Transcript Highlights:

• Um the A1 basically is some recommendations and collaborative effort through labor and um utilities about
• And basically it just allows utilities to build these systems should they choose to and then allows them
• > about<00:32:27.720> the<00:32:27.800> thermal<00:32:28.080> energy utilities
• about the thermal energy utilities about the thermal energy networks<00:32:28.800> that<00:32
• And basically it just allows utilities And basically it just allows utilities to<00:32:35.720>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to take and raise these panels up to where small goats, sheep, and other animals are still able to utilize
• <00:15:46.320> And<00:15:46.480> it still able to utilize the land.
• And it still able to utilize the land.
• I agree with the senator's former comments about them being able to utilize their property to benefit
• about uh them being able to utilize about uh them being able to utilize their<00:20:26.720> property

Bills: SB176, HB155, HB247, HB311, HB312, HB317, HB466, SB176, HB155, HB247, HB311, HB312, HB317, HB466

Keywords: controlled substances, unlawful distribution, marijuana, violent offense, sentencing guidelines, criminal justice, state holidays, federal holidays, public holidays, legal holidays, office closures, state employees, personal leave, compensatory leave, bank closures, school closures, Mardi Gras, Mobile County, Baldwin County, Rosa Parks Day

Transcript Highlights:

• House Committee Substitute 1, Representative Flannery, an act relating to investor-owned electric utilities
• Committee Substitute 1, Representative Raymer, an act relating to the Kentucky Statewide Health Data Utility
• <00:06:46.680> and to investor-owned electric utilities and to investor-owned electric utilities
• to the Kentucky Statewide<00:07:09.480> Health<00:07:09.760> Data<00:07:10.080> Utility
• <00:07:11.120> House Statewide Health Data Utility. House Statewide Health Data Utility.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House convened, received the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, excused absent members, and approved the journal. The clerk also announced Senate passage of Senate Bills 59, 137, 177, and 199 and requested concurrence. The chamber then moved into second reading, reporting a slate of bills and resolutions on health care, energy, child welfare, Medicaid, workplace violence, and coal/energy assessment, before proceeding to third reading and passage of several measures. A major focus was House Bill 542 on eminent domain. The sponsor described it as a transparency measure to improve communication with property owners, require better notice, prohibit misleading statements, allow owner-paid appraisals to be used throughout negotiations, and account for agricultural improvements and access. Members discussed the bill’s intent to treat property owners fairly and reduce court costs; the House adopted House Committee Substitute 1 and passed the bill 89-0. House Bill 565 on fire protection was presented as technical cleanup to clarify enforcement authority for local fire appeal boards created last year, and it passed 91-0. The House also passed House Bill 611 on domestic relations, which creates a 10-year interpersonal protective order for certain felony assault convictions involving family members, unmarried couples, or dating partners, and updates domestic violence data reporting requirements; the committee substitute was adopted and the bill passed 91-0. House Bill 657 on professional licensing background checks was explained as giving five licensure boards authority to obtain FBI ORI numbers so they can receive fingerprint background checks and comply with interstate compacts; it passed 91-0. House Bill 762 on legal representation was amended on the floor to avoid excluding appellate attorneys, then passed 91-0; it was described as clarifying Department of Public Advocacy representation and related salary provisions. The House also passed House Bill 108 on solid waste management, which its sponsor said closes a loophole allowing residual waste landfills to be sited in a different county from the industry without local input; it passed 79-8. House Bill 67 on schools, a cleanup measure to prior legislation requiring traceable communication systems for school employees, was introduced with a committee substitute and discussed as clarifying definitions and exemptions while preserving protections for students; the transcript cuts off before the final vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also includes provisions to prevent a public utility from providing electric service to a foreign
• Certainly there's a risk that maybe the utility doesn't do the right thing, and next thing you know,
• So really, the onus is certainly on the utility to know what that financial structure looks like when
• So really, the onus is certainly on the utility to know.
• So really the onus is certainly on the utility to know what that financial structure looks like when

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

Transcript Highlights:

• And we went, I made the uh the thanks to all of our road crews and EMS first responders, utility workers
• road crews and and EMS<00:31:18.799> first<00:31:19.120> responders,<00:31:20.240> utility
• <00:31:21.440> uh EMS first responders, utility uh EMS first responders, utility uh workers
• We also appreciate the work the utility workers. Lots to be appreciated there as well.
• appreciate the work the utility workers. appreciate the work the utility workers. lots<01:00:24.799

