Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:11:35.399><c> uh</c> allocation of tax credits and bond uh allocation of tax credits and bond
• </c> profits tax and the business Enterprise profits tax and the business Enterprise tax<01:08:48.120
• </c> directly so with planning zoning directly so with planning zoning broadband<02:38:54.720><c> and
• </c><03:00:46.880><c> regulations</c> planning and zoning regulations planning and zoning regulations
• We are very enterprise-minded.

Summary: New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority officials, led by Executive Director Rob Dapice, briefed legislators on the agency’s structure and funding. They explained that the authority is created by state law but is not a state agency, its debt is not state debt, and it is governed by a board appointed by the governor and approved by the Executive Council. The discussion focused on the Affordable Housing Fund and the lead paint hazard remediation fund, including how state appropriations and federal resources are combined to finance affordable rental housing and lead abatement work. Dapice said the Affordable Housing Fund is used as gap financing for multifamily affordable housing projects, typically alongside federal tax credits and tax-exempt bonds, and that state dollars leverage roughly 2:1 to 10:1 in additional federal and private investment, averaging about 4:1. He said the fund has received historic appropriations in recent budgets, including $30 million over the last two biennial budgets and an annual $5 million set-aside from the real estate transfer tax. He also said the fund is usually structured as 0% interest, deferred loans rather than grants, with repayments returning to the fund if projects generate cash flow. Members asked about rents, oversight, staffing, revenues, and whether the programs had added positions. Dapice said affordability restrictions generally last 30 to 99 years, rents are tied to income limits and capped so tenants pay no more than 30% of income, and compliance staff inspect properties regularly to verify income eligibility and rent limits. He said the organization has about 130 to 135 employees, down from about 145, with no new positions added because of the appropriations. He estimated total revenues at roughly $300 million, with administrative budget around $22 million, much of it pass-through grant money. On lead paint remediation, he said the state first appropriated $6 million in 2019, plus $1 million in ARPA funds, and that the program has cleared more than 500 units. He said the federal grant program is not annual or predictable, with a recent award of about $7.75 million, and that the maximum federal grant per unit is $177,000, typically paired with up to $100,000 in state loan support. He also noted that the program can address homes before a child is poisoned if lead hazards are identified, but that cases involving an already exposed child are a higher priority. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• So currently, cities and counties pass ordinances to regulate land use and zoning.
• I'm a Planning and Zoning Commissioner in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and I'm passionate about this issue.
• You have examples of zoning ordinances, nuisance ordinances, disturbing the peace, parking occupancy
• , not residential zones, and you had to get a business license to do it.
• Senators, you have zoning ordinances and building codes that apply; you shouldn't have to get another

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Current penalties are enhanced for a school zone, so it just puts school zone on par with the work zone
• And if they're not government entities, they can't issue bonds to raise funds.
• This allows private not-for-profits to issue bonds similar to rules that exist in Illinois, Colorado,
• Alexander Miles, Enterprise Community Partners, you are recognized.
• My name is Alexander Miles, policy director for Enterprise Community Partners.

Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of bills, beginning with CS/SB 678, which would allow pawnbroker transaction forms to be printed or digital; it drew support from a business representative and was reported favorably. Members then heard several bills by Senator Leak, including SB 466 to designate St. Johns County as the site of the Florida Museum of Black History and create a board to work with the museum foundation and Florida Memorial University; the bill drew supportive testimony about preserving accurate Black history and the significance of the site, and it passed favorably. Leak’s CS/SB 578 would let Florida wineries use recyclable inserts and other alternative containers for larger wine sales, and it also passed favorably. SB 582 would increase penalties for unlawful demolition of historic buildings and structures, limiting the higher penalties to certain nationally or internationally recognized historic properties; it was supported by preservation advocates and reported favorably. CS/SB 1168 would create an aggravated offense for installing or using tracking devices or apps in furtherance of crimes such as murder, domestic violence, or robbery, and it passed favorably after a brief discussion about stalking and violent crimes. CS/SB 806 would make the Florida Attorney General the exclusive public official with standing to enforce Florida charitable trusts, limiting out-of-state attorneys general from suing over Florida-administered trusts; members debated whether this would burden out-of-state beneficiaries, but the bill was reported favorably. SB 1228 would advance spring restoration efforts for Ichetucknee Springs and Santa Fe spring flows and allow a utility compliance plan amendment to deliver reclaimed water to replenish the aquifer; it passed favorably. CS/CS/SB 304 would require a qualified medical opinion in child protective investigations involving infants and young children with possible genetic or medical conditions that can mimic abuse, and it drew emotional support from parents and advocates before passing favorably. SB 1286 would clarify that ordinary unsupervised childhood activities like biking or playing outside do not constitute neglect absent reckless endangerment, and it was reported favorably. SB 1318, the hands-free driving bill, generated the most extensive debate: it renames the texting-while-driving law, expands the prohibition to handheld device use, and adds penalties in work zones and school zones; supporters cited fatal crash statistics and personal loss, while opponents raised concerns about enforcement, civil liberties, racial disparities in traffic stops, and the need for broader distracted-driving and insurance reforms. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably after amendments. The committee also approved two claims bills, SB 14 for the estate of Penao-Hanvier against Miami Beach and SB 20 for J.N. against Hillsborough County, both settled claims recommended favorably by the special master. Finally, CS/SB 68 would modernize health facilities authority financing for private not-for-profit health systems, and CS/SB 172 would restrict misuse of health care specialty titles while preserving titles authorized under existing practice acts; both were discussed with questions about doctors, optometrists, and CRNAs, and both were reported favorably after amendment and debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• So there's enterprise zones.
• I don't know any analysis of the enterprise zones and the impacts of enterprise zones.
• There's no enterprise zone for film. There's no enterprise zone for energy.
• So there's enterprise zones.
• There's no enterprise zone for film. There's no enterprise zone for energy.

Transcript Highlights:

• Interest-free loan transit-oriented development zone.
• If we pass this bill, we will likely lose all future federal coastal zone management funding.
• Coastal zone management, CZM.
• We're borrowing to fulfill our needs, using bonds to pay for some of our needs.
• zone program... expanding the enterprise zone program because our people deserve these opportunities

Transcript Highlights:

• It extends the time frame for local incentive program benefits and enterprise zones to continue to December
• It extends the time frame for local incentive program benefits and enterprise zones to continue to December
• House Bill 5017 creates a debt reduction program to reduce the state's debt by retiring bonds prior to
• Of the $527 million, approximately 52% of that is allocated to two large technology enterprise projects
• I could see that for schools that are within an opportunity zone.

Summary: The House convened on the final day of session, observed a moment of silence for the Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and for Representative Rosenwald’s father, then swore in and seated new members Boyles and Hodgers. The Speaker also outlined the chamber’s end-of-session priorities, including action on the budget and related conforming bills. The House then took up H.J.R. 5019, a constitutional amendment to expand Florida’s budget stabilization fund by raising the cap, requiring annual transfers, and allowing withdrawals for critical state needs. After sponsor explanations and questions about what would qualify as a critical need and how the fund might respond to possible federal funding cuts, the House adopted an amendment that added more flexibility for suspending transfers and withdrawals. The joint resolution then passed on final passage. Members next considered HB 7031, the tax package conference report. The bill repeals the business rent tax and aviation fuel tax, delays the natural gas fuel tax, creates or extends several sales tax exemptions and holidays, and makes changes affecting property taxes, local taxes, pari-mutuel taxes, and revenue distributions. Debate focused heavily on the new permanent exemption for ammunition and hunting-related items, the elimination of recurring housing trust fund and transit-related distributions, and the shift of some funding from recurring to nonrecurring status. Supporters argued the package provides tax relief and preserves annual budget flexibility, while opponents criticized the ammunition exemption and the reductions in recurring housing and transit support. The conference report was adopted and the bill passed. The House then passed HB 5017, which creates a debt reduction program funded by a recurring transfer from general revenue to retire state bonds early, and HB 5015, the state group insurance conforming bill, which directs DMS to develop a formulary management plan and codifies the administrative health insurance assessment. Finally, the chamber began explanation and questions on the General Appropriations Act conference report for fiscal year 2025-26, described as a $115.1 billion budget that is down from the current year and includes more than $12 billion in reserves. Subcommittee chairs summarized major budget areas, including K-12 education, health care, transportation and economic development, agriculture and natural resources, higher education, state administration, justice, and information technology, highlighting funding for school choice, Medicaid, housing, transportation infrastructure, Everglades restoration, workforce programs, cybersecurity, and technology modernization.

