Video & Transcript Research : 'legislative reference bureau'
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OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 29 Evening Session Session Mar 25th, 2026 at 04:30 pm
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Saying that this legislation should be stopped.
- I have a piece of legislation that's statutory.
- But you are correct in the fact that this legislative body and future legislators will have the ability
- At this time, the question before the House is shall Bill House Bill 4440 be referred to the by the legislator
- And there's good legislation.
Bills:
HB4420, HB3974, HB3016, HB3062, HB3021, HB3145, HB4128, HB3131, HB3015, HB3472, HB3453, HB1638, HB4126, HB2696, HB2710, HB3552, HB3031, HB3544, HB3521, HB4490, HB4488, HB1746, HJR1069, HB4428, HB4429, HB1170, HB3538, HB4124, HB3904, HB4106, HB2999, HB3982, HJR1077, HB3464, HB2588, HB3462, HB4440, HB3674, HB3345, HJR1067, HB4326, HB4331, HB4337, HB4338, HB4359, HB4392, HB3557, HJR1076, HB4003, HB3495, HB3497, HB3501, HB3505, HB3749, HB3011, HB4336, HB4346, HJR1087, HB3240, HB3647, HB3796, HB3969, HB3972, HB3983, HB3984, HB3989, HB3383, HB3130, HB4358, HB3327, HJR1055, HB3386, HJR1089, HB3087, HB2970, HB3314, HB4129, HB4199
Keywords:
reading, intervention, literacy, education, third grade retention, teacher training, funding, Strong Readers Act, tort claims, inmate housing, government immunity, public trust, private prison, emergency legislation, vision screening, binocular vision, kindergarten, elementary education, health, firearm rights
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 29 Afternoon Session Mar 25th, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I appreciate that you're developing the legislation as you move forward.
- In this legislation, no. Could that be a recommendation that comes out of some of this?
- In this legislation, there is some language about some outcomes.
- And that's based on the legislation that you see before you today.
- Failed to receive two-thirds vote of those legislators.
Bills:
HB4420, HB3974, HB3016, HB3062, HB3021, HB3145, HB4128, HB3131, HB3015, HB3472, HB3453, HB1638, HB4126, HB2696, HB2710, HB3552, HB3031, HB3544, HB3521, HB4490, HB4488, HB1746, HJR1069, HB4428, HB4429, HB1170, HB3538, HB4124, HB3904, HB4106, HB2999, HB3982, HJR1077, HB3464, HB2588, HB3462, HB4440, HB3674, HB3345, HJR1067, HB4326, HB4331, HB4337, HB4338, HB4359, HB4392, HB3557, HJR1076, HB4003, HB3495, HB3497, HB3501, HB3505, HB3749, HB3011, HB4336, HB4346, HJR1087, HB3240, HB3647, HB3796, HB3969, HB3972, HB3983, HB3984, HB3989, HB3383, HB3130, HB4358, HB3327, HJR1055, HB3386, HJR1089, HB3087, HB2970, HB3314, HB4129, HB4199
Keywords:
reading, intervention, literacy, education, third grade retention, teacher training, funding, Strong Readers Act, tort claims, inmate housing, government immunity, public trust, private prison, emergency legislation, vision screening, binocular vision, kindergarten, elementary education, health, firearm rights
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 29 Morning Session Mar 25th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- But it is important for us to pass this legislation also true to it.
- Do you see this legislative body staying hooked? That is a great question, genuinely.
- And thank you, Speaker Hilbert, for bringing this legislation forward.
- That legislation we passed it last year on Saint Patrick's Day.
- I've reviewed their feedback, and a lot of that is incorporated in the legislation.
Bills:
HB4420, HB3974, HB3016, HB3062, HB3021, HB3145, HB4128, HB3131, HB3015, HB3472, HB3453, HB1638, HB4126, HB2696, HB2710, HB3552, HB3031, HB3544, HB3521, HB4490, HB4488, HB1746, HJR1069, HB4428, HB4429, HB1170, HB3538, HB4124, HB3904, HB4106, HB2999, HB3982, HJR1077, HB3464, HB2588, HB3462, HB4440, HB3674, HB3345, HJR1067, HB4326, HB4331, HB4337, HB4338, HB4359, HB4392, HB3557, HJR1076, HB4003, HB3495, HB3497, HB3501, HB3505, HB3749, HB3011, HB4336, HB4346, HJR1087, HB3240, HB3647, HB3796, HB3969, HB3972, HB3983, HB3984, HB3989, HB3383, HB3130, HB4358, HB3327, HJR1055, HB3386, HJR1089, HB3087, HB2970, HB3314, HB4129, HB4199
Keywords:
reading, intervention, literacy, education, third grade retention, teacher training, funding, Strong Readers Act, tort claims, inmate housing, government immunity, public trust, private prison, emergency legislation, vision screening, binocular vision, kindergarten, elementary education, health, firearm rights
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 28 Afternoon Session Mar 24th, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative, thank you for this legislation. Would you agree?
