Transcript Highlights:

• , and private funds.
• With the right planning, there is a huge opportunity to leverage funds and to make our roads safer, reduce
• The issue was around local roads.
• Our constituents are funding this entire project for the state of California, and it's not right.
• Well, the entire state funds the CDFW's budget, but would you like to respond? Well, I...

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water

Summary: The committee heard SB 1393, an omnibus update to the Fish and Game Code covering steelhead trout and Dungeness crab management. The author and supporters said the bill would strengthen the steelhead trout report card program, extend and refine Dungeness crab management, and clarify vessel transit rules in closed crab fishing areas. The Nature Conservancy, Trout Unlimited, and other supporters said the measure implements long-standing task force recommendations and supports both conservation and coastal fishing communities. There was no opposition, and the bill was moved forward on a 4-0 vote to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 1250, which would require Caltrans to incorporate wildlife connectivity into transportation planning and asset management, set performance targets, and coordinate with wildlife agencies. Supporters from conservation, animal welfare, land trust, and local government groups said the bill would reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions, improve public safety, and better integrate crossings, culverts, and fencing into routine highway projects. The California Building Industry Association moved to a neutral position after amendments clarified the bill would apply to transportation right-of-way planning and not create exactions on private property. Members discussed the bill’s relationship to Caltrans planning authority and existing funding, and it was passed to Appropriations on a 4-0 vote. Senator Gonzalez’s SB 1268, which would codify the state’s Outdoors for All initiative, also received broad support from environmental justice, conservation, parks, and recreation groups. Testimony emphasized inequitable access to parks and nature, especially for low-income communities and communities of color, and said the bill would make the initiative more durable by placing it in statute. The chair and members spoke in favor of expanding outdoor access, and the bill was approved on a 3-0 vote with some members not yet voting. The committee then heard three Western Joshua tree bills from Senator Ochoa Bogh. SB 1061 would streamline relocation of limited numbers of trees without fees in certain cases; SB 1062 would require proportionate or tiered mitigation fees for public utilities and agencies; and SB 1063 would create an expedited, fee-free permitting path for basic residential utility and wildfire-hardening projects. Supporters, including local water agencies, counties, and farm and business groups, said the current law imposes heavy costs on desert residents and ratepayers. Opponents, including wildlife and conservation organizations, argued the bills would weaken protections for a species they said is threatened by climate change and habitat loss, and noted that existing administrative processes are already addressing fees and permitting. After amendments, opposition was withdrawn on SB 1061 and SB 1062, and both bills advanced on 3-0 votes to Appropriations; SB 1063 remained under discussion in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> state</c><00:32:35.919><c> funding</c><00:32:36.240><c> for</c> um cutting funding, state funding
• state airports fund of increase from the state airports fund of 8.35<01:43:49.920><c> million</c><01
• </c><01:50:06.400><c> road</c> authorization for state road authorization for state road construction
• ><c> road</c><01:51:59.760><c> funding</c><01:52:00.159><c> gap</c> the local government road funding
• </c> fund to the new local government road fund to the new local government road funding<01:57:40.239

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 9 would add that requirement by stating the state And the state provisions would take effect.
• And the encampment funds in the California state budget have been a topic of conversation many times
• And the encampment funds in the California state budget have been a topic of conversation many times
• And the encampment funds in the California state budget have been a topic of conversation many times
• And the encampment funds in the California state budget have been a topic of conversation many times