Transcript Highlights:

• I, I think that, you know, what I can tell you is that DSU was working with bond counsel prior to the
• That was a process that even NDSU and Bruce's team, they sort of shifted to working with their own bond
• And so I don't know that it is an inability to get bonding.
• of a CFO while you're in a bonding process can impact that funding.
• We're also looking back now at our enterprise systems and vendor-supported platforms.

Summary: The committee met on the Minot State campus for a presentation from President Shirley and several university leaders on enrollment, academics, workforce initiatives, and partnerships. Shirley reviewed the university’s financial audits, noting mostly clean results with only minor technical findings in recent years, and highlighted Minot State’s major programs, specialized accreditations, and ties to Minot Air Force Base and NCAA Division II athletics. Members asked about education workforce shortages, athletic tuition waivers, dual credit incentives, and the university’s in-state tuition policy for all students. Shirley also discussed the university’s recruitment efforts, including the Hometown Pride and Academic Excellence scholarships, campus visit growth, and the Emerging Scholars dual-credit reimbursement program. A major focus was workforce development and new academic offerings supported by legislative Workforce Education Innovation Funds. Shirley described the new Innovation Engineering program, which was developed with industry input to train broadly skilled engineers for western North Dakota, and said it had already drawn more applicants than expected. Dr. Crystal St. Peter presented a new master’s program in counseling that integrates mental health and addiction counseling to address statewide provider shortages, with a hybrid format to reach rural students. Members asked about licensure requirements, internship hours, and job placement for graduates. Shirley also outlined a new nursing simulation center and health sciences space in downtown Minot, made possible by state support and the purchase of the former Trinity Health Center West building. The committee also heard about Minot State’s efforts to build pipelines into education and special education, including the Aspire program for rural high school students and an online paraprofessional-to-special-education degree pathway. Shirley said these programs, along with new articulation agreements and a large Bush Foundation grant, are intended to address teacher shortages and keep students in North Dakota. No formal committee votes or actions were taken during the presentation; the session consisted of informational updates and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We own apartment complexes, railroads, toll roads, utilities, and business enterprises all over the world
• And that ownership... ...utilities and business enterprises all over the world.
• And that ownership, utilities and business enterprises all over the world.
• So if the markets do well, our funds do well, but we also have access to the bond market.
• And so often in a recession, you know, bonds can provide ballast to a portfolio.

Bills: SM20 , SM9 , SJR6 , HB124

Committee: Senate Senate Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• Act as the 9-1-1 Bond Act.
• Speaker, gentlelady, so this bond, these bonds would specifically be spent on projects identified on
• Speaker and gentlelady, that we're going to go for bonds.
• But I think this bonding issue might smooth out some of the bumps.
• For foreign trade zone development.

Transcript Highlights:

• herding, and ensures that the working animals that are for mutual benefit or welfare for a person or enterprise
• neutral because they had probably the biggest concerns when it comes to public safety, public health, zoning
• What I was thinking about, we do have state law that protects rodeos and other sorts of animal enterprises
• And so this adds another protection to make sure that these enterprises will be able to continue into
• They want to break the human-animal bond. That's what their true goal is.

