Transcript Highlights:

• Being used, buildings that are sitting vacant that the municipality no longer uses for business, and
• Can you explain the different positions and hours and that sort of thing for us, please? Yes, sir.
• So they're requesting a full-time position and four part-time positions to do this.
• We just recently went to state civil service to get the airport director position recategorized.
• The Department of Health asked for a new position to be funded to staff this consortium.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 105, which reinstates a sunset-expired TOPS Tech benefit for eligible veterans. Senator Kathy said the bill would use existing TOPS dollars, not new funding, and would help veterans stay in Louisiana and enter the workforce. After brief questions about eligibility and funding, Representative Marcelle moved the bill favorably, and it was reported favorably without objection. House Resolution 3, by Representative Newell, asked the Louisiana Housing Corporation to study whether vacant state-owned property could be repurposed for housing and rental assistance for cost-burdened state employees. Members discussed the high fiscal note and whether the work could be absorbed in existing budgets. Fiscal staff said LHC had requested a full-time position and four part-time positions for the study, but the committee also talked about narrowing the study’s scope. Representative Marcelle moved the resolution favorably, and it was reported favorably without objection. The committee then debated House Bill 189, which would extend supplemental pay to fire protection officers at the Lakefront Management Authority’s airport fire department. Representative Newell and airport representatives argued the firefighters perform specialized, hazardous ARFF duties and should receive the same supplemental pay as other qualifying public firefighters. Some members questioned whether the airport and its employees qualify under existing law and whether the supplement should be expanded further. After discussion, Representative Marcelle moved the bill favorably, but the motion failed on a roll call vote of 8 yeas to 10 nays. Later, Senate Bill 461, concerning Office of Group Benefits coverage for certain small employee groups, was reported favorably without objection. House Bill 623, creating a three-tier permitting system for vapor products, was amended to clarify direct-to-consumer shipment restrictions and then reported favorably as amended. House Bill 1222, creating a grocery initiative grants and financial support program through LED to address food deserts, drew extended debate over whether it would amount to government-run grocery stores; supporters framed it as an incentive and grant program for private grocers, while critics raised concerns about government involvement. After amendment, it was reported favorably as amended by a vote of 16 yeas to 2 nays. Finally, House Resolution 80, directing a comprehensive fiscal audit related to Board of Regents and university system spending on certain executive budget metrics, was amended into a substitute version. Members debated whether the resolution would require universities to do additional work and whether it belonged in Appropriations at all, especially since the fiscal note had been removed. The discussion also raised concerns about the listed schools and the resolution’s purpose in light of a federal civil rights investigation. The transcript ends while the committee is still discussing the resolution and related procedural motions.

Transcript Highlights:

• position and one's appointed.
• Second thing to notice is that many of the trooper positions are vacant, past around the current status
• Second thing to notice is that many of the trooper positions are vacant, past around the current status
• that we have vacant?
• The positions that are vacant are not vacant because of unfunded—they're vacant because they either had

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:08.000><c> and</c><00:05:08.720><c> $</c> adding one position and $ adding one position and
• </c> and 27 for pay equity for positions and 27 for pay equity for positions within<00:09:53.680><c>
• The highlights of the Judiciary bill: we are reducing 878.326 from vacant positions, transferring $5.4
• </c><00:20:55.400><c> positions</c> 878 326 from vacant positions 878 326 from vacant positions transferring
• </c> positions and one account clerk position positions and one account clerk position and<00:30:38.320

