Transcript Highlights:

• Prior to serving in the Assembly, I served as a county supervisor in Santa Barbara County.
• of the county jails.
• County.
• County during New Year's Eve.
• County, North L.A. County, where we have three SVPs that have in place in the Antelope Valley.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm an Itasca County Commissioner. I represent District 3 of Itasca County.
• approval of my county board at a county approval of my county board at a county board<00:23:30.960
• Like many other northern counties, Itasca County utilizes county OHV trail development policy alongside
• Like many other northern counties, Itasca County utilizes county OHV trail development policy alongside
• Like many other northern counties, Itasca County utilizes county OHV trail development policy alongside

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• director County of Kui?
• Kawaii County, minutes for questions. Kawaii County, please<00:24:52.720> proceed.
• Kawaii County. That was under scheduled. Kawaii County. That was under scheduled.
• like county amendments to our county like county amendments to our county code<02:20:05.040>
• and the county stay within Maui County and the county will<03:54:59.760> only<03:54:59.920>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The task force held its first meeting, beginning with roll call and introductions of members and participants in the room and on Zoom. The chair emphasized Sunshine Law transparency, noted the meeting was on September 11, and opened public testimony on the orientation report. No one testified in person or on Zoom, and the chair observed a moment of silence in remembrance of 9/11 before moving into the agenda. The chair then reported on several orientation presentations given statewide between July 18 and September 5, including meetings with transit-oriented development, the Maui Chamber of Commerce, the Kona-Kohala Chamber, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce on Hawaiʻi Island, the Hawaiʻi Island Chamber of Commerce, the Hawaiʻi Island Native Hawaiian Chamber, and the Capo Chamber of Commerce. The main presentation item was a detailed overview from Kauaʻi County on its permitting process. County staff explained that zoning and building permits are handled separately on the outer islands, with zoning focused on form, character, and compatibility, and building permits focused on health and safety. They described a two-tier zoning system: ministerial permits that are automatically approved if not acted on within 30 days, and discretionary permits that go to the planning commission and can become lengthy contested cases if there is intervention. They also discussed special management area review in coastal areas, which can add time, and explained that building permits must conform to what was approved in zoning. Kauaʻi County staff also outlined the building permit process, including online and in-person submission, coordination with planning, engineering, water, wastewater, health, and fire agencies, and the county’s fully electronic review system using ProjectDox and related software. They noted that applicants are encouraged to check zoning, water, wastewater, and floodplain issues before hiring someone to prepare plans, especially for homeowners. The county shared permit and utility statistics and said the public can check permit history through Click2Gov. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided; after the Kauaʻi presentation, the chair opened a question period for members.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the county seat package is changing to $4,200,000.
• The county seat package is changing to $4,231,543.
• pretty aggressive and the third county actually had the opportunity to learn from those two counties
• You know, I'm a Kent County boy and always will be.
• And I'm talking, you know, must be everyone in the county.

