Transcript Highlights:

• This change is from requiring schools to offer a course of this nature, and you'll find that on lines
• Of this nature, and you'll find that on lines 7 and 8 of the bill amendment in context.
• Fund, of which $5.7 million is for costs related to previous state disasters. $2 million is for the natural
• Senator Patton, chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, moves that the Senate do concur
• Senator Patton: Madam President, your Energy and Natural Resources Committee will be meeting tomorrow

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the pledge, and a quorum call, then took up House amendments to Senate Bills 2009, 2147, and 2113. On motion, the Senate refused to concur in the House amendments and appointed conference committees for each bill. The chamber then considered several House bills, adopting amendments and passing House Bill 1556, which creates a Children's Cabinet work group to study out-of-home placement and treatment for children with behavioral health issues, and House Bill 1363, which directs development of a customizable cardiac emergency response plan template for schools and athletic events. House Bill 1533, requiring students to complete a half-unit of financial literacy for graduation, also passed after amendment. House Bill 1226, dealing with masks in public places and protest-related identification concerns, passed after the Judiciary Committee removed language about complying with law enforcement requests to unmask.

Transcript Highlights:

• still gonna see big amounts come online as a result of the previous year investments that's just the nature
• So that's the aggregate and the nature of housing finance, and that's why we talk about gap financing
• trailer language, a disadvantage of continuous appropriation generally speaking is that there's no natural
• We are very eclectic in the nature of how we do things.
• provide critical insights into trends, no single data set can fully capture the complex and dynamic nature

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• stare blankly at a tiny new coat that she had never even worn, in the anticipation that is second nature
• stare blankly at a tiny new coat that she had never even worn, in the anticipation that is second nature
• stare blankly at a tiny new coat that she had never even worn, in the anticipation that is second nature
• :31.159> had<00:26:31.320> bought<00:26:31.520> her<00:26:31.640> the nature
• to a parent I had bought her the nature to a parent I had bought her the coat<00:26:31.960> ahead

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Natural Resource Management Committee. It's a long handle there.
• He'll be back there to testify in front of the House Committee on Natural Resources about our forestry
• Okay, so I have had a whole career in natural resources and mineral development.
• The Nature Conservancy, National Forest Foundation for some watershed work.
• :41.680> Forest The Nature Conservancy, National Forest The Nature Conservancy, National Forest

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it would be a natural fit for the electric assistance program to move over to the department.
• Thank you, Chairman Avard, members of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
• and you know there could be some natural and you know there could be some natural disaster<01:32
• environment, and conserve precious and dwindling natural resources.
• precious and dwindling natural resources.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources came at our hearing and said that they didn't want,
• However, the only change here is to require this person to be a natural person, which would exclude an
• Are you proposing that instead of requiring this to be a natural person, are you proposing to strike
• is a natural person uh then<02:43:07.840> it<02:43:08.000> opens<02:43:08.240> the<
• , are you to be a natural person, are you proposing<02:43:13.359> to<02:43:13.520> strike

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee first adopted amendment 2026-2021S to correct a drafting issue in the budget language so that the $2.5 million appropriation for Medicaid per diem rate stabilization at county nursing homes can be spent during the biennium rather than lapsing at the end of the fiscal year. Senator Lang explained that the funds are matched with federal dollars for a total of $5 million and are intended to prevent rate reductions that could shift costs to county property taxpayers. The amendment was adopted unanimously by both chambers, and the committee proceeded on the bill as amended by the Senate. The main discussion then focused on HB 155 and a proposed amendment to the business enterprise tax. The House proposal would lower the BET rate in stages when combined business tax revenues exceed certain thresholds, while the Senate opposed an immediate rate reduction and argued that tax changes should be handled in a budget year. Senators emphasized that raising the filing threshold to $375,000 had already removed about 3,500 small businesses from filing requirements, and they preferred further relief through threshold changes rather than rate cuts. House members argued that the trigger-based reduction was a reasonable, tested mechanism and would provide future tax relief without taking effect unless revenues rose enough. Members debated whether the trigger could be distorted by one-time revenue spikes, such as the recent tax amnesty receipts and prior federal repatriation-related revenue, and Representative Sweeney said he was willing to adjust the effective date or carve out amnesty revenue. The committee did not reach agreement on the BET reduction, and the chair called a break and then continued the meeting later with a new proposal to delay the trigger’s effective date to January 1, 2028. Senator Lang rejected that version but offered a counterproposal to raise the filing threshold to $400,000, and the parties ultimately agreed to continue discussions and reconvene later. The meeting also took up HB 1102, concerning the research and development tax credit and state park fees. The House position was to support the R&D tax credit but remove the park-fee provisions, citing testimony from the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources that it did not need the increase and concerns about discouraging tourism, especially at border parks. Supporters of the park-fee language argued that the department had not raised rates in years, could set its own rates, and should be able to charge nonresidents more while keeping New Hampshire residents’ fees lower. The discussion remained unresolved, with members debating the likely effect on tourism and fairness to residents versus the need for additional revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bills, while similar in nature, are just that—similar in nature.
• ,<00:53:10.880> are The bills, while similar in nature, are The bills, while similar in nature
• <00:53:12.720> So,<00:53:12.880> while just that similar in nature.
• So, while just that similar in nature.
• So, um, the committee similar in nature.