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Summary: The committee met in decision-making only and first took up HB 300, the Senate majority budget package. The chair described the bill as a response to economic uncertainty and reduced revenue forecasts, and outlined a wide range of appropriations and staffing changes across state agencies, including agriculture, education, health, public safety, housing, labor, natural resources, and corrections. The package emphasized one-year funding for many new programs, vacancy reductions, and investments in services such as preschool, mental health, wildfire mitigation, cybersecurity, public access, and workforce development. HB 300 was recommended to pass with amendments and was adopted unanimously, with members voting yes and no reservations noted only as procedural responses. The committee then acted on HB 794 and HB 795, both recommended to pass with amendments by changing the defective date to 2050; both measures were adopted without discussion. On the 101 agenda, HB 400, the Judiciary budget bill, was recommended to pass with amendments. The bill included vacancy reductions, security funding, permanent staffing for several court and justice programs, and support for civil legal services, immigration-related services, and technology licenses. HB 400 was adopted. HB 410 was also adopted with amendments and a defective date change to 2050. On the 102 agenda, the committee passed several bills either unamended or with targeted amendments. HB 3, HB 134, HB 177, HB 237, HB 648, HB 713, HB 735, HB 1391, and HB 1462 were passed unamended. HB 214 passed with amendments expanding eligibility for retired employees to fill labor-shortage or succession-planning positions, including certain management positions excluded from collective bargaining; one member raised concerns about school resource officers and community fit, which the chair said could be addressed in the committee report. HB 441 passed with amendments to direct cigarette tax funds to the Hawaii Cancer Research Special Fund, with a discussion about whether e-cigarettes should be included. Other measures passed with amendments included HB 448, HB 667, HB 727, HB 740, HB 806, HB 1020, HB 1345, and HB 1365, generally involving date changes, blank appropriations, or technical language. HB 1391 was adopted with a reservation from Senator Kim. The meeting concluded with HB 1462 adopted unamended.

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will record the attendance. 47 present, three absent and nine excused, one vacant.
• The vote is 50 ayes, 0 nays, 0 not voting, 0 excused, and 1 vacant.
• We voted 25 ayes, 25 nays, 9 not voting, zero excused, and one vacant. You have failed.
• By your vote of 32 ayes, 18 nays, and 9 not voting, one vacant, you have passed Senate Bill 1763, signed
• helps each young woman build a brighter future and fulfill her God-given purpose, creating lasting, positive

Transcript Highlights:

• That means the denominator included vacant units, which by definition can't self-respond.
• They used all addresses, whether vacant or occupied, which makes this kind of hard to work with.
• Again, the rate includes all addresses in the Bureau's universe, including vacant units.
• Those rates are also calculated against vacant units.
• Calculated on all housing units, including vacant.

