Transcript Highlights:

• Louis County.
• Charles County. We have a lot bigger population than some of these smaller counties.
• I do know there are some counties, a few counties.
• Francis County, how much it's going to cost the other counties that I represent.
• we do in Boone County.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I copied a bill previously done back in 2013 that gave counties the opportunity to regulate windmills
• And as the chairman of the Early County Board of Commissioners in Georgia put it, when they purchased
• in 2013 that gave county the opportunity to<00:08:25.480> regulate<00:08:26.360> uh<00
• counties counties conveniently<00:09:41.320> bordering<00:09:42.040> the<00:09:42.120>
• And as the chairman of the Early County And as the chairman of the Early County Board<00:09:58.720

Bills: HB381, HB259, HB393, HB399, SB358, SB362, SB363, SB348, SB187

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• purchase that park just like any other. purchase that park just like any other.
• like PBLO and Mesa County.
• <01:15:17.679> like counties. um the size of counties like counties. um the size of counties
• This is not a small county workload, and I represent a lot of small counties.
• <01:49:54.960> It workable process for counties. It workable process for counties.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and exempt state, federal, and county and exempt state, federal, and county funded funded funded
• and if this helps you know the county and if this helps you know the county because<00:50:28.080
• So So we state given to the county.
• They want the county to swap, right?
• to purchase to purchase um<01:12:49.640> license.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard HB 649, which would create a small boat harbor commercial vessel special fund and raise mortgage fees on commercial vessels to fund harbor improvements. DLNR stood on written testimony in support, while the Ocean Tourism Coalition, Activity and Attractions Association of Hawaii, Calypso Charters, and a local commercial operator all opposed the bill, arguing that the fee increase would burden thin-margin businesses without fixing procurement and staffing problems and that the bill’s fee language and fund allocations were too vague. A DLNR witness also noted a prior bill, HB 2477, had sought to broaden the fee base to more ocean operators statewide rather than increase the percentage. No vote was taken on HB 649 during the portion shown. The committee then heard HB 2599 on aquatic protection, which would prioritize ecosystem integrity and use of best available science in managing aquatic resources and set coral reef resilience goals. DLNR supported the measure, and a testifier from the public urged stronger coral goals for Oahu and a broader framework including water quality, herbivore management, fishery management, enforcement, and coral restoration. There was no opposition or vote shown on HB 2599 before the committee recessed to a joint hearing. In the joint Economic Development and Tourism / Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts hearing, members heard HB 2118 on transferring the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission from DAGS to DBED, HB 2474 on authorizing non-binding international cooperative agreements, HB 1863 on creating an honorary ambassador to Canada, HB 1943 on out-of-state DBED offices and export promotion, and HB 2604 on a performing arts ticket surcharge. Testimony was generally supportive for HB 2118, HB 2474, HB 1863, and HB 1943, with questions focused on agency placement, sister-state relationships, and the rationale for overseas offices. HB 2604 drew opposition from the Tax Foundation and others, who argued the surcharge functioned as a tax and would make arts participation more expensive; the chair recommended deferring it. During decision-making, both committees passed HB 2118, HB 2474, HB 1863, and HB 1943 with amendments, including technical changes and revised effective dates. For HB 2474, the amendments were described as clarifying definitions for sister-state and international cooperative agreements, allowing relationships with national governments, and preserving legislative approval and transparency. HB 1943 was amended to require an office in Laoag City, Philippines, rather than a non-existent DBED Philippines office. HB 2604 was deferred. After the joint session, the Water, Land, Culture, and the Arts committee resumed and heard HB 2395 on permits for taking marine deposits and HB 2361 on administrative support for the Kahului Bay Regional Council, both of which drew only DLNR written testimony and no further action in the excerpt. The committee then began HB 1823 on Coastal Zone Management Act exemptions, with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs testifying first, but the transcript cuts off before further testimony or action.

