Transcript Highlights:

• representative GEL is in Feed County. representative GEL is in Feed County.
• And right now we have Bullitt County, Jefferson County, and Fayette County, some of our richest school
• results at the county level. results at the county level.
• can report on behalf of all counties. can report on behalf of all counties.
• place to the county elections office. place to the county elections office.

Keywords: Discussion of BR 25 (2026 RS) 04:15 Presentation on voting systems by ES&S 48:14 Presentation on voting systems by Hart InterCivic and Harp Enterprises 01:13:07, 958, all

Summary: The committee met, approved the October 21 minutes, and then took up BR 25 for the 2026 regular session, a proposal to prohibit the use of tax dollars and public resources to advocate for or against ballot questions, including constitutional amendments. Senator Rawlings and the other presenters argued the current law already bars such advocacy but lacks meaningful enforcement, citing the 2024 school choice amendment campaign and other examples where public officials and school systems allegedly used taxpayer-funded resources to influence voters. They said the bill would add civil and criminal penalties, while preserving First Amendment rights for public employees acting in their personal capacities. Much of the discussion focused on whether the bill should be limited to school districts or broadened to cover other public entities, and on how to define terms such as “advocating in impartial terms.” Members raised concerns about possible effects on county and city lobbying through groups like KLC and KCO, on legitimate factual explanations by public officials, and on whether the bill could unintentionally restrict needed representation for local governments. The sponsors said the measure was intended to be narrow, would be vetted further, and would not bar individuals from speaking on their own behalf. Several members suggested revisions. Representative Lockett asked that schools and school employees be specifically named, and suggested separating the lobbying restrictions from the ballot-measure provisions into different bills. Representative Layman questioned the meaning of the bill’s language and whether it would cover factual testimony by officials. Representative Heen asked about a Jefferson County example involving legal fees used to challenge petition signatures; counsel said that situation would likely be allowable under the bill as drafted, though some members thought it should be covered. No final vote was taken on BR 25 during this discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 97 allows these counties, small counties defined in statute, less than 200,000 in population
• We will now go to HB 4013 by Representative Botana, Lee County. Thank you. Lee County.
• The Bay Walton County sector plan, 110,000 acres, 97,000 acres sit in my county.
• This won't affect Hernando County or Pasco County.
• This won't affect Hernandez County or Pascoe County.

Summary: The Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee heard a full agenda of local and policy bills, with most measures receiving favorable reports. Early in the meeting, the committee approved HB 4019, capping Lake County inmate health care and emergency transport reimbursements at percentages tied to Medicare; HB 97, allowing small counties to opt back into transportation concurrency; HB 267, expanding SHIP/local housing assistance eligibility to mobile home owners paying lot rent; HB 351, creating a framework for concurrent state jurisdiction over certain matters involving military installations, with an amendment changing the bill to say the state “may accept” jurisdiction; HB 4013, revising and merging fire district boundaries in Lee County; HB 481, increasing public nuisance fines and strengthening nuisance abatement and foreclosure procedures; HB 4025, conveying state land to the Village of Tequesta for continued park use; and HB 4017, repealing an obsolete Nassau County recreation and water control district, as amended. The most extensive discussion centered on HB 299, the “Blue Ribbon Projects” bill, which would create a voluntary framework for very large developments that dedicate 60% of land to conservation while allowing compact, walkable development and affordable housing on the remainder. The sponsor argued it would balance growth, conservation, and housing affordability without new bureaucracy, while opponents from Audubon Florida, county groups, and local governments warned the bill could weaken local planning, lack enforceable conservation safeguards, and allow nonconservation uses within reserved areas. Supporters said it could preserve large tracts of land at no taxpayer cost and improve long-range planning. The committee adopted an amendment clarifying reserve areas, allowing use of the state’s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, requiring easements be provided without charge, and aligning affordability definitions with existing programs. The bill then passed favorably as amended, with some members voting no. The committee also approved HB 4023, a local bill adjusting the boundaries of the Ave Maria Stewardship Community District in Collier County, with no change to the district’s powers and duties. Several bills drew supportive testimony from local officials, industry groups, or affected residents, and some had amendments adopted without objection. At the end of the meeting, the chair noted it was the last interim committee week meeting, thanked members and staff, and encouraged continued stakeholder engagement ahead of session.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:49.440> are<00:10:49.600> coming county of Leslie County that are coming county
• This is not about my county, Prairie County.
• It's not about Breie County or Nod County or Martin County. This is about Eastern Kentucky.
• , Floyd County, Knox County, and Bell County, and we're really working to make sure that every person
• County, Bell County, and we're really County, Bell County, and we're really working<01:11:11.280