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• If we combine the foreign trade zone and the state enterprise zone, we don't have to pay...
• c><00:04:49.520><c> important</c> enterprise zone which is very important enterprise zone which is very
• </c><00:04:55.280><c> numbers</c> enterprise zone and increase the numbers enterprise zone and increase
• :24.560><c> for</c> enterprise zones was intended for enterprise zones was intended for depressed<00:
• </c><00:10:41.120><c> zone</c> standpoint with the enterprise zone standpoint with the enterprise zone

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2693 relating to capital improvement projects for aerospace infrastructure. Members had no questions, and the recommendation to pass the bill with a defective date of July 1, 2050 was adopted unanimously. The committee then deferred decision making on Senate Bill 26980 relating to transportation and Senate Bill 2374 relating to the blue economy until Thursday, February 19, 2026, in Room 229, pending additional information. In the joint hearing on Senate Bill 2816 relating to state enterprise zones, agencies and organizations including DBEDT, HTDC, Taxation, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Oceanit, the Hawaii Medical Association, and the Queen’s Health System testified in support or submitted written comments. One public testifier urged expanding enterprise zones around the Kakaako/Cancer Center area and combining them with the foreign trade zone to reduce taxes and attract business. A senator questioned whether the enterprise zone program had ever been comprehensively evaluated, noting DBEDT said it had not done a full study in recent years and cited annual report figures including about $221 million in company revenues and $460,000 in foregone state revenue in 2022. The discussion focused on whether the bill would subsidize existing activity or support new economic development, and on the broader policy question of whether enterprise zones should be used to revitalize depressed areas or to target strategic sectors like health care technology. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2900 relating to sports officials. The Department of Education supported the measure, saying the Attorney General is best positioned to represent employees in temporary restraining order matters and that elevating intentional bodily injury of a sports official to a class B felony would improve safety. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing it would escalate conduct already covered by existing assault statutes and go beyond other protected classes. The Department of the Attorney General recommended narrowing the bill by inserting “substantial” before bodily injury in the criminal section and deleting a section that would make the AG’s office act like plaintiff’s counsel in civil matters, suggesting instead that departments adopt policies to help employees obtain TROs without creating an open-ended civil representation role. Several sports and school-related organizations testified in support, and members discussed whether the bill should be narrowed or coordinated with other measures before further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• It respects both parents' bonds with their children and restores the liberty to parents without interference
• Senate Bill 826 addresses the issue of receiving a DWI in a school zone.
• If you get a DWI in a school zone, you could receive a state jail felony.
• A broader view is needed in order to encapsulate the scope of a trafficker's enterprise.
• This bill applies to individuals who operate or manage a prostitution enterprise involving two or more

Bills: SB456 , SB826 , SB872 , SB957 , SB993 , SB1660 , SB2017 , SB2611 , SB2785 , SB2794 , SB442

Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:

• The exemptions are not exempt from zoning and permitting laws.
• The exemptions are not exempt from zoning and permitting laws and other regulations.
• valid and fully complete building permit application for a structure that is permitted under the zoning
• be considered under the building permit ordinance in effect at the time of the application and the zoning
• So local governments are being allowed to bond against future development and future property tax.

Bills: HB2313 , HB2451 , HB2298 , HB2566 , HB2517

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: grocery stores, public ownership, food accessibility, community services, economic development, tax increment financing, local government, municipal finance, public infrastructure, property title protection, land record fraud, county auditors, voluntary program, real estate, procurement, contracting, transparency, financial oversight, municipal permitting, transit projects

Transcript Highlights:

• c> enterprise zone, but it's the enterprise zone, but it's the infrastructure<00:22:40.000><c> and</c
• </c><00:23:35.840><c> zone</c> move into a current enterprise zone move into a current enterprise zone
• </c> here enrolling into the enterprise zone. here enrolling into the enterprise zone.
• </c> enterprise zone? enterprise zone? &gt;&gt; Sure. &gt;&gt; Sure. &gt;&gt; Sure.
• We have enterprise gambling zones.

