Transcript Highlights:

• construction payment process by... ...to simply simplify the construction payment process by mandating
• I’m a 33-year construction lawyer in the first class of board-certified construction lawyers back in
• It’s not objectionable to me as a construction lawyer.
• It's not objectionable to me as a construction lawyer.
• This would devastate the entire construction industry. Thank you.

Summary: The committee heard and acted on a long agenda of local, housing, education, construction, and claims bills. It first took up SB 1730 on affordable housing/Live Local changes, adopting an amendment that narrowed and clarified several provisions, including density, height, parking, attorney fees, and exclusions for certain protected areas, then reported the bill favorably. It also approved SB 1674, which clarifies that local investment restrictions cannot block Israel bonds, after a clarifying amendment. SB 140 on charter schools was reported favorably after significant debate over school conversion, teacher contracts, local control, and the use of surplus school property for housing or other public purposes; several speakers opposed it as harmful to public schools, while the sponsor said it preserved district authority and added options for municipalities and job creation. The committee also passed SB 96 and SB 4, two local claims bills, and SB 1714, which allows SHIP funds to help mobile home owners with lot rent and requires local housing plans to address mobile home park closures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Price of construction, Mr.
• We all know that wages are going up, uh, the cost of construction is going up, and, um, you know, this
• I mean, the highest cost of any amount of construction is labor.
• What is the cost of construction on the average project?
• So if, if I was building a pro if I was in charge of a school and a construction job at a school and

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:17:28.480> It that was requested for construction.
• It that was requested for construction.
• increases in energy costs, construction increases in energy costs, construction costs,<00:38:10.960
• That purpose is even more critical today with rising construction costs straining school budgets.
• construction costs straining school<00:47:33.440> budgets.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Primary and Secondary Education and Workforce Development met for an information-gathering session and opened by clarifying that the subcommittee would not be voting on budget requests. Because there was no quorum at first, the committee did not take up approval amendments. The first presentation focused on a budget request to incentivize national certification for school social workers and school psychologists. Rep. Vanessa Gracal, along with Amy Oats and Leslie Gilpin, argued for a $500,000 annual appropriation to provide $2,000 salary supplements to nationally certified school social workers and school psychologists working primarily in their certification areas. They said the stipend would help recruit and retain professionals amid shortages, noted that current Kentucky certification numbers are low, and explained the rigorous certification and renewal requirements. In response to questions, they said there is currently no appropriation for this purpose in HB 500 and none they were aware of in HB 6 in 2024. The next topic was school facility funding needs, led by Rep. Bob McCool, Johnson County Superintendent Tom Cochran, Commissioner of Education Robert Fletcher, and other district representatives. They described the “gap funding” issue for school construction projects that had already started before COVID-era inflation sharply increased costs. Johnson County and Harrison County were highlighted as examples of districts that had already committed local funds, passed nickel taxes, and begun construction but now need additional state support to finish projects. Speakers emphasized that many projects were audited and approved, that the state has already funded about half of the gap, and that roughly $130 million more is being sought in HB 500 to complete the remaining work. They stressed that unfinished projects would leave districts with half-built schools and that completing them would bring long-term savings and better facilities for students. The committee then turned to testimony from KASA representatives on the impacts of HB 500 as introduced. The witnesses discussed the importance of school psychology and school social work certification, the benefits of advanced training for student services, and the need to recognize and support highly qualified staff. A member asked whether HB 500 or HB 6 included an appropriation for the certification stipend, and the witnesses answered no. The meeting also included a motion to approve the minutes from the prior meeting once a quorum was present, and the minutes were approved by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we try to prevent overflow of rivers, and we construct these levees.
• So funding of new construction relies 75% on federal money.
• The federal government then formed the California Debris Commission in 1893 and constructed numerous
• Back then, the state agreed to take responsibility for the federally designed and constructed systems
• We are finally off to the races, with construction anticipated starting this year for this project.

