Video & Transcript Research : 'construction backlog'
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FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight Jan 13th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- When construction, and there's a lot of construction, when construction creates, There's a lot of construction
- When construction creates an exigency where they have to move gas main, which is pretty darn expensive
- So that's just another way that we get the construction going, get, and keep the utility whole in between
Summary:
The joint committee met with a quorum present and first received an overview of its jurisdiction and duties related to appointing the Florida Public Counsel. Staff explained the committee’s authority under joint rules and state law, noted that the current Public Counsel’s term expires February 28, 2025, and that applications for the next four-year term were open with a February 6, 2025 deadline. The committee then heard an extensive update from Public Counsel Walt Truerweiler on the Office of Public Counsel’s work representing utility ratepayers before the Public Service Commission and in appeals.
Truerweiler described the office’s caseload and priorities, including electric, gas, water, and wastewater rate cases; storm recovery dockets; cost-recovery clauses; rulemakings; and customer service hearings. He emphasized that the office seeks to challenge unsupported or imprudent costs, find value for customers, and use expert analysis and customer testimony to shape outcomes. He highlighted recent and ongoing matters, including major Duke, TECO, Sunshine water/wastewater, and hurricane recovery proceedings, and said the office had fully litigated four of its last five rate cases, while also achieving a major settlement in Duke that reduced a requested increase and imposed cost controls on solar projects.
Members praised the office’s work and asked about the benefits of settlements, staffing and compensation, and how the office decides when to fully intervene versus provide guidance or monitor a case. Truerweiler said settlements can create predictability, reduce uncertainty and expense, and produce tangible value for both customers and utilities. He also acknowledged recruitment challenges, including lower pay than comparable agencies and difficulty attracting attorneys who do not want in-person litigation work. The committee took no substantive action beyond receiving the presentations, and adjourned after a motion was adopted.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government
Transcript Highlights:
- We have also found that rent regulation does not obstruct new construction.
- We have also found that rent regulation does not obstruct new construction.
- Data from decades of implementation shows no meaningful impact on new construction.
- Again, I don't think we have to choose between rent stabilization and new housing construction.
- Many projects are 100% affordable, including new construction and preservation of existing affordable
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government held a long public hearing focused mainly on two sets of issues: proposals to amend or repeal the MBTA Communities Act, and bills to allow local rent stabilization. Committee chairs opened by explaining the hearing would be tightly managed because of the very large number of speakers, with testimony limited to two minutes per person and written testimony still accepted by email. Members and witnesses were called in a mix of in-person and virtual order throughout the hearing.
On the MBTA Communities Act, several legislators and local officials argued the law is too rigid and should be revised to account for local conditions. Speakers from small, rural, or infrastructure-limited communities such as Hanson, Halifax, Marshfield, Winthrop, Dracut, Carver, Rehoboth, and others said the law’s one-size-fits-all approach does not fit towns with limited water, sewer, transit access, or buildable land. Some filed bills would repeal the law, exempt certain communities, or create appeals processes based on infrastructure, environmental, or historical constraints. Supporters of the law’s changes emphasized local control and the need to avoid forcing development where communities believe it is impractical or inconsistent with town character.
A large portion of the hearing was devoted to rent stabilization legislation, especially S. 1447 and related House bills. Supporters included legislators, city councilors, tenant advocates, labor leaders, housing nonprofits, public health organizations, and residents who described sharp rent increases, displacement, homelessness risk, and the strain on working families, seniors, students, and people with disabilities. They argued local-option rent stabilization would let municipalities cap excessive increases and prevent no-fault evictions while preserving flexibility for local conditions. Opponents, including small landlords and property owners, said rent control would discourage investment, worsen housing quality, burden responsible owners, and drive small landlords out of the market. Some witnesses also supported a Cape Cod/Island transfer fee bill and a suburban infrastructure fund, arguing those would provide local revenue for housing or roads. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Budget Review Sub. on Economic Development, Pub. Protection, Tourism, and Energy (2-17-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- Those are currently under construction.