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on the Census

Summary: The Senate Committee on the Census met on December 8 at 9:32 a.m. to examine the dynamics that drive census undercounts and overcounts, with testimony first from Joseph Salvo and then from Susan Strait of the UMass Donahue Institute. Salvo explained the Census Bureau’s two main evaluation tools: demographic analysis, which uses vital records, migration estimates, and Medicare data to produce a national benchmark, and the post-enumeration survey (PES), which compares a separate sample-based count to the census. He said the 2020 census showed a small national net undercount, but larger age- and race-based disparities, including the highest undercount among children ages 0 to 4, higher undercounts for men, substantial undercounts for Black, Hispanic, and American Indian/Alaska Native populations, and overcounts among some older and college-age groups. He also described how self-response, non-response follow-up, administrative records, proxy responses, and imputation affected data quality, arguing that proxies and imputation were especially weak and that outreach remains critical for 2030. Committee members asked Salvo to clarify the methods and error bands, the role of international migration estimates, and how the PES differs from the census address list and LUCA. He explained that PES is based on a separate sample of blocks and can add units within sampled blocks, but it does not measure units missed entirely from the original address list; LUCA matters because it improves that list before enumeration. He also discussed age heaping, duplicate responses among older adults, and why group quarters and COVID-related disruptions complicated the 2020 count. Senator Driscoll briefly interrupted to describe Randolph’s successful appeal of its 2020 count after an undercount in disability care homes, and Salvo noted that the post-census group quarters review helped correct some missed facilities. Susan Strait then focused on Massachusetts-specific results. She said Massachusetts’ 2020 count was strong overall, with population growth above the national average and a PES-based finding that the state was overcounted by 2.24 percent, though she emphasized that this did not mean all areas were accurately counted. Using demographic analysis, she said Massachusetts had an estimated 4.15 percent undercount of children ages 0 to 4, with the largest county-level undercounts in Hampden, Suffolk, and Essex, and she linked higher child undercounts to lower educational attainment and female-headed households. Strait also reviewed operational metrics showing that Massachusetts had relatively strong internet self-response, but that non-response follow-up relied heavily on household interviews, administrative records, proxies, and imputation in different counties. She highlighted higher proxy use in college-heavy counties such as Hampshire and Suffolk, and said counties with more minority residents were more likely to have population-count-only cases and other indicators of harder-to-count populations. The hearing ended with discussion of how these findings could inform outreach and census planning for 2030.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the last number just shows how many vacant positions did we have on the very last day of the
• So how many vacant positions is a point in time, where the other two are how many occurred during that
• And then the last number just shows how many vacant positions did we have on the very last day of the
• So how many vacant positions is a point in time where the other two are how many occurred during that
• staff positions.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the March 18 minutes, and then received a series of updates on major health-related projects and programs. CHI St. Alexius representatives reported progress on behavioral health buildouts in Bismarck, Williston, and Grand Forks, including demolition and construction milestones, staffing plans, and timelines. The Bismarck project remains on track for completion in June 2027 with about $346,500 spent to date. Williston reported construction underway, a $750,000 unbudgeted air handler replacement, active recruitment for psychiatrists and other staff, and a projected substantial completion in early 2027. Grand Forks reported about 30% completion, weather-tight status expected in August, and continued staffing ramp-up as the facility expands from its current 24-bed operation. The Department of Health and Human Services then reviewed a set of technical line-item transfers, emphasizing that they were administrative corrections with no net change in funding. The department also walked through the Salaries and Wages Block Grant and FTE counts, noting overall staffing remained within appropriated limits and that behavioral health staffing had increased. Members asked about vacancies, consultant use, and the mix of in-state versus out-of-state expertise for the Rural Health Transformation Program. HHS said it had posted 12 funding opportunities, received 422 applications, obligated $8.4 million so far, hired 26 people, and was preparing additional grant rounds and a CMS budget submission. The department said the program is structured around workforce, prevention/healthy living, care closer to home, and technology/data, with ongoing stakeholder engagement and community forums. The committee also heard on the certified community behavioral health clinic implementation plan, SNAP payment error rates, and the state laboratory project. HHS said CCBHC certification is being implemented in four regions—Williston, Minot/North Central, Fargo/Southeast, and Dickinson/Badlands—with care coordination expanding and baseline data still being collected. On SNAP, the department reported a 2025 payment error rate of 9.89%, acknowledged cost impacts under HR1, and said it is using training, system changes, and pre-authorization quality checks to reduce errors toward a 6% target over the next 6 to 12 months. Finally, Public Health reported the state laboratory reached substantial completion on June 12, with total costs at $69.95 million of the $70 million budget, though a service elevator issue will require a new lift to be added using contingency funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• An 86% vacancy rate on this chart: seven attorney positions, and six of them are vacant. Right, Mr.
• Currently, we have 16 of the 25 positions filled, and these positions are for relief for staff that have
• are vacant in each.
• Positions that might be sitting vacant, vacancies that may be sitting that we may be considering filling
• additional positions we would have to leave vacant because of the lack of...

Bills: SB48 , SB64 , SB100

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: State Fairgrounds District, fairgrounds bonds, public financing, bond authorization, gross receipts tax, gaming tax, tax-backed bonds, infrastructure funding, Albuquerque fairgrounds, State Fair Tid, economic development, municipal bonds, revenue pledge, capital projects, New Mexico finance, special education, office of special education, deputy secretary, public education department, IEP

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have 88 authorized positions. We currently have eight vacant positions.
• </c> positions we currently have eight vacant positions we currently have eight vacant as<00:05:06.680
• That position has been vacant for a very long time.
• </c><01:08:16.679><c> positions</c> looking for how many vacant positions looking for how many vacant
• In the Hampshire Works office, that position is vacant.