Summary: The Joint Finance Committee met to review and vote on the fiscal year 2027 Grants and Aid Act, which was expected to be pre-filed as Senate Bill 337. Members first reviewed Section 1, covering county seat payments, paramedic operations, senior center allocations, senior center transportation, and Homeland Security grants. They approved Section 1 after discussion of how senior center transportation is being moved from DART to grant-in-aid and how some organizations can appear in both the senior center formula and the general aging category. The committee then worked through Section 2, which included one-time appropriations and the various grant categories for aging, arts/historical/recreation, economic housing or labor services, family and youth services, health or disability services, and neighborhood and community services. Members discussed several specific items, including New Castle County reassessment-related funding, Friends of Cooch’s Bridge, Slaughter Neck Community Action Organization, Plastic-Free Delaware, Love, Inc. of the Delmarva, and the Southern Delaware Horse Retirement Association. One aging line for Slaughter Neck was reduced back to flat funding after members questioned a large increase, and the revised category total was adjusted accordingly. Each of the Section 2 subcategories was then adopted. Section 3, covering fire companies and public service ambulance companies, was approved with increases across apparatus, ambulance, rescue truck, aerial truck, rescue boat, substation, and insurance rebate equalization funding. Section 4, for veterans organizations and youth programs such as Boys State, Girls State, and Trooper Youth Week, was also adopted. The committee then approved the epilogue sections, which included eligibility, audit, payment, and reporting rules; special provisions for the Wilmington Senior Center contingency; conditions tied to several one-time appropriations; withholding funding from Merri-Dell Volunteer Fire Company pending a corrective report; and reprogramming $1,485,000 from a prior SMART food program appropriation toward SNAP/WIC-related food access initiatives. The meeting ended with remarks thanking staff and noting that it was likely the last JFC meeting for two members, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• approved by the Citrus County Board of County Commissioners.
• Lucie County Mosquito Control, Kim Pruitt, St. Lucie County, waives in support.
• Jan Polk County Board of County Chair: Commissioners waives in support.
• Cobb: My county did away with their business tax receipt in their county probably five or so years ago
• Owen: qualified voters of Hillsborough County will change the makeup of the County Commission to nine

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent Broward County, which is Southwest Broward.
• I represent House District 46, which is part of Osceola County, the fastest-growing county in the state
• Adam Otana, District 80, Coastal Lee and Collier County.
• I represent House District 46, which is the part of Osceola County, fastest growing county in the state
• That's northwest Miami-Dade County.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on March 13, 2025, for its first meeting of the session, with member and staff introductions followed by consideration of several tax-related bills. The committee first heard HJR 163 and its implementing bill HB 165, which would extend the homestead property tax exemption for quadriplegics to surviving spouses, similar to the treatment for surviving spouses of certain disabled veterans. Sponsor Rep. Tant and constituent J.R. Harding described the financial and caregiving burdens faced by spouses of quadriplegics. The committee heard supportive testimony from the Florida Association of Property Appraisers and members voted both measures favorably without opposition. The committee then considered HB 785 on heated tobacco products. Rep. Tramont said the bill would create a new tax/regulatory category for the product, and an amendment clarifying the definition was adopted. The James Madison Institute offered a resource on the issue, the Florida Retail Federation waived in support, and Ranking Member Eskamani said she had concerns about the excise tax treatment and would vote no. The bill passed 16-1. Next, HB 321, a property tax exemption clarification for homes for the aged, was presented by Rep. Smith as a technical “glitch bill” to align state law with IRS tax code and ease development of low-income senior housing. It drew supportive testimony and passed unanimously. The final bill, HB 503 by Rep. Botana, would cap local government revenue from local business taxes and require refunds if collections exceed the cap, with carve-outs for fiscally constrained areas. Local government and economic development groups, including the Florida League of Cities, the City of Winter Haven, the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, and the Florida Association of Counties, opposed the bill, arguing it would limit funding for public safety, inspections, economic development, and other services and create administrative refund problems. Several members supported the bill as a tax-cutting measure, while others warned of impacts on local services and revenue flexibility. The committee reported HB 503 favorably on a 14-5 vote, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The county board of education on the counties that do elect their board is incredibly important.
• In our county, we hold the election in the primary, allowing the voters to make the contest for County
• for their County Board of Education.
• But currently, cities and counties are banned if they're general law cities and counties.
• But currently, cities and counties are banned if they're general law cities and counties.

