Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Finance and Tax will now come to order. Stephanie, please call the roll.
• So we're doing estimates for new construction.
• Baker, the way you're walking us through this analytical construct that you use.
• Now I know that you actually run through a construct like this.
• And this might actually be within the chairman of appropriations' realm as it ties into finance... ..

Summary: The Senate Committee on Finance and Tax met to hear a presentation from Amy Baker on the state’s ad valorem property tax forecast and how the revenue estimating conference handles property-tax-related impact analyses. Baker explained that the conference process requires unanimous consensus, that the revenue estimating conference produces the state’s official forecast, and that her office recently overhauled the ad valorem model to use a bottom-up, county-by-county approach with separate modeling for county and school rolls, confidential parcels, and detailed categories such as homestead, non-homestead, residential, non-residential, and agricultural property. Baker walked through the current baseline numbers and the main components of taxable value, emphasizing the role of homestead differentials, especially Save Our Homes and portability, and homestead exemptions. She noted that differentials remove a large share of homestead value statewide, with especially large effects in South Florida and along the east coast, while exemptions are concentrated more heavily in northern and fiscally constrained counties. She also explained that many parcels have little or no remaining taxable value, while a smaller number of parcels hold a large share of taxable value, which makes exemption proposals highly uneven in their effects. The committee discussed how impact conferences evaluate proposed constitutional amendments or bills by measuring the change from the baseline forecast, converting taxable-value changes into tax-dollar losses using county millage rates, and then expressing results in cash and recurring terms. Baker stressed that impact analyses do not address broader budgetary effects or local government replacement decisions, and that each proposal is analyzed as a standalone measure rather than in combination with others. Senators asked about seven House property-tax proposals already analyzed, the availability of those reports online, possible interactions if multiple proposals passed, and whether property-tax relief could stimulate the economy enough to offset revenue losses. Baker said the economic effects would be highly proposal- and county-specific and that any budgetary analysis would require separate work beyond the conference process. The committee took no substantive action beyond receiving the presentation and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is something that I did when I was on the Secretary of Defense staff with the military construction
• In constructed wetlands as an after use of these gravel mines.
• Students are your tactical customer that receive the commodity called an education, but the financing
• Students are your tactical customer that receive the commodity called an education, but the financing
• And you're aware of the, I mean, you have to have finances for the school without the PUF, and so you

Summary: The Senate Committee on Nominations met to consider several gubernatorial nominees and first approved a slate of nominees left pending from the March 31 agenda. The committee voted 5-0 to favorably report those nominees to the full Senate for confirmation. Public testimony was then opened and later closed, with some listed witnesses not appearing. The committee heard testimony on Jerry K. Weldon II for the Brazos River Authority Board of Directors. Senators focused on stewardship of the Brazos River, the authority’s relationship to the legislature and the public, Sunset review, water quality and nutrient runoff, impaired waterways, and possible uses of constructed wetlands for aggregate mine reclamation. Weldon emphasized collaboration, transparency, and keeping the citizens of Texas as the authority’s primary customer. Commissioner Robert Vaughn was considered for reappointment to the Texas Transportation Commission. Discussion centered on TxDOT’s management, rural funding, population growth, project delivery, and the commissioner’s role on the audit committee. Doug McCreakin was considered for the Texas Tech University Board of Regents, with questions about legislative priorities, compliance with DEI-related state law, workforce development, rural medical education, and university partnerships. Jody Giles was considered for reappointment to the University of Texas Board of Regents, and Bernadette Carrasco Coleman for reappointment to the Texas Woman’s University Board of Regents; both discussed higher education priorities, PUF funding, compliance with state law, and student support programs. John Rutherford was considered for reappointment to the Teachers Retirement System Board of Trustees, with questions about fiduciary oversight, investment understanding, and keeping the retirement system solvent. Brigadier General Michael Boyd was also considered for appointment to the Texas Military Preparedness Commission, where discussion focused on military retention, child care, spouse licensing, base infrastructure, and grant funding for Texas installations. The committee did not take final votes on these later nominees during the hearing and left them pending subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• fund for the design and construction of noise barrier projects.
• fund for the design and construction of noise barrier projects.
• I can speak to the financing portion of it. I hear you.
• left I can speak to the financing left I can speak to the financing portion<01:39:22.119> of<
• uh that are spent and construction uh that are spent and construction activities<01:41:26.760>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Construction and design build 20 million dollars or greater.
• And so what you're seeing here is construction.
• So 20 projects deliver to construction over 4 years.
• So we'll be over halfway through in delivering to construction.
• And so some of those are already underway in being constructed.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Provided that this subdivision shall not limit or restrict the abatement of construction related taxes
• <00:08:09.440> related the abatement of construction related the abatement of construction
• So, finance and I've noticed energy infrastructure.
• > energy finance and I've noticed energy finance and I've noticed energy infrastructure.<00:23
• agricultural and finance. agricultural and finance.

