Transcript Highlights:

• His work extended far beyond real estate, as he was an active and respected presence in his community
• Scouts of the U.S. of America Day, Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day, Vietnam Veterans Day, Navajo Code
• Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day, Vietnam Veterans Day, Navajo Code Talkers Day, First Responders Day
• Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day, Vietnam Veterans Day, Navajo Code Talkers Day, First Responders Day

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and several ceremonial introductions and proclamations, including a Coolidge centennial proclamation, recognition of guests tied to Pre-born Day of Rights, a proclamation honoring Carmen Green Smith’s retirement, and a memorial resolution for Brad Brower. The chamber also heard a Game and Fish outdoor expo announcement and welcomed student visitors and other guests in the gallery. The main legislative action centered on House Bill 2072 and House Bill 2307 in Committee of the Whole. SB 1396 was the subject of an unsuccessful motion to suspend the rules and move it immediately to third reading; that motion failed 12-16. HB 2072, dealing with holidays and the César Chávez Day repeal, drew extensive debate over a Miranda floor amendment to rename the day as Farm Worker Day and preserve the farm worker movement’s recognition. The Miranda amendment failed 12-15, a subsequent committee amendment was adopted, and the bill was ultimately reported out as amended and later passed on third reading. HB 2307, concerning dangerous and incompetent defendants and a state facility/restoration process, was amended with an Angus floor amendment addressing funding, bed capacity, a sunset, and a study committee. The bill passed the Committee of the Whole and then passed third reading 27-2, with several members explaining support as a public safety measure and others noting remaining concerns. HB 2874, relating to campaign committee termination statements and expenses, also received a technical floor amendment and passed as amended on third reading 18-11, without the emergency clause. The Senate also adopted HCR 2053, a death resolution for Brad Brower, with a moment of silence and unanimous adoption. At the end of the meeting, the Committee of the Whole report was adopted, the bills were properly assigned, and the chamber recorded the final passage of HB 2307 and HB 2874 and the passage of HB 2072 as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment is coded A3. I recognize the author of the amendment, Representative Heintzeman.
• The amendment<00:14:18.639> is<00:14:18.959> coded<00:14:19.760> A3.
• The amendment<00:24:10.240> is<00:24:10.679> coded<00:24:11.679> A25-000054.
• I think we've all witnessed fraud in different industries, but especially in the real estate industry

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Holcomb, you are recognized to explain this amendment, bar code 366053. Rep.
• Okay, now let's move to the amendment bar code 06625. Chair: You may explain this amendment. Rep.
• Even if the necessity once existed, the Supreme Court has since Travis Creighton: found in Estate of
• You are recognized to present bar code 115219. Rep.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, moving to page five, Senator Jones, wholesaling of real estate.
• real estate license.
• <00:39:06.960> without basically doing real estate without basically doing real estate without
• So, um it having a real estate license.
• <00:39:16.360> um the fix is that it is a real estate um the fix is that it is a real estate

