Transcript Highlights:

• Fair market value cannot be reduced based on the effects of the eminent domain project.
• If any part of the remaining property benefits from the project, those benefits may only be deducted
• That would also include county projects that are managed by the Serb project, which is an ODOT-operated
• project, but it's county funding, so they're the ones that handle all that.
• deals, projects that's already in place, roads and highways there.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is an additional $8.4 million for other cultural and historic projects that were also submitted
• I guess I want to start with Ted, Senator DeSigley. for projects relating to Everglades restoration,
• What is the projection of this year after year?
• . ...is going forward into the future for future loss projections.
• We have $50 million for dorms and $48 million for Orbis and a couple of other IT projects.

Summary: The Senate took up the 2026-2027 budget package, beginning with an overview of the $115 billion General Appropriations Bill (SB 2500/HB 500). Appropriations Chair Hooper said the budget is smaller than last year’s, maintains strong reserves, and includes a 3% pay raise for all state employees and 5% raises for state law enforcement, firefighters, correctional officers, and park rangers. Committee chairs then highlighted major spending in their areas, including $34.9 billion for Pre-K-12 education, $11.9 billion for higher education, a $2.1 billion-plus increase in health and human services, $7.9 billion for criminal and civil justice, $16.8 billion for transportation/tourism/economic development, and major environmental and regulatory investments such as Everglades restoration, water quality, and land acquisition. Members asked detailed questions about several items. Topics included the Emergency Management Trust Fund, arts and cultural grants, Florida Forever land acquisition versus conservation easements, teacher salaries and charter school funding, New College funding, ADAP/HIV drug assistance, Medicaid rate reductions for non-critical access hospitals, DOC operational deficits and inmate health/food costs, judicial staffing, and school enrollment supplements. Chairs explained that some reductions reflected shifts in how scholarship and categorical funds are tracked, that the ADAP appropriation would take effect immediately upon enactment but would only cover part of the year, and that hospital reductions were tied to a broader DPP funding increase. Questions also covered lottery staffing, concealed carry licensing workload, and whether vacant positions were being eliminated as part of budget right-sizing. After the budget discussion, the Senate substituted House bills for the Senate budget bills and adopted amendments placing the Senate language onto the House vehicles. The chamber then passed HB 500, HB 503, and HB 5201, and agreed to conference on each. It also passed SB 7028/HB 5205 on retirement, SB 2506 on fuel taxes, SB 2508 on the state agency law enforcement radio system, SB 2510/HB 5401 on court trust funds, SB 2512 on judgeships, SB 2514 on K-12 education, SB 2516 on higher education, and SB 2518 on health, with each bill passing by unanimous or near-unanimous votes and then being sent to conference or requested of the House for concurrence.

Transcript Highlights:

• We commissioned the first utility-scale solar project in the state in Chasaw County in Okalona, and since
• the industry standard practices is that we, as a standard practice, own our land underneath our projects
• And even rarer, but equally important, we’ve never sold a project.
• I mean uh wind projects right now that<00:24:06.960> are that are that are that<00:24:08.960>
• <00:25:56.640> is applicant and an eligible project is applicant and an eligible project is