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Summary: The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee heard several housing-related bills, with most focused on accessory dwelling units, homelessness, and higher education planning. SB 9 would make a local ADU ordinance null and void if a city or county fails to submit it to HCD within 60 days or respond to HCD findings within 30 days, reverting the jurisdiction to state ADU standards until it complies. Supporters said the bill would strengthen statewide consistency and reduce local barriers to ADU construction; there was no opposition testimony. The committee passed SB 9 as amended to the Assembly Committee on Local Government on a 7-0 vote, with two members not voting. The committee also heard SB 486, which would exempt UC and CSU enrollment commitments from CEQA no-project alternative analysis while requiring campuses to participate in regional planning and share enrollment forecasts with regional agencies. The author said the bill would align environmental review with the state’s higher education commitments and improve regional housing planning. The measure had support from the Chamber of Progress and no opposition, and it passed 9-0 to the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources. SB 543, a cleanup bill to clarify ADU and junior ADU rules, including review timelines and size standards, also drew support from Casita Coalition, UnidosUS, and California YIMBY, with no opposition, and passed unanimously as amended to the Assembly Committee on Local Government. SB 748 addressed RV encampments and safe parking sites by expanding the encampment resolution funding program to help local jurisdictions acquire and operate safe parking areas, provide services, and extend site hours. The author and supporters from the City of Compton, the Western Manufactured Housing Communities Association, and the League of California Cities argued the bill would offer a more humane and practical response to RV homelessness while reducing neighborhood impacts. Several committee members voiced support but raised concerns about how encampment funds are used and the need for reporting and accountability. The bill passed 11-0 to the Assembly Committee on Human Services. The consent calendar, including HR 44, SB 233, and SB 410, was later approved 11-0, and SB 340 was moved to a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, yeah, I think it got appropriated into the roads fund.
• fund for cleaning up abandoned vehicles, commercial vehicles, on interstates and state highways.
• You already have your state taxpayer dollars going to that through ODOT and other state agencies that
• I understand that we are going to be redirecting the funds now to this specific fund, but it would be
• One of them’s the state transportation fund. One of them’s our general budget.

Bills: SB1966 , SB175 , SB1475 , SB1950 , SB2049 , SB2052

Committee: Senate Aeronautics and Transportation

Summary: The Senate Aeronautics and Transportation Committee met during deadline week and heard several Senate bills. Senate Bill 1966, naming a bridge after Clyde and Grace Cook, was briefly explained by Senator Bullard and advanced unanimously. Senate Bill 1475, designating the I-35 and Indian Hills Road interchange as the Toby Keith Memorial Interchange, also advanced after members confirmed the family’s support and clarified it was separate from a prior turnpike naming resolution. The committee spent substantial time on Senate Bill 175, which creates an uninsured commercial vehicle recovery reimbursement fund to pay wreckers for cleaning up abandoned uninsured commercial vehicles. Members questioned the use of existing fee revenue, possible overlap with prior weigh station funding, and the $10,000 per-vehicle cap. Despite concerns, the bill advanced on an 8-3 vote. Senate Bill 1950, as amended, would prohibit using ADS-B aircraft tracking data to calculate or collect fees from aircraft owners or operators; the author said the goal was to preserve state registration revenue while preventing private third parties from using the data for fee collection. The bill advanced unanimously. Senate Bill 2049, as amended, would require the Transportation Commission rather than staff or the Attorney General to approve the decision to call a contractor’s bond on ODOT projects. Supporters said it adds oversight and protects staff, while opponents argued it is unnecessary and could delay action; it advanced 10-1. Senate Bill 2052 would update DPS commercial motor vehicle enforcement provisions, increase fines, and route appeals through the administrative process and then district court; members discussed fine levels, appeals, and related weigh station funding. It advanced 9-2, and the meeting adjourned afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have a budget that gets funded by the institutions throughout the state, um, and they pull funding
• </c> the state, um, and and they pull funding the state, um, and and they pull funding to<00:37:36.080
• </c> Did the committee number two come up with an idea of how to fund these roads? Just wondering.
• That was the first successful bill I have seen in federal or in state highway funding in 10 years.
• The states around us actually are 60/40, 70/30 state-funded.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I just want to talk about where Missouri stands when it comes to funding our roads, which this part
• I don't think that we should be the third worst state in the country at funding our transportation department
• Or how about we just fund an inspection station at the end of every driveway across the state of Missouri
• to make sure that you're able to travel the roads without... ...the state of Missouri to make sure that
• . ...the highest number of MoDOT workers getting killed on our roads compared to those other states,

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> source of revenue for the highway fund. source of revenue for the highway fund.
• </c> fund. On page five is the gun range. fund. On page five is the gun range.
• </c> there's any repayment to the state. there's any repayment to the state.
• to see funded.
• Um, on the state park marina facilities here, the monies that was there, there were federal funds that

Committee: Senate Capital Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 263 appropriates $1,500,000 from the State General Fund in FY 2027 to the Corrections Oversight
• Is this an evergreen fund, or is this something that the state is going to be reappropriating?
• House Bill 2416 appropriates $20 million from the state general fund to the Department of Public Safety
• This year, I'm asking for a $20 million appropriation from the state general fund in fiscal year 26 and
• million, the state has an excess of $91 million of undistributed Classroom Site Fund monies.