Summary: The Assembly Elections Committee met on July 2, 2025, with a quorum present and took up eight agenda items, including four consent bills. The committee first approved the consent calendar, which included SB 280, SB 621, SB 851, and SB 852, all moving forward without objection. The committee then heard several bills from Senator Umberg focused on election administration and campaign finance, along with SB 408 on voter-roll maintenance. SB 249 would require county board of education elections to be consolidated with the statewide general election. Supporters, including the League of Women Voters, argued this would increase turnout and make those elections more representative; opponents, including Orange County education officials, argued it would override local control, increase costs, and add ballot fatigue. The bill passed 5-2 and was re-referred to the Committee on Education. SB 398 would make it a crime to pay or offer contingent payments or other valuable consideration to induce voting or voter registration, closing what supporters described as a loophole involving lotteries and incentives. It passed 5-0 as amended and was re-referred to the Committee on Public Safety. SB 42 would remove the state ban on public financing for campaigns in general law cities and counties, allowing local voters to decide whether to adopt such systems. Supporters from Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, and many local advocates said it would broaden participation and reduce the influence of big money; opponents raised concerns about taxpayer funding, guardrails, and local oversight. The bill passed 5-2 and was re-referred to Appropriations. Finally, SB 408 would require election officials to use U.S. Postal Service change-of-address data to help maintain voter rolls; supporters said it would improve accuracy and trust in elections, while one commenter questioned reliance on postal data. The bill passed unanimously 6-0 and was re-referred to Appropriations. The committee then completed the remaining roll calls and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• and<00:08:46.560> those county by county breakdown and those county by county breakdown and
• 20 years later and now I'm a County 20 years later and now I'm a County service<00:10:22.399>
• The other thing I'll say is I'm also an Aitkin County commissioner, and in Aitkin County we're one of
• the poorest counties in the state.
• The other thing I'll say is I'm also an Aitkin County commissioner, and in Aitkin County we're one of

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• sit standing out from Hartford County. sit standing out from Hartford County.
• [applause] County. They have 350 volunteers that County.
• [applause] Vienna in Dorchester County. [applause] Vienna in Dorchester County.
• > District Lydia Bevvens, Anaonda County, District Lydia Bevvens, Anaonda County, District 33B
• County District 25. County District 25.

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, January 23, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 118 members present, opened with prayer, and proceeded through the day’s desk work. The clerk read introductory House bills 445 through 488, which were first read and referred to the appropriate committees, along with introductory House joint resolutions and several bond initiatives referred to Appropriations. A letter reassigning House Bill 149 to Economic Matters was also journalized. Committee announcements noted that several standing committees would not meet that day, while the House Rules and Executive Nominations Committee would meet virtually on Monday at 1:00 p.m. because of the snowstorm; the fiscal briefing was moved to 4:00 p.m. on Zoom. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on questions about the Rules Committee hearing process for House Bill 488, the congressional redistricting bill. Members asked about witness sign-up timing, whether the weekend extension was allowed, and whether there were conflicts of interest in the process. The parliamentarian and Speaker responded that the chair has discretion, that testimony sign-up had been extended through Friday, Saturday, and Sunday due to weather, and that if there were no electricity on Monday the hearing would be rescheduled. The Speaker also said the fiscal note for HB 488 would be available before the hearing. The rest of the session consisted largely of caucus, delegation, and guest announcements. Members announced upcoming meetings for the Waterman’s Caucus, Legislative Jewish Caucus, Women’s Caucus, LGBTQ+ Caucus, and a fire/EMS coalition, and noted the cancellation of an in-person Holocaust Remembrance event in favor of a virtual format. Guests and interns were recognized in the gallery, including representatives from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, 100 Black Men of Charles County, Howard University students, and several student interns. The House also recognized the pages for their service and celebrated Delegate Marlon Amprey’s upcoming birthday. The chamber then adjourned until Monday, January 26 at 8:00 p.m., with the public again invited to submit testimony over the weekend.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gentleman from Greene County. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Clair County, back on the bill. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• The gentleman from Greene County. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• Louis County any help with you on this bill?
• Gentlemen from Veteran Green County, thank you, Mr.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• County. County. >> Good<00:02:51.040> morning. >> Good morning.
• County. County.
• Balt from Prince George's County. Balt from Prince George's County.
• from Montgomery County. from Montgomery County.
• gentleman from Carol County. gentleman from Carol County.