Keywords: Energy - Room 210, 2 February, 2026; 4:15 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee took up several energy, utility, and infrastructure bills. Bill 2527 on solar decommissioning was presented as a landowner consumer-protection measure that would set statewide baseline requirements for solar lease agreements, preserve some freedom of contract, preempt duplicative local rules, and protect landowners from reclamation costs; after no questions, it was moved and passed. The committee also discussed changes to the Gulf Coast Regional Utility Act in HB 2058 and HB 2309, including new first-right-of-refusal language, prohibitions on unauthorized service, civil penalties and enforcement tools, and legislative intent language aimed at preventing duplication and protecting public investment; both were adopted as committee substitutes and passed. HB 2018 was amended to extend similar oversight to water systems, and it was reported after questions about the scope of the change. Several bills focused on water and wastewater oversight. SB 2311 and SB 2312 would create statewide A-to-F grading systems for drinking water and wastewater systems, require annual public reporting, and direct the health and environmental agencies to adopt objective scoring rules; both were passed. SB 2526 would create a Mississippi Rural Water Oversight Committee, require rate studies, capacity studies, and asset management plans for water associations, and provide staffing and funding support from existing revolving-fund resources; it was adopted as a committee substitute and reported, with supporters saying it would help identify and assist troubled associations. The committee also heard a bill creating the Metro Jackson Water Authority, allowing a lease of city system assets, special revenue bonds to refinance legacy debt, and supplemental revenue sources such as sanitation fees and possibly sales tax revenues; the sponsor said no general fund money would be used, and the bill was reported. The committee also advanced HB 2641, which was stripped down to a study committee on wind turbine facilities, grandfathered existing projects, and imposed a moratorium on new construction until the study is completed; members asked about existing projects and were told current projects under construction would not be penalized, and the committee substitute passed. SB 2783 would make targeted definition changes to BEAD-related broadband grant programs so remaining federal funds could support other state initiatives, including AI workforce training, and it was reported after questions about future federal guidance. Finally, HB 2787 would add propane to the school gas-leak testing statute; the sponsor said the inspections would not require additional state funding because propane dealers and the State Fire Marshal’s office already handle the checks, and the bill passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need about $200,000 more to finish the project.
• Our projects for 2026 obviously include training.
• Projects for 2027: Complete the historical records digitization project.
• Projects: The majority of the fiscal year 26 projects from the previous slider are expected to be ongoing
• But that is the proposed cost of the project: $49 million.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I think as we look over time, we can project some trends there in those trust funds.
• So here's our annual quantity of tires removed and future projections.
• They build large commercial and defense projects, or pieces for aerospace projects.
• Okay, so the Florida project that's being built.
• Okay, so the Florida project that's being built.

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources heard a series of presentations focused on coral reef restoration, artificial reefs, biosolids management, and a proposed biosolids processing facility. Mote Marine Laboratory described the severe decline of Florida’s coral reefs, its restoration methods using microfragmentation, genetic banking, selective breeding, nurseries, and outplanting, and asked for a long-term state commitment to help restore reef areas. The Keys Marine Laboratory and Florida Institute of Oceanography highlighted their role as a hub for coral rescue, holding, propagation, and research, including emergency response during the 2023 bleaching event. The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission discussed the scale of reef loss, the state’s coral rescue and propagation efforts, and the economic and habitat value of artificial reefs, while noting permitting delays and material-selection concerns for reef projects. The committee then received a DEP update on the Osborne Reef tire cleanup. DEP explained that the original tire reef was a failure, that nearly 500,000 tires had been removed by 2024, and that the current effort is funded at $5 million for the fiscal year, with cleanup now shifting from large tire clusters to more difficult individual tires and coral relocation. Members asked about the future of the site after cleanup; DEP said that phase two decisions, such as whether to restore or monitor the area, have not yet been made. DEP also presented on biosolids rules, explaining that the 2021 rule tightened nutrient management, groundwater, and surface water protections, reduced the number of active land-application sites, and contributed to a shift away from Class B land application toward Class AA, landfill, or out-of-state disposal. Senators raised concerns about PFAS, nutrient loading, and the loss of disposal options, and a public speaker warned of a statewide septage disposal crisis. Finally, Sedron Technologies presented its VARCOR system and a planned Indiantown facility that would process dewatered biosolids into clean water, ammonia, and a dry Class AA product or fuel, with the company saying the process can destroy PFAS and help relieve regional disposal pressure. Senators expressed support for the technology as a potential solution to Florida’s biosolids challenges. No formal votes were taken on the presentations themselves, and the only action at the end of the meeting was adjournment after Senator Polsky moved to do so.

Transcript Highlights:

• Who continues to support the capital projects for our buildings?
• and the Church Rock Crown Point In-Situ Recovery Project.
• This project is for exploration.
• This is an in-situ recovery project.
• The fifth and last project on slide 13 is the Church Rock Crown Point in-situ recovery project.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are complex projects that have to work as Mr.
• These are complex projects that have to work as Mr.
• These are complex projects that have to work as Mr.
• These are complex projects that have to work as Mr.
• These are complex projects that have to work as Mr.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee met on February 6, 2025, for an update on emergency medical services (EMS) policy and implementation. Senator Seberger described the work of the EMS Task Force, which traveled statewide to hear concerns from providers about staffing, reimbursement, and retention. She said the task force led to the Sprint Medic model and two innovation zones in Otter Tail and St. Louis counties, and she urged continued monitoring and possible reconstitution of the task force to evaluate what is working and what could be expanded statewide. She also said future EMS work should continue to explore alternative response models and telemedicine, but that the most immediate need is additional funding, especially to address unpaid non-transport calls. Dylan Ferguson, director of the newly formed Minnesota Office of Emergency Medical Services, gave a detailed update on the office’s structure and priorities after the transition from the Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board. He described the office’s three divisions, the appointment of deputy directors, the first meetings of the advisory councils, and work on a statewide EMS strategic plan. He also reviewed the $24 million emergency ambulance aid program, explaining its 40-40-20 formula, the emphasis on rural services, the reporting and spending deadlines, and the positive response from ambulance providers. He noted that the $6 million Sprint paramedic grant program is underway, with Otter Tail County moving forward and St. Louis County still finalizing its application. Ferguson also outlined the office’s budget request for modest staffing and contract-cost increases, two rulemaking efforts to update outdated ambulance vehicle standards and expand medication options for basic life support services, and ongoing data collection on workforce needs, violence against EMS providers, and ambulance crashes. He highlighted the paramedic scholarship program administered by the Office of Higher Education, saying nearly 300 scholarships have been awarded. Members and Senator Seberger praised the EMS reforms and emphasized that non-transport calls create significant unreimbursed costs, especially for rural and volunteer services, but no votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• This outdated limit restricts the state's ability to contract with small businesses on larger projects
• We're limiting access to opportunities that better reflect today's market costs and project needs for
• And we also know that some of those projects are underway.
• Folks are now in the pool for multiple projects. So when we're ...that it's not one project.
• Folks are now in the pool for multiple projects.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Their project aims to provide their services to more than 5,000 patients in the state.
• Each of these institutions is leading a unique and impactful project.
• There were also projects that focused on early detection and monitoring, and 20-plus projects... ...detection
• There are some basic research projects, and I can provide you with a list of all of the projects that
• We gave them two grants for two different projects.

Summary: The committee first received an update from the Department of Health on the Cancer Connect Collaborative, the Cancer Innovation Fund, and the new Cancer Connect Collaborative Research Incubator, created and expanded by recent legislation. The department reported that the Cancer Innovation Fund has awarded $80 million to 95 researchers to date, with $60 million available in the current cycle and 65 projects funded across 28 institutions in 16 cancer areas last year. The new pediatric cancer incubator received $30 million and awarded four Florida children’s hospitals $7.5 million each. Senators asked about outreach to oncologists statewide, peer review and accountability, funding for National Cancer Institute-affiliated institutions, and whether underserved and rural areas are being prioritized; the department said it uses website notices, listservs, collaborative outreach, and eligibility criteria favoring rural and high-cancer-care providers, and that it monitors projects through reports, expenditures, and contract provisions. The committee then heard Senate Bill 312 on patient-directed medical orders, which would create a voluntary, portable, physician-authorized electronic registry for patients to document end-of-life and serious-illness treatment preferences. Supporters, including nurses, hospice and emergency care advocates, and medical professionals, said the bill would help ensure patient wishes are accessible in emergencies, reduce unwanted interventions, and improve continuity of care. Opponents, including Florida Right to Life, argued the bill could broaden end-of-life decisions too far, raise privacy and coercion concerns, and allow withdrawal of care inappropriately. The sponsor said the measure is intended to support patient autonomy and is not anti-life, and noted she was open to amendments. After public testimony, the committee voted on SB 312 and reported it favorably. The roll call showed support from Senators Berman and Harrell, with the bill passing on the committee vote. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• follow the costs and assess the particulars of a particular project.
• was prudent or not in implementing the plans and projects.
• Have you ever been to Broward County to visit any projects or Miami-Dade County?
• I have been in those counties as far specifically to do a site visit on projects. No, sir.
• But certainly there's priorities of projects is a somewhat fluid process as things change.

