Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, we assisted 19,932 rental households across all 87 counties in Minnesota. 87 counties in Minnesota
• Section 16 on page 15 requires county auditors to develop the county elections chain of custody plan,
• Louis counties.
• I know counties appreciate those additional lists, and I know our office has pointed counties.
• Benson is the county seat of Swift County, and a long time ago, the county and city of Benson decided

Transcript Highlights:

• With me today is Mike Twitty from Pinellas County and Paul Polk from Charlotte County.
• county department.
• And this isn't just Charlotte County. This isn't just Pinellas County. It's all 67 counties.
• So the same standards are going to apply whether it's Miami-Dade County, Broward County, Palm Beach County
• , Lafayette County, Liberty County, Mike's County.

Summary: The Committee on Finance and Tax met with a quorum present and heard a presentation from the Property Appraisers Association of Florida on ad valorem valuation, exemptions, and the property tax process. Lauren Levy reviewed the legal and historical framework of Florida property taxation, including Save Our Homes, the 10% cap on non-homestead assessments, portability, tangible personal property exemptions, TRIM notices, and the distinction between taxable value and millage rates. He emphasized that property appraisers are independent constitutional officers who assess just value, administer exemptions, and are overseen by the Department of Revenue, with values and exemptions generally determined as of January 1 and subject to challenge through the Value Adjustment Board or circuit court. Mike Twitty described the mass appraisal process in Pinellas County, explaining how property appraisers value large numbers of parcels using the same core approaches as fee appraisals but with statistical testing, field reviews, aerial imagery, and technology. He discussed the importance of budget, staffing, and the January 1 valuation date, and noted that recent hurricanes caused significant damage, increased petitions, and required new procedures to help property owners with value reductions and FEMA-related issues. Paul Polk focused on Department of Revenue oversight, explaining sales ratio studies, uniformity measures such as COD and PRD, time adjustments, sales qualification reviews, and in-depth studies that can lead to corrective action if assessment standards are not met. He also noted that the Department reviews property appraiser budgets to preserve independence from county pressure. Senators asked about the supersized homestead concept, DOR review and rejection standards, value trends, and the impact of storms and new construction on taxable value. Twitty and Polk said value growth has been driven by a mix of new construction, market appreciation, cap resets, and storm-related adjustments, while noting that some counties saw market value decline even as taxable value rose. They also said some property tax relief proposals would be easier to implement than others depending on how local tax bills are structured, especially where law enforcement millage is separately identified. No votes were taken on legislation, and the committee adjourned after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to go back to the small counties who are going to be impacted. ...to the small counties who
• Over the past five years, county ad valorem tax revenue has increased by 48%. ...years, county ad valorem
• This bill would expand the boundaries of the district from Osceola County into Orange County and the
• It requires any referendum within the two counties to involve both counties.
• This bill was passed unanimously through both the Orange County and Osceola County delegation meetings