- What the intent of this piece of legislation is to reduce harm for Oklahomans.
- So there are essentially two arguments against this piece of legislation.
- I think that's what we're referring to when we talk about case by case.
- I think what we have to refer back to is the constitution.
Bills:
HB3329, HR1039, HR1040, HB3413, HB3414, HB3415, HB3416, HB3417, HB3418, HB3419, HB3420, HB3706, HB3711, HB4139, HB1268, HB3660, HJR1023, HB3298, HB3056, HJR1084, HB3934, HB3919, HB4118, HB4119, HB3791, HB4260, HB4178, HB4215, HB4324, HB3270, HB4352, HB4305, HB2955, HB3315, HB3066, HB1245, HB4125, HB3075, HB3129, HB3239, HB4153, HB3265, HB4491, SB680, HB4263, HB4268, HB1675, HB3885, HB2984, HB3697, HB2959, HB3671, HB3852, HB2933, HB3057, HB3802, HB4294, HB4285, HB3708, HB3979, HB3977, HB3986, HB3985, HB3588, HB3742, HB3845, HJR1070, HB3590, HB3595, HB3391, HB3183, HB3764, HB3765, HB1002, HB4434, HJR1086, HB4060, HB3881, HB3500, HB4408, HB3648, HB3127, HB3606
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 28 Morning Session Mar 24th, 2026 at 09:30 am
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- first page said this: within this document, you will find a list of statutory issues identified by legislators
- , the Legislative Office of Physical Transparency, the Office of the State Auditor, and other officials
- As well, for your consideration, you will find proposed legislation that seeks to remedy those issues
- So what I did, knowing this enlisted the help of several of our fellow legislators.
- We've had other legislators that have run bills this year that deal with some of those other subjects
Bills:
HB3329, HR1039, HR1040, HB3413, HB3414, HB3415, HB3416, HB3417, HB3418, HB3419, HB3420, HB3706, HB3711, HB4139, HB1268, HB3660, HJR1023, HB3298, HB3056, HJR1084, HB3934, HB3919, HB4118, HB4119, HB3791, HB4260, HB4178, HB4215, HB4324, HB3270, HB4352, HB4305, HB2955, HB3315, HB3066, HB1245, HB4125, HB3075, HB3129, HB3239, HB4153, HB3265, HB4491, SB680, HB4263, HB4268, HB1675, HB3885, HB2984, HB3697, HB2959, HB3671, HB3852, HB2933, HB3057, HB3802, HB4294, HB4285, HB3708, HB3979, HB3977, HB3986, HB3985, HB3588, HB3742, HB3845, HJR1070, HB3590, HB3595, HB3391, HB3183, HB3764, HB3765, HB1002, HB4434, HJR1086, HB4060, HB3881, HB3500, HB4408, HB3648, HB3127, HB3606
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS House Floor - 23 March, 2026; 4:00 PM
Mississippi House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- ;> This bill puts the Hancock County Tourism<00:10:49.360>
Development <00:10:49.880>Bureau - <00:10:50.240>
into Tourism Development Bureau into Tourism Development Bureau into abeyance - those funds toward the Gulf Coast those funds toward the Gulf Coast Tourism Tourism Tourism um um um bureau
- 03.480>
so <00:11:03.880>all <00:11:04.000>they're <00:11:04.120>doing bureau - And so all they're doing bureau there.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, confirmed a quorum, dispensed with reading of the journal, and received no reports from select committees or resolutions. Members then recognized several guests, including the JPS Tougaloo Early College High School Mock Trial Team, which was congratulated for its performance in the Magnolia Bar Association Mock Trial competition, along with Gayla Carver Sanders and Judge Crystal Wise Martin.