Bills: HB403, HB399, HB392

Keywords: criminal enterprise, database, law enforcement, data privacy, criminal justice, Lamar County, property auction, county commission, online auction, public notice, HB392, Lauderdale County, Eleventh Judicial Circuit, district attorney, chief assistant district attorney, assistant district attorney, assistant district attorneys, prosecutor, prosecutorial compensation, salary supplement

Transcript Highlights:

• The homeowner is ultimately forced to finance that cost of infrastructure, and I think when we look at
• impact fees, we need to be careful about that due to those financing costs, which ultimately also go
• And I think when we look at impact fees, we need to be careful about that due to those financing costs
• Under the bill, it would dedicate the entire amount, so all the construction sales tax to infrastructure
• Under the bill, it would dedicate the entire amount, so all the construction sales tax to infrastructure

Bills: HB2107, HB2588, HB2946, HB2950

Keywords: SNAP, nutrition assistance, fast food, vitamins, waiver, food policy, municipal planning, homeowner association, building permits, single-family home, property rights, design standards, development fees, municipalities, infrastructure, public services, annual reporting, property development, tourism improvement area, TIA

Summary: The Rural Economic Development Committee first took up HB 2950, which would allow governing bodies to approve tourism improvement areas to promote lodging and tourism as an economic development tool. Supporters from the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association, Visit Yuma, and Visit Phoenix said tourism is a major economic driver, especially in rural communities, and argued the bill would give local areas a voluntary, industry-led way to market themselves, attract visitors, and support jobs without raising taxes on residents. Members discussed tourism in places such as Yuma and other rural destinations, and the committee voted 7-0 to give HB 2950 a do pass recommendation. The committee then heard a presentation on rural economic development centered on Lucid Motors’ investment in Pinal County and its partnership with Central Arizona College. Speakers from the Arizona Commerce Authority, Central Arizona College, and Lucid described workforce training programs, including the Drive48 accelerator, which they said has helped train workers for advanced manufacturing jobs and raised local incomes. The committee read proclamations recognizing both Lucid Motors and Central Arizona College for their contributions to job creation, workforce development, and economic growth in rural Arizona. Finally, the committee considered HB 2946, which would revise development fee requirements, including changes affecting the timing and administration of fees and a prohibition on charging development fees for accessory dwelling units. The sponsor and housing advocates said the bill was intended to help address housing affordability and give developers more predictable costs, while city and league representatives opposed it, arguing it would shift costs from growth to existing taxpayers and interfere with local infrastructure planning. After adopting an amendment that removed county-related provisions and made clarifying changes, the committee passed HB 2946 on a 4-1 vote with two members present, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Randall, who's the assistant city manager, I believe is online from Hobbs, and Toby Spears, who's the finance
• So when you initially constructed, and this statute has been there for a long time, when you initially
• At the time when you were constructing. Mr.
• I'm hoping that we can get the Board of Finance to give us a 0% loan.
• The governor has $10 million to plan, design, construct, equip, and furnish a reproductive healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• Lab schools will have $10 million, with special facility construction at $343 million, and of course,
• Seguing into our National Guard, their construction—I know they have ongoing projects at Camp Blanding
• , as well as several readiness centers around the state—the construction portion of their budget will
• Can you tell us how much went to the construction of Alligator Alcatraz? So, yes.
• Can you tell us how much went to the construction of Alligator Alcatraz? So, yes.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee first took up SB 7010, which would authorize Roth contributions in state and local deferred compensation plans. Senator Mayfield explained that current law only allows pre-tax contributions, and the bill would let the Department of Financial Services and local governments offer post-tax Roth options. The bill had one support appearance card, no debate, and was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then received a lengthy presentation from the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget on the governor’s recommended “Floridians First” budget, totaling $117.4 billion and $53.2 billion in general revenue. The presentation highlighted reserves, debt paydown, tax relief, and proposed reductions and efficiencies, along with major spending areas in education, health care, public safety, corrections, transportation, and economic development. Key proposals included higher K-12 funding, teacher salary increases, funding for Everglades and water quality projects, emergency preparedness, corrections staffing and facility funding, cybersecurity, law enforcement recruitment bonuses, and affordable housing and infrastructure investments. Members asked extensive questions about property tax reserves, litigation funding, emergency response fund balances and spending, the Alligator Alcatraz detention facility and federal reimbursement, the Second Amendment sales tax holiday, animal abuse hotline funding, Hope Florida, corrections staffing, and teacher pay. A major portion of the discussion focused on the Department of Health’s planned changes to the ADAP HIV medication program, with senators and a public witness expressing concern about access to life-saving medications and possible misuse or redirection of funds. The committee did not take further action on the budget presentation, and the meeting ended after additional comments supporting the budget and the corrections funding, with SB 7010 already approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• What is the financing plan for this new change?
• . projects, following for this voter approval, as well as other local school construction bonds that
• . is frequently the testing ground for new education proposals, especially ones that deal with construction
• This is especially true for school construction, where children's safety is paramount.
• The lowest bidder may have a contractor's license, but no relevant experience in school construction