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee met with leaders of the First Frontier Appalachian Trail System for an update on trail development, economic impact, and funding needs. Speakers said the system has expanded from 18 to 21 counties over the past year, with interest from additional counties, about 450 miles of trails currently open, and a goal of surpassing 1,000 miles within two years. They described the project as primarily an economic development effort that is already drawing public and private investment, supporting lodging and campground businesses, and creating new enterprises such as guide services, repairs, and recovery services for ATVs. The presentation highlighted permit sales, which began on a soft-launch basis earlier in the year and are now available both physically and online. Permits cost $25 per year for in-state residents and allow riding on First Frontier trails. Officials also discussed landowner agreements, saying the standard license agreement is modeled on Hatfield-McCoy, is favorable to landowners, and can be ended with 60 days’ notice. They said the agreements, along with patrols and cleanup efforts, help address trespassing and illegal dumping while encouraging property owners to participate. Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Captain Jason Sloan reported 638 hours of patrols under the memorandum of agreement since January 1 and said the partnership has focused on safety, enforcement of existing laws, emergency planning, and cleanup support. The group also cited partnerships with the National Forest, Onyx Off-Road, ARC, and Yamaha, and said a Jeep Jamboree in Lee County drew 237 registered participants, mostly from out of state. They said a GNCC race in Knox County is being pursued for spring. The authority requested $3.5 million for the next two-year budget cycle and said it needs additional staffing, including two full-time trail development coordinators and part-time office help, to keep up with growth. Members praised the project’s progress and its potential to boost tourism and regional economic development.

Transcript Highlights:

• It did this by rewarding counties when they sent fewer people from their county supervision community
• County costs.
• It largely affects smaller counties, counties like Alpine, Del Norte, and Shasta.
• County and cities within L.A. County impacted by the fires.
• use for those counties.

Summary: The committee heard a broad public safety budget hearing focused on youth justice funding, probation incentive grants, and disaster response and recovery. On the youth justice item, the Office of Youth and Community Restoration described a proposed change to the JJRBG funding formula that would shift resources away from a DJJ-based measure and toward county youth population, serious offenses, and step-down placements in less restrictive programs. Members asked about data on Native American youth; OYCR said statewide data are limited, but its SYTF data show about 1% of youth in secure youth treatment facilities were Native in 2024. The Department of Finance had no objections, and the item was discussed as a way to support alternatives to long-term incarceration. The committee then reviewed the community corrections performance incentive program for county probation departments. The Department of Finance proposed stabilizing the program with a maintenance payment, updating the performance baseline, and adding a growth factor; the LAO agreed the formula needed changes but recommended using 2022-23 data instead of 2021-23, using marginal rather than average cost assumptions, rejecting the growth payment and minimum guarantee, and adding stronger oversight through the BSCC. Finance said it was open to some technical changes but opposed a new BSCC audit framework, noting Judicial Council already surveys probation departments and that evidence-based practice use has increased over time. Members and staff indicated the proposal still needed further work. A major portion of the hearing focused on the January 2025 Southern California wildfires and state disaster response. A resident of Altadena gave emotional testimony about evacuation failures, loss of home, and the need for accountability. LAO and Cal OES outlined the disaster response and recovery system, including mutual aid, alert and warning, debris removal, FEMA and state funding streams, and the long timeline for reimbursement. Cal OES said it had pre-positioned resources, temporarily took over the county’s wireless emergency alert function for about three weeks, coordinated debris removal and recovery operations, and had already allocated more than $286 million in state funds. Officials also discussed the 100% federal cost share for emergency work for 180 days and the uncertainty created by changing federal processes and the cancellation of the BRIC resilience program. The committee also heard two smaller Cal OES items: a request to reappropriate about $22 million for the law enforcement mutual aid reimbursement program, which the LAO said should be placed in statute with clearer goals and reporting, and an update on Victims of Crime Act funding, where Cal OES said federal VOCA allocations have fallen sharply and that roughly $224 million would be needed to maintain current service levels if federal funding does not improve. Public comment included a request for funding to expand datacasting and emergency alert receivers for wildfire and earthquake warning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Notices right now smaller counties Notices right now smaller counties cities<00:15:59.639> and
• <00:19:26.720> where that we've had in Shelby County where that we've had in Shelby County
• the the other counties that membership the the other counties that are<00:20:05.520> left<00:
• In fact, it probably has already been done with the 10 counties, all of the units within the 10 counties
• longer do we need cities and counties longer do we need cities and counties subsidizing<00:33:51.000