The chamber then took up a series of local and county bills on the calendar, all of which were advanced by the usual motions and passed overwhelmingly or unanimously. House Bill 4080 authorized Jackson County to contribute $5,000 to the Junior Auxiliary program; HB 4110 created a trust fund for Oktibbeha County related to the sale of medical property; HB 4111 and HB 4135 authorized conviction assessments in Perry County and Waynesboro, respectively, for justice court building maintenance; HB 4115 extended a Hattiesburg lease to 30 years; HB 4130 created the Yazoo County Economic and Industrial Development Authority, with an amendment changing “partnership” to “alliance”; and HB 4134 created an industrial zone emergency response district for Lowndes County. Each bill passed with little or no debate, with vote totals ranging from 115 to 119 yeas and zero nays.
After the bills, the Clerk reported no announcements, and members made several notices, including a Capitol Prayer Group meeting, BEAM office hours for broadband grant information, and a joint Public Utilities/Senate Energy hearing on the MSWiNS system. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn until 10:00 a.m. the next day.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
House Select Committee on Homeland Security May 26th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Earlier, I made reference to our three priorities.
- You're referring to the ISIL report? Yes, ma'am. Yes.
- We didn't carry the legislation. It wasn't a GOSEP-sponsored piece of legislation.
- So to your points are about legislative audit findings.
- legislation under the Stafford Act and 44 CFR.
Summary:
The committee first heard an update on the Northwest Louisiana earthquake cluster. Laura Sori of the Department of Conservation and Energy said the agency has inspected Class II injection wells within 12 miles of the earthquakes, found no permit violations, and is requiring monthly reporting of daily injection data. LSU and Tulane researchers explained that the swarm includes about 50 earthquakes detected by USGS since December 2025, including a 4.9 magnitude event on March 5, and that better monitoring is needed because Louisiana has very limited seismic station coverage. Dr. Cynthia Ebinger said her temporary array has detected more small quakes than USGS, that the pattern looks more like a swarm than normal aftershocks, and that the data suggest pressure changes in the subsurface, though no definitive cause was identified. Keith Hall of LSU described how other states responded to suspected induced seismicity with more monitoring, more frequent reporting, injection limits or moratoria, and “traffic light” systems that escalate regulatory responses as seismicity increases. Members asked about depths, fault locations, possible links to injection or fracking, and whether more monitoring and data-sharing should be pursued; several speakers said Louisiana likely needs a denser monitoring network and more structured data collection. A Texas geoscientist, William Berger, also testified that Texas uses large-scale data analysis and AI to study injection-related seismicity and argued for secure sharing of operator data to improve forecasting and risk management.
The committee then took testimony on UAV and drone incursions over Barksdale Air Force Base. GOSEP said the incident was logged in WebEOC and the common operating picture, but that Barksdale did not request direct GOSEP resources and that the matter was handled through law enforcement channels. Louisiana State Police and the FBI said they were limited in what they could disclose, but confirmed multiple drone sightings on the morning and evening of March 9 and continued monitoring for several days. State Police said they have created a task force with the Police Chiefs Association, Sheriffs Association, GOSEP, and LSP, and that officers are receiving FBI-related training to help detect and, where authorized, mitigate drones. Members discussed whether the activity was nefarious, what counts as an incursion, and the need for better public education about drone restrictions near military and critical infrastructure sites. No formal action was taken, but members said the issue will continue to be tracked alongside pending legislation.
Finally, the committee received a one-year update on the merger of GOSEP with the Louisiana National Guard and Military Department. Major General Thomas Freelieu and Brigadier General Jason Maffus said the merger has reduced GOSEP from seven divisions to three, shifted administrative functions to the Military Department, and produced about $10.5 million in first-year cost avoidance. They said the agency has modernized its common operating picture, returned staff to in-person work, and continued statewide preparedness exercises. Freelieu highlighted Guard missions including cyber expansion, the new Air National Guard cyber squadron at Jackson Barracks, modernization of the 159th Fighter Wing, and ongoing support for homeland security missions in New Orleans and Washington, D.C. Maffus said GOSEP’s core mission remains emergency preparedness, response, and recovery, and that the merger is intended to make state support to parishes faster and more efficient.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
WAM-GVO, WAM-WLA Informational Briefings 01-13-2026
Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- ,<01:42:15.920>
our For the Bureau of Conveyances, our For the Bureau of Conveyances, our - <01:42:25.320>
is Another accomplishment of the Bureau is Another accomplishment of the Bureau - But then if you have to refer back to a slide, you can go back.