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Kentucky Senate convened with an invocation marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day, followed by the pledge, roll call, and a quorum declaration. The chamber approved the prior journal, received new bill and resolution introductions, and heard a House message that House Bill 312 had passed the House and was sent over for concurrence. The Senate also recessed briefly for committee meetings, then received committee reports referring several bills and resolutions to standing committees and placing Senate Joint Resolution 23 on the regular orders for January 28, 2026. The main floor action was on Senate Bill 17, relating to the Kentucky Court-appointed Special Advocate Network. The Senate adopted a committee substitute that updated CASA statutes, including reducing the minimum board size from 15 to 12, narrowing a volunteer/employment restriction to Department of Community Based Services employees, removing outdated references to the National CASA Association while retaining compliance with national standards through the Kentucky CASA Network, and updating the state association’s name. The bill passed 33-0, and a title amendment was adopted without objection. The Senate also considered Senate Bill 181, an emergency bill relating to schools and traceable communications. The chamber adopted a committee substitute and two floor amendments: one requiring parent notification after investigations involving alleged unauthorized electronic communication by a student, and another adding limited exemptions for communications involving school resource officers and directors of pupil personnel when certain school officials are included. Supporters said the changes were intended to refine implementation while preserving the bill’s original student-protection purpose. The bill then passed unanimously, 33-0. In addition, the Senate adopted Senate Resolution 36 recognizing January 25-31, 2026 as Physician Anesthesiologist Week, with remarks highlighting the specialty’s contributions to anesthesia, airway management, patient safety, ICU care, pain management, and major surgeries. The Senate also heard announcements thanking road crews, first responders, and utility workers for winter storm response, and members made several co-sponsorship requests and announcements, including notice of Kentucky Audiologist Association advocacy day and a committee cancellation.

Transcript Highlights:

• lines 150 and 152, these are statutory appropriation and revenue for a provision under the Public Utilities
• lines 150 and 152, these are statutory appropriation and revenue for a provision under the Public Utilities
• electricity used to recharge an electric vehicle is not in violation of the exclusive right of a utility
• to provide retail electric services if the electricity the retailer sells was provided by the utility
• to petition the public utilities to petition the public utilities commission<00:23:47.039> to

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• How do you anticipate that money flowing or being utilized?
• And we're bringing utility managers and consulting engineers to see these advanced technologies. bringing
• today, is the state's general fund in a position to forgive a third of a billion dollars to this utility
• Andrea Averagell with the California Municipal Utilities Association here echoing Brenda's comments.
• Andrea Averagell with the California Municipal Utilities Association here echoing Brenda's comments.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on water and coastal resilience heard an overview of the governor’s Proposition 4 spending plan, with presentations from the Department of Finance, the State Water Resources Control Board, the Department of Water Resources, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, and later coastal agencies. Members discussed the water chapter’s major allocations for drinking water and wastewater, recycled water, tribal water infrastructure, groundwater recharge and SGMA implementation, dam safety, flood protection, integrated regional water management, Salton Sea projects, and water data/stream gauges. The LAO noted that many programs are established and have clear funding processes, but some newer or less-defined programs may warrant more detailed future budget requests and reporting. No votes were taken on the agenda items. Members raised concerns about groundwater subsidence, water deliveries from the Delta, the pace of water storage investments, instream flows, and whether bond dollars were being used to backfill General Fund reductions. Administration witnesses said groundwater recharge spending is being paced because prior years already funded substantial SGMA work, that Delta operations are governed by water quality, salinity, and species requirements, and that Proposition 1 storage projects have moved slowly because they are locally led and require permitting and financing. The Water Board and DWR said they use public needs assessments, annual plans, and existing grant processes to prioritize projects, and Finance said some General Fund programs were shifted to Proposition 4 to help balance the budget. Members also asked for clearer public tracking of bond spending and more concise future reporting. In the coastal resilience portion, the Ocean Protection Council and Coastal Conservancy described Proposition 4 funding for sea level rise adaptation, coastal flood management, habitat restoration, public access, and San Francisco Bay projects, with a multi-year rollout based on project readiness and recent large state investments. The Conservancy said it would use its existing rolling grant process, while OPC said its sea level rise grants would build on existing programs and new technical assistance. The Department of Fish and Wildlife explained its proposed use of bond funds for climate-ready fisheries, hatchery modernization, salmon monitoring, whale- and turtle-safe fishing gear, and a specific hatchery operations request tied to the Friant settlement. The LAO said the coastal chapter’s proposed first-year spending is relatively modest but generally reasonable given staffing and project readiness, while members emphasized oversight, transparency, and coordination across agencies and jurisdictions.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it is a very complex when you deal with utilities in the realm of water and sewer all the way to
• The Public Service Commission and it is a very complex when you deal with utilities in the realm of water
• things we need to look at: we grant, through our authority, the PSC service areas to the various utilities
• services are provided um which utility services are provided um which are<00:37:50.240> safe<
• Financial pressures, but including utility costs, the commission's work directly impacts the daily lives