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Insurance Commissioner DJ Bettencourt on the New Hampshire Insurance Department budget. He said the department is self-funded through assessments on insurers based on New Hampshire premium volume, with about $8 billion in premiums written in the state and a department budget of roughly $15.5 million. He explained that the department has 88 authorized positions, eight vacancies, and that three full-time positions were unfunded after the governor’s requested 4% reduction exercise. He also said the department is trying to balance staffing needs with not overburdening carriers during a hard insurance market. A major topic was the department’s $2.6 million rebate to industry from the prior fiscal year, which Bettencourt described as a credit against the next assessment rather than a direct cash payment. Members questioned why that credit was not reflected as a reduction in the upcoming budget, and Bettencourt and staff explained that the budget assumes full staffing and full spending, with any year-end surplus returned to insurers. The commissioner said the department had added staff in recent years for succession planning and to preserve institutional expertise, and that the rebate reflects careful budgeting rather than excess spending. Members also asked about staffing changes by division, including positions unfunded in fraud, property and casualty examinations, life and health examinations, and tax. Bettencourt said fraud investigations remain strong and that the department can use outside contractors for examinations, with those costs billed to the company being examined. He also described the department’s examination process, including periodic financial exams and targeted market conduct reviews triggered by consumer complaints or trends. Additional questions covered OIT transfers, the department’s oversight of fully insured health coverage, the insurance premium tax and fines going to the general fund, and the department’s limited role in auto repair reimbursement disputes, where he said complaints have recently declined.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're not new to the roles and positions, so that helps.
• We're not new to the roles and positions, so that helps.
• </c><00:02:54.159><c> so</c> not new to the roles and positions so not new to the roles and positions
• It's not a position that I take lightly.
• </c> to help lead uh the senate in a positive to help lead uh the senate in a positive manner<00:13:42.920

Transcript Highlights:

• I had one question in the ongoing funding changes, and that was where the Senate removed the FTE position
• It's likely because it had been vacant for some time.
• It's not just sitting on a vacant FTE. Right, exactly.
• We were looking for vacant FTEs, not being used, but just tying up money.
• But because the funding was one-time funding, the FTE were included as one-time positions.

Bills: SB2018

Committee: House Appropriations - Education and Environment Division

Summary: The committee took up Senate Bill 2018, the Department of Commerce budget, and walked through the long sheet and a series of proposed changes. Members discussed restoring a vacant workforce FTE that Commerce said it could fill soon, monitoring federal funding delays but reporting no known cuts, and adjusting several one-time items including Operation Intern, the North Dakota Development Fund, the Global Talent Office, and tourism-related funding. The chair also proposed separating tourism marketing and Good Life funding again, rather than combining them, and members raised concerns about ensuring tourism dollars are used only for tourism purposes. A number of program amounts were reviewed or adjusted in discussion, including UAS grants, Vantus/Beyond Visual Line of Sight funding, Grand Sky, Grand Farm autonomous agriculture grants, base enhancement grants, Native American small business grants, regional workforce impact grants, technical skills training grants, and tribal college workforce grants. Commerce officials explained that some grant language would be changed to require competitive RFP processes, and they clarified that the housing opportunity and community property improvement items were handled in other bills or programs. The committee also discussed apprenticeship efforts across state agencies and Commerce’s role in workforce development. The committee reviewed carryover and exemption language for prior appropriations, including federal weatherization and energy funds, and Commerce said three one-time FTE tied to those federal programs should become ongoing because the federal dollars continue over several years. A motion to add $1.5 million for the North Dakota Safety Council failed for lack of a second. The committee then planned to return the next day to continue work on Commerce and take up the CTE budget, including a pending amendment related to CTE’s possible move from the 15th floor of the Capitol.

Transcript Highlights:

• I like to think about the vacant strip malls that we have, or those boarded-up big box stores, or the
• And these vacant retail spaces, they're not good for vibrancy. They're not good for safety.
• And for whatever reason, we do have those vacant storefronts, and that's...
• And for whatever reason, we do have those vacant storefronts.
• But I do think the original bill is in a much better position.

Bills: SB5223 , SB6071 , SB5966 , SB6061 , SB5520 , SB6016 , SB5890 , SB5973 , SB5053 , SB5249 , SB5536 , SB5879 , SB5899 , SB6190 , SB6086 , SB5574 , SB5873 , SB5924 , SB6134 , SB6263 , SB6282 , SB6302 , SB5950 , SB6074 , SB6096 , SB5970 , SB5609 , SB5827 , SB5862 , SB5880 , SB5901 , SB5943 , SB5971 , SB5975 , SB5981 , SB5988 , SB6097 , SJM8016 , SB5496 , SB5907 , SB6031 , SB6155 , SB6158 , SB6227 , SB5947 , SB6085 , SB6234 , SB6274 , SB6194 , SB5909 , SB5868 , SB6026 , SB6044 , SB6239 , SB5923 , SB6045 , SB6106 , SB6089 , SB6170 , SB5954 , SB5968 , SB5489 , SB5762 , SB5832 , SB5847 , SB5963 , SB5969 , SB6027 , SB6032 , SB6049 , SB6066 , SB6079 , SB6082 , SB6113 , SB6114 , SB6160 , SB6162 , SB6164 , SB6176 , SB6289 , SB6309 , SB6319 , SB6347 , SB6308 , SB6200 , SB6080 , SB5911 , SJM8014 , SB6177 , SB6052 , SB6182 , SB5828 , SB6335 , SB6017 , SB6346 , SB6262 , SB5470 , SB5990 , SB6244 , SB5961