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on flood risk and flood management in California, with opening remarks emphasizing that flooding is a statewide and growing threat due to climate change, including the possibility of extreme losses in a worst-case event. Members noted recent flooding in places such as San Diego, the Tulare Basin, and Pajaro, and framed the hearing as a way to better understand prevention, response, and how to capture excess water for later use. Jeffrey Mount of PPIC gave the main overview, describing California’s high flood exposure, the different flood types the state faces, and the mix of structural and non-structural tools used to manage them. He stressed that levees, dams, bypasses, land-use planning, flood insurance, and emergency response all matter, but that risk is rising because current standards are based on past hydrology rather than future climate conditions. He also warned that flood management is underfunded, that the National Flood Insurance Program is weak, and that federal support is increasingly uncertain. Members asked about groundwater recharge, permitting, NOAA and federal cuts, and which communities are most at risk; Mount said recharge can help but does not eliminate flood risk, and that small Central Valley communities and heavily developed floodplains are especially concerning. State officials Laura Hollander of the Department of Water Resources and Jane Dolan of the Central Valley Flood Protection Board described the state’s role in forecasting, emergency response, grants, planning, and the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan. They highlighted aging infrastructure, the need for better coordination, and the state’s special liability in the Central Valley after the Paterno decision. Dolan reviewed the history of major floods and said the plan calls for about $1 billion per year over 30 years to meet current needs, while Hollander said the state works with local and federal partners on preparedness, response, and subventions projects. Both emphasized that floodplain planning, regional coordination, and faster permitting are important, but that more consistent funding is needed. A later panel from local flood agencies and districts reinforced those points, arguing that the state’s annual flood funding is below identified needs and that a proposed statewide flood and dam safety bond was reduced substantially in the broader climate bond package. Witnesses urged more routine maintenance funding, support for regional flood planning, and continued federal-state-local partnerships to reduce risk and maintain eligibility for federal assistance. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the informational hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• in recent years so being constructed in recent years so when<00:21:20.200> I<00:21:20.320>
• <00:25:12.520> few<00:25:12.720> years standards for construction few years standards
• for construction few years later<00:25:13.200> they<00:25:13.320> created<00:25:13.640
• uh and then every stage of construction uh and then once<00:25:48.799> they're<00:25:49.000><
• materials that are quote construction materials that are quote compatible<00:47:13.640> with<

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:01 Roll Call 00:16 HB 211 Discussion 02:55 HB 211 Vote 16:30 HB 160 Discussion 18:50 HB 160 Vote 52:06 Adjournment 57:35, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Local Government met for its first meeting of the year, established a quorum, and heard two bills. House Bill 211, sponsored by Representative Chris Lewis, would create a definition for cigar bars and allow indoor cigar smoking in qualifying establishments if they meet criteria such as deriving at least 15% of gross income from cigar-related sales, restricting entry to those 21 and older, prohibiting cigarettes and vaping, and requiring a smoke-free area for deliveries. Lewis and Louisville Metro Council member Anthony Pantini described the bill as a small-business and tourism measure modeled on Tennessee law, while the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and a St. Elizabeth physician opposed it, arguing it would undermine local smoke-free ordinances and expose patrons and workers to harmful secondhand smoke. Several members raised local-control concerns, and Lewis said he was open to local governments making decisions on less restrictive approaches. The committee adopted a committee substitute and then approved HB 211 on a roll call vote, with multiple members voting yes and several no votes, sending the bill forward as amended. The committee then heard House Bill 160 from Representative Susan Whitten, with Logan Haynes of the Kentucky Manufactured Housing Institute. They said Kentucky faces a housing shortage of roughly 200,000 units and that starter homes are increasingly unaffordable, making manufactured housing an important part of the solution. Whitten said the bill would treat manufactured housing more like site-built housing while still allowing local governments to enforce cosmetic standards such as roof pitch, exterior facade, and foundation material, and she emphasized that HOA, deed, and historical preservation restrictions would remain in place. Haynes argued that modern manufactured homes are federally and state inspected, more energy efficient, faster to build, and more affordable than site-built homes, and he said the bill would not open the door to older-style mobile homes or single-wides except in limited narrow-lot situations. Representatives from the Kentucky League of Cities and the Kentucky Association of Counties expressed concerns about the bill’s current language, saying land-use decisions should remain local and warning that the definition of qualified manufactured home and the bill’s treatment of local standards could have unintended consequences. They said they appreciated Whitten’s willingness to work with them and indicated they hoped to continue negotiating amendments as the bill moved forward. No vote on HB 160 was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Charter but a different new construction Charter but a different new construction new<00:24:52.640
• process construction in the construction process construction in the construction process yeah<00
• You got KH to Alamana Construction, KH to Alamana Land, Leeward Construction, or charter.
• You got KH to Alamana Construction, KH to Alamana Land, Leeward Construction, or charter.
• or since their initial construction or since their initial construction waiting<00:51:34.240>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• allocated for lead service line removal since 2023, and nearly all of it will be exhausted by the 2026 construction
• unbelievably proud to say that about 6,000 of those will have been replaced by the end of this construction
• by the end of this construction season. by the end of this construction season.
• Representing more than 14,000 skilled construction workers who build and maintain the infrastructure
• If this legislative session does not act in the next two weeks, next year's construction season will