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The joint Minerals Committee met to select interim topics and announced its meeting dates for April 27-28 in Casper, June 4-5 in Casper, and August 27-28 in Cheyenne. Members heard public testimony on several economic development and minerals-related topics and were asked to identify their top priorities for later ranking and consensus. No formal votes were taken during this portion of the meeting. A major topic was removing obstacles to energy development in Wyoming, including possible regulatory, bonding, and permitting barriers. Testimony from the Mining Association and Energy Capital Economic Development supported revisiting barriers to development, similar to the earlier Regulatory Reduction Task Force. Another related topic was industrial siting exemptions on coal mine property, with testimony arguing that mineral-related projects such as rare earths, uranium conversion, and ferroalloys should not have to go through the full industrial siting process when communities have already dealt with similar development. Members also discussed industrial siting bonding requirements, including whether bonding or advance payments should be used to cover impacts on local services and emergency response, especially for projects like solar farms or battery storage. The committee also discussed coal bed methane industrial sovereign zones, tied to House Bill 120, with testimony seeking to include coal bed methane in value-added manufacturing zones. The sponsor said the goal was to create industrial zones that support economic development while protecting scenic values and limiting industrial sprawl. Another topic was sourcing curling stones in Wyoming, which was presented as a lighthearted but potentially useful way to promote Wyoming stone and broader dimension-stone quarrying; a state geologist testified that Wyoming has granite with similar mineralogy to stone used for curling stones elsewhere. Child care as an economic driver was withdrawn. The committee also heard support for a Business Council restructure review, though several members said the Minerals Committee should do the substantive review because the Business Council falls within its jurisdiction, while still coordinating with Appropriations. Finally, the committee heard a proposal for a domestic preference in residential general service contracts, extending Wyoming preference concepts beyond construction into goods and services, with testimony emphasizing local economic multipliers and possible exceptions for federal funding or other procurement limits.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, if you've been tracking, Farm Bureau recently completed a study on estate planning, seeing the
• recently completed a study on estate recently completed a study on estate planning,<00:10:34.079
• about estate planning and transitioning<00:10:55.920> of<00:10:56.079> the<00:10:56.240
• That kind of estate planning and those types of things obviously can help us and where we're at.
• planning and those type like that estate planning and those type of<00:17:27.600> things<00:17

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:50 Approval of Minutes 00:01:21 KOAP Report 00:01:42 Community Farm Alliance and KY Double Dollars 00:20:25 Feeding Kentucky 00:40:55, 958, all

Summary: The Tobacco Settlement Oversight Committee received a monthly report from the Kentucky Office of Agricultural Policy and the A Development Board/Finance Corporation. Staff reviewed May activity, including county council visits, loan and grant approvals, farm safety funding, and support for beginning farmers, agricultural infrastructure, processing, and county/state projects. The committee also recognized an intern and thanked Tara Roberts for her service as she prepares to leave the agency. Members were reminded about a June 20 anniversary event marking 25 years of the office and related programs. A major topic was K-CARD, the Kentucky Center for Agricultural and Rural Development. Staff explained that the program is being expanded to provide more technical assistance for beginning farmers and farm families, including help with business plans and estate planning/farm transition discussions. Members asked how farmers would access the service and were told the extension office would be the front-line contact, with K-CARD providing the technical assistance and neutral-site consultations. The committee also discussed support for large food animal veterinarians. Staff said the incentive program has helped more than 33 veterinarians and is intended to support existing providers rather than quickly increase numbers; members raised concerns about the pipeline and selection process at Auburn University, and staff said discussions with the university were ongoing. The committee then heard from Community Farm Alliance on Kentucky Double Dollars, Fresh Rx for Moms, and farmers market support programs. CFA reported expansion to roadside stands, more retail onboarding, seven new counties, and estimated economic and farmgate impacts, emphasizing that state funding helps leverage federal and private dollars and stabilize local food access programs. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken beyond approving the May minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank the residents of Concord Estates who brought this issue to my office.
• I want to thank the residents of Concord Estates who brought this issue to my office.
• Committee Substitute for House Bill 1337, a bill to be entitled an act relating to estates.
• Committee Substitute for House Bill 1337, a bill to be entitled an act relating to estates.
• Committee Substitute for House Bill 1337, a bill to be entitled an act relating to estates.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, including guests from the press, Florida State women’s soccer, and former Senator Janet Cruz. Members also announced there would be no conference that weekend. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and began taking up a series of bills, often substituting House companions and proceeding quickly to third reading and final passage. Among the measures approved were bills modernizing trust settlement and trustee discharge procedures; revising military affairs laws, including leave protections, retirement eligibility, and assistance programs; creating uniform cash-rounding rules as Florida prepares for the end of the penny; refining podiatric medicine rules on cellular/tissue-based products and informed consent; expanding veterans’ court access statewide; clarifying RV park special assessments; establishing concurrent state-federal jurisdiction for juveniles on military installations; reauthorizing alcoholic beverage loss deductions; and revising bail bond and pretrial release laws, including training, electronic notices, forfeiture timing, and related procedures. Members also passed bills on eyewear insurance licensing, expanding the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund into health science education, streamlining recovery residence regulation, enhancing felony battery penalties, and updating child welfare rules to reduce repeated background checks, make the Step Into Success program permanent, and create a best-practices program. Several bills drew brief supportive remarks, especially those affecting veterans, the National Guard, foster youth, and military families. One bail bond bill prompted questions about charitable bail bonds, with the sponsor stating the current statute would remain unchanged. Most bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously; the bail bond measure passed 36-1, while the others noted here passed with no or minimal opposition. The Senate also adopted an amendment to the military affairs bill and a delete-all amendment to the military-installation jurisdiction bill before final passage. A major portion of the meeting was devoted to honoring Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman on her farewell. Members from both parties offered extended remarks praising her leadership, preparation, collegiality, advocacy on issues such as voting rights, women’s rights, Israel, anti-Semitism, breast cancer, school safety, and family law, and her effectiveness in committee and on the floor. Berman delivered an extended farewell speech reflecting on her 16 years in the Legislature, her family, her district, and her legislative priorities, and the Senate ordered her remarks spread upon the journal before recessing and later returning to continue the calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• Oftentimes in a real estate transaction, the sharing of information as it relates to an association,
• Oftentimes in a real estate transaction, the sharing of information as it relates to an association,
• Everything else in your declarations that go along with your real estate transaction, this doesn't touch
• transaction when they're going to estate transaction when they're going to sell<00:32:56.720> uh<
• that go along with your real estate that go along with your real estate transaction.<00:33:12.880