Transcript Highlights:

• to account for disparities in population across the county.
• The other six would be reserved for cities in southern Santa Cruz County, such as where I represent,
• I'm Gene Hurst here today on behalf of the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, a proud co-sponsor
• Santa Cruz County, as you can imagine, a tourist destination, has reached its population-based cap on
• Thank you. ...morning on behalf of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Cruz. Thank you.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fremont County is Fremont County. Fremont County is unique. Fremont County is unique.
• , Big Horn County, Washakie County, Hot Springs County, Johnson County, Sheridan County, Campbell County
• , Crook County, and Weston County.
• None of it is for Cheyenne. counties. Big Horn County is a little counties.
• The county has built the county access road.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When I purchased When I purchased my house in 2007, I thought I had achieved the American dream.
• When I purchase those who don't know they have any rights.
• When I purchased my house in 2007, I thought I had achieved the American dream.
• I mean, two loans were combined for a purchase of a home.
• I mean, two loans were combined for a purchase of a home.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on several bills focused on consumer debt, mortgage regulation, credit unions, and foreclosure prevention. The Attorney General’s Office strongly supported the Debt Collection Fairness Act (S. 735/H. 1275), saying it would curb abusive debt collection, prevent stale claims, limit civil arrest warrants, modernize wage garnishment rules, and reduce judgment interest rates. Senator Eldridge and legal aid advocates echoed that support, while the Massachusetts Bankers Association and the Massachusetts Mortgage Bankers Association supported bills on credit union mission/competition, consumer privacy in mortgage applications, subprime loan definitions, UCC updates, and protections for vulnerable adults, but opposed foreclosure mediation proposals and several credit union expansion measures, arguing they would distort competition and add unnecessary burdens. A large portion of the hearing focused on foreclosure prevention bills (S. 765/H. 1090), with testimony from homeowners, housing organizers, and legal advocates describing predatory lending, confusing servicing practices, health harms, and displacement caused by foreclosure. Supporters said a statewide pre-foreclosure mediation program would give borrowers and lenders a chance to reach alternatives such as loan modifications or repayment plans, and cited local experience in Lynn where mediation reportedly produced high rates of foreclosure alternatives. Opponents from the banking industry argued Massachusetts already has strong foreclosure protections and that a new mandatory process could delay resolution without added benefit, though they also noted a 2024 pilot should be evaluated first. The committee also heard strong support for H. 1282/S. 684, which would update the Massachusetts Uniform Commercial Code. State Street and a bankruptcy attorney said the changes are needed to keep commercial law current with electronic transactions, tokenized assets, and blockchain technology, and to maintain competitiveness with other states. The hearing concluded after public testimony, with no bill votes taken during the session; the chair thanked speakers and the committee voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• almost $2.9 million to cover increased costs for food, medical supplies, medicine, and emergency purchases
• And they provided a sort of justification for what they were looking to purchase. Good. All right.
• And we're purchasing their services? They are performing the services for the state.
• So just appreciate everybody reaching out and caring for the people of Stone County. Thanks.
• So just appreciate everybody reaching out and caring for the people of Stone County. Thanks.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, they'll then wait a week or two, until someone purchases, purchases the.
• We show you as registered as Jennifer Tharpe on behalf of yourself and Coal County Criminal District
• I'm the elected criminal district attorney for Coal County.
• It could be weeks or even months before the purchaser or the card recipient realizes that the card has
• So is the jurisdiction where it's purchased, where it's where it's, um.

Transcript Highlights:

• When we spread this county by county, what we found is every county needs more housing.
• by county, what we found is every county by county, what we found is every county<00:08:30.560> needs
• You know, I've seen I'm in the Bowling Green, Allen County, Simpson County area.
• A lot of these older houses even in the Warren County area and around, I've seen them purchase those
• area and around, I've seen them County area and around, I've seen them purchase<01:12:57.440> those

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:15 Roll Call 00:00:45 Discussion of Pro-Growth Housing Policies 00:02:33 Adjournment 01:17:15, 958, all