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House and Senate capital investment leaders held a public discussion focused primarily on lead service line removal and the need for a new bonding bill. Rep. Fue Lee and Chair Jeff Franzen said Minnesota’s existing state and federal lead-line funds will be exhausted by the 2026 construction season, warning that without action there would be no lead removal program in 2027. They framed the issue as a bipartisan public health and infrastructure priority, emphasizing that no amount of lead is safe and that regular capital investment is needed to keep communities moving forward. Testimony from Raquel Vasquez of St. Paul Regional Water Services, Bradley Peterson of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, and Joel Smith of LiUNA Minnesota and North Dakota described the scale of the problem and the progress made so far. Vasquez said St. Paul’s pilot program is working, with costs coming down and about 6,000 of roughly 26,000 local lead service lines expected to be replaced by the end of the season, but warned that 18,000 to 20,000 would remain without more funding. Peterson said there are about 100,000 known lead service lines statewide and more than 200,000 still being assessed, with replacement costs averaging $10,000 to $15,000 per line. Smith stressed that funding gaps would stall momentum, leave at least 90,000 lead pipes in the ground, and cost the state thousands of union jobs. In response to questions, Sen. Sandy Pappas said she supports including $100 million in appropriation bonds for lead service lines in the Senate bonding proposal, while acknowledging the need is closer to $250 million. House leaders said they were discussing the size and contents of the bonding bill and were considering both general fund cash and appropriation bonds, with affordability for homeowners a key concern. The chairs also discussed broader bonding priorities, including other water, sewer, road, and facility projects, and noted that decisions would depend on whether leadership can reach agreement on a final bonding package before the end of session.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're a construction industry trade group with over 365 members across the state that employ over 23,000
• men and women in the construction industry.
• Over 365 members across the state that employ over 23,000 men and women in the construction industry.
• As you know, cities of all sizes across the state engage in all sorts of construction projects that are
• As you know, cities of all sizes across the state engage in all sorts of construction projects that are

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• that such business does not violate noise, garbage, or light ordinances; whether a dwelling is constructed
• the town can’t add to the State Building Code with respect to building materials or methods of construction
• 00:25:14.120> is ordinances uh whether a dwelling is ordinances uh whether a dwelling is constructed
• on or offsite which allows constructed on or offsite which allows for<00:25:16.200> manufactured<
• this is where or methods of construction this is where you<00:25:36.480> get<00:25:36.600>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• coming and was able to do most of the preliminary work to prepare for the need to begin immediate construction
• coming and was able to do most of the preliminary work to prepare for the need to begin immediate construction
• coming and was able to do most of the preliminary work to prepare for the need to begin immediate construction
• coming and was able to do most of the preliminary work to prepare for the need to begin immediate construction
• coming and was able to do most of the preliminary work to prepare for the need to begin immediate construction

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is that's construction money.
• It comes out of state construction.
• the capital construction. the capital construction.
• uh school capital construction items. uh school capital construction items.
• <01:45:26.960> is million on capital construction is million on capital construction is pretty

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The current system of construction and maintenance is simply not viable.
• The current system of construction and maintenance is simply not viable.
• <00:52:35.680> and various aspects of con constructing and various aspects of con constructing
• The Supreme Court highway construction.
• , or what constitutes proper construction, or what constitutes proper construction, reconstruction

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that would be projects that were running under budget that had extra funds left over during construction
• contingency during construction.
• about five to six percent to account for the fact that not all projects use their project, their construction
• contingency during construction.
• And some of those savings were identified through projects that are in construction, nearing completion