Committee: House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard several appropriations and policy bills, beginning with HB 263, which would appropriate $1.5 million to fund the Independent Correctional Oversight Office. Representative Blackman argued the office is needed to address serious problems in the Department of Corrections, including lawsuits, staffing shortages, injuries, and safety concerns, and said he was open to shifting existing dollars to cover the cost. A supportive witness from Justice Action Network said the funding would make the oversight office operational and is a small investment compared with the department’s overall budget. The bill received a do-pass recommendation on a 17-1 vote. The committee then considered HB 2993, as amended, which would let the Department of Public Safety spend money on legal services independent of the Attorney General and move $5 million from the Consumer Protection/Consumer Fraud Revolving Fund to the Gang and Immigration Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission Fund. Speaker Montenegro said the bill was intended to support law enforcement and shift resources toward frontline public safety work. The amendment changed the destination of the $5 million from the Peace Officers Training Fund to GITEM, and the bill passed 11-7. HB 2271 followed, dealing with firefighter cancer insurance reimbursement and rate deviations for insurers. Witnesses described it as a technical, unfinished consensus measure meant to bring fire districts into the existing cancer reimbursement structure without changing claim handling for firefighters. Members repeatedly noted more work was needed, but the bill still received a do-pass recommendation on a 16-1-1 vote. HB 2416 appropriated $20 million to DPS for local border support, including law enforcement positions, prosecution and detention costs, and equipment. Sheriffs and the Arizona Sheriffs Association testified in support, saying the funding has been used for drug interdiction, fentanyl seizures, and joint task forces, while opponents argued the money should go elsewhere. The bill passed 11-6-1. HB 2692, a procurement bill, would create or revise rules for construction delivery methods, including one-step competition and progressive design-build for federally funded public infrastructure projects. Construction and procurement stakeholders said it was a long-negotiated consensus measure, while some members worried about taxpayer risk and wanted more information; it passed 10-7-1. The committee also amended and passed HB 2478, which creates the Arizona Commission on Student Outcomes and funds it with Classroom Site Fund dollars to study K-12 accountability, standards, graduation requirements, early childhood education, and a possible trade pathways diploma. Supporters said Arizona needs a broader conversation about student outcomes and school accountability, while opponents questioned the funding source and whether the work should instead be done by existing education agencies. The amended bill passed 11-7. Finally, HB 4044 was introduced to create a Public Safety Parity Fund for DPS and Corrections salaries using proceeds from forfeited digital assets and interest from the Budget Stabilization Fund; the sponsor and a troopers association witness said it would help address long-standing pay parity and vacancy problems, but the transcript cuts off before any vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not state-provided funds. And then other state funds cash is about $291 million.
• It's a $9 billion bill that, per the bill, the state has an intent to fund at some time, or it wouldn't
• I think this year the state funds ended up in one of the statewide major repairs, and the non-state funds
• Non-state, by law, can only be 25% of the P1 funding in any bill in the capacity this year.
• We submitted 79 of those, and 38 of them have new State FY27 funding.

Committee: House Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:

• The city has not received any state bonding funds in recent history.
• <00:26:27.360><c> bonding</c><00:26:28.200><c> uh</c><00:26:28.320><c> funds</c> not received any state
• bonding uh funds not received any state bonding uh funds in<00:26:29.000><c> recent</c><00:26:29.360
• </c> are already seeking and securing state are already seeking and securing state funding<00:42:59.360
• </c> around the state. around the state.

Bills: HF4470 , HF2418 , HF3417 , HF3365 , HF3463

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• which the gas tax state gas tax portion is $0.20 or $0.15 to the state highway fund and $0.05 to the
• for public roadways other than toll roads. the state highway fund fluctuate from year to year because
• those funds with the with the idea that we weren't going to put state funds into that.
• With the state revolving funds, there's two of them.
• There's drinking water state revolving fund, and then there's a clean water state revolving fund. for

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• At least 75% of that funding goes to that.
• Funding that we spend goes to taking care of that system.
• And so this report just states where those revenue sources come from and how we expend that funding.
• And then lastly, this Litter initiative: You know, our state is so beautiful, the Natural State.
• mark because we're the Natural State.