Summary: The Housing Task Force 2.0 reconvened with several new members and heard a presentation from Kentucky Housing Corporation Executive Director Winston Miller and Deputy Executive Director Wendy Smith. They framed the task force’s work as a practical effort to address Kentucky’s housing shortage, update members on the current housing landscape, summarize existing state and federal resources, and suggest areas for the task force to focus on over the coming year. KHC said its 2024 housing supply gap analysis found Kentucky is short about 206,000 housing units, split roughly evenly between rental and homeownership, and projected the gap could grow to 287,000 units by 2029 if current trends continue. They emphasized that every county in Kentucky needs more housing, that the 2008 housing crisis and loss of construction capacity remain major causes of the shortage, and that current pressures include high interest rates, rising insurance and tax costs, construction cost inflation, and housing prices and rents growing faster than incomes. KHC also said homelessness has risen in Kentucky, with point-in-time counts showing double-digit increases in recent years. The presenters reviewed existing resources, including federal programs, the Kentucky Affordable Housing Trust Fund, the rural housing trust fund, KHC mortgage and down payment assistance programs, and the state mortgage interest deduction. They said these resources are important but insufficient to close the gap, and noted that a proposed federal FY2026 budget would cut HUD programs by 44%, potentially removing about $286 million from Kentucky housing resources, though no action has been taken yet. They urged the task force to consider stronger, more flexible tools such as a revolving loan fund, a state affordable housing tax credit, and economic development and employer-assisted housing incentives, and pointed to Indiana’s housing infrastructure and regional development funds as examples. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• purchasing another firearm? purchasing another firearm?
• My county that I live in normally has two officers on duty for the whole county.
• So, uh, purchase.
• <02:10:48.480> Um, to purchase a firearm. Um, to purchase a firearm.
• <02:15:32.880> Um, purchase a firearm. Um, purchase a firearm.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• County, and that's several counties away from Hardin County.
• in Liberty County and pick up and take that load to Montgomery County?
• In Liberty County and pick up and take that load to Montgomery County and then Montgomery County and
• county to county and all that.
• Moreover, this extra income has allowed my wife and I to purchase a house in Hays County.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several public safety, criminal justice, and regulatory bills. HB 4995 would create a training and certification program allowing licensed physicians and certain EMS personnel assigned to tactical units to carry firearms during high-risk deployments, with supporters saying it would let tactical medical staff protect themselves while providing immediate care; the bill was left pending. HB 2609 would repeal the failure-to-appear-or-pay/OmniBase license-hold program, with the author and advocates arguing it creates compounding debt and unnecessary barriers to driving, while judges and municipal court representatives said the program is a voluntary, cost-effective tool that improves court appearances and reduces warrants; the bill was also left pending. HB 4879 would create a grant program to help local law enforcement pay for lab testing of suspected hemp/Delta-9 THC substances, and HB 5436 would let licensed auto recyclers buy certain untitled vehicles for scrap or parts to curb illegal sales, VIN cloning, and chop shops; both measures were left pending after brief testimony in support. The committee also heard HB 1777, which would require a discrete designation on driver’s licenses and state IDs for people required to register as sex offenders. The author and supporters argued the marker would help law enforcement and businesses quickly identify potentially dangerous offenders and prevent harm, while opponents called it a stigmatizing “scarlet letter” that would increase harassment, family harm, and reintegration barriers. The bill was left pending. HB 4155 would create a two-year Family Violence Criminal Homicide Prevention Task Force in the Governor’s Office to study family violence homicides, gather stakeholders, and recommend policy changes; the author, HHSC, the Texas Council on Family Violence, and a survivor testified in support, and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4514, which would authorize DPS to use facial image verification, with consent and privacy safeguards, to help businesses confirm identities and combat fraud; supporters from the lumber and identity-verification industries said it would reduce theft and fraud, and the bill was left pending. Finally, HB 5139 would clarify that peace officers and jailers are justified in using less lethal force weapons when acting within training and official duties; law enforcement groups supported the measure as a way to encourage use of less lethal tools without fear of prosecution, and testimony was underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:31:51.279> approval through the typical County approval through the typical County approval
• Office of Housing, City and County of Honolulu, with comments.
• And the Hawaiʻi State Association of Counties in support.
• Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee in support.
• prohibits a legislative body of County prohibits a legislative body of County for<01:02:42.119><