Bills: HF1323, HF3500

Keywords: undocumented, financial aid, state policy, higher education, noncitizen eligibility, funding, storm damage relief, Bemidji State University, reforestation, state appropriations, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• He said they want to make sure the measure is not retaliatory in nature and that they are mindful of
• Um, and we want to be mindful of nature.
• gas provider coming in for a natural gas provider coming in for a passalong<01:37:34.480> rate
• gas pass along decrease in natural gas pass along decrease in prices.<01:37:44.639> And<01:37
• <01:38:05.679> gas, providing of uh power or natural gas, providing of uh power or natural

Bills: HB0002, HB0022

Keywords: building permits, local government, residential construction, permit timelines, code compliance, municipal officers, recall election, petition requirements, local governance, voter participation, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that brings us to the nature of the office itself.
• role is executive in nature role is executive in nature overseeing<00:57:38.319> departmental
• However, we view this as sort of too broad in nature.
• And I'll sort of too broad in nature.
• authority of a natural person or entity. authority of a natural person or entity.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, obviously deals are being cut all the time related to tariffs and things of that nature, but again
• Um, obviously deals are being cut all the time related to tariffs and things of that nature, but again
• Um, obviously deals are being cut all the time related to tariffs and things of that nature, but again
• Um, obviously deals are being cut all the time related to tariffs and things of that nature, but again
• <01:01:56.799> disaster, were destroyed in a natural disaster, were destroyed in a natural

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:07 Roll Call 00:00:14 Discussion of Pro-Growth Housing Policies 00:02:01 Discussion of Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit 01:11:13 Adjournment 01:40:27, 958, all

Summary: The Kentucky Housing Task Force met and heard first from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, which presented findings from a housing study done with the Home Builders Association. The chamber said housing is now a major economic-development issue, citing survey results that 90% of community leaders said their region could not absorb a major job announcement and 66% said housing is holding back Kentucky’s economy. The chamber described Kentucky’s housing shortage, rising home prices, declining permits since 2008, and the need for more production to support growth. It urged policy changes including zoning and land-use reform, tax incentives, regional approaches, and especially a residential infrastructure fund modeled on Indiana’s low-interest loan program to help communities finance roads and other infrastructure needed for new housing. Members asked about the severity of the problem, workforce shortages in permitting and construction, the loan interest rate, repayment, and whether Kentucky could replicate Indiana’s results; the witness said the issue is a crisis and that the program would be a revolving public-private partnership, likely around 3% interest, with implementation details still to be worked out. The Kentucky Bankers Association then testified that the housing gap is especially acute for households at 80% of area median income and below, which it said represents about 70% of Kentucky’s housing need. It emphasized that the shortage affects both urban and rural counties and pointed to examples such as Rowan County, where workers at major employers must commute long distances because local housing is unavailable or unaffordable. The bankers said high interest rates remain a major barrier and proposed a $20 million bank commitment for a revolving fund tied to tax credits to finance new housing, not refinances. They cited Hope of the Midwest as an example of a successful tax-credit housing model with a long track record and no defaults, and said the proposal would leverage public-private partnerships to create new units. Committee members questioned how the proposed fund would compare with industrial revenue bonds and whether it could be structured like Kentucky’s tobacco settlement fund, with seed money, a review board, scoring criteria, and possible population thresholds to ensure smaller communities benefit. The bankers said the proposal would be another tool for cities and counties, specifically tied to residential infrastructure, and that larger cities should not be able to capture all of the resources. No formal votes or actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:35:08.079> Is what is the nature of the offense.
• <00:54:00.400> of considering the citation, the nature of considering the citation, the nature
• <00:54:34.880> We look at the nature of the offense.
• We look at the nature of the offense.
• also may show their naturalization also may show their naturalization information<01:10:25.760><