Keywords: House streaming session for Tuesday, February 10, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House convened with 129 members present, offered a prayer, and then took up a series of ceremonial resolutions recognizing Maryland Library Day, the Clarksburg High School girls flag football team for winning the 4A/3A state championship, and the Stephen Decatur High School boys varsity soccer team for winning the 3A state championship. Each resolution was read and adopted with applause. The chamber also received and adopted messages from the Senate and House regarding a joint meeting for the Governor’s address on February 11, 2026, and the appointment of joint escort committees for the Governor and Lieutenant Governor. The House then moved through committee reports on several bills, adopting favorable reports and ordering bills printed for third reading, including House Bills 1068 through 1090 by consent, House Bill 273 on SHOP enrollment effective date changes, House Bill 275/277 on Medicare supplement policies and insurance third-party administrators, Senate Bill 245 on prohibiting immigration enforcement agreements, House Bill 20 and Senate Bill 17 on Baltimore City alcoholic beverages related event promoters permits, House Bill 3 on tuition exemptions for dependents of public safety employees, and House Bill 60 on sickle cell disease policies and educational campaigns. House Bill 226 on Department of Disabilities housing programs was amended to clarify Attorney General review of policies before its favorable report was adopted. Two bills were special ordered for later consideration: House Bill 28 on private career schools advertising, at the request of a delegate for a committee amendment, and House Bill 229 on Maryland Transportation Authority revenue bond limits. The House also heard a floor amendment to House Bill 60 adding “Caitlyn’s Law” to line three, which was adopted. The session included committee, subcommittee, delegation, and caucus announcements, a Black History Month moment on the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and several guest recognitions. The House adjourned on motion of the Majority Leader until Wednesday, February 11, 2026, at 11:30 a.m., with a reminder that bills must be submitted to the Chief Clerk by February 12 to avoid referral to Rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is very specifically bracketed to Laredo, Texas, and Webb County, and no other county in the state
• , not just counties of 250,000 and above.
• I am the president of the Webb County Deputy Sheriffs Association. down there in Webb County, Laredo,
• Pay the fairgrounds, and the fairgrounds can't pay the county, and the county could pay the officers
• I'm the chief of security employed by Webb County. Who are you paid by? By Webb County.

Bills: HB 1065, HB2929, HB2956, HB3009, HB3420, HB3626, HB3649, HB4956, HB4993, HB5293, HB5308, HB5528, HCR118, SB36, HB4023, SB 36

Keywords: employee classification, private security, misclassification, workforce regulations, Texas Workforce Commission, autism, peace officers, training program, law enforcement, intervention, communication, developmental disability, family violence, central database, criminal offense, registration, public safety, violent offenses, criminal database, Department of Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• They were Christian County, Eminence Independent, Henry County, Estill County, and the Graves County
• The reported items included Christian County, Eminence Independent, Henry County, Estill County, and
• They reported an upcoming revenue bond to finance new projects in Henderson County and Jessamine County
• Graves County Board of Graves County Board of Education<00:01:24.320> pursuant<00:01:24.759>
• <00:01:57.840> PR palaski County PR palaski County PR 5882<00:01:59.920> and<00:02:

Keywords: 00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:30 Approval of Minutes 00:59 Information Items 03:34 Finance and Admin Cabinet 12:31 KY Infrastructure Authority 21:47 Office of Financial Mgmt 23:27 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled informational reports on several bond and lease matters, including school district and board of education debt-service items, upcoming revenue bond issues in Henderson and Jessamine counties, and three advertised lease-space requests for state agencies. Members also reviewed prior lease transactions that had not been approved in November and December; the Finance and Administration Cabinet later canceled and rebid the Harlan County lease and moved ahead with the Perry County lease modification. Additional information items included a Kentucky Communications Network Authority quarterly capital projects report and Eastern Kentucky University asset preservation revisions. The committee then heard from Deputy State Budget Director Janice Thomas on four action items. She reported a $2.85 million USDA-funded renovation at Kentucky State University’s Betty White Building, a $294,000 increase for the Kentucky School for the Deaf’s Middleton Hall renovation, and a $6.1 million restricted-funds scope increase for the KCTCS Science Building Expansion in Elizabethtown. Members asked about how often the statutory 15% increase authority is used for school dormitory and cottage projects and about the competitiveness of construction bids; Thomas said bids are typically competitive but recent estimates have been difficult because of higher material and equipment costs. The committee approved the three action items unanimously and also received a no-action report on a $3.918 million Corrections project to repair and replace the KCIW kitchen drain line. Next, the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority presented seven loans and grants, all of which the committee approved unanimously. The package included sewer and water projects for Frankfort, Sturgis, Scottsville, Morganfield, Western Pulaski County Water District, and Springfield, plus an emergency $5.487 million Kentucky Waters grant for Eddyville after a catastrophic sewer plant failure and weather-related emergency declarations. The projects covered wastewater interceptor and treatment upgrades, sewer collection rehabilitation, water transmission main installation, and planning/design work, with loan terms ranging from five to 30 years and interest rates from 0.5% to 2.25%. Finally, the committee considered a $38.4 million Kentucky Housing Corporation conduit issuance for a 322-unit multifamily rental project in Jefferson County. A member asked how the committee participates in the transaction, and staff explained that it is a conduit issuance and not state debt. The committee then moved to approve the issuance.

Transcript Highlights:

• Henry County School Nutrition, Anna Lusk, and Owen County 4-H student Delany Tler, thank you, Mr.
• Henry County School Nutrition, Anna Lusk, and Owen County 4-H student Delany Tler, thank you, Mr.
• First off, I've got a group from Bbbing County FFA here.
• > County Lusk and Owen County Lusk and Owen County 4<00:04:45.520> um<00:04:45.800>
• I'm Harrison County 4-H for Delaney Cook.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Agriculture Committee met with a large group of 4-H and FFA students and guests in attendance, and members repeatedly highlighted the importance of those youth programs to agriculture and future leadership. The committee first took up House Bill 356, as amended by a committee substitute, which would create the Kentucky Urban Youth Agriculture Initiative. The sponsor explained that the substitute broadened the bill beyond hands-on farming to include agricultural education, agribusiness, advocacy, internships, apprenticeships, and other experiential learning, while also lowering the starting age from 6 to 5, removing the requirement that participants have access to farmland, and changing the program into a pilot focused on urban youth. Testimony from a 4-H student and Kentucky 4-H leadership emphasized that the goal is to remove barriers and provide access to agriculture education for all youth, including those in urban areas. Several members spoke in support, noting the value of urban agriculture and youth exposure to the field, and one member asked whether urban community gardens would fit within the concept; the sponsor said the substitute was designed to allow that kind of access. The committee then voted unanimously to pass HB 356 as amended, and also approved a title amendment. After HB 356, the committee moved to House Bill 315, a foreign adversary land bill intended to limit certain foreign entities’ ability to purchase land in Kentucky. The sponsor said the bill was carried over from a prior version drafted by a former representative. The chair then recognized Tim Shank, general counsel for the Kentucky Bankers Association, who testified in opposition to the mechanics of Section 8 dealing with foreclosure. He said banks are already heavily regulated and must screen borrowers through federal systems such as FinCEN, and warned that the bill’s provisions could create problems for community banks that make agricultural loans and potentially limit access to credit if the issue became widespread. The transcript ends during discussion of HB 315, before any final committee action on that bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• The school district issues were Fayette County and Jessamine County.
• were feat county and Jessimon County. were feat county and Jessimon County.
• Representative Petri, yes. damage. um our neighboring counties were damage. um our neighboring counties
• PR2591, excuse me, in Jefferson County PR2591, excuse me, in Jefferson County for for for $24,233
• <00:19:27.919> for PR2829 in Montgomery County for PR2829 in Montgomery County for 11,544<