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a laundromat, I have a retail store, and I have a real estate business.
• I have a laundromat, I have a retail store, and I have a real estate business.
• <00:25:35.560> So,<00:25:35.800> I'm<00:25:35.960> very a real estate business
• So, I'm very a real estate business.
• <00:26:16.520> world, especially in the real estate world, especially in the real estate world

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The program focused heavily on election policy and campaign finance. Senator Liz Boldon discussed the federal SAVE Act, saying it would require in-person proof of citizenship to register, limit online and mail registration, and require qualifying photo ID to vote. She argued the measure would create barriers for eligible voters, especially people without passports, women who have changed names, and mail voters, and said there is little evidence of non-citizen voting to justify the bill. The segment also noted Minnesota’s high turnout in 2024 and framed the issue as one of access and disenfranchisement. Boldon also outlined her Minnesota bill, Senate File 4147, aimed at reducing dark money in elections by limiting corporate spending and increasing transparency. She cited the growth in outside spending since Citizens United, said Minnesotans want to know who is influencing elections, and described the bill as a novel approach that could face constitutional challenges. She said the measure had already moved through three committees and might not affect the upcoming election season even if enacted. The program then highlighted Senate File 5050, the Republican-backed Save Minnesota Act, which would require qualifying photo ID at the polls and during early and absentee voting, allow provisional ballots when voters cannot prove identity, citizenship, or residence, create free state-issued voter ID cards, and direct officials to remove non-citizens from voter rolls. It also covered Senate File 1851, a bipartisan bill by Senator Bonnie Westlin to ban scam PACs and allow victims, the Attorney General, and others to sue fraudsters; the bill was laid over for possible inclusion in a future omnibus bill and could take effect in August if passed. The final portion introduced newly seated Senator Michael Holmstrom, who won a special election after the death of Senator Bruce Anderson. Holmstrom described his long involvement in Republican and pro-life politics, his work on campaigns and door-knocking, his small-business background, and the personal experiences that shaped his views. The segment also noted that all state Senate seats will be on the ballot in November, listed several senators not seeking reelection, and gave the candidate filing window as May 19 through June 2.