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:01 Recognition of New Members: 00:01:17 Disaster Response: 00:01:41 Pretrial Discussion: 00:31:25, 958, all

Summary: The committee first established a quorum, approved the minutes from the November 7, 2024 meeting, and then heard an update on disaster response and courthouse recovery efforts after the April flooding. Representatives from the Administrative Office of the Courts, the Franklin County Circuit and District Court Clerk’s office, and the Franklin Circuit Court described damage in Perry, Hardin, and especially Franklin counties. Perry County had limited roof and water infiltration issues with no operational impact. Hardin County’s justice center basement took about 18 inches of water, affecting court records and mechanical/electrical equipment, and court operations were briefly suspended. Franklin County’s courthouse was far more severely damaged, with about four feet of water on the first floor, forcing relocation of court operations to temporary sites, including AOC space and the regional jail for custody proceedings. Witnesses said damaged files from Hardin and Franklin counties were removed, sent to an out-of-state vendor for drying and remediation, and would be returned or destroyed as appropriate. They estimated combined costs for file restoration, building repair, and remediation at about $11 million, with insurance through KCOJ/KO expected to cover only part of the losses and FEMA reimbursement still pending a federal disaster declaration. They also said the Franklin County courthouse’s first floor remains gutted, electrical panels and HVAC systems need major replacement, and the second and third floors may be used temporarily once power and data are restored. Members asked about roof damage in Hardin County, the status of FEMA applications, digitization of court records, and whether Senate Bill 25 restricted funds could be used to cover the funding gap; staff said the funds cannot be spent without General Assembly authorization. The committee also discussed broader record-retention and e-filing issues, with members noting the limits of paper filing and the need for better digitization as a backup in emergencies. AOC staff said they are working with the Supreme Court and state law librarian on what records can be digitized and how long hard copies must still be retained. After the disaster-response presentation, the committee moved on to a separate informational presentation on pre-trial services, with introductions from the executive officer of pre-trial services, the president of the Kentucky District Judges Association, a circuit judge, and the manager of pre-trial services, who began explaining how the pre-trial system works for newer committee members.

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul in August, dance class, weaving workshop, boy in nature, October 12th anniversary.
• Paul in August, dance class, weaving workshop, boy in nature, October 12th anniversary.
• Paul in August, dance class, weaving workshop, boy in nature, October 12th anniversary.
• Paul in August, dance class, weaving workshop, boy in nature, October 12th anniversary.
• <01:16:22.480> October weaving Workshop boy in nature October weaving Workshop boy in nature

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the natural thing for a red iron ore in the blood iron ranger like me to do was to bring my proposal
• thing for a red Rapids so the natural thing for a red iron<00:41:05.640> in<00:41:05.839>
• is going to be I'm not going to nature is going to be I'm not going to make<01:29:24.199> a<01
• is not going that because human nature is not going to<01:31:51.800> be<01:31:52.080> get<
• if it's tough to take not human nature if it's tough to take my<01:32:20.560> doublea's<01:32

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:12:47.600> similarly<00:12:48.120> malicious<00:12:48.680> similarly in nature
• similarly malicious similarly in nature similarly malicious similarly hateful<00:12:50.320> um
• I very much appreciate the nature of the question, and please follow up if I fail to answer both the
• <00:15:15.800> of<00:15:15.920> the the nature of the the nature of the question<00
• my concern, and I think you used it as you were talking about hate, but is sort of the subjective nature