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are obviously greatly appreciative of the Senate Finance Committee's actions last Friday to restore
• would play a role in this, that finance would play a role in this, that they<01:19:16.800> would<
• So this amendment, um, the way the original bill was constructed, you had to go to a vote of the town
• <02:04:27.360> and<02:04:27.920> um products in in new construction and um products
• So the I what this construction.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Listen to the Judiciary and Finance.
• So more about construct of this bill.
• your Committee on Finance looked at your Committee on Finance looked at closely<01:56:24.080> and<
• I was the no vote on the Finance Committee report.
• I was the no vote on the on the Finance I was the no vote on the on the Finance Committee<02:35:

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's it under construction now at the Falkirk Mine.
• Can they get the financing under the current regulatory schemes? I hope so.
• Construction phase, we think it would be about two years-ish, including commissioning.
• Construction phase, we think it would be about two years-ish, including commissioning.
• House Bill 2359 was referred to the Senate Finance Committee on July 10.

Summary: The committee met at the Coteau Freedom Mine in Mercer County, approved the June 2 minutes, and heard an overview of the mine from Coteau Properties president Andrew Hawbaker. He described the Freedom Mine as the largest lignite mine in the United States, supplying coal to Dakota Gasification, Antelope Valley Station, and Leland Olds Station. He emphasized the mine’s scale, safety record, reclamation work, workforce needs, community involvement, and economic impact, including payroll, taxes, royalties, scholarships, and local hiring. Members asked about how long land stays in production, how quickly it returns to agriculture after reclamation, labor shortages, and how mining affects groundwater and water wells. Hawbaker said most tracts are mined for about three to five years, reclamation is coordinated with landowners, and the company continues to struggle to find electricians, welders, mechanics, operators, and engineers. The committee then heard from Public Service Commission Chairman Randy Christman on coal mining reclamation and permitting. He reviewed North Dakota’s coal mining history, the state’s reclamation laws, federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act primacy, bonding, permit renewals and revisions, prohibited mining areas, inspection and enforcement, and contemporaneous reclamation requirements. Christman stressed that North Dakota’s program is professional and thorough, with frequent inspections, financial assurance, and a 10-year revegetation monitoring period before bond release. He also discussed federal coal ownership issues that can delay mine plans, the treatment of prime farmland, and how reclamation differs for wind and pipelines. In response to questions, he said one challenge is sometimes releasing land too soon before long-term compaction issues are fully understood, and he noted that data centers do not currently have a comparable reclamation model because they typically own the land. In the afternoon, the committee received an update from Lignite Energy Council president Jonathan Fortner on the lignite industry. He said North Dakota’s lignite sector supports five commercial power plants, four mines, about 12,000 direct and indirect jobs, and more than $5.5 billion in economic activity, while helping keep the state’s electricity rates among the lowest in the nation. Fortner reviewed coal severance and conversion tax revenues, the lignite research fund, federal regulatory rollbacks, carbon capture policy, and the industry’s legal costs fighting federal rules. He also highlighted a study on large-load development, saying new data centers and critical mineral processing facilities could create major local tax revenue and help justify new baseload generation. Members asked whether new gas pipelines would crowd out coal plant development and whether the economic study included jobs and broader local impacts; Fortner said the industry sees room for both and that the study did include construction, operations, jobs, and tax effects.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also passed a sales tax and use exemption for materials, supplies, and equipment used in the construction
• Building those three SAF facilities would generate an estimated 55,000 construction job years and, in
• A blending facility is now being constructed near the airport so that we can get SAF made anywhere in
• near the airport so being constructed near the airport so that<00:18:18.760> we<00:18:18.880>
• <00:25:40.320> package role in the overall financing package role in the overall financing