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Housing held a public hearing on a series of housing bills. HB 1432 and HB 1428 drew support from HHFDC, and HB 1428 also received testimony from Hawaiian Community Assets, which said housing counseling funding is needed to meet demand for financial education tied to affordable housing, and that such counseling can help reduce evictions, prevent foreclosure, and stabilize households. HB 833 on community land trusts received broad support from HHFDC, county housing officials, community land trust representatives, and a local developer; testimony emphasized keeping housing affordable in perpetuity, but also asked for clearer access to financing, longer repayment terms, and inclusion of additional land trusts in the bill. Peter Savio argued that community land trusts are the best way to control demand and keep housing tied to local incomes. The committee also heard HB 19 on the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund, which HHFDC said should be made permanent because the pilot has been successful, with 81 units in the program and $7.4 million of the $10 million allocation already committed. HHFDC said the fund helps stalled for-sale projects by providing state equity that revolved back when homes are sold. HB 529 and HB 432 were also heard; HB 432 would create a subaccount in the rental housing revolving fund for projects above 60% AMI, and HHFDC said this would help finance housing for households at 65% and 80% AMI. The bill drew support from several housing, business, and industry groups. Several other housing measures were discussed with mixed testimony. HB 419 had HHFDC support, Limby Hawaiʻi opposition, and support from the Grassroot Institute and others; members asked about whether councils approve these projects in one or multiple readings. HB 527 and HB 416 also drew a mix of support and opposition, with questions focused on county approval timelines and whether state-financed projects would still go through normal local review. HB 417 on the rental housing revolving fund prompted questions about how it differs from the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund and whether it should be more flexible for mixed rental and for-sale projects. HB 418’s proposed working group was noted as potentially unnecessary because HHFDC said a public working group was already being formed. HB 1411 on housing preference raised questions about what happens if a recipient changes jobs, and HB 374 drew an Attorney General’s Office recommendation to remove a duration requirement to avoid possible constitutional travel issues. HB 373 and HB 1492 were also heard, with strong testimony from Peter Savio in favor of a broader trust-based model for affordable housing. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you talk To us about why we're going to any county instead of the county where the couple reside.
• Is might this permissive language allow a multi-county or a secondary county be subjected to the same
• My concern is if in the county that wouldn't be possible, but could they go to a county where one of
• Because I'm in Pottawatomie County, I know people in counties all over the state.
• and it's one of our larger counties.

Bills: SB2030, SB1926, SB2170, SB2151, SB2166, SB1213, SB1381, SB1824, SB1876, SB1728, SB1582, SB1286, SB1386, SB1708, SB1618

Keywords: expungement, record sealing, criminal records, clean slate, automatic expungement, expedited expungement, criminal history, OSBI, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, deferred judgment, delayed sentence, pardon, pardon and parole board, law enforcement records, sealed records, arrest records, conviction records, reclassification of felony to misdemeanor, reentry, second chance

Transcript Highlights:

• So if you purchase a vehicle, you're under warranty.
• The bill requires a county with a population of more than 125,000 persons, and allows all other counties
• The bill requires a county with a population of more than 125,000 persons, or allows all other counties
• However, requiring that a county plan for these centers is wrong.
• The counties have presented their particular problems with it.

Bills: HB2072, HB2251, HB2279, HB2308, HB2323, HB2342, HB2400, HB2408, HB2456, HB2660, HB2697, HB2868, HB2873, HB2877, HB2910, HB2946, HB2955, HB2991, HB4001, HB4010

Keywords: Cesar Chavez, public holiday, state law, holiday repeal, Arizona Revised Statutes, midwifery, medication administration, healthcare, patient safety, advisory committee, licensed midwives, river trips, liability, outfitter, Grand Canyon, negligence, risk management, contractual waiver, dental practice, business registration

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill was inspired by a family in Hunterdon County.
• The other counties were safe because we sent money simply for the one county that apparently needs millions
• I'm sure the Essex County mosquitoes are dive bombers compared to what's killing people in Sussex County
• Are there mosquitoes in Essex County? Of course there are.
• , lease, or lease-purchase.