- Those are under construction right now. Steel is being stood up. Excavating is taking place.
- Um those are under construction stalls. Um those are under construction right<00:49:30.079>
now. - We will be constructing where we're at.
- And so we're going to construct a pool that's smaller that does not require lifeguards.
Summary:
The Budget Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Protection, Energy and Environment, and Tourism met for its fourth meeting and approved the February 10 minutes. The committee then heard a presentation from the Cabinet for Economic Development, led by Secretary Jeff Noel, with staff from the cabinet and Kentucky Innovation. The presentation focused on the cabinet’s strategy, including workforce, entrepreneurship, innovation, infrastructure, and placemaking, and emphasized a goal of supporting higher-wage jobs while tailoring programs to urban, non-urban, and rural “heritage communities.”
The cabinet reviewed several funding tools and programs, including economic development bond funds, EDF funds, KBI, the Kentucky Innovation Pool, KSTC-related startup and commercialization programs, veteran workforce programs, and Bluegrass State Skills Corporation training funds. Officials said many projects take years to close and that funds are often committed before they are actually disbursed because reimbursements occur after project completion. They also said Kentucky is less competitive than before because of changes in tax policy and that EDF funds are increasingly important to remain competitive with other states.
Members asked about whether previously allocated money remained available, whether some funds could be clawed back, and the status of the Blue Oval project. The cabinet said it is oversubscribed, with some committed dollars likely to go unused and be reoffered to other projects. On Blue Oval, officials said progress had been made and described negotiations tied to repayment and job creation requirements. They also discussed the Ford/SK loan structure, saying the companies may assume the full $250 million obligation and that repayments would be required if job targets are not met. The presentation closed with discussion of workforce coordination and the need to connect economic development projects with training and support systems, including possible ripple effects for rural suppliers and related businesses.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 3/12/25 - Part 2
Public Safety Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- So, there was a woman who worked on a construction site, I think it was in St.
- So, there was a woman who worked on a construction site, I think it was in St.
- So, there was a woman who worked on a construction site, I think it was in St.
- So, there was a woman who worked on a construction site, I think it was in St.
- So, there was a woman who worked on a construction site, I think it was in St.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Jun 23rd, 2026
Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact
Transcript Highlights:
- As union construction employers, our labor agreements are collectively bargained, and we don't have any
- Chair, members, Scott Governor, on behalf of the Construction Employers Association.
- We have more diverse folks coming into the building and construction trades.
- program, where we went from Black workers participating in the union construction trades at 2%.
- Keith Dunn here on behalf of the State Building Construction Trades Council.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- We will start with tab 3, SB 1298, on building construction by Senator Simon.
- This building construction bill ensures ongoing professional competency.
- Members, we’ll go now to tab 7, SB 1262 on construction contracting by Senator Burgess.
- This adds the topics of financial literacy, basic consumer protection principles relating to construction
- fraud, construction contracts, deposit and escrow requirements, and homeowners' rights to the list of
Summary:
The committee began by postponing SB 1742 on condos until the following week, then took up SB 1298 on building construction. Senator Simon said the bill would require continued education for long-licensed building professionals, clarify interagency sharing of building officials, limit residential inspectors to one- and two-family homes, revive a paid internship for residential planning examiners, modernize permit signatures, and clarify contractor responsibility when work changes hands. The bill drew supportive waivers and was reported favorably.
Members then considered SB 940 on third-party restaurant reservation platforms. A delete-everything amendment was adopted to target bots and unauthorized resale of restaurant reservations, while preserving direct restaurant-platform relationships and requiring consumer contact information when reservations are made through noncontractual platforms. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and Booking Holdings supported the measure, and CS/SB 940 was reported favorably. SB 638 on home inspectors also passed after the sponsor explained it would raise education requirements from 120 to 200 hours, add instruction on building code, wind mitigation, four-point and insurance inspections, and require $300,000 in errors-and-omissions coverage; it was reported favorably.