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on March 27, 2025 and first considered HJR 1257 and its implementing bill, HB 1259, which would create two $25,000 property tax exemptions and an assessment cap for long-term rental properties owned by Floridians who also have a homestead in the state. Supporters argued the measure would increase long-term rental supply and help Florida residents, while opponents from counties and cities warned of a large revenue loss, potential tax shifts to businesses, and weak guardrails against abuse. Members raised concerns about wealthy owners holding many condos, possible family-member workarounds, and whether savings would actually reach tenants. The committee adopted an amendment to the implementing bill, then reported both measures favorably after party-line-leaning debate and recorded votes. The committee then unanimously reported HB 761, which limits deferred ad valorem and non-ad valorem tax relief to properties with a just value of $1 million or less and raises the minimum tax certificate sale amount from $250 to $500. Members also unanimously approved CS/HB 733 on brownfields, which expands and clarifies the state brownfields program, and two Osceola/Sunbridge local bills, CS/HB 4043 and HB 4059, dealing with special district infrastructure and district boundary expansion subject to voter approval. HB 995 on Areas of Critical State Concern, focused largely on the Florida Keys, was amended to remove the ad valorem tax exemption portion and to adjust the growth cap from 500 to 825 units, then was reported favorably. Later, the committee approved HB 6021, which repeals sales tax on all bullion purchases of gold, silver, and platinum, with supporters calling it a sound-money measure and critics asking about future revenue effects if related legal-tender legislation passes. Finally, the committee passed HB 1339, which excludes wind-damage mitigation improvements from assessed value for property tax purposes, after adopting a clarifying amendment about secondary water barriers. Throughout the meeting, most bills were reported favorably, often after brief debate and with little or no public testimony beyond support or opposition from affected local-government and industry groups.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, I am proud to welcome and represent Matagorda County.
• Matagorda County, please stand. I move adoption, Mr. Speaker.
• You've made your school, your city, and your county proud.
• Public Education HB 2658 by Verdell relating to the Kimbell County Hospital District of Kemple County
• subcommittee on County and regional government.

Transcript Highlights:

• County an extra $225,000.
• San Bernardino County, for example, San Diego County, for example, Los Angeles County, for example, as
• Why Riverside County?
• San Bernardino County, for example, San Diego County, for example, Los Angeles County, for example, as
• Judicial discretion varies significantly from county to county.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . counties. counties.
• :00.880> County<00:49:01.119> courouses<00:49:01.839> I County and Palaski County
• Uh when the Pal County Jail came County.
• We see that more with border counties, Kenton County, Christian County, Daviess County, some of those
• c><01:36:39.840> County, County, Christian County, Davis County, County, Christian County, Davis

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:09 State of the Judiciary: 00:02:33 The Corrections - KCTCS Reentry Program: 00:49:44 Update on 2022 RS SB 90: 01:27:49, 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Committee on the Judiciary met on November 6, 2025, approved the minutes, and welcomed guests including Kentucky Specialty Courts manager Elizabeth Nichols and Boyle/Mercer Family Court Judge Bruce Petri. The committee then heard the Chief Justice of Kentucky, Deborah Lambert, deliver her state of the judiciary address, focused largely on judicial branch funding, facilities, technology, and specialty court programs. Chief Justice Lambert said the branch is facing a projected $14.3 million shortfall for fiscal year 2026 and asked lawmakers for supplemental support, access to reserve funds, and higher base appropriations to cover inflation and nondiscretionary costs. She also requested a 15% across-the-board pay increase for judicial branch employees, citing salary gaps with other state workers and declining judicial compensation relative to national averages. She emphasized that the branch has received a clean FY 2025 audit and said the requests were intended to sustain current operations rather than expand them. A major portion of her remarks covered court technology and facilities. She described the move to Chamberlain during Capitol renovations, the purchase of that building as a cost-saving measure, and the need to fund courtroom audio/video systems and a new statewide case management system. She also discussed courthouse maintenance, flood damage, mold issues, security system upgrades, and the $47 million asset preservation fund created last session, while asking for additional local facilities funding and one-time disaster-related support. Lambert highlighted specialty court and statewide program results, including foster care review boards, family recovery courts, court designated worker programs, drug and mental health courts, and the Judicial Commission on Mental Health. She thanked legislators for prior bills and support, including House Bill 1, Senate Bill 26, and the CES law, and said 2026 recommendations will focus on civil commitment reforms under KRS 202C. During questions, Senator Wheeler asked whether some courthouses are being overbuilt; Lambert said most facilities are inadequate, though some may be larger than needed, and that future needs and population changes must be considered. She also noted that virtual hearings and technology have improved efficiency. No votes or formal committee actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• BUT IT WAS BAY COUNTY IN JACKSON COUNTY AND THE PANHANDLE INTO THE SPRING WITH LEON AND THEY EXPERIENCED
• COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGER'S.
• VERSUS PURE TRY COUNTY LINE DEFINITION.
• , WHICH DOES NOT MEAN WE AREN'T TRUE ALIGNMENT WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS AND COUNTY
• THAT IS WHY WE THINK TAKING A COUNTY BY COUNTY APPROACH SPECIFICALLY FOR PHYSICALLY CONSTRAINED RULE