Transcript Highlights:

• It caps their estate taxation.
• Their estate taxation will not increase if they've lived there five years.
• It caps their estate >> 65 and older.
• It caps their estate taxation.<00:37:16.640> Their<00:37:16.880> estate<00:37:17.280>
• Their estate taxation will not taxation.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am currently, and for the past 25 years, a real estate partner in the law firm of Foley and Lardner
• I'm a former chair of the firm's real estate practice group and a former member of the firm's management
• serve on several private company boards as well as Starwood Property Trust, the publicly traded real estate
• investment trust, where I chair the nominating... ...with Property Trust, a publicly traded real estate
• We’re a timber and real estate investment trust, the third largest private animal... ...and real estate

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to hear confirmation testimony for a large slate of university and state college trustees. Most of the discussion centered on the nominees’ backgrounds, ties to their institutions, and priorities such as student success, workforce development, financial sustainability, research growth, housing, and maintaining or improving university rankings. Several University of Florida trustees emphasized campus improvements, “One UF” integration, institutional neutrality, and ambitions to move UF into the top tier nationally. Other nominees highlighted goals for Florida A&M, Florida Atlantic, UCF, Florida State, Florida Poly, the Florida Prepaid College Board, and several state colleges, with recurring themes of affordability, economic mobility, cybersecurity, and keeping Florida students in-state for college and careers. Public testimony was heard on the Florida A&M appointment, where Elijah Hooks spoke in opposition to the current administration and described his expulsion, arrest, and trespass from the university after protesting the selection of President Marva Johnson. During questioning of FAU nominee Tina Vidal-Duart, senators asked about her prior service on the Hope Florida Foundation board and about reports concerning CDR Health’s contracting practices; she said she was not aware of the foundation issues at the time and noted that CDR’s state contract was a flat daily rate, so subcontractor pricing affected only the company’s internal margins. Other nominees received little or no questioning. At the end of the meeting, the committee voted to confirm all nominees except Tina Vidal-Duart separately. Senator Bracy Davis requested the separate vote and opposed her confirmation, citing concerns related to her Hope Florida Foundation board service. Despite that objection, the committee ultimately voted to report Vidal-Duart favorably as well. The committee also noted that one University of West Florida nominee would be taken up at a later hearing because he was unable to attend.

Transcript Highlights:

• We advocate for a strong tax code and a budget sufficient to meet our public investment needs.
• <00:55:42.960> and<00:55:43.080> a advocate for, uh, strong tax code and a advocate
• for, uh, strong tax code and a budget<00:55:43.520> sufficient<00:55:43.920> to<00:55:
• And so when we leave our porous tax code the way it is, we currently exempt more sales tax base than
• , away with not modernizing the tax code, away with not modernizing the tax code, but<01:40:08.920

Bills: HF4561, HF4343

Keywords: homeless prevention aid, homelessness, housing stability, rental assistance, family homelessness, unaccompanied youth, housing navigation, legal representation, family outreach, county aid, Tribal governments, local government aid, general fund appropriation, unspent funds, aid redistribution, sunset repeal, Minnesota property tax aid, services for persons experiencing homelessness, sales tax, use tax

Transcript Highlights:

• First reading, Senate File 2814, an act relating to real estate appraisers.
• <00:10:17.360> relating<00:10:17.760> to<00:10:17.920> real<00:10:18.160> estate
• an act relating to real estate an act relating to real estate appraisers.<00:10:19.440> He