Bills: SB406

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that would be projects that were running under budget that had extra funds left over during construction
• contingency during construction.
• about five to six percent to account for the fact that not all projects use their project, their construction
• contingency during construction.
• And some of those savings were identified through projects that are in construction, nearing completion

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on May 26 and first took up Senate Bill 406, which authorizes the city of Slidell to seek voter approval for a local hotel and motel occupancy tax. The bill was described as a local measure giving the city council authority to place the tax on the ballot, with members noting that similar taxing authority exists in many other municipalities. Representative Wiley moved favorable passage, there was no objection, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then received an update from the Division of Administration’s Office of Facility Planning and Control on capital outlay savings identified through cash-flow review and project “scrubbing.” Officials said they found about $50 million in savings from updated cash flows, over-appropriations, projects bid under budget, and reduced appropriations in bundled projects. They explained that bundling projects, including some LED-related projects, allows agencies to shift savings within a bundle and manage overruns or underruns more flexibly. Members praised the savings work but asked whether the process could be moved earlier so the House could benefit sooner, and whether similar reviews could be expanded to other administering agencies and non-state projects. One member raised concerns about whether some projects, including schools and certain NGO-related items, should qualify for capital outlay funding at all, and urged a review of the statutory definition and project approval criteria. Staff said they would look at the definition, review recommendations from prior discussions, and consider ways to tighten the process. The committee then adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• On progress in general, construction for housing is up.
• On progress in general, construction for housing is up every single year since 2018.
• And I'll just say, the two most expensive times in the process are pre-construction, when you're sort
• of looking at the delays that Jeff described in terms of construction cost increases.
• You're sort of looking at the delays that Jeff described in terms of construction cost increases.

Summary: The joint hearing focused on the Governor’s 2025 reorganization plan to split the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency into two new agencies: a Business and Consumer Services Agency and a California Housing and Homelessness Agency. Administration officials said the change would give each side more focused leadership, improve consumer protection and regulatory oversight, and better align housing and homelessness policy with the state’s broader housing goals. Leaders from the Department of Consumer Affairs, Cannabis Control, Alcoholic Beverage Control, and Financial Protection and Innovation all voiced support for the business-side reorganization, while housing officials emphasized that the new housing agency would help streamline funding, compliance, and coordination across programs. Members raised concerns about timing, budget impacts, office space, and whether the split would actually reduce bureaucracy. The administration said the plan would be included in the May Revision, was intended to be cost-neutral, and would not require fee increases for licensees or additional office space. On the housing side, officials said the new Housing Development and Finance Committee would work toward a single application and more coordinated award process for affordable housing funding, while preserving CalHFA’s statutory and financial independence. They also said the reorganization would improve compliance monitoring, data collection, and coordination with local governments, including Los Angeles homelessness programs. Public testimony was largely supportive. Industry groups representing beverage distributors, craft brewers, wine, mortgage lenders, and housing organizations backed the business-side split, and housing advocates such as Housing California, the California Housing Partnership, and the California Housing Consortium supported the housing agency concept and the proposed one-stop-shop approach. Several witnesses urged that tax credits, bonds, and other funding sources be better coordinated, and some said the plan should be paired with additional state investment and implementation resources. No formal vote was taken; the hearing was informational.

Transcript Highlights:

• They started construction.
• They started construction.
• They started construction.
• They started construction.
• construction is completed. construction is completed.

Bills: SB2613, SB2147

Keywords: public school land transfer, Department of Education, DOE, land conveyance, fee simple title, tax map key, TMK, Act 307, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, Act 139, Board of Land and Natural Resources, BLNR, Department of Land and Natural Resources, DLNR, Kauai, Maui, Honolulu, Kaimuki Middle School, Wilcox Elementary School, school property