Committee: All ALC-HIGHWAY COMMISSION REVIEW AND ADVISORY SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from ARDOT Director Jared Wiley, who introduced Highway Commission members and reported that the agency has completed the final five recommendations from its long-running efficiency review. He highlighted new public-facing maintenance and construction dashboards on the agency website, and noted quarterly reports on land conveyances, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding, annual revenue expenditures, and major projects were provided with no major questions or objections. Members asked about ARDOT’s budget priorities, project delivery, and specific corridors. Wiley said roughly 75% of construction dollars go to maintaining the existing system, with additional maintenance and operations funding also directed to upkeep; he said Arkansas has about 16,300 centerline miles, nearly 40,000 lane miles, and about 73,700 bridges. He gave updates on Interstate 57 and Highway 5 work in Lonoke County, Interstate 49 public meetings in northwest Arkansas, passing-lane projects on Highway 412/62 in north central Arkansas, widening plans for Interstate 40, the Toad Suck Bridge flood mitigation project, and Highway 82 improvements in south Arkansas. The director also discussed ARDOT’s litter control efforts, saying the agency spends about $8 million annually on litter pickup and is exploring future legislation. He said work-zone safety tools such as cameras and mobile work-zone enforcement are helping reduce dangerous driving, though distracted driving remains a problem. Wiley also announced new agency initiatives on human trafficking awareness training for staff, a “Street Smart” traffic-safety education program for students, and a spring cleanup effort in which ARDOT crews and some office staff will collect litter statewide. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Since CDBG-DR serves as a funding source of last resort, we are actively in discussion with the state
• ensure eligibility for various programs and funding sources to address gaps in state funding.
• Since CDBG-DR serves as a funding source of last resort, we are actively in discussion with the state
• ensure eligibility for various programs and funding sources to address gaps in state funding.
• gaps in state funding our third address gaps in state funding our third priority<00:20:38.400><c> is

Transcript Highlights:

• The state would have to amend the charge.
• This legislation designates a portion of International Drive in Orlando, between State Road 528 and Sand
• Of Orlando as well as the state of Florida.
• Participation in the compact enables member states, of which all the other 49 states are a part, to address
• fund that amendment.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard several member introductions and recognitions, including awareness resolutions and visiting groups in the galleries. The chamber then moved to special order bills. Senate Bill 88 on utility terrain vehicles passed 32-5 after debate over allowing local governments to opt in to street use of UTVs under safety restrictions; Senator Smith opposed it over safety concerns. Senate Bill 102 on exceptional student education passed 36-0, creating a workforce credential/badge program for students with autism or on modified curricula; supporters emphasized employment opportunities and safety training, while Senator Davis raised concerns about added costs to school districts. Senate Bill 106 on exploitation of vulnerable adults passed 37-0, allowing alternative service on scammers through the same apps used to contact victims. Senate Bill 130 on compensation for victims of wrongful incarceration passed 38-0, extending filing deadlines and removing restrictive barriers; supporters called it a long-overdue justice fix. Senate Bill 158 on diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations passed 38-0, eliminating cost sharing for follow-up breast tests in the state employee health plan to encourage early detection. The most contentious measure was Senate Bill 234 on criminal offenses against law enforcement officers. The bill sought to clarify that violent resistance to officers is not justified by claims about the legality of the detention and to add manslaughter of a law enforcement officer to offenses carrying life imprisonment without release. An amendment by Senator Jones to restore “in good faith” language failed, after debate centered on due process, racial profiling, and the role of juries and suppression motions. Several senators spoke in support of law enforcement but objected to the bill’s breadth and mandatory life penalty; Senator Leek ultimately postponed the bill temporarily rather than taking a final vote. Senate Bill 262 on trust code technical changes passed 36-0. Senate Bill 274 designating roads for Harris Rosen and Geraldine Thompson passed 38-0, followed by a successful co-sponsorship motion and remarks honoring Thompson’s legacy. Senate Bill 280 on candidate qualification passed 38-0, creating an enforcement mechanism for party-affiliation filing requirements. Senate Bill 296 on middle and high school start times passed 38-0, repealing the statewide start-time mandate and shifting implementation decisions to local districts while requiring public reporting and discussion. Senate Bill 356 designating January 27 as Holocaust Remembrance Day also passed unanimously, with senators emphasizing remembrance, anti-Semitism, and the educational value of the memorial and observance.