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard testimony on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and Minnesota’s efforts to build a SAF industry. Andrea Veble of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture said the Walz administration strongly supports SAF because it could benefit agriculture, forestry, clean energy, and rural economies. She highlighted the 2023 state SAF tax credit and sales tax exemption for facility construction, describing the credit as a nation-leading incentive designed to stack with federal IRA credits and attract producers and blenders to Minnesota. Jeff Davidman of Delta Airlines said aviation is difficult to decarbonize and that SAF is the airline industry’s best available tool to reach net-zero goals by 2050. He explained that SAF is a certified drop-in fuel that can be blended with conventional jet fuel and used in existing aircraft and infrastructure, and he cited growing global demand and limited supply. He said Minnesota has many potential feedstocks, including used cooking oil, corn, soybeans, and camelina, and praised the state’s SAF tax credit and the Minnesota SAF Hub as important steps toward making Minnesota a leader in the sector. Peter Fros of Greater MSP described the Minnesota SAF Hub as a public-private partnership aimed at building an industrial-scale SAF value chain in Minnesota. He said the state has key advantages, including airport demand, corporate partners, research institutions, and agricultural inputs, and estimated that three SAF biorefineries could create tens of thousands of jobs and significant emissions reductions. He also said the Hub is working on blending infrastructure, private demand commitments, a winter camelina expansion study, and efforts to secure additional refineries before 2030. Members raised questions about how sustainability is measured, and Fros said the Hub relies on the federal GREET model but wants a clearer, transparent, and standardized national method that also accounts for issues like water quality and biodiversity. Amanda Bellik of the Minnesota Corn Growers Association said corn-based ethanol is a strong fit for SAF production through the alcohol-to-jet pathway because it is abundant, affordable, and supported by existing infrastructure. She said SAF development could create a new value-added market for corn without requiring new acres, but emphasized the need for significant capital investment, stable tax policy, and efficient permitting. She also said the group has worked with a consultant on third-party sustainability assessments of corn production practices to help fill data gaps and support the carbon-intensity requirements tied to SAF incentives.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:01.599> or direct negotiate construction or direct negotiate construction or maintenance
• And that is having ripple effects through everyone in public finance and frankly private finance too.
• finance and frankly private finance too. finance and frankly private finance too.
• <01:19:19.520> certain were open to ways of financing certain were open to ways of financing
• <02:14:59.199> So, management of its finances. So, management of its finances.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The federal government, Congress, has done a better job over the last few years in helping finance this
• So we're actively looking at that and going to be going after some financing for that.
• It was energy, bulk, fertilizer, and the building and construction industry.
• We're growing because of Florida's growth and building and construction material.
• But also, it could involve building a construction industry, so important, the agricultural industry