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 01:45 SB 245 Discussion 02:20 SB 245 Roll Call Vote 04:12 SB 112 Discussion 05:25 SB 8 Discussion 25:20, 958, all

Summary: The Natural Resources Committee first approved the minutes from the prior meeting and then took up Senate Bill 245, which would give the legislature more authority to review appointments to the Fish and Wildlife Resources Commission and clarify language about commissioners serving before confirmation. The sponsor said the bill was meant to allow a deeper background review and prevent unconfirmed appointees from voting on budget matters. The bill was adopted with a sub and title amendment, and Senator Boswell explained his yes vote as a way to ensure timely and proper confirmation votes in the future. The committee then discussed Senate Bill 112, concerning fishing on privately owned lakes and ponds. Senator Boswell argued that landowners should be able to fish on their own property without a license and should control fish harvest on private waters, while still requiring permission for others to fish. Commissioner Rich Storm opposed the proposal, saying landowners already may fish on their property, warning that the bill could reduce fishing-license revenue and federal grant support, and noting the department’s work stocking fish, maintaining access, and funding conservation programs. Senator Webb said he was exploring possible compromise language, and other members raised concerns about pay lakes, youth access, and potential abuse of exemptions. Boswell ultimately withdrew the bill voluntarily, and the committee agreed not to vote on it that day. Finally, the committee heard a discussion-only presentation on Senate Bill 8, focused on long-term energy policy and the role of the Public Service Commission. The sponsor said Kentucky needs a broader energy strategy to address growing demand from new industries such as large data centers, grid capacity limits, and the need for expertise and possibly different pay scales to recruit qualified staff. Members responded positively to the discussion, noting the importance of the PSC and the need for continued work on the issue, but no vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• The state does the mundane, the mowing of the lawn, the paying of the utilities, you know, the car taking
• Then the utilities, water and power, are typically coming out of our general fund appropriation.
• So it is a lump sum of LNR 806 G funds that funds the salaries and the utilities for Mount Alla. good
• 11.200> water<00:42:11.480> and<00:42:11.760> power<00:42:12.240> is utilities
• uh water and power is utilities uh water and power is typically<00:42:12.880> coming<00:42:13.200

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing focused on Senate Bill 4, which would transfer stewardship of Mauna ʻAla from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Committee chairs opened the meeting with housekeeping and noted the hearing was live-streamed, with a two-minute limit for testimony. Director Don Chang of the Board of Land and Natural Resources said DLNR had been working with OHA and had agreed to transfer certain lands subject to due diligence, including Kahana Valley and a parcel in Waimānalo, but urged the committee to finalize those mutually agreed parcels before taking on something new. He also described the current arrangement at Mauna ʻAla as a collaborative one involving the state and the royal trusts, with the state handling routine maintenance and the trusts contributing to larger repairs and improvements on a project-by-project basis rather than through direct annual appropriations. Testimony was mixed. Supporters argued that OHA is better positioned to steward the site because of its cultural mission, Native Hawaiian governance, and ability to protect sacred places with greater cultural competency and accountability. Several speakers emphasized that Mauna ʻAla is not a state park and should be cared for by those with direct cultural ties and experience, and some cited OHA’s recent financial reforms and partnerships as reasons for confidence. Others, including representatives of the Daughters and Sons of the Hawaiian Warriors Makakoa, opposed the bill, citing concerns about OHA’s past financial management, transparency, and the need for more public information and testimony before any transfer. One testifier also argued the land transfer itself was unlawful and rooted in the history of the overthrow and annexation. Members and testifiers also discussed the historical role of the royal trusts and family caretakers at Mauna ʻAla, with one descendant describing a long family stewardship and supporting OHA only if amended language preserved checks and balances and protected iwi and burial grounds. Another speaker said the family recognized James Mayo as kahu of Mauna ʻAla and supported the bill because prior DLNR efforts had not sufficiently protected traditional and customary rights. The hearing ended after public testimony and committee questions, with no vote or final action taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 946 is an act relating to the advertisement and cost of utilities under a residential rental
• advertisement and cost of utilities advertisement and cost of utilities under<00:05:18.640> a
• advertisement and costs of utilities advertisement and costs of utilities under<00:05:31.960>
• Next is House Bill 940, which is an act relating to miscellaneous public utility subjects.
• relating to miscellaneous public utility relating to miscellaneous public utility subjects.<01:39