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House met, opened with silent reflection and the Pledge of Allegiance, and the clerk confirmed a quorum was present. The journal from the previous day was approved as corrected, standing committee reports and comparison report substitutions were adopted without objection, and several House and Senate files received second or first readings. House files 1082, 3230, 3532, 3732, 4196, and 4252 were read a second time, along with Senate File 4807, and House Files 5090 through 5098 were introduced and given first reading. The chamber also received a Senate message announcing the appointment of a joint committee to escort Governor Tim Walz to the House chamber for the upcoming joint convention on April 28, 2026. The Senate transmitted four bills—SF 1714, SF 2814, SF 3210, and SF 2432—which were each paired with a House file on the general register and referred to the chief clerk for comparison without objection. The bills were described generally as relating to state government, real estate appraisers, human rights, and public safety. A report from the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration designated several bills for the calendar for Thursday, April 30, 2026, and imposed a pre-filing requirement for amendments on specified House and Senate files. Non-controversial motions were adopted without objection, and Representative Niska moved a recess to the call of the Speaker. The motion prevailed, and the House stood in recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first item is a letter from the Department of Labor and Licensing, Division of Real Estate.
• The first item is a letter from the Department of Labor and Licensing, Division of Real Estate.
• It's to purchase an AV system for the Real Estate Commission.
• G2 is Labor and Licensing, Real Estate Division, $20,000 in appropriation.
• Also, the Division of Real Estate at Labor and Licensing is for $100,000 in appropriation.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Gutfar then used the money to purchase real estate, renovate her family ranch, pay expenses for her cattle
• Gutfar then used the money to purchase real estate to renovate her family ranch to pay expenses for her
• to the wealthy because what information we do have comes, a majority can come from a specific area code

Bills: HB2352, HB2388, HB2418, HB2499, HB2500, HB2579, HB2584, HB2804

Keywords: funding, auditor general, county treasurer, procedural reviews, state appropriations, HB2388, Arizona Commerce Authority, ACA, small modular reactor, SMR, nuclear energy, advanced nuclear, data center, data centers, economic development, study, appropriation, general fund, jobs, wages

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2584, which would prohibit public funds from being used for genetic sequencing equipment made by companies owned or controlled by entities domiciled in a foreign adversary. The sponsor said the bill is intended to prevent sensitive genetic data from being sold or used against the United States. There was little public testimony, and the committee approved the bill on a 13-5 vote for a do pass recommendation. Members then considered HB 2804, a rural development and housing tax credit bill that would let the Department of Housing allocate up to $2 million per year in credits for qualifying rural affordable housing projects, with the program set to expire in 2037. Supporters, including the sponsor, the mayor of Flagstaff, and housing investors and developers, said the credit would leverage federal LIHTC dollars, attract private capital, and help finance affordable housing for seniors, veterans, and low-income residents in rural Arizona. Opponents from the Arizona Free Enterprise Club argued state LIHTC programs are inefficient, costly, and hard to oversee. The committee passed the bill 13-4. The committee also heard HB 2388, as amended, which appropriates $100,000 to the Arizona Commerce Authority to study the economic benefits of small modular reactors and data centers, with a report due by June 30, 2027. Supporters said the study could help Arizona plan for future energy and data-center growth, while opponents argued the agency already has other funding sources and should not receive additional money for the study. The amended bill passed 10-7. After a presentation from Auditor General Lindsay Perry on county treasurer procedural reviews and the Santa Cruz County embezzlement case, the committee approved HB 2352, which provides $2,385,900 in FY 2029 for the Auditor General to continue county treasurer reviews, on an 11-7 vote. The committee then unanimously approved HB 2418, as amended, which directs $600,000 to be evenly distributed among five major incident task force counties and codifies the longstanding distribution practice. Finally, the committee took up HB 2499, the first of two ESA administration bills, which would appropriate $2.6 million and 12 FTEs to the Department of Education for ESA administration and oversight beginning in FY 2027; the bill drew extended debate about ESA growth, accountability, testing, and spending oversight, but the transcript cuts off before the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2008, with the real estate downturn, a lot of those campuses ran into some significant headwinds,
• so ultimately, the challenges that were created with the financial downturn, specifically the real estate
• I would say unless a community has gone bankrupt, the residents and the family of the estate are getting
• If I can comment on that, if a refund comes in for that unit, it's paid back to that estate.
• If a refund comes in for that unit, it's paid back to that estate.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission met at Brookhaven at Lexington to continue discussing continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), with a focus on financial viability, entrance fees, refund policies, and how the industry is evolving. Speakers explained that nonprofit CCRCs have shifted away from building entirely new campuses since the 2008 financial crisis, and now more often grow through expansions, affiliations, mergers, or added home- and community-based services. They also noted that many newer CCRCs, especially nationwide, are being built without on-campus skilled nursing, relying instead on assisted living, memory care, or off-site arrangements, and that zoning and local approval can affect expansion plans. A substantial portion of the discussion centered on financial health and consumer protection. Panelists said the most important indicators of a strong CCRC are high occupancy, strong liquidity, and reinvestment in the property, with low occupancy and declining days cash on hand cited as warning signs. They described how actuarial reviews are used to estimate health care utilization and set pricing, and said staffing shortages are often a bigger financial pressure than resident care utilization itself. On refunds, speakers said entrance-fee refunds are generally paid when a unit is resold and the new entrance fee is received, and that resident refunds are usually protected even in bankruptcy, though residents are unsecured creditors. Massachusetts examples such as Reed’s Landing and the Groves were cited as cases where residents remained in place and refunds were ultimately protected. The group also discussed a pending disclosure bill on Beacon Hill related to entrance fees and refund transparency. LeadingAge Massachusetts said it supports clearer disclosure so residents understand refund provisions, and reported that among surveyed member CCRCs, the average time to provide an entrance-fee refund over the past two years was about 117 days. Participants emphasized the need to balance consumer protection with preserving the financial stability of the communities. The commission also reviewed upcoming dates: a virtual public hearing/listening session on June 16, the next commission meeting on June 23, and a later discussion planned on consumer rights, protections, and advertising practices. The meeting concluded with introductions of commission members and an invitation for attendees to tour the Brookhaven campus.