Summary: The Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee held a panel discussion focused on Florida seaports and their role in the state economy. Florida Ports Council CEO Mike Rubin opened with statewide figures from a 2023 economic impact study, saying Florida seaports support about 1.2 million jobs, generate roughly $195 billion in economic value, and produce about $7.4 billion in state and local taxes. He emphasized that ports are critical for fuel, food, medical supplies, construction materials, and hurricane response, and argued that continued state and federal investment is needed to expand capacity and move projects forward faster. PortMiami Director Heidi Webb described Miami’s cruise and cargo operations, noting the port generated about $61 billion in economic impact and 334,000 jobs. She highlighted record cruise activity, major private investment by cruise lines, the launch of shore power at cruise terminals to reduce emissions, and ongoing capital projects including a new Royal Caribbean terminal, berth reconstruction, and an inland port concept to reduce congestion. Members asked about security, hurricane procedures, AI use, infrastructure planning, collaboration among ports, and smuggling prevention; Webb said the port uses layered security with local law enforcement, CBP, Coast Guard, and radiation monitors, and that hurricane planning is coordinated in advance with county and federal partners. Port Tampa Bay’s Raul Alfonso said Tampa is the state’s largest port by land area and a major energy hub for Central Florida, with an estimated $34.5 billion economic impact. He discussed diversification into containers, food distribution, fertilizer, and construction materials, along with major needs such as a deep-dredge project and more warehouse space. He also addressed resilience and fuel distribution during hurricanes, and said the port is preparing for future LNG and alternative-fuel demand through partnerships, land planning, and education. Jaxport’s Nick Primrose then described Jacksonville’s container, auto, breakbulk, aggregate, military, and LNG businesses, including 1.3 million TEUs last year, major state-funded crane purchases, harbor deepening, auto-processing expansion, and its role as a strategic military port. He said Jaxport is a leader in marine LNG and has trained all employees on human trafficking awareness. The discussion ended with Port Panama City being introduced as a smaller but important Panhandle economic engine, with Rubin noting its cargo, manufacturing, and infrastructure projects and its continued need for state and federal support.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the Legislative Finance Committee Analyst for the Department of Information Technology.
• We have Jacob Gable, the Department of Finance and Administration Analyst talking about the Executive
• This would have been for new construction of a safe, modern facility in the Las Vegas area.
• New Mexico is growing, and we have a lot of construction out there.
• to really hone the craft of working you know, the procurement code and finance in the state.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• energy,<00:04:10.640> and judiciary finance, ethics, energy, and judiciary finance, ethics
• She also liked a good mystery story like what construction grant have a very special construction grant
• <01:07:05.760> grants to name the library construction grants to name the library construction
• Murphy uh, construction<01:07:10.880> grants<01:07:11.280> program.
• Anyone who construction grants program.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> First reading of the bill: K through 12 public school finance 2.
• Respect the report same construction.
• Is this a ploy to get um extra ADM<00:38:59.760> and<00:39:00.320> finances?
• And I'm going to ask ADM and finances?
• a bill that's talking about finance. a bill that's talking about finance.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , construction, and maintenance of a new jail to replace the Ahu?
• , construction, and maintenance of a new jail to replace the Ahu?
• instead of building a new construction.
• or to renovate instead of construction or to renovate instead of building<00:21:33.679> a<00:
• take building a new construction please take building a new construction please take a<00:21:36.279

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety met on March 21, 2025, and heard several resolutions related to corrections, emergency preparedness, and wildfire risk. Early items included HCR 62/HR 57 on flying the National League of Families POW/MIA flag year-round at the state Capitol, for which no one testified, and HCR 154/HR 49, which would request a comprehensive forensic audit of DCR and DAGS spending tied to planning and building a new jail to replace the Ahu Community Correctional Center. The ACLU strongly supported the audit, arguing that the state has spent millions on jail planning over many years without clear accounting, that a new jail is unnecessary and fiscally irresponsible, and that public-private partnership arrangements could reduce transparency. Committee members questioned the use of the term “forensic,” the age of some cited allegations, and whether the auditor could instead conduct another type of audit; the ACLU said it was open to other audit language and offered to help compile background materials. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee also heard HCR 63, asking DCR to provide separate clinical counseling services for correctional staff, with one supporter, and HCR 23, which asks DCR to include circuit and district court facilities in planning the new Ahu Community Correctional Center and to establish a release procedure that avoids releasing detainees into residential communities or public spaces. DCR Director Johnson said the department supported the intent of HCR 23 and had discussed it with the Chief Justice and court administrator, adding that one multi-purpose courtroom could handle both district and circuit proceedings. The chair then moved on without further discussion. A major portion of the meeting focused on HCR 37, which asks HEMA to work with other agencies on outreach and preparedness for kūpuna. Testifiers from the Pearl City Neighborhood Board, AARP Hawaii, and the Hawaii Council of Community Associations supported the measure, citing the vulnerability of older adults and people with disabilities during disasters, lessons from the Lahaina fires, and the need for clear evacuation plans, siren reliability, and better coordination with care homes and condominium associations. Several speakers described local preparedness efforts and concerns about gaps in communication and implementation. The committee also discussed HCR 69/HR 62 on creating a vegetation management working group to reduce wildfire risk; the Division of Consumer Advocacy supported it, with testimony describing dangerous incidents involving vines and bamboo contacting electrical lines and causing sparking and a utility pole fire. The meeting ended with testimony and questions continuing on that topic, and no final committee action was shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I was on the House Appropriations and Finance Committee for the four years I was in the House.
• And so when I came over to the Senate in 2009, I thought I wanted to stay on the Finance Committee.
• Our preference is that there never be any statute. construction.
• There are rules of statutory construction.
• That's a really important rule of statutory construction.