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the February minutes and noted there had been no March meeting. Staff then provided a series of information items, including quarterly capital project status reports from state agencies and postsecondary institutions, a University of Kentucky equipment purchase report, notice that the committee took no action on certain March transactions, school district debt notices for Fayette and Jessamine counties, lease-space advertisements due to building conditions, a Kentucky Asset/Liability Commission report, and asset preservation project reports from KCTCS and Eastern Kentucky University. The committee then heard and unanimously approved Murray State University’s request for interim authorization to use institutional revenues for a $1.5 million roof replacement at the Curs Center student center. University of Kentucky also received unanimous approval for a $115 million public-private partnership project to expand Parking Structure 7 and the Johnson Center recreation space; testimony emphasized the loss of parking from hospital expansion, increased student enrollment, a planned $21 per semester recreation fee increase, and the goal of improving student retention and campus capacity. Next, the committee received a report on a Kentucky State Police Post 11 renovation in London funded at $1.138 million, with members asking how long the repairs would extend the building’s useful life; KSP said the work was a long-term investment and replacement was still many years away. The committee also approved multiple real property lease actions, including a new CHFS lease in Scott County, several lease renewals for the Commonwealth’s Attorney, CHFS, Transportation Cabinet, and a Secretary of State relocation lease tied to a capital renovation project. Members questioned one Jefferson County lease rate and the witness said it had been in place since 2007. Finally, the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority presented three water loan items, which were rolled and then approved: an $841,383 East Clark County Water District loan for waterline upgrades, a roughly $6.13 million Oldham County Water District loan for US 42 improvements, and a $619,180 increase for Canonsburg Water District’s Schopes Road project due to higher-than-expected bids. The committee then approved eight K-12 school facility issuances, including projects in Clinton, Franklin, Fulton, Lincoln, McLean, Paris, Somerset, and Spencer counties, covering early childhood, new school construction, HVAC, energy conservation, and renovations. The meeting ended with notice of the next meeting date and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• My county is in a pretty good way in terms of its fiscal percentage, but there are some counties who
• So I'm here right now because this will impact the fiscally constrained county, where Hardee County is
• Our counties, the smaller counties, and this affects every county and every city, but our smaller counties
• rely heavily on the Small County Road Assistance Program and the Small County Outreach Program.
• At Miami-Dade County. All righty.

Summary: The committee first took up HB 703 on utility relocation, as amended by a strike-all. The sponsor said the bill would require government authorities that order communication service providers to move infrastructure to pay the relocation costs, clarify expedited timelines, and align the House bill with the Senate version. Supporters argued the communication services tax should help cover these costs, while cities and counties warned the bill would shift major unfunded costs to local governments and taxpayers, especially in fiscally constrained counties. After public testimony from local government and industry representatives and debate over fairness, coordination, and the tax’s intended use, the committee adopted the strike-all and then passed the bill favorably on a roll call vote. The committee then heard and passed CS/HB 379, a securities package updating Chapter 517. The bill and conforming amendment made several technical and policy changes, including expanding certain exemptions, updating foreign jurisdiction and exchange considerations, revising merger-and-acquisition broker rules, aligning fingerprinting requirements with FBI standards, and adding protections related to financial exploitation of specified adults. Industry and Office of Financial Regulation witnesses supported the measure, and the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably without opposition. Next, the committee passed CS/HB 867 establishing the Coastal Link Commuter Rail Service Act to create a legal framework for commuter rail operations along Florida’s coastal corridor and to help Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties secure insurance and indemnification for service on the Florida East Coast Railway right-of-way. The Florida Chamber supported the bill, and it was reported favorably without debate. The committee also passed CS/HB 1161, which revises Florida’s deepfake law to require covered platforms to remove altered sexual depictions and copies upon request by the victim; the bill drew emotional testimony from a student victim and broad support from members, and a severability amendment was adopted before the bill passed unanimously. The committee then passed CS/HB 453 on pool and spa contractors, which updates Chapter 489 terminology and scope-of-practice rules and, through amendment, limits certain equipment to commercially available products. Finally, the committee passed HB 955 requiring all private employers to use E-Verify for new hires, removing the small-employer exemption. Supporters framed it as workforce integrity and rule-of-law legislation, while opponents warned about labor shortages, burdens on small businesses, and impacts on immigrant workers. After debate, the bill passed 19-3. The committee then began hearing CS/HB 541 on minimum wage requirements, which would allow voluntary waivers of minimum wage for certain internships, pre-apprenticeships, and on-the-job training; the sponsor presented an amendment limiting the duration and clarifying minor waivers, and the committee heard both support from small business groups and opposition from labor, immigrant, and worker advocates before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• The greatest percentage of increased growth is in Renville County, while Steele County has the biggest
• The greatest percentage of increased growth is in Renville County, while Steel County has the biggest
• I'm curious because it's my home county, McKenzie County, showed zero percent.
• So we saw school districts such as McKenzie County, their mill... school districts such as McKenzie County
• county level, perhaps increasing state funding to the taxing districts or to counties to cover specific