Keywords: 999, 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
• I was mulling over the stats you provided around Butte County—was it Butte County?
• Butte County Office of Education. Oh, yeah, sorry, Butte County Office of Education.
• I'm sure there are counties, even the ones that are single school district counties, right?

Summary: The Select Committee on Youth Mental Health and Treatment Access held its third hearing to review the state of youth mental health, progress under the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI), and remaining implementation and funding challenges. The chair emphasized that schools are often the main point where education, health care, and social services intersect for students, and that the committee’s goal is to ensure public investments translate into better access and outcomes. The hearing featured testimony from researchers, a youth advocate, state officials, and local practitioners. PPIC researcher Shalini Mostala reported that teen mental health remains a serious concern, with high rates of chronic sadness, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts, though recent California data show some improvement since the pandemic. She noted persistent disparities by gender, race, and rural status, and said school-based health centers, wellness centers, and community schools are associated with lower suicidal thoughts. Youth advocate Ella Cruz, speaking for NAMI California, described her own mental health struggles and argued that youth voice, peer-to-peer support, and reducing stigma are essential; she also said technology and AI cannot replace trusted adults or trained professionals. Committee members asked about phone use, stigma, cultural barriers, and how to make supports more accessible and relatable to students. Dr. Sohill Sood of the California Health and Human Services Agency said statewide survey data show declining stigma, increased counseling use, and lower suicide ideation among students, and he highlighted CYBHI’s certified wellness coaches, digital tools, awareness campaigns, and the first-in-the-nation fee schedule that allows schools and colleges to bill health plans for behavioral health services. He said the program is growing quickly, with more than 230,000 claims and over $11 million in new revenue to date, while acknowledging that billing systems and coordination are still being built. Trina Frazier of Fresno County described a multi-tiered system of care supported by CYBHI, CalAIM, and other grants, serving thousands of students through school-based services, wellness centers, and mobile therapy units; she said ongoing funding and flexibility are critical. Rachel Kroberniski of El Segundo High School’s James Morehouse Project described a long-running wellness center and peer mentorship model that supports students in multiple languages, and said peer programs help students feel seen, connected, and more willing to seek help. Members broadly praised the flexibility, collaboration, and peer-based approaches described by the witnesses. Questions focused on sustaining funding after one-time grants expire, improving coordination among schools, counties, and providers, expanding the fee schedule to higher education, and ensuring continuity of care for students after high school. Officials said county offices of education, DHCS, and other partners are using communities of practice and technical assistance to spread best practices, and that CYBHI services can follow some young adults through age 25, with additional supports through community-based programs and digital platforms.

Transcript Highlights:

• The school districts were Allen County, Barbourville Independent in Knox County, Hardin County, Madison
• County, and Murray Independent in Calloway County.
• Christian County? Christian County?
• Um, we do currently have locations in every county, particularly in the county seats of every county
• County Metro government. County Metro government.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first received several information items, including University of Kentucky reports on medical and research equipment purchases, five school districts’ planned bond issues, and a School Facilities Construction Commission list of prior debt issues. Members then heard and approved an appropriation increase for a federally funded University of Kentucky project at the Central Kentucky Regional Airport in Richmond. The project will construct a terminal building and is tied to EKU’s airport operations and planned flight school; members asked about the public funding, the role of EKU, and possible aviation expansion, and the item was approved by roll call. The committee next approved a University of Kentucky lease purchase for an 85,000-square-foot facility at 415 West Sun Street in Morehead for $6.4 million. UK said the property, formerly the Rowan County Board of Education site, is directly across from UK St. Clair and will be used for multiple purposes; members questioned the quarterly payment structure and why the county preferred not to receive the full amount upfront, but the item was approved. The committee then heard three appropriation increases in the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet: a Fish and Wildlife pump project at Ballard Wildlife Management Area and two Lake Barkley State Resort Park repair projects. Finance staff explained the Lake Barkley increases were mainly to cover construction contingencies after bids came in close to available funding, and the committee approved the action items. Janice Thomas then presented four pool projects requiring no action: HVAC upgrades at the Future Farmers of America Leadership Training Center in Hardinsburg, geothermal and HVAC work at the Kentucky School for the Blind, a Brady Hall HVAC project at the Kentucky School for the Blind, and a renovation of Shanti Hall at Kentucky State University for the School of Engineering Technology. Members asked no substantive questions on those items. Finally, Natalie Broner presented a new CHFS lease in Wayne County and a Transportation Cabinet lease modification in Christian County. The Wayne County lease drew the most discussion, with members questioning the rent, the lack of other bids, and whether another county location might be preferable; CHFS said it maintains county-seat offices statewide and that the Wayne County site would replace an existing office. The Christian County item was described as a replacement site for driver licensing services with renovation costs largely absorbed by the lessor. Both lease items were presented for action after the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• the most part and usually the county the most part and usually the county assesses<00:02:09.720>
• lowered uh and then cities and counties lowered uh and then cities and counties begin<00:02:44.800
• c> mainly counties cities when evaluation mainly counties cities when evaluation came<00:04:02.200>
• the stakeholders businesses counties the stakeholders businesses counties taxpayers<00:04:53.479
• dark county is Koochiching.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Certainly in your county it's available. My county, it's not.
• My county, it's not.
• Louis County and Boone County and those other counties. You're right.
• counties.
• Boone County is not an occupancy county, so we don't abide by 137.082.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The way Texas is growing from Harrison, Montgomery County over to Bayer County up I-35 and I-45 to the
• We are the sole landowners of Tarrant County MU 2. It's 374 acres in unincorporated Tarrant County.
• I also met with Tarrant County, and I received a letter of no opposition to Tarrant County Mud 2.
• When you do a mud, let's say in the county, the county can't require you to do it under current law.
• That's, but not if it's in the county. If it's just in the county, no.

Transcript Highlights:

• Louis County.
• <00:36:44.680> is the challenges at Olstead county is the challenges at Olstead county is
• <00:37:05.680> can that's happening in Olstead County can that's happening in Olstead County
• <01:10:55.480> uh remodeling of the uh atasa County uh remodeling of the uh atasa County uh
• <01:13:28.280> um document provided by atasa County um document provided by atasa County um

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bernalillo County was one of the original counties established during Mexican rule in 1852.
• Bernalillo County Deputy Treasurer Linda Stover and former county clerk in Bernalillo County.
• 2, my county commissioner, Frank Baca, who's been up here many times; Bernalillo County Commissioner
• , District 4, Walt Benson; Bernalillo County Commissioner, District 5, Eric Olivas; Bernalillo County
• President—from Bernalillo County.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in Kinney County.
• LaSalle, Zavala counties and Webb County are all down there.
• They were the subsidence districts, Washington County, Chambers... County.
• I mean, Lone Star is in Montgomery County. I represent Montgomery County.
• And you're correct, Smith County is one of the wide areas, and Smith County, Van Zandt County next to