- Okay. refer back to a slide, you can go back. refer back to a slide, you can go back. Yeah. Yeah.
- >
to <03:36:46.760>the I think you're referring to the I think you're referring to the
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- If you would, when you have a question, just refer to the item number so we can get the appropriate agency
- answers at Representative Wooten asked during our budget hearing, and I'm going to provide those to Bureau
- I'm going to provide those to Bureau staff.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Fiscal Policy Jan 14th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I mean, we're not getting the results that we're seeking in this legislation. Mr. Chair?
- to reach an issue that is impacting some ag areas and some rural communities based on some other legislation
- Communities based on some other legislation that we've passed.
- Tripp Hunter, Florida Farm Bureau, waving in support. Thank you very much.
- Tripp Hunter, Florida Farm Bureau, waving in support.
Summary:
The Committee on Fiscal Policy heard and approved two bills. First, it took up CS for SB 290, an agriculture and consumer services bill, and adopted a strike-all amendment that covered a wide range of issues: density limits for certain small municipalities, a delay in biosolids rule changes from July 1, 2026 to July 1, 2028, higher insurance and penalty requirements for fumigation businesses, longer payment timeframes for contractors to pay subcontractors and suppliers, restrictions on county agritourism permitting ordinances, and renaming the Bonifay Forestry Station. Senators raised concerns about the contractor penalty increase, local government preemption, and the biosolids provisions. Audubon Florida testified in opposition to the state lands and biosolids sections, while several industry and agriculture groups waved in support. The committee then voted the bill favorably, with Senator Bracey Davis voting no.
The committee next heard SB 320 on administrative efficiency in public schools. The bill would reduce district-level requirements in areas such as assessments, personnel, facilities, and budgeting; expand teacher apprenticeship and multi-year contracts; streamline salary supplements and testing calendars; give districts more flexibility with Title I and capital funds; update facility planning rules; and shift oversight of district-run VPK programs. Supporters from several school districts and education groups waved in favor. Senators generally supported the goal of reducing administrative burdens, though one question was raised about remedies if charter schools fail to respond directly to Department of Education inquiries. The sponsor said the bill is intended to create a more direct reporting path and reduce unnecessary layers of regulation. SB 320 was reported favorably, and the committee then adjourned.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 2/19/26
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, but we're really trying referred to.
- of Legislative Auditor, the Bureau<00:41:36.079>
of <00:41:36.240>Criminal <00:41:36.560 - <00:53:02.800>
So referred that to law enforcement. So referred that to law enforcement. - There's a of, legislators are a part of.
- :36:19.360>
empower <01:36:19.760>the we draft legislation, we empower the we draft legislation
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- And I'll refer to this work group as the initial work group or the first work group.
- And legislative issues will percolate up from those committees.
- So, in the And legislative issues will percolate up from those committees.
- The statute also refers to hearing these matters in chambers.
- There are some positions legislatively that are also prescribed in statute.
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee met with a quorum present and heard several Office of the State Courts Administrator presentations. Judge Mark Mahan discussed the impact of 2023’s HB 837 litigation reforms on court operations, explaining that the law’s changes to comparative negligence, filing deadlines, collateral source evidence, premises liability, bad faith claims, attorney’s fees, and offer-of-judgment rules triggered a major March 2023 civil filing surge. He described how filings tripled statewide, with especially large increases in auto negligence and premises liability cases, and outlined how circuits responded through active case management, added resources, and workflow changes. Members asked whether the bill’s immediate effective date contributed to the surge and whether clearance rates would normalize over time; Judge Mahan said the court system viewed its response as a success and expected rates to settle as the backlog is worked through.
The committee then received a presentation on problem-solving courts from Jennifer Grandal and Judge Nina Richardson. Grandal reviewed Florida’s drug courts, mental health courts, veterans courts, dependency and early childhood courts, noting statewide best-practice standards, annual reporting requirements, funding sources, and data collection systems. Judge Richardson gave a local perspective on treatment courts, emphasizing that they address underlying mental health and substance use issues, rely on judicial supervision and sanctions as well as incentives, and help participants achieve recovery and avoid reoffending. She said the programs are accountable, transparent, and effective, and thanked the Legislature for continued support.