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met with a quorum and considered four bills, all of which were reported favorably. SB 288 on rural electric cooperatives was presented as a negotiated “glitch bill” to narrow statutory language so co-ops can choose generation and power purchases based on cost and reliability without exposure to lawsuits aimed at banning fuel sources; it was supported by the Florida Electric Cooperatives Association and passed without debate. SB 364 on public accountancy was described as a modernization and licensure-efficiency bill to increase the supply of CPAs; an amendment correcting a drafting error and restoring automatic mobility language was adopted without objection, and the bill as amended was reported favorably. A public comment on the bill was briefly redirected after it appeared to address a different subject. The committee then took up SB 200 on utilities, which addresses solar decommissioning and storm protection plans. Chair Bradley said the bill would authorize counties to require decommissioning plans for utility-scale solar facilities at the end of their useful life, direct DEP to develop best management practices, and require the Public Service Commission to consider whether storm protection plan costs are reasonable relative to expected customer benefits. County and consumer groups spoke in support, and the Small County Coalition said the bill was a needed step that did not restrict solar development; the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered SB 126 on the Florida Public Service Commission, which was presented as a reform and “glitch” bill and amended to add CPA and financial analyst expertise, require stronger PSC order explanations, tighten intervention requirements, cap returns on equity at the national average for comparable utilities, set periodic ROE review schedules, and require affordability to be considered in rate-related proceedings. The PSC staff deputy executive director answered extensive questions about storm hardening, cost recovery, risk, and affordability. Several members and public speakers supported the bill’s goals but raised concerns about the affordability standard, the ROE cap, and comparisons to other states; others said the bill would improve transparency and accountability. The amendment was adopted, and CS for SB 126 was reported favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I currently work on the Balsams project. I serve as vice president of project development.
• I currently work on the Balsams project. I serve as vice president of project development.
• I currently work on the Balsams project. I serve as vice president of project development.
• I currently work on the Balsams project. I serve as vice president of project development.
• I currently work on the Balsams project. I serve as vice president of project development.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met on April 14 and began by welcoming a new member, Representative Samban Denier, who briefly described his background as a Clarkson University environmental engineering graduate and Air Force veteran. The committee then moved into a work session on five energy-related bills, starting with Senate Bill 65 on stormwater management for solar arrays. Representative McGee presented amendment 1594H, which would exclude projects in shoreland areas from the bill’s permit-by-notification process and require the standard alteration-of-terrain permit review instead. Members asked for clarification, and McGee explained the amendment was requested by the New Hampshire Lakes Association and others to preserve the fuller review process for shoreland projects. The committee appeared satisfied with the explanation and moved on. The committee next discussed Senate Bill 230 on electric utility restructuring and investment in distributed energy resources. Members concluded that section one was unnecessary because a better definition of advanced nuclear resources had already been added to House Bill 710, and that section two would allow investment in advanced nuclear resources in a way they had already rejected in another bill due to ratepayer risk. Several members agreed the bill was redundant and supported an ITL motion. They also discussed Senate Bill 232 on net metering terms and conditions, focusing first on whether hydroelectric generators could be listed in ISO New England while also taking net metering credits. Granite State Hydropower Association representative Heidi Kroll testified that generators are subject to checks and balances, that double-dipping is not occurring, and that rules and tariffs already require participation in one market arrangement or the other. Discussion on Senate Bill 232 then shifted to section two, which would bar retroactive changes to net metering tariffs in place as of January 1, 2025. Representative McGee proposed alternative language to protect existing customer generators, group hosts, and municipal hosts from retroactive changes, while others said the language was needed to provide stability for current participants operating on thin margins. Some members supported the clearer wording; others argued the committee should not tie the hands of the PUC and DOE, noting future circumstances could require regulatory flexibility and that conflicts could be resolved in court if necessary. The committee did not take a final vote in the portion of the meeting provided, and the discussion was still ongoing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• clean energy projects. clean energy projects.
• Projects.
• project. That was back in 2024. project. That was back in 2024.
• informed that a project is happening. informed that a project is happening.
• That's the impact of these projects. up. That's the impact of these projects.