Keywords: Reuploaded to restore the end of the meeting Meeting Start 00:01 Roll Call 00:05 HB 131 discussion 01:55 HB 131 vote 05:08 HB 256 discussion 07:09 HB 256 vote 08:58 HB 290 discussion 10:59 HB 290 vote 13:25 HB 368 discussion 15:11 HB 368 vote 31:30 Adjournment 36:27, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered four bills. House Bill 131, sponsored by Representative Meredith, was amended with a committee substitute and would allow former second class city fire departments more scheduling flexibility, including hybrid shift patterns, while preserving existing collective bargaining agreements. There was no opposition or questions, and the committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill favorably by voice/roll call vote. House Bill 256, sponsored by Chairman Flannery, would impose a 40-year statutory limit on root-of-title interests to clear dormant title issues and improve marketable title, while excluding coal and mineral interests. A committee substitute was adopted, and the bill passed favorably on a unanimous roll call. House Bill 290, sponsored by Representative Wilson, would update county law library funding/use rules to allow more modern expenditures such as online legal services; Representative Willner supported it as a useful modernization, and the bill also passed favorably on a unanimous roll call. House Bill 368, sponsored by Representative Decker, would expand local governments’ ability to use online public notice alternatives instead of relying solely on newspaper publication in smaller counties. Supporters from local government groups argued the change would save money, improve efficiency, and still keep the public informed, while the Kentucky Press Association cautioned that website standards should be addressed and noted concerns about losing newspaper notice revenue. After discussion, the committee passed the bill favorably by roll call vote. At the end of the meeting, members recorded additional yes votes for HB 131, HB 256, and HB 290, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:40:32.960> health county owned or county operated health county owned or county operated
• <00:40:58.680> health county owned or county operated health county owned or county operated
• <00:41:35.040> health county owned or county operated health county owned or county operated
• County. County.
• County. County.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It could even equate to county per county.
• Clara County—I'm sorry, Alameda County—as well as Contra Costa County.
• , but again, Alameda County, Contra Costa County, San Francisco County, and whoever decides to opt in
• , Madera County, and Tulare County.
• , Madera County, Tulare County.