Finally, Judge Rachel Nordby and Eric McClure outlined the judicial branch’s legislative agenda. Nordby summarized the Supreme Court workgroup’s recommendations to expand Florida’s vexatious litigant law, including broader coverage, fewer qualifying adverse cases, a longer lookback period, and a public records exemption for stricken defamatory or sham material. McClure then highlighted additional agenda items: modernizing the duty-judge statute, expanding senior management retirement eligibility, authorizing additional judgeships based on workload studies, removing the statutory cap on court-ordered nonbinding arbitration compensation, protecting appellate clerks’ personal information, allowing alternative authentication for certain judicial notarizations, and creating a hearsay exception for guardian ad litem reports and testimony. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after member introductions and staff introductions.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 3/19/25
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- kosnik again the chair will re-refer kosnik again the chair will re-refer this<00:42:37.319>
- <00:47:55.160>
DLI alternative to the legislation DLI alternative to the legislation DLI recommends - <01:17:58.719>
that <01:17:58.840>was bipartisan legislation that was bipartisan legislation - <01:18:04.520>
this <01:18:04.679>legislation 2024 the legislation this legislation - 2024 the legislation this legislation will<01:18:05.239>
narrow <01:18:05.600>the <01:18
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- So your reference was what page? Sorry. So I have HB 2 as amended by the House, page 70, line 21.
- uh uh the plant botonist uh from bureau uh uh the plant botonist uh from DNCR.<00:47:31.760>
So,< - I believe that refers to the Seal of Quality program. Okay. All right, thank you. Thank you.
- Certainly that does not align with what the commitment was from prior legisl...
- The commitment was from prior legislators, but we're not bound to that.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Additionally, we have representatives from the Texas Municipal Police and the Bureau of Harris County
- I'm the legislative chairman of the Sheriff's Association of Texas, and I've obviously been before many
- And then we gave it to Legislative Council, and we got it about 10 o'clock last night.
- That's a pretty good forecast for a legislative body. I just wanted to compliment you on that.
- What section are you referring to?
Keywords:
SB 1493, Texas Transportation Code, motor vehicle lighting, vehicle lighting standards, high-mounted stoplamp, center high mount stop lamp, CHMSL, brake light, stop lamp, federal motor vehicle safety standards, 49 C.F.R. 571.108, FMVSS 108, vehicle inspection, automotive compliance, Transportation Committee, Texas vehicle equipment, motor vehicle collision report, crash report, accident report, traffic accident
Summary:
The committee meeting focused on two primary bills, SB1598 and SB1493. SB1598, introduced by Senator Hagen Booth, addresses the clarity of collision report information access for law enforcement, aiming to enhance the tools available to police agencies across Texas for solving crimes. The meeting featured strong support from police representatives, including Sheriff Brian Hawthorne of Chambers County, who emphasized the significance of the CARFAX program for police in facilitating access to vital vehicle information, free of charge. Public testimony reflected a consensus on the necessity of the bill for improved investigatory processes.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair and Senator, it refers to most often contributions that ERB cannot reach the member or a beneficiary
- And that's why we recommend; we commend Representative Pope for carrying this important legislation.
- We leave this legislative session, and passing this bill is a great example of how to accomplish that
- I just think legislation and bills like this really come from the community, right?
- And I would also invite all of you to refer to the excellent Analysis and fiscal report from LFC and
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Committee Sep 11th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I now just want to invite our legislative analyst to offer any thoughts or feedback. Okay.
- Gabe Pettick, legislative analyst. Yeah, it's approximately.
- And yet another piece of legislation that can truly harm our communities.
- And so these... ...that this was legislative leadership with the Senate and the Assembly.
- This legislative session, we've seen legislative leadership turn their back on their constituents, values
Summary:
The Assembly Budget Committee held an informational hearing on the September budget package, which included SB 105 and a series of trailer bills covering health, human services, education, resources, child care, transportation, labor, public safety, housing, revenue, background checks, collective bargaining, and a special election. The Department of Finance described the package as largely technical and clarifying, but also responsive to state and federal changes, especially H.R. 1. Key items included roughly $3.3 billion in Proposition 4 climate and environmental spending, $540 million in discretionary greenhouse gas reduction funds, and major responses to H.R. 1 such as CalFresh error-rate mitigation, food bank support, and Medicaid-related changes. Other notable provisions included vaccine policy flexibility, an Abortion Access Fund, a gender-affirming care program, community college basic-needs and aid changes, CEQA and coastal permit exemptions tied to the 2028 Olympics, invasive mussel prevention funding, a civic media program, labor and pension-related provisions, and special election administration changes.