The committee next approved SB 960 on elevator accessibility, allowing additional shorter support rails while keeping the existing 42-inch rail requirement. SB 196 on foods containing vaccines or vaccine materials was amended to address mRNA language and cosmetics safety standards, with the committee adopting amendments and then reporting the bill favorably. SB 1418 on heated tobacco products was amended to clarify the definition of heated tobacco products and exclude other forms such as hookah; it also passed favorably. The committee also recommended confirmation of a block of board and commission appointees.
Finally, SB 1262 on construction contracting was amended to add contractor continuing-education topics, strengthen penalties for unlicensed activity, create a standardized disciplinary reporting system, and require timely refunds and project completion standards; it was reported favorably with support from the Florida Home Builders Association. SB 1304 on solar facilities was then approved after extensive testimony from rural county commissioners and local officials who argued that utility-scale solar on agricultural land has grown without sufficient local oversight and that decommissioning rules are needed to protect farmland and communities. The bill would repeal the current by-right treatment of solar facilities on ag land and authorize counties to adopt decommissioning ordinances; it was reported favorably after a technical amendment.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 4, 2025 - 04:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Both new construction and existing building upgrades that meet resiliency criteria will be eligible for
- For new construction, the base tier is 50 cents per square foot for each five years, and the top tier
- Both new construction and existing building upgrades that meet resiliency criteria will be eligible for
- For new construction, the base tier is 50 cents per square foot for each five years, and the top tier
- New construction must be certified as LEED BD+C Silver or higher and achieve the LEED resiliency pathway
Summary:
The Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee met for its first meeting of session and heard four bills. HB 209, the State Parks Preservation Act, would limit development in state parks and require stronger public notice and participation for land management plan changes. Members discussed protections for cabins and existing lodging, and an amendment aligned the bill with the Senate and clarified conservation-based recreational uses. Support came from Audubon Florida, Nature Conservancy, and others, and the bill was reported favorably with committee substitute after a unanimous roll call.
HB 143 would create a Florida Resilient Buildings Tax Credit for new construction and retrofits that meet LEED-based resiliency standards, with a new advisory committee under DBPR to help administer the program. An amendment moved the process under DBPR, added UCF and FIU to the advisory council, and made technical conforming changes. The bill drew supportive testimony from a Boca Raton city council member and was reported favorably with committee substitute, with one no vote.
HB 295 would direct DEP to develop a comprehensive waste reduction and recycling plan based on its 2020 recycling report, including education, market development, and recommendations for statutory changes. Testimony emphasized that the plan would be voluntary and would not impose costs or mandates on homeowners or businesses. The bill passed without amendments and was reported favorably. HB 585 would let owners of former phosphate mining lands record notice and obtain a Department of Health radiation survey to support a narrow defense against strict liability claims; an amendment clarified the notice content and limited the definition to mined lands, not gyp stacks. The bill drew extensive questions about notice, radiation thresholds, disclosure to buyers, and liability scope, but supporters from Mosaic, the Florida Chamber, and a health physicist argued it would improve transparency and help redevelop lands. It was reported favorably with committee substitute, with one soft yes and one no vote.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Energy, Industry and Mining Committee Mar 11th, 2026 at 01:24 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- For projects that were constructing a water or sewer project and the total cost is less than $10 million
- grant a certificate The commission may not grant a certificate of convenience and necessity for construction
- commensurate with the benefits that will be received by the taxpayers, and no portion of the cost of construction
- a valid and approved request to serve West Virginia retail load, at its sole expense, design, construction
Summary:
The Senate Energy, Industry and Mining Committee met and took up the engrossed committee substitute for House Bill 4012. Counsel explained that the bill shortens several Public Service Commission timelines for certificates of public convenience and necessity, including deadlines for final decisions and final submissions, with different timeframes for smaller water/sewer projects and very large projects. The bill also requires applications to justify the need for a facility, including consideration of alternatives such as advanced transmission technologies, and adds requirements for electric transmission lines of 200 kV or greater, including a showing that costs are commensurate with benefits to West Virginia ratepayers and commitments to provide off-take facilities when requested. Comparable changes were also described for siting certificates, including a reduced decision timeline.