Summary: The committee heard several audit requests and related testimony. The first major item was an audit of Coachella Valley Unified School District’s contract and fiscal management. The author and supporters described long-standing fiscal mismanagement, large budget shortfalls, layoffs, contracting concerns, and questions about the district’s foundation and use of public funds. District representatives and the Riverside County Office of Education said the district is already under fiscal oversight, has a stabilization plan, and is working to reduce deficits and improve student outcomes. After extensive debate and public comment, the motion to approve the audit was put on call because the committee did not have the required votes from both houses at that moment. The committee then approved an audit of East Bay transit agencies in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Senator Wahab argued the region’s many overlapping transit agencies create fragmentation, duplication, and inefficiency, especially amid a fiscal cliff and possible future tax increases. Transit agencies and labor representatives opposed the audit, saying the agencies already undergo multiple audits, serve distinct local needs, and are implementing regional coordination efforts. After testimony from agency leaders and public commenters, the committee voted to approve the audit. The next item was an audit of California Community Colleges’ unrestricted reserves. Senator Archuleta and supporting faculty representatives said reserves have grown substantially and may be diverting resources from student services, instruction, and workforce programs. They argued there is little oversight when reserves become too high. The Chancellor’s Office and Calbright College were invited to respond, and the audit objectives focused on reserve growth, reasons for high balances, oversight by the Chancellor’s Office, and effects on students and staff. The transcript cuts off during the Chancellor’s Office response, so the final committee action on this item is not shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Blue Earth County utilizes SCORE funding to operate its county recycling center in Blue Earth County.
• 35% and greater Minnesota's County 35% and greater Minnesota's County average<00:15:07.880> of
• commissioner from Washington County commissioner from Washington County please<00:18:00.120>
• the uh screen here uh shows how counties the uh screen here uh shows how counties in<00:19:37.960
• three of these things in Dakota County three of these things in Dakota County and<00:25:17.760><

Bills: HF1359, HF1829, HF290, HF1933, HF926

Keywords: solid waste management, resource management account, environmental fund, taxation, Minnesota statutes, homestead, property tax, classification, disability, resort properties, recreational use, commercial property, tax refund, estimated tax, interest on refunds, income tax, corporate franchise tax, S corporation, partnership, corporation

Transcript Highlights:

• County what uh out of Jefferson County County what uh out of Jefferson County County areas of a lot
• really the all the time is in the county really the all the time is in the county really the county
• the county out of it in the substitute the county out of it in the substitute the county is removed
• to that from any County no objection to that from any County no objection to that from any County group
• Commissioners County includes County Commissioners County includes County Commissioners County Employees

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rush County... Billmore County? So that's south here. Excuse me. Go ahead.
• County, the county administrator and the finance director, here shortly.
• <00:30:27.240> Administrator arneson good Hue County Administrator arneson good Hue County
• Would we find similar situations in other counties as well, or is Goodhue County an outlier?
• Goodhue<00:36:05.200> County<00:36:05.760> an um good Goodhue County an um good

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was not experienced county.
• When I was talking to schools and counties and county office of ed and providers in my district about
• When I was talking to schools and counties and county office of ed and providers in my district about
• I was mulling over the stats you provided around Butte County—was it Butte County, Butte School District
• I'm sure there are counties, even the ones that are single-school-district counties, right?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You can see that the highest DV counties are Bavard and Monroe counties.
• And being from Martin County and living on the water, I was very pleased to see that Martin County is
• And why would a county such as Martin have none and the next door county have a lot?
• And why would a county such as Martin have none in the next door county have a lot?
• Some require that the county has to go before a county commission and each one has to be approved.