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:16:04.639> of may vary um depending on the nature of may vary um depending on the nature
• So then that sort of naturally gets into the question of why, right?
• country so then that sort of naturally gets<00:17:18.319> into<00:17:18.480> the<00:17
• He said that naturally this led to the ratio that led to the tax rate.
• impact the numbers thank would naturally impact the numbers thank you<00:58:01.960> Mr<00:58:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Human nature tends to abuse things for financial gain, I don't know if you've noticed that.
• Human nature tends to abuse things for financial gain, I don't know if you've noticed that.
• Human nature tends to abuse things for financial gain, I don't know if you've noticed that.
• Human nature tends to abuse things for financial gain, I don't know if you've noticed that.
• <01:07:27.960> of very nature of very nature of reality<01:07:29.799> we<01:07:29.960

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So my team takes in and addresses or assesses each allegation and report to determine the nature and
• So my team takes in and addresses or assesses each allegation and report to determine the nature and
• review on the Department of Natural review on the Department of Natural Resources<00:30:14.399><
• <00:53:01.200> resources the environment and natural resources the environment and natural
• <01:40:56.320> of<01:40:56.440> the part-time nature of the part-time nature of the

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate File 563, a bill to change the board makeup of the Northern Koochiching Area Sanitary District. Senator Hild said the proposal had been heard the previous year and had broad support from local officials and stakeholders. Cali Briggs, the district’s executive director, explained that the board structure no longer reflected current populations and sewer service patterns: International Falls now holds six of eight seats after earlier consolidations, while East Koochiching has grown through sewer expansions and should receive additional representation. The bill would reduce the board to seven members, with International Falls having three seats, East Koochiching two, Rainier one, and one at-large member chosen by the board. The committee raised no substantive objections, and Senator Gustafson moved the bill to pass and go to general orders; the motion prevailed. Members then briefly joked about the topic and moved on to an overview from the Office of the Legislative Auditor. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall described the office as a nonpartisan legislative branch agency serving both chambers, with a mission of strengthening oversight, promoting accountability, and producing objective, useful reports. She outlined the office’s structure, including financial audits, program evaluations, and a growing special reviews unit, and explained the Legislative Audit Commission’s role in appointing the auditor and selecting program evaluation topics. Randall also emphasized the office’s broad access to records and data, its independence, and its responsibility to protect nonpublic information. Randall answered questions about the office’s authority over entities such as the University of Minnesota, explaining that OLA has audit authority there but often relies on the university’s internal audit function and can also conduct special reviews and program evaluations. She noted that public employees are required to cooperate and that subpoenas are available if needed, though the office prefers to maintain cooperative relationships. Special Reviews Director Katherine Tyson then described how her unit handles complaints and allegations involving misuse of public funds, data, or noncompliance with law, including preliminary assessments, communications with complainants and agencies, and deeper reviews when warranted. She said allegations and reports have increased steadily, with 481 received from 2020 through 2024 and nearly 10 per week on average last year, contributing to a heavier workload for her small team.

Transcript Highlights:

• Should any part of California's existing, non-retiring natural gas fleet be deliberately retained as
• Again, to the points made earlier, when we say one in ten, it's probabilistic in nature.
• A number of them are looking into natural gas backup opportunities for them to be able to shift their
• The other side of the equation is some of the emergency supplies we have, like the natural gas power
• The other side of the equation is some of the emergency supplies we have, like the natural gas power

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy heard SB 1259, which would require refineries to provide advance closure and remediation planning information, and SB 1425, which would authorize the High-Speed Rail Authority to create a permit process for encroachments in its right of way. The committee also held an informational hearing on California electricity reliability and the future of the Strategic Reliability Reserve. The chair opened by noting the hearing room change, testimony limits, and that the committee would proceed without a quorum at first, then later established quorum for votes. On SB 1259, Senator Blake Spear argued the bill would give communities and state agencies needed information to plan for refinery closures, cleanup, and land reuse, comparing the requirement to estate planning. Supporters, including Benicia City Councilmember Carrie Birdseye and UC Santa Barbara professor Ranjit Schmook, said the bill would help communities facing refinery closures avoid being left without information and better prepare for redevelopment and remediation. Opponents, including the Western States Petroleum Association, the State Building and Construction Trades Council, and business groups, argued the bill could send negative market signals, create conflicts with federal reporting, and potentially accelerate refinery closures. The committee passed SB 1259 on a 7-3 vote, later reopening the roll and recording additional votes before moving it out as amended to Appropriations. On SB 1425, Senator Cortese and sponsor Robert Pearsall said the bill would help the High-Speed Rail Authority manage utility, broadband, drainage, and vegetation encroachments along the project corridor and reduce delays. Labor and construction groups supported the measure as a way to add certainty and speed project delivery. Utilities and local agencies, including LADWP, Southern California Gas, Southern California Edison, PG&E, and others, opposed unless amended, saying the bill needed clearer language on emergencies, existing agreements, and potential impacts on their own rights of way and service obligations. After discussion about emergency language and utility coordination, the committee passed SB 1425 as amended to Appropriations on a 10-3 vote. In the oversight hearing, CEC, CPUC, CAISO, and DWR officials reported that California’s summer reliability outlook is better than in prior years, with substantial new procurement, storage, and demand-response resources added since 2020. They said the state is projected to meet its summer reliability standard and has not needed a flex alert for three straight years, but cautioned that extreme heat, fire, hydro conditions, and federal policy uncertainty still pose risks. Officials emphasized that the current Strategic Reliability Reserve remains important as a backstop, while longer-term planning must address rising demand from electrification and data centers and the eventual retirement of emergency resources.