Summary: The Tax Reform and Relief Advisory Committee met with a quorum, approved the March 17, 2026 minutes, and heard a lengthy update from Tax Commissioner Brian Croshys on property tax relief programs. He reviewed the Homestead Property Tax Credit, Disabled Veteran Credit, and Primary Residence Credit, noting increased relief after House Bill 1158 and House Bill 1176, but also discussing how some households “income adjust out” of eligibility over time. Members asked about indexing income thresholds, expanding eligibility by age alone, simplifying administration, county-level notices, and whether the county and state systems could be streamlined. Croshys said the programs are heavily used, largely administered at the county level, and that the department is still refining compliance and reporting; he also said there were no material findings or overarching concerns in the latest review. The committee agreed more detailed PRC information would likely come back in a September meeting, and the chair announced an afternoon recess for lunch before later reconvening. Shelly Myers then presented the statewide property tax increase report, the zero-growth report, and a statistical report on property values and tax levies by class. She explained how county auditors report levy and valuation data, how increases and decreases are counted, and identified counties and cities with the largest percentage changes in growth or decline. She also summarized recent trends: agricultural values remain relatively flat, while residential, commercial, and centrally assessed values have risen over the last five years; in 2025, residential property accounted for the largest share of statewide property tax levies, followed by commercial, agriculture, and centrally assessed property. Committee members asked about unusual zero-growth figures, the effect of annexation and land-use changes, and whether the 3% levy cap was forcing political subdivisions to use reserves or defer spending. Myers said many counties complied by using reserves, delaying capital projects, or limiting increases, and that some counties had not used their full cap. The committee then moved to the stripper oil extraction tax exemption. Commissioner Croshys reviewed the state’s oil tax structure and estimated the revenue impact of keeping stripper wells exempt from extraction tax while still paying production tax. He said the exemption saves operators hundreds of millions of dollars over a biennium, while the state still collects production tax on those wells. He also discussed projected impacts if the exemption were changed for future wells and noted that future outcomes depend on oil prices, production declines, and technology such as CO2 enhanced oil recovery. Nathan Anderson of the Department of Mineral Resources briefly explained the historical difference between the 35-barrel and 30-barrel thresholds for certain wells, citing differences in completion costs and lateral lengths. The committee then heard from EERC CEO Charles Gorecki, who presented an analysis of oil well life cycles and said most oil is produced before wells reach stripper status, but that refracturing or other reinvestment can significantly extend production and keep wells above the threshold for years.

Transcript Highlights:

• The counties know that.
• , the 53 counties.
• , the 53 counties.
• , the 53 counties.
• So regardless of where you live, if you're in Mercer County or Cass County or Nelson County, your tax