After questions and no amendments, the vice chair moved to report the bill to the full Senate without recommendation as to passage, but with a recommendation that it be re-referred to the Energy, Industry and Mining Committee. The committee approved the motion by voice vote. The meeting then adjourned.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Legislative Oversight & Investigations Committee (7-6-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- <01:20:03.600>
We've <01:20:03.840>uh and then construction. - We've uh and then construction.
- <01:20:36.480>
Those not constructed and or built yet. - Those not constructed and or built yet.
- Our existing construction of new sites.
Keywords:
Call to Order and Roll Call- 00:00:01
Approve Minutes from June 11, 2026- 00:00:40
Staff Report on 2026 Child Fatality Panel Update- 00:01:17
Panel Staff Response to Report-00:21:12
University of Kentucky Name, Image, and Likeness-00:44:34
Kentucky State Police Update on SERVS-01:17:55
Adjornment-01:33:05, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first established a quorum and approved the minutes from the previous meeting. Members then received a staff report on the Kentucky Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel, including an annual LOIC evaluation of the panel’s operations, statutory compliance, case management system development, member experience, and written procedures. The report noted recent House Bill 778 expanded the panel’s access to records and to TWIST/I-TWIST, and recommended that staff request access and training promptly to avoid implementation problems.
Analysts reported the panel has met statutory membership and meeting requirements, and that agency responses to the panel’s 2025 recommendations improved, with all responses meeting statutory content requirements though some were late. They also said the panel still lacks formal written procedures, so a prior recommendation was reissued. The report discussed the panel’s new case management system, now in testing with the Commonwealth Office of Technology, and a survey of panel members showing generally positive views of meetings and case discussions but recurring concerns about SharePoint access, time demands, virtual meetings, and the panel’s lack of enforcement authority. The report included a matter for legislative consideration suggesting the General Assembly may wish to seek additional testimony from agencies when responses are unclear or more information is needed.
Panel staff responded that the work is difficult but important, said they are optimistic about gaining TWIST access, and acknowledged that written procedures have not yet been completed because they wanted to align them with the new system. They said both the system and procedures are hoped to be finished by the end of the year, with the new case management system expected to be implemented by September 1 after further testing and migration. Members also discussed trends in child fatality and near-fatality cases, including increases in reported cases since 2013, substance abuse, safe storage of firearms, and concerns about THC/CBD gummies reaching children. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh we're buildings under construction.
- <00:37:22.000>
and funding of re of construction and funding of re of construction and renovation - reconstruction or re or construct reconstruction or re or construct renovation<00:37:32.880>
- or construction of CCT renovation or construction of CCT centers.<00:37:35.280>
So, <00:37:35.680 - High having closed its construction High having closed its construction trades<00:39:45.359>
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Higher Education Institutions Committee Jun 19th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- , scheduling, and the construction design process.
- try to get the building construction side of things in there as well.
- try to get the building construction side of things in there as well.
- This award shows that students understand construction.
- This award shows that students understand construction.
Summary:
The committee reconvened at North Dakota State College of Science for a presentation from President Dr. Flanagan and college leaders about NDSCS’s mission, enrollment growth, workforce training, and facilities needs. Flanagan highlighted student success in national competitions, strong placement and retention, growing enrollment, and new or expanding programs in aviation maintenance, fire science, dental hygiene, community health worker training, surgical technology, HVAC/plumbing, and precision agriculture. He also emphasized the college’s partnerships with industry, including John Deere, Fargo Jet Center, Sanford, and Comdel Innovation, and said NDSCS plans to seek approval next session for a revenue bond to build a new dorm and to remodel the library into academic and allied health space. Allied health dean Deb Smith testified that her division is at capacity and needs a simulation center, more lab and classroom space, and expanded dental and OTA facilities to meet demand and accreditation needs.