Bills: HB2118 , HB2473

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to permitting and economic development. On HB 2603, relating to permits, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development said it supported the measure with comments. Committee discussion focused on the fact that the state’s facilitated permit process appears to have been rarely or never used, the need to identify specific projects that would use it, and whether DBEDT would need dedicated staffing to administer it. DBEDT said it had found no projects under the current process, had no capacity to run the program as structured, and estimated it would need about 7 to 9 FTEs, including permitting, coordination, data, systems, and possibly legal support. The chair suggested exploring a staff assignment and comparing the concept to federal FAST-41-style expedited permitting. On HB 2140, relating to essential permitting positions, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development again supported the bill with comments. Testimony and questioning centered on a pilot program to help counties pay competitively for permitting staff. A DBEDT representative said the issue of competitive pay affected both county and state permitting offices and that the bill was intended as a temporary pilot, though a more permanent solution would be preferable. When asked how counties would fund the salary support, the witness said that was not yet discussed with the counties and agreed to follow up. The committee also noted the bill applies to participating counties. On HB 2598, relating to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, the State Procurement Office and HTDC offered comments, and the Department of the Attorney General raised constitutional concerns. The AG said the bill’s residency-based certification requirements, when tied to procurement, could implicate the dormant Commerce Clause, and that the required 1% contribution tied to state contracts raised unconstitutional-conditions concerns. In questioning, the AG characterized these as legal risks rather than automatic lawsuits. The committee did not take a vote. The committee then heard HB 2141, relating to state enterprise zones. Taxation, DBEDT, HCDA, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, and HTDC testified in support, while the Tax Foundation noted the program was intended to help economically depressed areas create jobs. HTDC said the bill would help preserve the Maui Research and Technology Center’s enterprise-zone status after rezoning. Committee discussion focused on whether the enterprise zone program is being used effectively, how the bill might attract businesses to areas where the state is investing, and whether the program’s labor requirements are too burdensome for new businesses. DBEDT explained that the program requires a 10% workforce increase in the first year, which must be sustained, and said it promotes the program through county coordinators and in-person outreach. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• These enterprises are the backbone of our local economies.
• We must be prepared to adapt and to advocate for policies that bolster small and microbusiness enterprises
• , streamline access to funding, and promote... ...enterprises, excuse me, streamline access to funding
• Yeah, and then from a planning and zoning perspective, we have a couple of planning and zoning bills
• Our members and employers across the Commonwealth are currently paying back the $2.7 billion bond that

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses

Summary: The Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Business held an informational hearing focused on the conditions facing small and micro businesses in Massachusetts and the state programs intended to support them. Chairs Andy Vargas and Adam Gomez opened by emphasizing equitable economic development, the importance of CDFIs, and the need to help underserved entrepreneurs, especially women, minorities, veterans, immigrants, and other groups facing barriers. Committee members noted the hearing would not take up bills, and testimony was limited to 10 minutes per organization. State and quasi-public agency witnesses described current programs and funding. Dico Gibral of the Executive Office of Economic Development highlighted the Business Front Door, multilingual access, small business office hours in Gateway Cities, and funding in the Mass Leads Act, including support for CDFIs, small business technology, and capital grants. Tom Hooper of Commonwealth Corporation described workforce training programs such as the Workforce Training Fund, Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, and Career Technical Initiative, saying they help small businesses train workers, fill labor shortages, and support returning citizens and people with disabilities. Committee members asked about federal funding uncertainty, workforce migration, training schedules, and program uptake. Business and advocacy groups focused on cost pressures and regulatory burdens. The Massachusetts Restaurant Association urged continuation of outdoor dining and takeout alcohol sales, and pressed for relief from high credit card swipe fees, support for surcharging, and streamlining municipal licensing. The Retailers Association of Massachusetts cited survey results showing inflation, utility costs, payroll taxes, health insurance, and interchange fees as major concerns, and said many members might sell or close within five years; it also backed ending the state prohibition on surcharging and creating an Office of Main Streets Massachusetts. MACDC, BECKMA, and the Coalition for an Equitable Economy emphasized the need for more technical assistance, CDFI and small business funding, and protections against rising costs, tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and immigration enforcement impacts on immigrant-heavy business districts. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Here to present SB 911, pertaining to inspections of homes in high and very high wildfire severity zones
• told us time and time again that they're more likely to insure homes in high-fire threat severity zones
• and approved legislation requiring a seller of real property that is located in high-fire severity zones
• So if that PCOR and the questions are missing in a property that's in a high severity zone, should the
• I'm here today on behalf of Enterprise Mobility, speaking in support of SB 1112.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• They can go to the Bond Commission and have an election put on sooner than six months.
• The current law talks about the Bond Commission, and I've already spoken about it.
• They can go to the bond commission and have an election put on sooner than six months.
• They could seek the bond commission to get on another election date sooner.
• It provides for eligible election dates for bond and tax elections.