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, shout out for Grafton County.
• at Grafton County Nursing Home. at Grafton County Nursing Home.
• The Association of Counties would welcome and encourage supporters of this bill to attend our County
• Thank you for taking my question and welcome down from Grafton County. County.
• the county uh state finance commission. the county uh state finance commission.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• county home R issue different counties county home R issue different counties may<00:21:18.760><
• <00:21:35.640> honol use ordinance city and county honol use ordinance city and county honol
• So the more rural counties, or the counties that experience less intense tourism, are seeing less abuse
• :12.880> less the counties that experience less the counties that experience less intense<00:24
• where you know this is mostly a county where you know this is mostly a county it's<00:29:26.159>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint House Agriculture and Food Systems and Tourism hearing focused on HB 189 and HB 966, both dealing with agricultural tourism. HB 189 would require counties to adopt ordinances governing review and permitting of agricultural tourism as secondary uses on working farms, require the principal agricultural use to pre-exist any tourism-related permit, and limit ag tourism to land where productive agriculture is occurring. HB 966 would create statewide uniform standards for agricultural tourism, require county registration of activities, require ag tourism to coexist with agricultural activity on a farming operation, and end the tourism use when agricultural activity ceases. Testimony on HB 189 was mixed. The Department of Agriculture and Kualoa Ranch opposed the bill, arguing that the proposed restrictions and income-based limits could burden bona fide farms and ranches, reduce flexibility for counties, and harm food production, jobs, and diversification efforts. Kualoa Ranch said ag tourism supports its food sales and community market and warned the bill could cost more than 350 jobs. The Hawaiʻi Cattlemen’s Council also opposed the measure for similar reasons. The Hawaiʻi Farmers Union supported the bill with suggested amendments, including clearer language around agricultural dedication. The Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau supported the intent of the bill but urged caution, saying ag tourism should remain tied to actual agricultural production and that counties need flexibility to address abuses without imposing overly rigid standards. Members discussed how to define a bona fide agricultural operation and whether property tax agricultural dedication could serve as a clearer qualifier. They also raised concerns about how counties would enforce revenue thresholds or separate accounting for tourism and farm income, and whether state law should better target clearly non-agricultural uses such as gondolas or other abusive developments. The Department of Agriculture and Farm Bureau said counties already have authority to regulate ag tourism through ordinances, but that any new standards should avoid unintended burdens on true farmers and ranchers. HB 966 was then introduced, and initial testimony again reflected support for the bill’s intent from some agricultural groups and opposition or caution from others. Kualoa Ranch said ag tourism can help educate visitors and support agriculture, the Hawaiʻi Farmers Union supported county flexibility, and the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau reiterated concerns about the bill’s income comparison provisions and the need to distinguish legitimate agricultural tourism from misuse. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• But it also includes Hidalgo County. which is, well, almost all of Hidalgo County, except for the very
• county.
• We've struggled with OMIs in this county and all three counties could all go in Grant County because
• you get into Dona Ana County.
• I'm really about Luna County.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because you said all—there's 37 counties that levy it?
• And then always Lee and Polk County.
• And then always Lee and Polk County.
• I mean, impact fees in some counties are like $20,000 a house.
• Like, hey... ...of all this by county, by municipality.