Committee members questioned Flanagan and staff about workforce shortages, especially faculty pay, and whether the college can staff additional growth. Flanagan said the biggest challenge is recruiting instructors because industry pays more, but noted some health care and adjunct hiring is possible because of schedule flexibility and benefits. He also discussed shifting resources away from lower-demand programs like power sports toward higher-demand areas such as automotive and aviation maintenance. Members also asked about the college’s identity as a technical institution, with Flanagan arguing North Dakota would benefit from a more defined tech-school system.
The committee then received a University System presentation from Jamie Wilkie on the cost of delivering dual credit. Wilkie explained the methodology used to allocate direct and overhead costs across subsidized and unsubsidized dual credit, noting that dual credit and early entry account for about 5.9% of total credit hours and 2.7% of formula funding. The analysis showed subsidized dual credit tuition revenue of about $5.5 million and unsubsidized revenue of about $2.9 million, with some institutions showing margins and others losses depending on the model. Members discussed whether K-12 funding should also be reflected, how payments to high schools and teachers are structured, and whether tuition-free dual credit would require replacing both tuition revenue and the current dual credit scholarship. No votes were taken; the committee simply received the presentations and discussed the findings.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- When you look at the construction jobs, you probably could times that by two.
- When you look at the construction jobs, you probably could times that by two.
- place while we’re designing the main construction contract, to remove some of these things.
- It could be related to other pre-construction activities that would be new construction.”
- to assemble a bid package and get it out to bid than it does to actually perform the construction.
Summary:
The committee first considered House Bill 350, which would extend the grade levels at Ecole Pointe-au-Chien from fourth through eighth grade. The sponsor and several members emphasized the school’s importance to Terrebonne Parish, French immersion, and school choice. An amendment was adopted making the bill subject to appropriation, and the bill was reported favorably as amended.
Members then approved House Bill 749, which authorizes the Louisiana Tuition Trust Authority to contract with a program manager for certain savings programs, including ABLE, START, and START K-12, in response to a prior cyber incident and to improve security and customer service. An amendment simplified the bill’s effective-date language so provisions would take effect upon execution of the contract. The bill was reported favorably as amended.
The committee also advanced House Bill 979 to increase the survivor benefit for law enforcement officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty from $250,000 to $350,000. Testimony from the governor’s office said the increase could be covered within existing appropriations and that the amount was consistent with inflation since the benefit was last set. The bill was reported favorably. Later, House Bill 42 creating a phased retirement option for public post-secondary employees in the Teachers’ Retirement System was reported favorably, and House Bill 205 to allow local clerks of court to supplement election commissioner pay by up to $100 per election was also reported favorably after extensive testimony about staffing shortages and stagnant pay. The committee additionally reported favorably House Bill 12 extending survivor benefits to reserve officers killed in the line of duty, and House Bill 324 on judicial salaries, after amending it to remove future COLA provisions and leave only the permanent stipend increase.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:10:28.000>
It's <00:10:28.160>a <00:10:28.320>lot, open and the construction - It's a lot, open and the construction. It's a lot, right?
- <00:30:24.640>
remodeling <00:30:25.039>or <00:30:25.279>maintenance construction - remodeling or maintenance construction remodeling or maintenance which<00:30:26.080>
will <00: - <00:32:39.679>
of areas by right the construction of areas by right the construction of manufactured
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Housing Finance and Policy Committee 2/26/25
Housing Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- its precious funds in an equitable way for rural communities such as Hibbing to allow us to make construction
- communities such as hi to allow us to communities such as hi to allow us to make<00:25:12.760>
construction - > of<00:25:13.360>
new <00:25:13.600>housing <00:25:14.440>units make construction - of new housing units make construction of new housing units very<00:25:15.120>
affordable <00: - 32.599>
Capital storm sewer which amounts to Capital storm sewer which amounts to Capital Construction
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy and Natural Resources (04/14/2026)
Energy and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- constructed um the project. constructed um the project.