Transcript Highlights:

• special revenue funds that are in the city of Shakopee and those special revenue funds are what are
• </c><00:09:10.640><c> And</c> a road project and things like that.
• And a road project and things like that.
• to fund for it again, you know, is that really good for the state of Minnesota going forward?
• to fund for it again, you know, is that really good for the state of Minnesota going forward?

Summary: The committee heard House File 2418 from Representative Tabke, a policy bill focused on requiring local governments seeking state bonding support to show whether they have a capital maintenance or preservation plan for the project. The bill was described as a continuation of work with Chair Lee and others to ensure that when the state invests in local capital projects, the local jurisdiction has a plan to maintain the asset over time rather than returning later for additional state funding. Representative Tabke emphasized that the proposal is not intended to block projects, but to provide information to the capital investment process and encourage responsible long-term planning. Members asked several questions about how the requirement would work in practice, including whether a “no” answer on the maintenance-plan checkbox would disqualify projects, how the rule would apply to small communities, and whether major infrastructure such as wastewater or sewer projects would be exempt. Tabke clarified that the intent is informational and that projects without a maintenance plan should raise concerns, but that the proposal would not apply to major utility projects with separate funding mechanisms. He also explained that the earlier draft had been simplified after input from MMB, and that the adopted DE4 amendment adds the requirement through section 16A.86 for political subdivisions submitting bonding requests. Chair Lee and other members supported the concept as a way to ensure state-funded assets are maintained locally and not repeatedly returned to the state for repairs decades later. One member requested clarifying language to make sure the bill does not apply to water treatment or sewer projects, and Tabke agreed that such language could be added. Tabke said the language had been developed with stakeholders including the League of Minnesota Cities, Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, and small cities, and that they had agreed on the approach. The committee adopted the DE4 amendment and then laid House File 2418 over for possible future consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and road maintenance. uh in April 2025. and road maintenance. uh in April 2025.
• Uh, but the state has mandated those. But the state has mandated those.
• </c> that um aren't funded like the others. that um aren't funded like the others.
• Every request is considered alongside funding for roads, emergency services, and law enforcement, and
• Every request is considered alongside funding for roads, emergency services, and law enforcement, and

Committee: Joint Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Mark Newberger of the California State Association of Counties.
• Then there's a set of fees that are for things that aren't generally state-mandated: parks, roads, although
• the state says, you know, each road of this size will have a bike lane and this one will have this.
• Each road of this size will have a bike lane, and this one will have this.
• So I also believe that they need to be funded.

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Housing met on April 7, 2026, and heard two housing-related bills in detail: SB 1116 and SB 1117. SB 1116 would update the Starter Home Revitalization Act by clarifying development standards for small infill projects, reinforcing ministerial approval and timelines, strengthening state oversight, updating subdivision rules, and addressing private restrictions such as HOA or deed limitations. Supporters, including California YIMBY, AlphaX, and several housing groups, said the bill would remove implementation barriers and help produce more starter homes; there was no opposition testimony. Members generally supported the measure, and it was advanced to the Senate Local Government Committee. SB 1117 would clarify accessory dwelling unit fee law by requiring local governments to calculate impact fees only on the portion of an ADU above 750 square feet, rather than charging fees on the entire unit once it exceeds that threshold. Supporters argued the bill would reduce cost barriers and encourage larger ADUs, while opponents from Cal Cities, counties, special districts, and fire districts said impact fees fund essential infrastructure and services and should not be further limited. Committee members largely supported the bill as narrowly tailored, though several emphasized the importance of infrastructure funding and asked for continued work with local government stakeholders. The bill was also moved to the Senate Local Government Committee. The committee also took up a consent calendar containing SB 1267 and the committee omnibus bill SB 1426, both of which were approved. After quorum issues and a brief recess, the committee later returned to lift calls and finalized votes, approving the consent calendar 10-0, SB 1117 10-0, and SB 1116 8-0. The hearing then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The goal of this bill is to make our roads safer in Florida.
• In my case at Tallahassee, we receive both federal and state funds, and so as a part of that, those advisory
• We receive both federal and state funds, and so as a part of that, those advisory circulars become mandatory
• By the way, there's only two states and two airports in the state of Florida that are charging landing
• By the way, there's only two states and two airports in the state of Florida that are charging landing

