other bills. Senate Bill 2360 would create a public registry of entities that, though appearing private, are covered by the Mississippi Tort Claims Act; members discussed whether such entities should also be required to identify themselves on websites and written materials, and an amendment to that effect was adopted. A reverse repealer was then added, and the bill passed as amended. Finally, Senate Bill 2362 was presented as a proposal to create a private cause of action under the Unfair Trade Practices Act, allowing claimants to sue directly while still notifying the Attorney General. The sponsor said the bill would not add extra damages and noted similar laws in other states. The committee discussion was cut off in the transcript before a final vote on that bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 1887 by Metcalf, relating to birth records of adopted persons, authorizing a fee.
• HB 1887 by Metcalf, relating to birth records of adopted persons, authorizing a fee. Mr. Metcalf.
• HB 2402 by Rose, relating to the determination of fees, charges, and rates for certain benefits under
• And I don’t know how you would see billions and billions of dollars in fees paid.”
• And let’s say your fee of—let’s say your fee on that was what? Five percent? What’s your fee on?”

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, offered an invocation, led the pledges, and approved a series of routine motions, including excusing absent members and granting permission for several committees to meet while the House was in session. Members also adopted several memorial and recognition resolutions, including H.R. 1023 honoring Christian Beerbill, H.R. 1033 recognizing International Bereaved Mother’s Day, and H.R. 877 recognizing Urban League Advocates Day. The House also recommitted SB 17 and HB 4211 to committee and postponed SCR 27 and HB 2145 for later consideration. The chamber then took up a long third-reading calendar of bills covering a wide range of topics, including Sunset review measures, health care workforce and pricing, child custody and family law, Medicaid, rural ambulance grants, energy reporting, public information requests, trail development, virtual meeting disruptions, occupational licensing, protective orders, county leave pools, animal cruelty, infrastructure, and higher education. Most bills were explained briefly by their authors and passed with broad support, though several drew notable opposition, including HB 5265, HB 2402, HB 3000, HB 3237, HB 3326, HB 1056, HB 281, HB 3308, HB 1043, HB 1234, HB 1193, HB 294, HB 809, HB 334, HB 2037, HB 285, HB 1353, HB 3960, HB 4044, HB 4264, HB 2807, HB 3349, HB 4406, HB 1593, HB 1899, HB 1201, and others. Several bills prompted extended debate or amendments. HB 3237, extending public energy-use reporting for state and higher-education buildings, passed after questions about its public-sector-only scope and energy savings. HB 3326, addressing public service loan forgiveness credit for adjunct professors, initially failed on a 69-70 vote but later passed after verification and machine corrections. HB 3211, concerning optometrists in managed care plans, adopted a Buckley amendment before passing. HB 2213 on Texas Windstorm Insurance Association board composition adopted a Metcalf amendment requiring certain board members to be Texas residents. HB 412, dealing with harmful materials and sexual performance of a child, generated extensive questioning about its scope, existing legal standards, and effects on educators and medical professionals; the excerpt ends during that debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• No, so our fees are remaining the same.
• paying you you're not changing fees paying you you're not changing fees you're<00:17:02.759>
• The cost of that moving forward is that fee?
• The cost of that moving forward is that fee?
• salary benefits um supervisory fees salary benefits um supervisory fees assessed<05:29:05.718>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard the Banking Department’s fiscal year 2026-2027 budget presentation from Commissioner Amelia Galeri. She described the department as a self-funded consumer protection regulator overseeing two main areas: the Banking Trust Division, which supervises state-chartered banks, credit unions, and trust companies, and the Consumer Credit Division, which oversees more than 7,000 licensees including mortgage and money transmitter businesses. She said the department’s budget is about 86% salaries and benefits, with 53 positions all filled, and explained that the agency funds itself through fees, fines, and end-of-year assessments on regulated entities. Galeri said the department is facing workload growth from several directions: continued growth in the trust industry, increased fintech supervision, and a new requirement to regularly examine auto dealers that take finance applications, which adds about 300 exams over two fiscal years. She said the department was directed to flat-fund its budget based on 2025 levels but was allowed to increase travel and training. To stay within that limit, she said the department reduced office space, went paperless, converted administrative and licensing positions into examiner positions, and expects to defund an embedded DOJ database administrator position once a new SharePoint system is fully implemented. Members asked about how the department’s revenue and assessments work, including whether fees were increasing and how much existing banks would pay. Galeri said fees are not being raised, most banks pay little or no fines, and assessments are based largely on asset size, with trust companies paying the bulk. She also explained that fines are set by statute, generally capped at $2,500 per violation for consumer credit entities, and said she would not recommend increasing that cap. The committee then voted to accept the Banking Department’s budget proposal as presented in HQ1, with a motion and second and no discussion. The transcript then moved to the Department of Energy budget. Commissioner Jared Chakin and Chief of Operations Lenny Radio discussed federal program funding, including LIHEAP fuel assistance and weatherization. They said the apparent drop in fuel assistance funding from FY 2024 actuals to the budgeted amount is due to the loss of ARPA and CARES Act supplemental funds, while weatherization remains a federally constrained program with a waiting list and limited flexibility. Members also asked about a proposed transfer from the renewable energy fund; staff said the transfer would still allow the department to carry out its statutory duties for the year, though the committee deferred deeper discussion until House Bill 2.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a fee, not a tax. Okay, sorry.
• or fee it's a<03:41:31.279> fee<03:41:31.479> not<03:41:31.600> a<03:41:31.760><
• They're probably more familiar with the fee structure, but they all are assessed a fee if it's a state
• <04:04:07.560> the distinction between why the fee the distinction between why the fee the
• > is<04:04:10.000> is Shoreland uh Waterfront fee is is Shoreland uh Waterfront fee is