Keywords: House streaming session for Tuesday, March 17, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a quorum call showing 116 members present, and approval of the previous day’s journal. It then took up three ceremonial resolutions. One honored Robert Buchanan for his philanthropy, community leadership, and service in the greater Washington region; another welcomed a visiting delegation from County Tipperary, Ireland, and recognized efforts to strengthen Maryland-Ireland ties; and a third congratulated Dr. Miriam Rogers on her retirement as superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools and her 2026 Woman in School Leadership Award. The chamber then moved through a series of committee reports, largely adopting favorable reports on bills without objection and ordering them to third reading. Measures included House Bills 435, 954, 1087, 1470, 936, 1110, 1554, 187, 324, 688, 776, 1152, 1320, and 1348, covering topics such as movie captioning in public accommodations, procurement and finance, health care facilities, school food procurement, tax foreclosure notice requirements, agricultural electricity tax study, expungement, child support rights, intercepted communications penalties, juvenile supervision, police orders studies, victim notification, and human trafficking reporting. Several bills were amended before being advanced, including House Bill 768 on benefits for children in custody, which added a foster youth savings program; House Bill 877 on institutional debt reporting, which changed reporting dates and required a data dictionary; House Bill 1092 on child advocacy centers, which clarified continuity-of-care standards and technical assistance grants; House Bill 310 on restrictive housing for people with developmental or intellectual disabilities, which required assessment at admission; House Bill 634 on police training, which added training on intellectual and developmental disabilities; House Bill 750 on access to religious facilities; House Bill 752 on gift card valuation and forgery; House Bill 1005 on child abuse and neglect reporting; and House Bill 1105 on consumer protection limitations, which was amended to apply only to civil suits. House Bill 1105 drew additional discussion, with the minority leader asking for a special order to review the changes, and the House agreed to postpone it until the appropriate time the next day. Later, House Bill 953, which would authorize transfers from the Revenue Stabilization Account to the State Disaster Recovery Fund, prompted extended questioning about Western Maryland flooding, FEMA denials, and the state’s response; the bill was presented as a way to provide relief after federal aid was denied. The transcript ends with the House still in session and continuing through the appropriations report.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have to project based on there.
• <00:18:56.720> that timing of when the actuary projects that timing of when the actuary projects
• It's projected to be fully fully funded.
• our actuary provides 30-year projections our actuary provides 30-year projections on<00:25:09.440
• We are approaching that projecting that.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Personnel, Public Retirement, and Finance heard testimony from Bo Barnes, deputy executive secretary and general counsel for the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS), on the TRS budget request for the upcoming biennium and how it compares with House Bill 500 as introduced. Barnes emphasized that the bill fully funds the system’s additional funding request to pay down TRS’s legacy unfunded pension liability, which he described as critical to the system’s long-term funding plan. He also explained that the pension and health insurance requests are broken into several line items, including legacy benefit items, state shared-responsibility payments for retiree health insurance, and reconciliation items that adjust for prior over- or underpayments. Barnes said the state portion of shared responsibility for retiree health insurance was funded below the request in House Bill 500, but he described the health insurance trust as a success story under the post-2010 shared-responsibility model. He said the trust is projected to be fully funded in about two years if medical inflation and federal subsidies remain stable, and he noted that any shortfall in the current budget would be reconciled later and could reduce investment income. In response to questions, he explained that the legacy benefit items are treated as part of the total actuarially determined employer contribution and that unpaid legacy benefits would have the same impact on the retirement trust as unpaid ADC amounts. Barnes also addressed questions about whether the $47.2 million SEEK-related teacher contribution reconciliation could be split between fiscal years, saying it could be done but would reduce investment income and potentially increase future contribution needs. He said the pension fund is currently about 61% funded and that TRS has received full funding for the pension for 10 straight years, with the state having provided full additional funding and more in recent budgets. He concluded by asking the committee to consider TRS’s original budget request, warning that underfunding now would be reflected in future actuarial calculations and could cost the Commonwealth more over time.

Transcript Highlights:

• costs that you incur when you do a project.
• And in my former life, I used to do estimates for big projects and calculate costs.
• Projects that we've put in the interconnection queue.
• They also need long-term support for cybersecurity projects in schools.
• All right, very important project.

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• How much money are they going to make on this project? Mr.
• So those will be forthcoming as the projects start to be developed. So, Mr.
• President, and Senator, that the cost, the labor costs for these projects...
• projects by some 15% or more over what they would cost.
• President, will these infrastructure projects be located On base?

Transcript Highlights:

• Will create a Third Circuit area pilot project for a Third Circuit Kona division area pilot project for
• Will create a Third Circuit area pilot project for a Third Circuit Kona division area pilot project for
• area pilot project area pilot project for<00:54:19.839> sorry<00:54:20.160> a<00:54
• that are associated with the women's court pilot project in Kona.
• that are associated with the women's court pilot project in Kona.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on HB 400, the Judiciary’s biennium budget, and HB 727, a proposal to create a women’s court pilot program. On HB 400, Judiciary officials said the request includes operating funds of about $6.17 million in FY 2026 and $6.25 million in FY 2027, 17 permanent positions and one temporary position, plus $11.9 million for capital improvements. Testifiers from the legal services community, including the Legal Clinic, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, and the Hawaii State Bar Association, supported the budget and emphasized the need for civil legal services and immigration-related legal help. Judge Kim also highlighted Big Island needs, including courthouse design funding and an additional district court judge. HB 727 drew extensive testimony in support from Judiciary officials, treatment court staff, legal and behavioral health organizations, prosecutors, and individuals with lived experience in drug court. Supporters said women in the justice system often face trauma, abuse, addiction, and mental health challenges that are not adequately addressed in existing programs, and argued that a women’s court could improve rehabilitation and reduce recidivism. Judiciary witnesses explained that the proposed program would be a specialty court within the drug court framework, initially focused on the Kona division of the Third Circuit, with possible future expansion to Hilo. A probation officer and a former drug court participant described the benefits of treatment court and the need for women-specific services, including spiritual counseling options. After testimony, the committee recessed briefly for lack of quorum and later returned to vote. HB 400 was passed with amendments, including added amounts in the committee report for civil legal services and immigration-related legal services, and a revised defective date. HB 727 was also passed with amendments, including changes to the purpose section to make the First Circuit women’s court permanent, create a three-year Third Circuit Kona women’s court pilot, and remove the broader expansion language for the time being. The committee adopted both measures by vote, with Senator Chang excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• work on mitigation projects. work on mitigation projects.
• because there's so many projects because there's so many projects statewide<00:34:47.040> that
• And that's really discriminate about what projects we do. discriminate about what projects we do.
• projects. However, there is 19,000. projects. However, there is 19,000.
• So to keep that project to put it.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee took up Senate Bill 3019, which would cap ticket resale prices at face value for events in Hawaii and authorize DCCA to enforce violations. DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection opposed the bill and said it preferred a ticket transparency approach focused on upfront disclosure of fees, while supporters argued the measure would curb scalping, bots, and extreme markups. Testimony from the National Independent Venue Association and a concert promoter emphasized that resale does not add inventory and said the bill would protect consumers; committee members questioned DCCA about enforcement and cited examples of very high resale prices for local concerts. No vote was taken in the excerpt, and the chair said the measure would be moved along for further consideration. The committee then heard Senate Bill 3311, which would create the Strengthen Hawaii Homes Program within DLNR to fund fire-mitigation grants for residential property owners. DLNR supported the bill, saying the need is immediate and that the program is modeled on successful mainland efforts, though the department said it ultimately belongs under the State Fire Marshal once that office has capacity. DCCA’s Insurance Division submitted written comments only. The measure was received without further action in the excerpt. Senate Bill 2979, authorizing DLNR and community-based organizations to enter community co-management agreements for state lands, drew broad support from OHA, community groups, and several individuals, who said the bill would formalize partnerships, strengthen shared responsibility, and help community stewardship efforts. Testifiers clarified that the bill does not require 65-year agreements and said the term should be left to DLNR’s discretion. The committee then moved on without questions or a vote shown in the excerpt. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2351 on the state park special fund, which would allow DLNR to use fund monies for environmental protection programs. DLNR’s state parks administrator opposed the bill, saying the special fund is already fully committed to urgent maintenance and infrastructure needs across an aging park system, and warned that diverting money would weaken the fund’s ability to support parks. The Tax Foundation also submitted written testimony, and a community witness opposed the measure for similar reasons. The excerpt ends as the committee begins Senate Bill 2918, which would require HCDA to establish a community action center in Chinatown; HCDA’s executive director expressed concern about jurisdiction and said the city and county should continue leading that work.

Transcript Highlights:

• or do you want project?
• <01:01:49.119> right part of its project right part of its project right size.<01:01:51.280
• <01:16:30.400> or family housing, little projects or family housing, little projects or little
• are really important and make projects are really important and make projects better.<01:16:56.320
• just could not uh get those projects just could not uh get those projects done.<01:40:07.760>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But we do not provide in that agreement support for project management.
• And then for projects that meet designated thresholds... ...projects that meet designated thresholds,
• And with EIS's role of overseeing agencies' projects, including their project planning... ...EIS's role
• of overseeing agencies' projects, including their project planning and project management, we do anticipate
• When currently planned projects are completed, there will be 142 data centers in Oregon.