Transcript Highlights:

• The retroactive nature of this legislation, coming again in response to litigation asserting the enhanced
• Again, the only thing the FMBA is arguing about is the retroactive nature of this, not the prospective
• nature of— Thank you.
• To be punitive in nature, to increase the price?
• So again, I just want to make sure that this isn't a punitive-in-nature thing, because look, you know

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Generally speaking, the Pocasset unit at 16 beds because of the size actually has some natural limits
• And so I just want to identify that there's a natural required selection process for safety.
• It's very much inherent and natural in the way that... Approach.
• It's very much inherent and natural in the way that they deliver case management services.
• The nature of these technical assistance requests has become more intensive.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard budget testimony from Department of Mental Health Commissioner Brooke Doyle, who said DMH serves about 29,000 people and is facing rising demand, higher operating costs, and uncertainty about federal funding. She explained that the FY26 budget prioritizes fully funding the state-operated inpatient system, which is at 100% occupancy and often serves people transferred from Bridgewater State Hospital, while making reductions in other areas to balance the budget. Those reductions include a 50% cut to case managers, a pause on closing the Pocasset unit pending a working group on Cape access, and changes to youth and contracted services such as right-sizing IRTP and CIRT, reducing Youth PACT from seven teams to three, scaling back flex and jail diversion grants as ARPA funds wind down, and preserving the behavioral health helpline and community-based crisis services. Members from Western Massachusetts and the Cape raised concerns about access, staffing, and the impact of cuts, and Doyle said the department would continue operating IRTP services, improve the referral process, and work with stakeholders on the Pocasset review and other access issues. The committee also discussed school-based mental health, 988, loan forgiveness for workforce recruitment, and the role of co-response programs for law enforcement. Secretary Robin Lipson then testified for the Executive Office of Aging and Independence, describing a proposed FY26 budget increase of about 21% to support councils on aging, home care, elder abuse investigations, caregiver support, care transitions, and nutrition programs. She said the agency is managing rising demand, especially from the growing 80-plus population, and noted uncertainty around federal Older Americans Act funding after the federal disbursement agency was disbanded. To control costs, the office will manage intake and caseload growth in a fully state-funded home care program, but current clients will not lose services. Lipson also highlighted a new $1 million line item for local mini-grants to support age-friendly initiatives. In questions, members focused on elder scams, and Lipson said scams are increasing and the agency is working with banks, district attorneys, and public awareness campaigns. The Health Policy Commission’s Executive Director David Seltz presented the agency’s FY26 request and said the biggest challenge is health care affordability, with family premiums near $29,000 annually and many residents delaying care because of cost. He emphasized that recent legislation significantly expands HPC’s role through a new Office of Pharmaceutical Policy and Analysis, which will examine the drug supply chain and pricing, and a new Office of Health Resource Planning, which will support statewide planning around closures and access gaps. The new law also creates task forces on maternal health access and primary care, and adds transparency and oversight for private equity in health care. Members asked about pharmaceutical costs, GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, 340B, and maternal health closures; Seltz said the data show rapid growth in GLP-1 spending and that the new offices will help the state better understand cost drivers and access problems. The Center for Health Information and Analysis then began its testimony, describing its role as the state’s data hub for health care spending, utilization, quality, and affordability analysis.