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2401, which would require physicians to complete continuing education on nutrition and metabolic health as part of the state’s rural health transformation effort. HHS supported the bill, saying it would help physicians better address chronic disease and preserve federal grant points tied to the state’s application. A member of the public also testified in favor, arguing that better nutrition education could improve diabetes outcomes and reduce costs. The committee then adopted an amendment to add the Board of Occupational Therapy Practice to the background-check statute so the occupational therapy compact could proceed, and it passed the bill as amended on a roll call vote. The committee next heard House Bill 1621, which would require the Presidential Fitness Physical Fitness Test in elementary, middle, and high school physical education courses. HHS said the bill was part of the rural health transformation application and could help preserve federal funding, but members raised many questions about the test’s criteria, adaptive options for students with disabilities, equipment needs, and whether the bill should apply to non-public schools. Senator Clemens offered an amendment to limit the requirement to public schools, but it failed. Senator Hogan then offered an amendment to clarify exemptions and allow DPI to align implementation with federal guidance; that amendment passed. A further amendment adding language allowing DPI to establish criteria for and exceptions to the test also passed. The committee then approved the bill as amended on a roll call vote. The committee also considered House Bill 1622, which joins North Dakota to the physician assistant licensure compact. HHS said the compact would improve access to care, especially in rural areas, support military families, and help preserve rural health transformation funding. Members noted the compact had been discussed in a prior session and that many earlier concerns had been resolved. After brief discussion about the compact process and its consistency with other interstate compacts, the committee voted to do pass the bill. Finally, the committee began Senate Bill 2402, which expands pharmacists’ prescriptive authority and therapeutic substitution powers. HHS and the Board of Pharmacy supported the bill as a way to improve access to care and maintain rural health transformation funding. Senator Roers introduced a detailed amendment negotiated with the Board of Medicine and Board of Pharmacy to narrow and clarify the bill, including notification requirements, limits on certain drug categories, and patient-protection language for therapeutic substitution. The Board of Pharmacy then testified in support of the broader bill and explained the CLIA-waived testing provisions and the repeal of the older, narrower pharmacist-testing language. The hearing and amendment discussion were still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Counties are dual enrolling individuals.
• Danielle Bradley on behalf of the California State Association of Counties representing all 58 counties
• Secondarily, I'm here on behalf of the urban counties of California and the rural county representatives
• Counties, labor, everyone's around the table.
• supports for county residents.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But that is paid to the county, and then the county remits it to us.
• But that is paid to the county and then the county remits it to But that is paid to the county, and then
• the county remits it to us.
• So mid-sized counties and urban counties and rural counties that cannot, without the tax base to afford
• The county attorney from Valverde County is also here and is signed up to testify.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee convened for its first hearing of the 89th regular session, confirmed a quorum, adopted committee rules by a 15-0 vote, and began review of Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-27. Chair Huffman outlined the committee’s organization, introduced staff, and described the budget as conservative and focused on one-time investments. She highlighted major SB 1 priorities including property tax relief, full funding for public education formulas, teacher pay, school safety, border security, Medicaid growth, dementia research, energy and water infrastructure, transportation, wildfire suppression, and other capital and public safety needs. Comptroller Glenn Hager presented the biennial revenue estimate, saying the state has $194.6 billion available for general-purpose spending in 2026-27, with a projected $23.8 billion ending balance from the current biennium. He cautioned that revenue growth is returning to more normal levels and that lawmakers should avoid committing short-term surpluses to ongoing expenses. He also explained that the Economic Stabilization Fund is projected to hit its constitutional cap, meaning an estimated $5.6 billion in severance tax and related revenue would remain in general revenue in the upcoming biennium rather than flow into the fund. Senators discussed whether to raise or rename the fund and the implications of keeping more severance-tax revenue in general revenue. The Legislative Budget Board then gave an overview of SB 1 and the budget’s major funding changes. LBB staff explained that the bill is essentially flat at $332.9 billion in all funds, but includes large method-of-finance shifts and major property tax relief. They detailed how prior property tax relief enacted in the 88th Legislature grew from an estimated $18 billion to $22.7 billion because of higher property values and hold-harmless provisions, and said SB 1 continues that relief with a total of $51 billion in ongoing and new property tax support. Members asked extensive questions about the automatic growth in school tax compression, the constitutional homestead exemption, COVID-era federal funding, Medicaid assumptions, and the sunset of the non-homestead circuit breaker. No additional votes or final budget actions were taken beyond adoption of the committee rules.