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources received a presentation from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on derelict vessels, enforcement challenges, and a long-term stored vessel study. FWC reported about 1,040 derelict vessels currently in its database, with roughly 600 new cases entering each year, and noted that hurricanes account for a large share of recent cases. The agency explained the legal definition of derelict vessels, the environmental and navigation hazards they create, and its enforcement process, including investigation, notice to owners, administrative hearings, removal authorization, and recovery of costs through registration holds. FWC also described prevention efforts such as at-risk vessel enforcement, nuisance vessel designations, public awareness campaigns, and the vessel turn-in program, which has received more than 250 applications and removed more than 145 vessels since rollout. Committee members asked about owner resistance to removal, rapid-response options for hazardous vessels, county differences in derelict vessel numbers, and how local governments participate. FWC said only a small percentage of owners contest removals, that the agency relies on contractors and does not generally have its own removal equipment, and that local governments may conduct removals with their own funding but must still provide due process. Members also asked where removed vessels go; FWC said they are taken to landfills, with recyclable materials recovered, and that storage is used only when necessary for public safety because it is costly. The presentation also highlighted the long-term stored vessel study, which found a strong correlation between long-term anchored vessels and later derelict vessels, especially in Monroe County. No votes were taken on the presentation, and the committee adjourned after Senator Errington moved to adjourn and there was no objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• their counties.
• Representative Canales: So in Hidalgo County, people get a court appointment in Hidalgo County, they
• One from Travis County and two from Harris County.
• In many counties, 65 counties have only one JP. We act 24/7. We do magistrations.
• Speaker: You just said four counties... Speaker: 251 other counties.

Bills: HB200

Keywords: HB 200, emergency communication, backup communications, satellite phone, portable satellite equipment, radio, floodplain, 100-year floodplain, FEMA, natural disaster, disaster preparedness, emergency preparedness, vulnerable populations, children, elderly, seniors, people with disabilities, care facilities, residential care, assisted living

Transcript Highlights:

• Counties can leverage their individual and collective strengths, so some counties may specialize in one
• <00:30:09.080> to alone and so by allowing counties to alone and so by allowing counties to
• state administered but County state administered but County implemented<00:56:13.760> system<
• Currently, the Scott County FRCs are funded solely by our county.
• Currently, the Scott County FRCs are funded solely by our county.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My county has experienced fires, but since 2021, not one of these wells has appeared in my county.
• and other water users in the county.
• Washington County for us to take it over?
• and Cape Arago State Park in Coos County.
• Cape Mears Viewpoint in Tillamook County and Cape Arago State Park in Coos County.

Keywords: 907, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• So, Chair Smithy: I've got most of my counties that I represent are very rural counties with smaller
• The intent of the bill is admirable and certainly makes sense in counties that border larger counties
• It simply lowers the bracket to counties with a population under 10,000, which are the counties served
• My name is Laura Rogers, and I'm the elected County and District Clerk for Sherman County.
• to county.

Transcript Highlights:

• An analysis from Santa Fe County Jail indicates that 87 percent of individuals in the county jail had
• , and the New Mexico Counties organization notes that some county jails, particularly in rural parts
• It's really urban counties that are providing these services and not rural counties.
• county jails.
• We don't even fully fund our county jails anyways, and I've heard my county commissioners talk about

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:57.000> Sheriff's<00:15:57.480> Office County Sheriff's Office County Sheriff's
• <00:18:19.440> and forces operating in henpen county and forces operating in henpen county
• I'm the Sherburn County attorney.
• years now with the county itself, the Sherburn County Attorney's Office, and the Minnesota County Attorney's
• with the county itself the Sherburn with the county itself the Sherburn county<00:32:27.200>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Louis County. If I relocate down to Mau County, I may not be Brady designated.
• County Attorneys Association.
• stakeholders uh led uh by the county stakeholders uh led uh by the county attorneys<00:13:19.519
• Johnson. and I'm the Anoka County Johnson. and I'm the Anoka County Attorney<00:14:23.839> and
• County, Minnesota.

Bills: HF962, HF3541, HF2936, HF3762, HF2879

Keywords: Capitol security, public safety, emergency management, state buildings, law enforcement, corrections, legislative approval, rule-making, financial impact, jail regulations, expungement, firearm eligibility, criminal records, organized retail crime, retail theft, supply chain theft, theft enterprise, organized theft, cargo theft, shoplifting

Transcript Highlights:

• So the county seat package is changing to $4,200,000.
• The county seat package is changing to $4,231,543.
• And the third county actually had the opportunity to learn from those two counties and didn't capitalize
• You know, I'm a Kent County boy and always will be.
• So it's a Newcastle County fix.

Keywords: 1064, all