Summary: The committee heard SB 2613, a cleanup bill relating to public school land transfers under Act 307 (2022), which revises tax map key references and the conveyance process for properties transferred to the Department of Education. The Hawaii State Public Library System supported the measure, saying it would complete the long-unfinished separation of the library system from DOE property control and make future building projects more efficient and cost-effective. DOE also supported the bill and requested an amendment to remove TMK 43-62 parcel 10, the Wilcox Elementary School parcel, so that it could instead be transferred to the county for use with the adjacent park and tennis courts. Members focused heavily on why land transfers and construction approvals have been slow, especially the need for right-of-entry documents and an MOA for a library construction project. Library and DOE witnesses said the delays stemmed from site-control issues and confusion over property status, and that the bill would clarify which parcels are transferred by operation of law and remove the need for additional transactional documents in many cases. Several members questioned whether the bill actually changes authority or simply clarifies existing practice, and DOE said it wanted legislative clarity so the transfers are unmistakably effective on a date certain. The committee also discussed a separate section of the bill dealing with public use of school facilities after hours, including parking fees on property under DOE jurisdiction. DOE explained that any parking charges would apply only to property it controls, not county roads, and that fees are set through existing facility-use procedures. Members raised concerns about the pace of land transfers generally and urged DOE to move more expeditiously on pending parcels. The hearing then moved on to SB 2147, which would designate the first Friday in February as Love My Library Day; the library system testified in support as the committee began that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• She also liked a good mystery story like what construction grant have a very special construction grant
• <01:07:05.760> grants to name the library construction grants to name the library construction
• Murphy uh, construction<01:07:10.880> grants<01:07:11.280> program.
• Anyone who construction grants program.
• The first one is improvement projects to renovate, expand, and construct libraries.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We did, and it has been a tremendously successful program throughout the state—many jobs, many construction
• We did, and it has been a tremendously successful program throughout the state—many jobs, many construction
• <00:32:37.480> and center equipment uh construction and center equipment uh construction and
• <01:08:56.839> is the world yet once con construction is the world yet once con construction
• <01:27:29.880> maintenance trades during construction maintenance trades during construction

Bills: HF1277, HF1006

Keywords: data centers, tax exemption, Minnesota statutes, economic development, employment growth, property tax, abatement, land bank, redevelopment, political subdivision, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• is $3.5 million, and it will significantly increase the scoring to compete for federal military construction
• is $3.5 million, and it will significantly increase the scoring to compete for federal military construction
• That means the Minnesota National Guard can expect to receive military construction funding for a new
• Not much money considering the number of our facilities and today's current construction costs.
• The good news is the state never asks to pay 100% of our facilities' construction and maintenance costs

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Minnesota Senate Subcommittee on Veterans heard a Department of Military Affairs presentation on bonding, tuition benefits, and cyber response. The department requested $3.5 million in design funding for a new hangar at the 148th Fighter Wing in Duluth, citing safety problems with the aging 1950s-era hangars and the need to improve the wing’s competitiveness for future federal military construction funding. It also sought $2.5 million for asset preservation at Army facilities statewide, emphasizing that state dollars are often matched by federal funds. A National Guard lieutenant also testified about the State Tuition Reimbursement Program, describing how it helped pay for her undergraduate and doctoral education and reduce student debt. The committee also received an update on Minnesota National Guard cyber operations, including the response to the July 2025 ransomware attack on the City of Saint Paul. Testimony described the cyber coordination cell’s role in planning, interagency coordination, and support during the incident, including helping re-image about 500 computers and assisting with network recovery. Members heard that the Guard’s cyber teams conduct extensive partner engagement and are prepared to support state and local entities when civil resources are exhausted and the incident exceeds local capacity. Three bills were then heard and advanced. Senate File 4075, as amended, would implement recommendations from the task force on Special Guerrilla Unit and regular forces veterans from the Secret War in Laos, including eligibility and benefit changes; the committee adopted an amendment and passed the bill to the full committee. Senate File 3956, as amended, would clarify that the Department of Veterans Affairs may partner with veteran-serving organizations using nonmonetary resources to address food insecurity, homelessness, and suicide prevention; it was also referred onward. Senate File 4056, as amended, would add veteran or military status as a protected class under the Minnesota Human Rights Act; testimony supported the change, including concerns about service members losing educational opportunities while on state active duty, and the bill was passed to the full committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sustained demand for construction across commercial, industrial, and infrastructure sectors.
• Fewer jobs, fewer construction opportunities, and lost economic momentum.
• My name is Stephanie Maez, and I'm representing the New Mexico Building and Construction Trades Council
• context of what that overall income or impact on tax revenue will have with those jobs with the construction
• Construction workers are coming in.

Keywords: 996, all