Members raised questions and concerns about several parts of the package. There was support for climate, water, transit, offshore wind, food security, and health investments, but also significant criticism of the lack of cleanup language for SB 131 and its advanced manufacturing exemptions, with multiple members saying promised fixes had not materialized and expressing concerns about tribal consultation, labor standards, and environmental protections. Members also questioned the scale and timing of some Proposition 4 allocations, including fairground upgrades, regional conveyance, and a UC Davis alternative protein research center. The Department of Finance said some programs would roll out over time and that certain funding levels reflected current implementation capacity.
The hearing also featured discussion of Bay Area transit financing, with Finance saying SB 105 directs the department and CalSTA to examine loan or other financing options rather than immediately providing loans. Members and public commenters also discussed the state’s response to H.R. 1, with advocates supporting food bank, health care, and immunization provisions while warning of ongoing harm to immigrants, foster youth, and other vulnerable groups. Public testimony broadly supported the health, food, water, offshore wind, and golden mussel provisions, while many speakers echoed legislative concerns about SB 131 and urged cleanup action in the next session. No votes were taken because the hearing was informational only, though the chair noted votes on the bills were expected later that night or the next morning.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 02/06/25
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the executive director of the Washington County Community Development Agency and the legislative
- I'm the executive director of the Washington County Community Development Agency and the legislative
- <00:30:16.799>
of University of Minnesota deth's Bureau of University of Minnesota deth's - <00:43:15.720>
in you I I I think uh just to reference in you I I I think uh just to reference - <00:46:37.640>
and prevailing wage you know legislation and prevailing wage you know legislation
Summary:
The committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention heard presentations focused on public housing and related funding needs, with testimony from Minnesota NAHRO and several local housing authorities. Melissa Taphorn described the role of housing authorities statewide, including public housing, vouchers, CDBG/HOME funds, Bridges, and HEAT, and emphasized that public housing serves over 36,000 low-income Minnesotans, many of whom are seniors, people with disabilities, or children. She said federal operating and capital funds are insufficient, creating deferred maintenance backlogs, and noted that Minnesota’s public housing capital needs over a five-year period were about $500 million, with nearly $200 million unmet. She also discussed federal uncertainty, including a recent HUD funding freeze notice, possible changes to fair housing requirements, RAD repositioning options, and Build America, Buy America costs.
Committee members asked about tenant rent calculations and the populations served. Testimony clarified that public housing residents generally pay 30% of monthly income, with utility allowances factored in, and that the average tenant rent in Minnesota is about $399. Members also heard that about 65% of public housing households are seniors or people with disabilities, while about 35% are families. The committee then heard examples of how state POP grants have been used to preserve public housing stock. Kurt Kina of the Red Wing HRA described multiple POP-funded projects that replaced windows, upgraded heating and cooling, and modernized electrical systems in a 100-resident high-rise, saying the work was essential to keep the building viable.
Louise Siba of the St. Paul PHA testified that St. Paul’s authority serves nearly 22,000 people through more than 4,200 public housing units and over 5,200 vouchers, with most townhomes and high-rises serving elderly or disabled residents. She said St. Paul PHA has received nearly $16 million in POP funding since 2012, including about $8.5 million last year, and that those funds enabled major life-safety and modernization projects such as the Denan Terrace renovation and boiler, plumbing, and interior upgrades in high-rises. Jill Keers of the Duluth HRA described a broader set of housing programs, including vouchers, rehab loans, emergency repair funds, construction training, and development. She said Duluth HRA is adding 128 housing units between 2023 and 2025, including mixed-income rentals, senior housing, and family townhomes, and stressed that state investment through POP and other programs is necessary to keep housing affordable and safe.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Members of the public who wish to electronically submit comments may refer to the public notice posting
- To be a part of the conversation and to have their legislative agenda well represented.
- Up here on the dais is my legislative director and committee clerk, Santino Camacho.
- I'd like to, uh, we have our, our legislative director also assisting here and Mrs.
- We've been focused on this in the interim and continuing to follow legislation.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And Legislative Aid, Pierce Law, who's back in the office.
- I served the last legislative session, and it's great.
- So Bureau of Economic Geology has been a good partner with us.
- We're certainly tracking all the legislation.
- Very beneficial for our industry and I think the legislative process.