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional reflection on Nowruz, the Persian New Year, emphasizing renewal, spring, and the challenges facing Iranian families amid conflict. The speaker connected the holiday’s themes of hope and responsibility to Vermont and democracy, then the chamber moved to routine business, including first readings and referrals of five House bills: H.945 on hemp products, H.946 on utility advertising and costs in rental agreements, H.947 on a residential universal design building code, H.948 on membership of the Retired Employees Committee on Insurance, and H.949 on homestead and non-homestead property tax yields and technical education finance changes. Three Senate bills were also read and referred: S.189 on hospital service reductions, S.203 on penalties for repeat DUI offenses, and S.313 on transforming Vermont’s career technical education system. The House also recognized several guests and announcements, including family members of members, airport employees, a UVM student intern, and visitors from Brazil. A House concurrent resolution, HCR 168, was read and congratulated Girl Scout Troop 60336 of Milton on earning the Bronze Award for a community garden project that improved accessibility through rain barrels and raised beds. The resolution highlighted the troop’s leadership and the role of its co-leaders, and the chamber applauded the guests in attendance. The main floor action centered on House Bill 642, relating to youthful offender proceedings, where Representative Booton of Barre City offered an amendment to stop the scheduled expansion of Raise the Age to 20-year-olds. Supporters argued the change would preserve current treatment of 18-year-olds while preventing an automatic expansion they said could strain the system and raise public safety concerns; opponents, including the Judiciary Committee, urged waiting for required Department for Children and Families reports due in 2026 before making changes. After debate, a roll call vote was taken on the amendment, with members calling the roll as the vote proceeded.

Transcript Highlights:

• floor for passage into law so that we floor for passage into law so that we can<00:19:54.640> utilize
• to<00:19:55.440> protect<00:19:55.760> the<00:19:55.919> victims can utilize
• this to protect the victims can utilize this to protect the victims in<00:19:56.559> Wyoming.
• :52.960> definition<01:14:53.679> that Um, it is the most common provision that is utilized
• Miss Hackle, welcome. certainly indicates that it was utilized certainly indicates that it was utilized

Bills: HB0008, HB0009, HB0028

Keywords: stalking, minors, felony, protection orders, criminal penalties, grooming, sexual offenses, child protection, sexual exploitation, law amendment, explicit conduct, sex crimes, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker and gentlemen, in getting an electric utility built there because of the electric utility that
• Public utility built there because of the electric utility that they're going to have to start purchasing
• Speaker and gentlemen, they came to me and asked how I could help them get a municipal utility built
• Utility built in their area because that is their priority, Mr. Speaker and gentlemen.
• That's when we came through utilizing that extra capacity that we had.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we have Leon Commissioner from the Public Utilities Commission with comments.
• And if the electric utility approves that, it comes to the PUC and it's just approved, there's no review
• Right, and if the electric utility approves that, it comes to the PUC and it's just approved.
• and fuel cost medical and high utility and fuel cost medical and general<00:25:57.000> insurance<
• He said this could be an opportunity to utilize paid family leave as a tool and a benefit to recruit

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:23:47.919> terrained the definition of utility terrained the definition of utility terrained
• Um, but interesting that this measure says to include a utility terrain vehicle.
• So in your mind, what is the utility terrain vehicle?
• But this says include the utility terrain vehicle, a motor vehicle that accommodates one driver, one
• The section 286-12 is amended to read that all-terrain vehicles and utility terrain vehicles used as