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Transportation Committee met and first took up CS/SB 86, which would make operation of a commercial motor vehicle by an unauthorized alien an imminent safety hazard and require lawful presence, a valid CDL, English proficiency, and ability to communicate with law enforcement. The bill also authorizes impoundment, a $250,000 civil penalty on the motor carrier, and an out-of-service order until violations are corrected. After adopting an amendment and hearing support from the Florida PBA, the committee reported the bill favorably on a vote with Senator Arrington voting no. The committee then considered CS/SB 706, which preempts naming of major commercial service airports to the state and would rename Palm Beach International Airport as Donald J. Trump International Airport. An amendment added FAA approval, trademark authorization, and a flexible implementation period for Palm Beach County. Palm Beach County representatives supported the measure, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also passed CS/SB 1670, a specialty license plate bill for the “outsider” plate, after amending the distribution of proceeds so the Huber Brothers Foundation may receive up to 10% instead of 25%. Next, the committee approved CS/SB 1054, which increases penalties for traffic infractions that result in a crash after running a red light or stop sign, including higher fines, license suspensions, and a one-year bodily injury insurance requirement after an injury crash. Law enforcement testimony supported the bill. The committee also considered CS/SB 422 on ADS-B aviation surveillance data, which would bar use of that data to calculate or collect landing-related fees; an amendment narrowed the prohibition to landing and touch-and-go fee scenarios. Aviation groups and pilots supported the bill as protecting safety and preventing surprise billing, while airport representatives said they could still charge landing fees but would need to rely on more manual methods. The committee reported CS/SB 422 favorably, and the meeting adjourned after all measures were approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're talking streets, roads, lighting, sidewalks.
• Mark Newberger of the California State Association of Counties.
• Then there's a set of fees that are for things that aren't generally state-mandated: parks, roads, although
• the state says, you know, each road of this size will have a bike lane and this one will have this.
• So I also believe that they need to be funded.

Committee: Senate Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• for the state.
• And so, at that time, the dam maintenance fund was created and funded in part by the leasing of state-owned
• </c> funds to do that, but this this funding funds to do that, but this this funding would<01:11:01.920
• </c><01:16:18.480><c> is</c> maintenance fund now is that fund is maintenance fund now is that fund is
• </c> state point of view. state point of view.

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on House Bill 1042, which would increase the BFA contingent credit limit. State Treasurer Monica Misipelli explained that under RSA 66, state debt capacity is tied to unrestricted revenue and that guaranteed debt counts in the calculation even though it is contingent rather than direct debt. She said the state currently has about 4.2% to 4.3% debt-to-revenue ratio, about $120 million in additional capacity, and that approving the bill’s proposed increase would reduce available capacity for future state borrowing, including capital budgets. She noted the BFA has a long history of using guarantees without a state payout, but said the legislature should consider whether the full additional $250 million is needed and whether unused guarantee authorizations, such as one for the Pease Development Authority, should be reviewed in the future. Committee members asked whether guarantees have the same effect as actual debt for bonding capacity, and the treasurer confirmed that they do for purposes of the formula. Members also asked about the usual level of debt relative to the statutory 10% cap, and she said the state generally stays well below that limit. BFA Executive Director James Key Wallace then testified that the request was driven by rising project costs, inflation, and the need for more runway so the agency does not have to return to the legislature in an emergency. He said the BFA is self-supported, has never had a guarantee paid out by the state, requires collateral and reserves, and believes the appropriate range is closer to $400 million to $450 million; he also said a Senate bill would raise the limit to $400 million. He added that the BFA’s pipeline includes projects from about $15 million to $100 million and that housing availability is an important factor in business location decisions. After closing the work session on House Bill 1042, the committee opened House Bill 241, a bill on health insurance coverage for pain management services for chronic pain. Representative Dave Nagel, the prime sponsor, gave extensive background on his long career in pain medicine and said the bill is intended to improve access to non-opioid therapies and evidence-based pain management. He described the broad population affected by chronic pain and opioid use disorder, and said the proposal has long had bipartisan and stakeholder support. No vote or final action was taken on House Bill 241 in the portion of the meeting provided.