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, overpayment recovery, modernization, health care, legislation, healthcare, nutrition, medically tailored meals, dietary support, food security, chronic illness, tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• from 28% to 57% for veterinarian positions since 2019.
• To attempt to deal with this turnover, The agency has taken salary funding from the vacant FTE positions
• and moved it to non-vacant positions in order to raise their salaries.
• positions.
• And you propose, according to the LBB, $110,000 is for that new position.

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present to hear Article VI Natural Resources agency budget recommendations, beginning with the Railroad Commission. LBB staff summarized the commission’s 2026-27 base recommendation at $458.7 million, down from the prior biennium, with an increased FTE cap. The presentation highlighted reduced federal IIJA funding, volatility in oil and gas regulation account 5155, continued support for IT modernization, and rider changes. The commission’s major exceptional items were then presented, including requests for produced water and injection data reporting, an authorized pit registration system, regulatory filing/permitting upgrades, an underground injection well investigation team, site remediation support, and especially $100 million for orphan well plugging. Members asked about biennium-to-biennium comparisons, salary biennialization, the scale of orphan well risks, federal funding delays, bonding, and whether the state should rely more on industry or general revenue for plugging costs. Commission leadership explained that orphan wells can threaten water and public safety, that plugging costs have risen sharply, and that current funding is insufficient to keep up with emergency wells and the backlog; they also said the agency is moving to cloud-based systems with cybersecurity protections and that the proposed performance measure may need adjustment if funding does not increase. The Railroad Commission testimony was followed by LBB and agency testimony for the Texas Animal Health Commission. LBB described a $42 million recommendation for 2026-27, an increase overall, but with a reduced FTE cap due to turnover and salary reallocation. The recommendation maintained funding for cattle fever tick work, chronic wasting disease, lab testing through an MOU with Texas A&M’s veterinary diagnostic lab, and a new $5 million spay-and-neuter pilot program, while deleting a capital budget rider and adjusting riders tied to entry point inspection stations and clinical trials. Agency leadership then outlined the commission’s mission to protect livestock health and the state’s $22 billion animal industry, and described major disease threats including highly pathogenic avian influenza, cattle fever ticks, New World screwworm, and chronic wasting disease. Their exceptional items focused on recruiting and retaining veterinarians, replacing fleet vehicles, creating an ectoparasite identification lab, adding field staff and IT support, improving records and epidemiology reporting, strengthening central administration, supporting secure food supply planning, expanding chronic wasting disease work, and staffing the new spay-and-neuter program. Members asked about field identification of ticks, the use of disinfectants and PPE, fleet management, the scale of cattle fever tick risk, and chronic wasting disease; the agency explained its current inspection and lab-confirmation process, its reliance on field disinfecting and biosecurity, and the need for more staff and better data systems to keep pace with growing workloads and disease threats.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we know that they go immediately into that positive placement, but we don't know where they are in
• We have quite a few vacant positions, and we've suspended programs.
• or the positions that we have vacant at the agency right now completely vacant, even though they're
• full-time to a part-time position.
• And we have the funds outlined that we would like to request in the future to reinstate that position

Committee: House A&B Education Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• , and, as of January 9th, there were 140 vacant positions.
• there were 70 vacant positions.
• As of January 9th, there were 25 vacant positions.
• Were those positions vacant, or what was the determination for removing those positions? Yes, sir.
• You have several hundred vacant positions.

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Please come forward with your name, affiliation, and position.
• Please come forward with your name, affiliation, and position on the bill.
• Please come forward with your name, affiliation, and position on the bill.
• Please come forward with your name, affiliation, and position on the bill.
• We are taking an opposed-unless-amended position on this bill.