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first discussed scheduling and notice for upcoming executive sessions on a larger slate of bills, including plans to take up eight bills in the morning and possibly the last three bills in the afternoon, with caucus time provided if needed. The chair emphasized advance notice, publication, and flexibility if more bills are added later. The hearing then opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and proceeded to HB 568, a bill allowing local planning boards to request water supply studies for subdivisions to ensure water adequacy as housing density increases. Representative Kat McGee, the prime sponsor, said HB 568 was developed after constituent concerns about private wells being affected by nearby development. She described the bill as narrowly tailored, non-mandatory, and intended to preserve local control while clarifying that planning boards may request studies under local regulations. She noted bipartisan support, an exclusion for community water systems and larger groundwater withdrawals regulated elsewhere, and said the bill would help prevent water shortages and related problems for new and existing homes. Questions from members focused on whether the bill should specify that it applies to subdivisions of four or more lots, since that language had been in an earlier version. Testimony on HB 568 was mixed. Bob Quinn of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors opposed the bill, arguing it lacked a definition of “water supply study,” could lead to expensive hydrology studies, and might raise housing costs; he suggested more work with DES or a study committee. DES administrator Brandon Kernin said the department had worked from a 2010 groundwater commission report, that such problems arise only intermittently in certain areas, and that the bill would make explicit local authority to adopt such ordinances. He also said DES data and homeowner surveys can help identify problem areas and that more robust wells could be considered in the long term. The committee noted 10 online submissions in favor and 3 opposed, plus blue-sheet testimony of 2 in favor and 1 neutral, and then closed the hearing on HB 568. The committee immediately opened HB 582, a bill on safety requirements for operation of personal watercraft. Representative Darby, the sponsor, said the bill responds to the speed and maneuverability of modern personal watercraft, which he described as more like motorcycles on water than traditional boats, and cited a fatal accident on Lake Monomonac as an example of the risks. He said the bill is not intended to restrict ordinary recreation or wake surfing, but to update safety standards for a newer class of larger, quieter three-person PWCs. The hearing began with Darby’s presentation, and no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Given that SB 704 included specific language requiring DOJ to charge fees in order to cover the costs
• Many of the... ...should be supported by firearm fee revenues.
• increasing fee levels.
• However, because... ...support the workload, the state simply considers increasing fee levels.
• We do note that SB 704 allows DOJ to charge a fee.

Summary: The hearing focused on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) grant program under the Board of State and Community Corrections and related Department of Justice efforts. BSCC reported that it now administers 36 MMIP grants across three cohorts, with awards ranging from $436,000 to $1 million, plus five collaborative grants at $2 million each, totaling $35.4 million awarded to federally recognized tribes. Testimony from tribal leaders and grantees described how the funding supports prevention, family advocacy, domestic violence services, law enforcement coordination, youth programming, culturally grounded healing, and new tribal public safety positions such as investigators, social workers, and drone operators. Speakers repeatedly emphasized that the crisis is longstanding, tied to generational trauma, and that the grant has helped build trust and infrastructure in tribal communities. Several witnesses and committee members urged continued and preferably ongoing funding, noting that demand now exceeds available one-time money. BSCC and tribal representatives described outreach efforts that increased participation from four applicants in cohort one to 20 in cohort two and more applicants than funding in cohort three. Tribes also raised implementation concerns, especially the burden of quarterly narrative reporting, limited staff capacity, and the need for flexible administration. BSCC said it uses steering committees, separate small- and large-project categories, orientations, monitoring visits, and technical assistance to support grantees. Tribal leaders and advocates stressed that the program should remain accessible without requiring a waiver of tribal sovereignty. The second major topic was DOJ’s update on AB 3099, the Tribal Assistance Program, and the tribal police pilot under AB 134. DOJ officials said the Office of Native American Affairs and the Division of Law Enforcement have been conducting outreach, trainings, listening sessions, and coordination with tribal, local, state, and federal partners to address Public Law 280 jurisdictional issues, improve reporting and data, and support Feather Alert and MMIP-related resources. DOJ said the AB 3099 report is in internal review and that the tribal police pilot is moving forward with the Yurok Tribe as a participant, with a July 1, 2026 start date. DOJ and tribal witnesses said the pilot’s main barriers are cost and, for some tribes, the waiver of sovereign immunity. No votes were taken, and the hearing ended with broad support for expanding and sustaining MMIP-related funding and infrastructure.