Bills: HB1694, HB1695, HB1986, HB1797, HB1879, HB2034

Keywords: sustainable aviation fuel, tax credit, greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy, Hawaii, economic development, carbon footprint, aviation sector, renewable fuels, local production, energy resilience, agricultural innovation, job creation, clean fuel standard, alternative fuels, carbon intensity, emission reduction, greenhouse gases, transportation, autonomous vehicles

Summary: The committee opened by explaining hearing procedures, including a two-minute oral testimony limit and that decision-making would follow after testimony. It then took up SB 20008, which would set 55 mph as the maximum speed limit on all parts of the DKI/Saddle Road highway. The bill’s introducer described it as a response to safety concerns and noted prior public opposition when the speed limit was lowered from 60 mph; the Hawaii Police Department was listed in opposition, while DOT and several individuals testified in support. No vote was taken during the portion provided. The committee next heard SB 20009, requiring new plates/tags or emblems for used motor vehicles transferred between private individuals, and SB 2026, which would require drivers approaching stationary vehicles on the shoulder or roadside to slow down and, if necessary, change lanes. The Attorney General supported SB 2026 but recommended narrowing and clarifying the language by removing references to shoulder/roadside, collision or mechanical problem, and other limiting definitions so the duty would apply more broadly and be easier to enforce; AAA and OMA also supported the measure. Members discussed the practical need for a mandatory move-over rule, especially for roadside workers and tow operators, and the committee heard concerns about enforceability on two-lane roads and in accident scenes. SB 2053 was then heard, authorizing electronic signatures on supporting documents used to transfer ownership of total-loss vehicles to insurers without notarization and requiring insurers to indemnify the finance director for claims arising from those electronic title issuances. The Hawaii Insurers Council, Copart, the City and County of Honolulu, and others supported the bill, with Copart describing it as a modernization that would reduce delays for total-loss settlements; technical amendments were requested. The committee also heard SB 2172, which would allow all-terrain vehicles to operate at night if equipped with lights and a slow-moving vehicle emblem, adjust helmet requirements, define utility terrain vehicles, and include ATVs in motor vehicle insurance law. DOT said it could support the bill only if limited to low-speed areas, and the insurance industry warned it could create a new insurance scheme; the City and County of Honolulu opposed while the Hawaii Farm Bureau and an individual supported. Finally, SB 2253 was introduced to expand first-degree negligent injury to include injuries negligently inflicted by intoxicated drivers, with DOT, county prosecutors, and the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office in support; Honolulu prosecutors said they would oppose a proposed amendment because they wanted the language to preserve the offense as a lesser included offense tied to negligent homicide.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:36:59.920> by districts are being utilized by districts are being utilized by necessity
• We only utilize programs that are approved.
• And how are we utilizing our guidance counselors and those people in our schools today?
• Or are we not utilizing them the way I just, you know, mentioned?
• Or are we not utilizing schools today?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The commission met to review and amend the minutes from its previous meeting, correcting the date, several spelling and wording errors, and clarifying references to a scholarship fund and a member’s title. The minutes were then approved as amended, with some members abstaining because they were not present at the prior meeting. The chair then turned to the commission’s work plan under SB 57, emphasizing the need to prioritize the statutory topics and identify which issues require additional research, documentation, and possible spreadsheets. Members discussed a broad range of special education cost drivers and policy questions, including student referral rates, why students are classified as other health impaired, whether referrals increased after COVID school closures, intervention processes before referral, the cost of services required under IEPs and 504 plans, differences between federal law, state law, and DOE rules, reporting of special education costs, out-of-district and residential placements, district sharing of resources, dispute resolution, graduation rates, and adult learning outcomes. Several members raised concerns that school environments, mental health, bullying, and possible overidentification may be contributing to rising special education numbers and costs, while others cautioned that some reported district percentages may be inflated or unclear because of how the data are counted. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 742, which would eliminate prorated special education aid when state appropriations are insufficient and require the governor to draw a warrant to cover shortfalls. Representative Ames explained that the bill had been recommended for interim study because the commission is already examining special education costing, and he highlighted the gap between FY24 special education costs of about $977.1 million and state aid of $33.9 million for catastrophic aid, $67.4 million for differentiated aid, and $50.8 million in federal IDEA funds, leaving local districts to cover about $825.1 million. He argued the commission should ultimately make clear that both the federal government and the state should contribute more. The Department of Education, through Melissa White, answered questions about data and oversight. She said special education counts come from IEPs entered into the state system using SASIDs, that DOE monitors districts through both desk audits and on-site visits, and that billing is checked against the services listed in each student’s IEP. She also said DOE’s special education work is largely federally funded, with roughly $56.7 million received through IDEA this year and about $49.1 million flowing through to LEAs, while the department retains a small amount for administration and statewide support activities. Members also discussed how adequacy calculations use special education counts from the state system and how those figures are reported.