Committee: House Health

Transcript Highlights:

• So it puts me in an interesting position, but I'm not looking at this because it's not about myself.
• The bill... ...commercial buildings that have been vacant or abandoned for more than 150 days.
• When a building sits vacant or abandoned for more than 150 days, it can become a fire hazard, attract
• Thirty-five percent of them are vacant or abandoned, and I believe more than half of those are owned
• It was 35% of their buildings in their downtown area are currently vacant or abandoned, but you said

Committee: House House Government Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard a series of bills and resolutions, many of them on property, local government, and memorial topics. HB 2079, authorizing a memorial for journalist Don Bolles at Wesley Bolin Plaza, passed unanimously after sponsor testimony about the 50th anniversary of his assassination and the memorial’s no-cost nature. HB 2080, as amended, advanced 7-0 on deed and title fraud prevention measures, including photo ID requirements, notarization and deed-filing safeguards, an assessor alert program, and a felony penalty for knowingly submitting false or forged real-property claims. HB 464, which moves the petition process for municipal improvement districts earlier in the process, passed 5-2 after testimony from Camp Verde, the Yavapai Apache Nation, developers, and the League of Arizona Cities and Towns; opponents argued it could force property owners into infrastructure they do not want, while supporters said it improves transparency and financing certainty. HB 2048, a proposed constitutional referral to withhold pay from state elected officials if the budget is not enacted by April 30, passed 4-3, with supporters saying it would create accountability and opponents saying broader process reforms are needed first. The committee also heard HB 2324, which would allow municipalities with their own fire codes to petition for county-owned buildings inside city limits to be exempt from separate state fire code inspections when conditions are met. County and state fire officials supported the concept, saying it would resolve conflicting statutes and formalize intergovernmental agreements, and the bill passed 7-0. HB 4087, authorizing a memorial plaque for former legislator Barbara Leff, also passed unanimously, with the sponsor noting her service in both chambers and her work on veterans and health care issues. HB 2239, creating a child care grant program and infrastructure fund for underserved and low-income communities, drew extensive testimony from rural parents, child care advocates, and early childhood experts describing child care deserts, workforce losses, and safety concerns with unregulated care. Supporters said the bill would fund the facilities and infrastructure needed to expand regulated child care, especially in rural Arizona; the committee approved it 5-1 with one member present and one not voting. Members also discussed HB 2375, a historic-preservation-related middle housing bill, but the transcript cuts off before final action is shown; testimony reflected a sharp divide between preservation advocates supporting exemptions for historic districts and housing advocates warning the bill could worsen exclusion and housing shortages.

Transcript Highlights:

• Before I move on, there is a note here: we do have 14 filled positions and six vacant positions.
• The next field positions and six vacant positions.
• The net, we have three of those four which are vacant, and so again, we'll work to try to fill that.

Committee: All TASK FORCE ON AUTISM

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> &gt;&gt; Senate District 21, vacant. Mr. &gt;&gt; Senate District 21, vacant. Mr.
• </c><00:30:12.559><c> Senator</c> one vacant. We have a quorum. Senator one vacant.
• </c> absent, three excused, and one vacant. absent, three excused, and one vacant.
• </c><00:49:52.079><c> Senate</c> absent, three excuse, one vacant.
• Senate absent, three excuse, one vacant.