Bills: HB117 , HB228 , HB250 , HB260 , HB393 , HB400 , HB446 , HB534 , HB551 , HB576 , HB842

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Keywords: Department of State, statutory entities, re-creation, termination, Louisiana laws, Department of State Civil Service, Louisiana legislation, government re-creation, authority termination, financial disclosure, public servants, ethics, immediate family, transparency, legislators, transportation, foreign travel, cultural exchange, public service, HB393

Transcript Highlights:

• modifies requirements for county water augmentation authorities relating to the issuance of revenue bonds
• as well as public hearings related to the issuance of revenue bonds.
• Basically, what we're trying to do is modernize PICWA's existing revenue bonding authority.
• But maybe Cheyenne, we can talk about what projects you're looking at for this bonding authority.

Bills: HB2013 , HB2026 , HB2056 , HB2098 , HB2113 , HB2156 , HB2158 , HCM2011 , HCR2057

Committees: Senate Natural Resources , Senate Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference

Keywords: air pollution, wildfires, environmental standards, public health, Arizona Revised Statutes, assured water supply, groundwater, commingling, commingled water, water supply, Arizona Department of Water Resources, ADWR, active management area, AMA, subdivision plat, development approval, water rights, municipal provider, private water company, certificate of assured water supply

Transcript Highlights:

• That will have to happen before any bonds are issued. So Mr.
• Speaker, how would they change all the zoning in that area? Mr.
• We won't do like specific zones of housing, Mr. Speaker.
• Thus, the property tax would not be a suitable bonding pledge.
• It'll go out to bonding.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also makes the performance bond optional, lowering construction costs and helping Habitat for
• Leslie Dugue, representing Enterprise Mobility.
• This is why these buffer zones really do matter, and they do cost money to be able to maintain these
• Local zoning rules prohibit small schools from opening without public hearings for land use changes or
• This bill allows small schools to open by right in non-residential zones without special exemptions or

Summary: The committee heard and advanced a wide range of bills, with several focused on water safety, utilities, and local government transparency. CS/SB 848 on stormwater treatment was explained as clarifying water quality credits and water quality enhancement areas, and it was reported favorably after one support appearance. SB 28, a claim bill for Reginald Jackson against the City of Lakeland arising from injuries caused by a police shooting, was also reported favorably. CS/CS/SB 658 on water safety requirements for rental properties drew extensive testimony in support from child advocacy and drowning prevention advocates, who cited Florida’s high child drowning rates and the disproportionate impact on children with autism; the bill was amended to require front-end certification and remove local add-on authority, then passed favorably. CS/SB 18, a claim bill involving the estate of a deceased minor and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, was reported favorably after questions about the verdict, settlement posture, and who would receive the funds. SB 934 on areas of critical state concern was amended to remove a provision viewed as conflicting with the Live Local Act and then passed favorably. SB 1622, which creates a one-time waiver for certain late-filed financial disclosure fines, also passed favorably with support from an appearance form. SB 1264 on private schools and zoning was reported favorably after members noted ongoing concerns and planned further discussion. CS/CS/SB 260 on electric vehicle storage in towing yards was amended to narrow the bill to storage issues and cap the fee period until inspection; it drew both support and opposition from insurers, fire officials, and vehicle industry representatives, and was reported favorably. CS/CS/SB 1014, dealing with municipal utility service to properties outside city limits, was amended to limit it to residential development and clarify capacity standards, then passed favorably. CS/SB 1102 expanded the local infrastructure surtax to include body camera programs and was reported favorably after an amendment requiring voter approval. Finally, CS/SB 1724 and SB 1566, both on local government utility and budget transparency, were amended and reported favorably despite concerns from cities and counties about implementation costs and burdens.