Keywords: 1146, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:29:05.520> Job would not have been purchased. Job would not have been purchased.
• He's in a local county jail.
• So, here's a business county jail.
• the benefit of that county.
• <03:05:14.800> a scenario be forced to be purchasing a scenario be forced to be purchasing

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Kelly Brooks, on behalf of the Urban Counties of California.
• one in three residents within Orange County.
• Kelly Brooks on behalf of the Urban Counties of California and the Rural County Representatives of California
• Just on the notion of a county board resolution, the county board can't tell a municipal police department
• I trained at county facilities.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• doing the um county based purchasing is doing the um county based purchasing is doing better<
• purchasing basically county based purchasing basically forever.<01:54:10.639> It<01:54:10.880
• Um, we did exclude the county-based purchasing plans.
• <02:02:37.679> in county-based purchasing to be put in county-based purchasing to be put in
• <02:02:48.239> purchasing<02:02:48.800> organizations county-based purchasing organizations

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So whether when I was a county commissioner, the county would get the ballots.
• upset about what's happening in Stark County than the Stark County people.
• The county prosecutor is not The state prosecutor or the county prosecutor, the county prosecutor is
• We do have some very wealthy counties. And I bring up Montrell County.
• We do have some very wealthy counties. And I bring up Montrell County.

Summary: The committee convened, approved the prior meeting minutes, and received a memo summarizing major audit items. The State Auditor’s office and outside auditors then presented a series of audits, many of which were clean with unmodified opinions and no findings, including the Bank of North Dakota, the Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Quality, Lake Region State College, and the Office of the Governor. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association audit was also clean overall, but it repeated findings about limited segregation of duties and auditor assistance in preparing financial statements, which the auditor said were expected to continue because of the organization’s small size. Committee members asked about out-of-state board addresses, and the association explained those members were North Dakota residents using South Dakota mailing addresses. Several audits did include findings. The Council on the Arts audit identified two issues: payroll charged to federal awards without supporting time records, and $12,825 in Cultural Endowment Fund spending that was not allowable under state law, including staff training, retreats, and executive director candidate travel. The Department of Public Instruction audit found unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, but additional testing confirmed the funds were credited properly and students completed required school district work, so no improper payments were identified. The University of North Dakota audit found a lack of documentation and transparency in School of Law admissions decisions; the auditor said the law school used a holistic process but did not keep notes or evaluation tools to show why applicants were admitted, waitlisted, or denied. UND leadership said the school is in good standing with the American Bar Association and agreed better documentation is needed, and the auditor said the issue was the missing documentation, not ABA accreditation itself. The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which found four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating cap, grant conditions not being met, improper breeder fund awards, and improper procurement. The auditor said promotion fund spending exceeded the cap by $327,447 and the fund balance dropped sharply over the audit period. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson said the agency had become complacent, that grant requests were treated as routine, and that controls and documentation need to be tightened. He also explained that the breeder fund overpayments involved two horses whose ownership transfers were not properly documented before racing, and that the procurement issue stemmed from an advertising contract that proceeded without proper written procurement procedures after a misunderstanding with the State Procurement Office. The auditor said the Racing Commission will now be audited every two years because of the findings. The committee also received updates on Dakota College at Bottineau’s bank reconciliations, which Minot State University said had been brought current after an 18-month backlog, with only one account still needing cleanup; members asked for a written report on the corrective actions. The North Dakota Fair Foundation was reported to have dissolved, with remaining funds transferred to another nonprofit account for continued support of the state fair. Finally, the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, revising the earlier estimate to about $1.1 million based on incomplete district survey responses, and said the Anti-Lunch Shaming law likely increased meal debt because schools must feed students regardless of account balance. Members discussed the need for a more accurate year-end debt figure and possible future reporting at a later committee meeting.