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum, approved the February 23, 2026 journal, and received several committee reports. Education recommended Senate Bill 67 be amended and sent to Appropriations, and Judiciary recommended Senate Bill 70 be amended and sent to Appropriations. The Education Committee also recommended confirmation of several Institute of Cannabis Research Governing Board appointments, and later the chamber confirmed a consent calendar of governor’s appointments, including members of the GOCO Trust Fund board, the Colorado Agriculture Development Authority, and the Wildlife Habitat Stamp Committee. On the floor, the Senate passed several bills. Senate Bill 85 and Senate Bill 25, both on the consent calendar, passed unanimously. Senate Bill 5, concerning state court remedies for violations of federal constitutional rights during immigration enforcement, passed on a 20-11 vote after a brief reconsideration mix-up and was then repassed. Senate Bill 18, concerning legal protections for a minor and sealing a related name-change record, passed 20-11. Senate Bill 31, concerning lawful use of a prescription drug product containing a Schedule I controlled substance, passed 29-2. The chamber then resolved into Committee of the Whole and took up Senate Bill 46, a property tax administration cleanup bill. After a Finance Committee report and adoption of amendment L003, the bill passed second reading and was ordered engrossed. The committee also laid over Senate Bills 53, 43, and 84 until February 25. Later, the Senate concurred with House amendments to Senate Bill 52, concerning coal transition communities and just transition money, and then repassed it. The Senate adopted the Committee of the Whole report and recessed until 11:00 a.m. after announcements and personal privilege remarks recognizing the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District and Musical Therapist Day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Should you choose to waive your speaking time, your position will be included in the committee meeting
• Local governments are best positioned to understand their unique context, whether urban, suburban, rural
• Local governments are best positioned to understand their unique context, whether urban, suburban, rural
• It has nothing to do with whether it's vacant, sitting vacant, because then it seemed to creep in an
• Sitting vacant because it didn't seem to creep in an income-based approach of what was actually being

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met with a quorum present and heard three bills. First, the committee considered Senator Osgood’s home hardening products bill (CS/SB 78). An amendment was adopted that changed the sales tax exemption for impact-resistant doors and windows into a refund process, limited eligibility to homeowners with site-built homesteads valued at $700,000 or less, capped the refundable tax at $500,000 per property, and set the refund period for two years beginning July 1, 2026. After the amendment, the bill was reported favorably. The committee then took up Senator McClain’s SB 208 on land use and development regulations. The bill would define compatibility and infill residential development, allow administrative approval of certain infill projects, and set standards for local development-related fees. Several members and stakeholders discussed possible changes to the compatibility and fee provisions. Testimony included opposition from Audubon Florida, the Florida Association of Counties, the Florida League of Cities, and 1,000 Friends of Florida, who raised concerns about sprawl, public participation, the 100-acre infill threshold, and impacts on rural lands and the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Support came from Highland Homes and several groups that waived in support, including AARP, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, and Associated Industries of Florida. The bill was reported favorably after debate. Finally, the committee heard Senator Trumbull’s SB 118 on special assessments for recreational vehicle parks. The bill clarifies that if a local government levies a special assessment on an RV park space or campsite, the assessed square footage cannot exceed the maximum square footage allowed for a recreational vehicle. An amendment clarified the maximum square footage as 400 square feet. After brief discussion and no opposition, the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• witnesses and support must be those accompanying the author or who otherwise have a registered support position
• opposition can be stated at the standing mic when called upon to simply state name, affiliation, and position
• Some units are reoccupied quickly, but others may remain vacant for months or even years due to market
• conditions or ...quickly, but others may remain vacant for months or even years due to market conditions
• Under this proposed option, called the sequential order method, each resident is assigned a position

Summary: The Assembly Aging and Long-Term Care Committee met on April 21 and heard three bills. AB 1819 by Assemblymember Sanchez would require buildings serving 50 or more people to have an automated external defibrillator on site. Sanchez said the bill is intended to protect older adults and other community members by improving access to life-saving emergency equipment; supporters included recreation and park districts and respiratory care professionals. The committee members present voted in favor, and the bill was passed as amended and re-referred to Appropriations, with the roll held open for absent members. AB 1983 by Assemblymember Blanca Rubio would create an optional sequential repayment method for continuing care retirement communities, allowing entrance fee repayments to be made in the order residents leave rather than waiting for a specific unit to be reoccupied. Rubio and Erickson Senior Living argued the change would make repayments more predictable and equitable while preserving consumer protections. Support also came from LeadingAge California and the California Assisted Living Association. The committee approved the bill and sent it to Human Services, again holding the roll open for later votes. AB 2037 by Assemblymember Patterson would establish a pilot grant program to help seniors and people with disabilities harden their homes against wildfire risk, with Patterson describing it as a way to support property maintenance and reduce wildfire spread. The California Foundation for Independent Living Centers, AARP California, and local officials testified in support, and committee members accepted amendments to add another county to the pilot. The committee voted to pass the bill as amended and re-refer it to Appropriations. After the initial votes, add-on votes were recorded and the committee adjourned.