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met with a quorum present and first took up SB 122, which would repeal Chapter 205 governing local business taxes while allowing municipalities that already levy a gross-receipts-based business tax to continue doing so, with limits on changing the tax rate. The sponsor’s proxy and committee members discussed whether local business taxes fund identifiable services, with supporters saying the bill would reduce burdens on businesses and opponents arguing it would remove a capped home-rule revenue source used for general services, economic development, inspections, fire and police support, and business regulation. The Florida Association of Counties and the Florida League of Cities opposed the bill, citing a statewide revenue loss and concern that costs would shift to residential taxpayers, while one member noted the bill should be considered in the context of broader property tax changes. SB 122 was reported favorably by a roll call vote, with Senators Leek, Passidomo, Pizzo, Trumbull, and Chair McClain voting yes and Senator Sharief voting no. The committee then held an extended informational panel on Florida’s housing shortage and affordability challenges. Dr. Samuel Staley said Florida is in a housing crisis driven primarily by insufficient supply, arguing that the state needs far more units each year, that local comprehensive plans and zoning often fail to prioritize housing, and that the state should focus more on measurable impacts, density, accessory dwelling units, smaller lot sizes, and other ways to let the market respond. Ann Ray of the Shimberg Center presented data showing increased single-family and multifamily construction but limited condo growth, highly concentrated new development in a handful of counties, and continued high cost burdens for renters, especially lower-income and older households. Leslie Deutsch of John Burns Research and Consulting said the national housing market is slow, Florida prices are easing but remain well above pre-pandemic levels, and affordability problems are being driven by land, construction, financing, and insurance costs; she urged more product diversity, including build-to-rent, townhomes, manufactured housing, and higher-density redevelopment tailored to local demographics. Members questioned the panel about density, vertical development, impact fees, construction costs, and incentives for local governments. Several senators said local governments need clearer direction or incentives to approve more housing, while others emphasized preserving local character and avoiding overdevelopment. The panel generally agreed that no single policy will solve the problem, but that Florida needs more housing types, more density in appropriate places, updated zoning and building codes, and a more market-responsive regulatory framework. After the presentations and discussion, the committee adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a little background, Pierce County government in the 1980s created the Pierce County Community Development
• It has eight members that are appointed by the Pierce County Executive and confirmed by our Pierce County
• I'm not aware of work that's being done in other counties, but in Pierce County it's not unique because
• We actually worked with the TCRA on a county property on 35th and Pacific that the county transferred
• I think there was a question of, is this across— is what Pierce County is doing in other counties?

Summary: The committee met for work sessions on land banking/shared homeownership and on maximizing existing housing stock. Members first heard an overview from Commerce on alternative homeownership models, including community land trusts, limited equity cooperatives, condominiums, accessory dwelling units, middle housing, church land for housing, and public land transfers. The discussion focused on how these models can help households build equity while keeping housing permanently affordable. Committee members asked about statewide counts of co-ops and land trusts, and Commerce said it does not track all of those entities directly. Pierce County staff then described the Pierce County Community Development Corporation’s rapid acquisition fund and its role in acquiring, holding, and transferring public land for affordable housing. They said the county used general fund and affordable housing sales tax dollars to buy properties, preserve a manufactured home park through resident ownership, and create a pipeline of sites for future development. Members asked about the advantages of a public development authority, funding sources, the use of surplus and underutilized public property, and how the model works with housing authorities. Spokane land bank staff followed with testimony that land banks can reduce blight, preserve affordability, and help nonprofits acquire land quickly, but that holding costs and taxes can make the work harder without state support. They also described brownfield assessments, donated properties, and work on Black homeownership and public surplus properties. The committee then heard from the Northwest Cooperative Development Center on limited equity cooperatives, especially in manufactured housing communities. The witness said Washington now has about 43 limited equity co-ops and that recent subsidy funding and legislation have accelerated resident purchases of manufactured home communities. Members asked how residents benefit from capped equity, how values are affected, and whether the model improves access to lending; the witness said the model stabilizes costs, allows modest equity gains, and that a recent law allowing manufactured homes in co-ops to be titled as real property should improve access to traditional financing. The committee also discussed House Bill 1974 from the prior session and possible updates to land banking legislation. In the second work session on maximizing existing housing stock, Commerce reviewed recent housing laws and implementation timelines, including ADUs, middle housing, condo liability reform, SEPA changes, tiny homes, and co-living. Members raised concerns about the long implementation horizon, vacancy data, corporate ownership of homes, and the need for better support for small landlords and first-time ADU owners. Sightline then testified on mobile dwelling units, arguing that RVs, tiny houses on wheels, and similar units are a low-cost, quick-to-install housing option that is often blocked by zoning; the witness said many Washington residents already live in these units, often informally. Finally, AARP discussed housing options for older adults, including ADUs, missing middle, manufactured home communities, co-living, universal design, and village-style support models, emphasizing aging in place and the need for more accessible, affordable housing choices.