Transcript Highlights:

• First of all, prioritizing backfilling of state-owned facilities on the Capitol complex to fully utilize
• <00:14:41.199> cost<00:14:41.560> versus<00:14:42.000> the empty or utilize
• cost versus the empty or utilize cost versus the demolition<00:14:42.920> so<00:14:43.160>
• so um that's what gets that utilization so um that's what gets evaluated<00:15:36.120> and<00
• It covers growing expenses for health care compensation, utilities, and legal services.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, in in many<00:03:17.840> cases,<00:03:18.159> we<00:03:18.480> utilize<00:03
• :18.720> a<00:03:18.879> collection many cases, we utilize a collection many cases, we
• utilize a collection service<00:03:19.680> to<00:03:19.920> do<00:03:20.080> that.
• 27.600> with<00:05:27.759> the Does a community engage with the Business Council to utilize
• Wyoming as well as other utility Wyoming as well as other utility providers.<01:41:09.440> Then

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• cost but it doesn't impact utilization. cost but it doesn't impact utilization.
• Um we included a factor for utilization Um we included a factor for utilization for<00:07:55.039
• <00:08:32.719> Basically,<00:08:33.039> the utilization of clients.
• Basically, the utilization of clients.
• rates might be. ...on sort of what those utilization rates might be.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• generators out of paying the utility property tax.
• What happens today is that those utilities that pay this utility property tax, this revenue goes 100%
• the official plan for the utility the official plan for the utility property<04:14:07.880> tax
• No, we did courts fees, lottery, and then the last one would be utility property tax.
• Lottery, we did Lottery, and then the last one would be utility property tax.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee received a Department of Revenue Administration update from Commissioner Lindsay Stepp focused on revenue estimates for fiscal years 2025, 2026, and 2027. She explained the department’s forecasting method, which uses five scenarios based on the first seven months of actual collections and different assumptions for the remaining months, then selects a reasonable high and low range for FY 25 and applies projected growth rates for FY 26 and FY 27. Members asked several clarifying questions about how the scenarios are chosen and how the estimates relate to economic growth and taxpayer behavior. For business taxes, Stepp reported FY 25 year-to-date collections of $110.3 million, 18.2% below plan and 17.2% below prior year. She said the shortfall reflects both economic conditions and a resetting of estimated payments after unusually strong pandemic-era profits, and noted that the department cannot fully separate changes in taxpayer liability from changes in estimated payment behavior. She said approximately just under $72 million was refunded in FY 24 due to the CCO cap, and that FY 25 year-to-date refunds are at 41.7%. For business taxes, the department’s FY 25 range was based on either continued underperformance versus plan or a return to prior-year levels, with FY 26 and FY 27 growth projected at 3% to 8%. The committee also reviewed meals and rooms tax, tobacco tax, and related trends. Meals and rooms revenue was $6.9 million, or 3.3%, ahead of plan and prior year; the FY 25 gross estimate was $475.894 million, with a net range of about $331.82 million to $335.259 million after municipal transfers and school building aid. Stepp said recent monthly results suggest some fluctuation tied to disposable income, weather, and travel patterns, but no clear sustained decline. Tobacco tax was $18.1 million, 14% below plan and 4.8% below prior year; she said cigarette stamp sales are declining while e-cigarettes and other tobacco products are growing, with FY 25 tobacco revenue projected at $182.5 million to $185.3 million and FY 26-FY 27 growth ranging from -5% to flat. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and had prioritized paying her rent over paying her utilities.
• Since the beginning of the 2026 school year, um, beginning of 2026, they have utilized these funds to
• um beginning of 2026, um beginning of 2026, they<00:09:00.040> have<00:09:00.240> utilized
• these funds to assist they have utilized these funds to assist families<00:09:02.360> affected
• It can be used for rental assistance, utility assistance, eviction prevention and move-in support.

Bills: HF4561, HF4343

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