Transcript Highlights:

• It costs us more to collect that fee than the fee is.
• It costs us more to collect that fee than the fee is.
• It costs us more to collect that fee than the fee is.
• eliminating that fee.
• It costs us more to collect that fee than the fee is.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 210; 21 January, 2026: 1:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks present its FY27 budget request and discuss accomplishments from prior appropriations. The commissioner highlighted improved conservation officer retention after salary increases, continued training and wellness efforts, upgrades to state parks and cabins, expansion of tiny homes, fisheries stocking and youth fishing programs, ongoing chronic wasting disease testing, and the Museum of Natural Science’s recent accreditation. The agency said it wants to maintain parks and facilities so they do not deteriorate again, and it emphasized tourism and public access benefits. Budget staff then outlined the request: $21.7 million in general funds, including increases for state parks, the museum, law enforcement, and chronic wasting disease; $23.2 million in state support capital and education funds; and $86.99 million in special funds authority. Major capital requests included $18.8 million for state parks projects at several parks, $1.25 million for law enforcement facilities, $2 million for Lake Lamar Bruce improvements, and $1.125 million for mobile teaching vans. Members asked for more detail on general fund increases, proof that law enforcement salary enhancements reached field agents, more information on the tiny home program and its return on investment, the source of motor vehicle funds, and a breakdown of requested pins and vacancies. The committee also questioned the agency about chronic wasting disease, with the department saying the $400,000 request supports testing and research and that live testing is not yet reliable. Members raised concerns about prioritization of lake and park maintenance, especially Lake Claude Bennett, and whether the agency is too reactive rather than proactive in addressing deteriorating facilities. The department said funding limitations and federal restrictions on certain lake dollars drive its priorities, and that it focuses on the most-used parks and lakes. No votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I moved into my home about five years ago, bought the home as is, and then I got a fee from the City
• With that, respectfully asking... ...collect their fees as requested.
• Curio, I talk. collect their fees as requested. With that, respectfully asking for an aye vote.
• Using the framework for development impact fee disclosure and transparency developed in AB 1820, Chiu
• , that was... ...development impact fee disclosure and transparency developed in AB 1820, Chiu, that

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Where we're not paying a facility fee, so we're trying some things like that.
• We used to have a health insurer fee that we had to pay. That has gone away.
• on top of a physician's fee.
• And how much is the fee do I have to pay the broker?
• fee, so that uninsured folks are able to get their medicines.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On line 131, the all-payers claims database fee schedule.
• And the revenue to increase the fee revenue to increase in tandem to match on line 131 the HMO fee appropriation
• The recommendation was to codify the language about newborn screening fee exception.
• The recommendation was to codify the language about newborn screening fee exception.
• The recommendation was to codify the language about newborn screening fee exception.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 4466, the sub health supplemental budget bill, and moved it to the Ways and Means Committee after a walkthrough of the fiscal spreadsheet and the DE1 amendment. Nonpartisan staff explained that the bill produces general fund savings of about $2.4 million in FY27 for the 2026-27 biennium and about $97.7 million in the next biennium, with most savings tied to HR1-related Medical Assistance changes affecting adults without children. The Department of Health provisions were described as largely cost-neutral, with some increases for implementation, data, and IT work. Staff then reviewed the DE1, which combines several bills into four articles. The bill includes health licensing board changes, Department of Health provisions such as all-payer claims database fees, newborn screening fee exceptions, loan forgiveness and scholarship program extensions, workforce shortage grant changes, and reciprocal licensure and mortuary science provisions. The federal conformity article makes changes related to MA work and community engagement requirements, six-month renewals, retroactive eligibility limits, contact information updates, cost sharing for MA expansion enrollees, and related provider tax and disability-notice provisions. Article 4 and Article 5 were described as forecast adjustments for DHS and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Public testimony focused largely on the federal conformity and eligibility provisions. Legal aid testified that the work requirements and retroactive eligibility changes would be confusing, could expand requirements beyond intended groups, and would increase uncompensated care. The Minnesota Hospital Association said shortening retroactive eligibility would increase uncompensated care and strain hospital finances, and Unidos Minnesota criticized the immigrant eligibility changes as harmful to lawfully present immigrants and Native communities. Blood Cancer United supported the all-payer claims database provisions and urged attention to fertility coverage. Representative Elkins offered an amendment to add $55,000 for the Department of Health to include denied-claims data in the all-payer claims database; Department of Health staff said the idea was useful and provided a one-time setup cost, but the amendment was not acted on in the portion of the transcript provided.