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The committee held a series of informational briefings on information management and technology issues. It first heard from ACLU representatives on data privacy, who argued that Oregon should strengthen protections against private data brokers, government purchases of personal data, reverse warrants, automatic license plate readers, and local police surveillance. They urged data minimization, limits on data sales and retention, and broader transparency and accountability measures. Members asked about practical uses of license plate readers, state sales of data, and how Oregon’s approach compares with other states; the presenters said similar proposals have been adopted elsewhere, including data minimization in Maryland and a state version of the Fourth Amendment Is Not for Sale Act in Montana. The committee then received a detailed update from the Department of Administrative Services and Enterprise Information Services on licensing system modernization for 14 boards and commissions with the most immediate need. DAS said it is seeking a shared procurement approach through an RFP that would create either one scalable system or two tiers of systems, depending on agency needs and security requirements, with contracts expected by September. Committee members emphasized the need for a more unified, user-friendly statewide login and service experience for businesses and residents, and raised concerns about small agencies “figuring it out on their own” without sufficient cybersecurity or technical expertise. EIS said it is overseeing the investment review, security and architecture review, and future implementation planning, and noted that multiple agency requests may still come back to the legislature in the next session. The committee also discussed a revised cybersecurity incident notification concept. Staff explained that the earlier bill had raised stakeholder concerns, so the co-chairs directed further interim work with the Oregon Cybersecurity Advisory Council and other local government and K-12 stakeholders. The goal is a narrower, voluntary “911-style” notification process that would let public bodies alert peers and potentially receive assistance after cyber incidents; a temporary voluntary process is being tested now, with a work group developing language for possible 2027 consideration. Finally, the committee heard updates from the new state chief data officer on data governance, data sharing, geospatial work, and the state transparency website, followed by a briefing on data centers from NCSL and the Technology Association of Oregon. The data officer described efforts to expand data inventories, data governance plans, data literacy, and interagency sharing, along with statewide aerial imagery, geospatial standards, and the open data portal. The data center discussion focused on national and state trends, including rapid growth in data centers, rising electricity and water demand, and legislative responses such as new rate classes, reporting requirements, and cost-allocation rules to protect ratepayers. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• shorter period of time on the front end, versus waiting a year to see if the taxes meet the revenue projections
• And it also sets a motion for the 2023 and 2024 project bills.
• And they all require DFA to submit a report on the status of the project to the LBO by October 1st and
• that for the 23 and 24 uh project bills. that for the 23 and 24 uh project bills. the<00:03:27.280
• the I do have a list of the projects the I do have a list of the projects that<00:03:29.519>

Keywords: Finance - Room 216, 2 February, 2026; 3:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first heard a bill concerning tax increment financing (TIFs). The sponsor explained that the measure would not change the existing financing structure, but would add an optional arrangement cities could negotiate with developers: a revenue bond guaranteed by taxes generated from the development. The goal was to let developers guarantee the bond and access funds sooner on the front end of a project rather than waiting to see whether tax revenues meet projections. After no questions, the committee adopted a motion that the title was sufficient and reported the bill out do pass as a committee substitute. The next bill, Senate Bill 2873, came from the Department of Revenue and dealt with enforcement of the state’s vape registry law. The sponsor said the bill fills a gap left by prior legislation by creating a statutory forfeiture process for seized products valued at $20,000 or less, including notice, a right to contest, and rules for disposition of forfeited property. The committee then moved the bill title sufficient and do pass, and it was reported out. Senate Bill 2894 addressed local improvement projects funded in 2021 through 2024 that had not been executed or had unspent money remaining. The bill would require return of certain funds after a memorandum of understanding was not signed or after three years with unspent balances, require remittance of unspent interest, allow withholding of some city diversion or state aid road funds for noncompliance, and require periodic status reports to the Legislative Budget Office. The sponsor also offered an amendment giving entities 60 days from the bill’s effective date to request a one-time six-month extension; the amendment and the bill both received favorable votes and were reported out. Senate Bill 2910 would require employers in the PERS system to settle the books if a unit of government or other employer terminates participation. Senate Bill 2911 proposed a new return-to-work option for PERS retirees, shortening the separation period from 90 days to 30 days and allowing certain retirees to return to public employment at up to 80% of the stated salary, with employer-paid retirement contributions and possible health insurance support. The sponsor said the bill would exclude elected officials, K-12 superintendents, and IHL/community college administrators, and he discussed the bill’s expected effect on PERS funding with questions from members about actuarial impact and whether the proposal would affect existing retirement rules. Both bills were discussed but the transcript excerpt does not show final committee action on Senate Bill 2911.