Transcript Highlights:

• My mother founded a real estate company there in 1984.
• I oversee more than 128 real estate offices.
• I oversee now more than 120 real estate offices across New York State and the tri-state region.
• As real estate professionals, we do more than sell homes.
• I hope that your expertise as a real estate person will help the MTA as they're looking to expand west-of-Hudson

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The joint meeting of the Senate Finance, Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, and Transportation committees considered four nominations to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board: Melanie Hartzog, Jeanette Sadecott, Matthew Rand, and James O’Donnell. Each nominee gave opening remarks describing their public service or transportation-related experience and their interest in issues such as affordability, accessibility, state of good repair, regional connectivity, and transit safety. Senators also raised concerns about MTA transparency, the 2025-29 capital plan funding gap, fare and toll evasion, worker safety, and the need for better service in underserved areas. Members pressed the nominees on several policy questions, including the feasibility of free or reduced-fare buses, expanding bus service and bus lanes, restoring Hudson Valley and Harlem Line service, improving west-of-Hudson and Rockland County transit, and advancing the Second Avenue Subway and accessibility projects. The nominees generally said they were open to studying these ideas, emphasized collaboration with the MTA, governor, mayor, and legislature, and supported greater transparency and investment in transit infrastructure. Senators also highlighted labor concerns, including the MTA workers’ contract and safety for bus operators and other transit workers. At the end of the hearing, the committees voted separately on each nomination. Melanie Hartzog, Jeanette Sadecott, Matthew Rand, and James O’Donnell were each approved by the committees and advanced to the Senate floor. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• With me today is Eric Ell, he's the construction operations manager with our Real Estate and Construction
• I'm the construction operations manager with the Department of Administration, Real Estate and Construction
• :05.920> of<00:01:06.040> administration<00:01:06.640> real<00:01:06.799> estate
• Department of administration real estate Department of administration real estate and<00:01:07.159

Keywords: 919, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• regional flood planning statutory requirements, which are contained in Chapter 16 of the Texas Water Code
• In the real estate world, when you look at those, those are based on data from the 1960s.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As you know, the Real Estate Commission is a state funding agency.
• I have certainly enjoyed my tenure with the Real Estate Commission thus far.
• <02:37:04.640> If<02:37:04.880> you real real estate transactions.
• If you real real estate transactions.
• <02:42:14.880> commission with the real estate commission with the real estate commission

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 409, 22 January, 2026; 1:30 P.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee first heard from the Mississippi Auctioneer Commission, which requested level funding. PJ Lindsay reported the agency granted 29 new auctioneer applications and 9 new firm applications, received 3 complaints, resolved 1, signed 1 consent order, and issued 1 suspension. Members questioned the commission about its cash balance, reserve levels, and a large variance between prior spending and the FY26 request; staff explained the difference was tied to technology and contractual costs, including planned computer system updates and out-of-state conference travel for board members. The commission also noted that auctioneering oversight is important because an estimated $4.5 billion will flow through Mississippi escrow accounts in 2025. The Board of Optometry then presented its budget and organizational changes. Board leaders said the board had transitioned away from a state employee model to a management company arrangement with JBAR/Cornerstone, which they said saved about $43,000 and improved service and efficiency. They described the creation of a licensing database and a new back-end system, and said the board was generally seeking level funding with a small increase for computer equipment tied to the new system. Committee members asked about the impact on PERS contributions, the former employee’s retirement, the board’s cash balance, lease arrangements, and whether licensees had complained; the board said the change required legislative approval, the former employee retired, the cash balance was about $399,900, and service complaints had decreased. The Mississippi Board of Licensure for Engineers and Surveyors reported a busy FY2025, including moving most licensure applications online, accepting supporting documents by email, expanding K-12 and college outreach, hosting student interns, visiting ABET-accredited schools, decoupling the surveyor exam registration process, and awarding about $400,000 in grants to engineering programs. The board said it licenses about 15,000 engineers and surveyors plus 8,500 interns, with most registrants from out of state, and that its fees are among the lowest nationally. For the budget, the board requested level funding overall but also sought a new investigator position, 5% salary progressions, increased travel funding for national meetings and STEM outreach, more contractual money for internships and IT modifications, additional supplies, and restoration of a $600,000 grant program that is funded every other year to support university and community college engineering and surveying programs. The board said its operations are supported by fees and that its cash balance is about $1.6 million.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we are to pilot a real estate lending program, there will have to be infrastructure built.
• <00:51:40.119> lending<00:51:40.680> program to Pilot a real estate lending program
• <00:52:09.400> lending we are to Pilot a real estate lending we are to Pilot a real estate
• one question um did you say real estate one question um did you say real estate lending<00:52:51.520
• a training program on real estate a training program on real estate lending<00:54:17.680> and

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SF 818, a request for funding for the Block Builders Foundation, which provides financial literacy and job-readiness training for youth. Senator Fate and testifiers described a 12-week program covering budgeting, savings, banking, credit, debt, career exploration, job preparation, entrepreneurship, and mentorship. They said the program served youth ages 13 to 19, had expanded to multiple cohorts, and had produced graduation ceremonies and job placements. Testifiers also said the organization had transportation challenges and limited space, and that additional funding would help with staffing, participant support, and transportation partnerships. Committee members asked extensive questions about the program’s outcomes, funding sources, and finances. Block Builders said it had 40 graduates in the most recent cohort, with 30 placed in jobs, and that participants who complete the program receive a $500 stipend. The organization said it had been operating since 2023 in North and South Minneapolis, had received $50,000 from the state previously, and raised additional community support. Members also asked about IRS filing status, audits, and how outcomes were measured; the organization said outcomes were tracked through graduation and certificates, and that it had not yet filed a 990 because it had not reached the threshold. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion, with committee members noting the current language makes the appropriation available only through June 30, 2026 unless amended. The committee then began hearing SF 927. An A1 technical amendment was adopted without objection. Senator Pappas introduced the bill, which would appropriate $1.5 million to the Mung American Partnership for workforce development and business lending. The transcript cuts off before further testimony or committee action on SF 927.