- <02:27:38.320>
And design and construct a landfill. And design and construct a landfill. - So there are things a construction site.
- Um so when the landfill is constructed.
- <02:33:54.160>
and <02:33:54.400>we <02:33:54.520>can construction and we can construction
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- it involves active construction, then I guess it would be impact.
- <00:31:06.960>
under says any contract for construction under says any contract for construction - specifically related to construction specifically related to construction projects projects projects
- um if it involves active construction um if it involves active construction then<00:31:35.720>
- So, the Department of Education is proposing to define repetitive construction projects.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several bills. HB 114, concerning employment in the State Historic Preservation Program, drew support from DLNR, which said the measure would help retain qualified archaeologists, architects, and other professionals by preserving current pay levels for a limited number of positions. Members raised concerns about expanding exempt positions and the effect on union coverage, and DLNR said it was also working with DEHRD on longer-term reclassification issues. No vote was taken on the bill in the portion provided.
HB 12, relating to tort liability, drew strong opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice, which argued the bill would create overly broad immunity for landowners, conflict with Hawaii’s comparative fault framework, and undermine existing recreational liability law. Supporters said it would reduce liability concerns and encourage landowners to allow hiking, hunting, search-and-rescue training, and firearms-related uses on private land. The committee then moved on without any recorded vote in the excerpt.
The committee also discussed HB 29 on counties, but no county representative was present, and members questioned whether the proposal should instead proceed through condemnation if it involved a forced sale. HB 175 on property maintenance received DLNR comments that the bill should be narrowed to noxious weeds and that fire-related provisions were more properly handled by county fire departments and the State Fire Marshal. HB 331 on permits drew support from several state agencies, but the Honolulu Board of Water Supply opposed it unless “repetitive construction” was defined more clearly; members and agencies discussed narrowing the bill to avoid unintended impacts on water and utility infrastructure. The committee also heard strong support for HB 3 on North Shore beach management, HB 309 on fish ponds, and HB 306 on water code penalties, though the Board of Water Supply raised concerns about increased fines and suggested an alternative governor’s bill and clearer administrative rules.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Day 46 (3-13-26)
Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 225, an act relating to regulation of residential construction. Senator Mills.
- And uh this related to construction.
- <00:37:50.640>
That <00:37:50.880>analysis residential construction. - That analysis residential construction.
- train the workforce that will construct train the workforce that will construct and<01:32:10.960
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HHS DEFER, HHS-LBT, HHS Public Hearings 02-10-2025
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- We don't normally comment on matters that are not directly construction-related, but we do feel that
- I'm the executive director of the Hawaiʻi Building Construction Trades Council, which represents 18 construction
- Hawai building construction trades Hawai building construction trades Council<00:30:04.640>
which< - which represents 18 construction Council which represents 18 construction trade<00:30:07.039>
unions - <00:30:22.480>
trades the Hawai building construction trades the Hawai building construction
Summary:
The joint Health, Human Services, and Labor and Technology committee heard testimony on SB 447, a Department of Health pilot program related to recruitment, and SB 1043, a tax measure. On SB 447, the Department of Health said the pilot had streamlined hiring by delaying minimum-qualification review until later in the process, while the Department of Human Resources Development objected that parts of the bill could conflict with civil service rules, due process rights, and equal pay requirements. Several labor and employee groups testified, with some supporting the pilot as a way to address vacancies and others warning about merit-system concerns. The committee later voted to pass SB 447 as is.
On SB 1043, testimony was mixed but largely focused on the bill’s tax changes, especially the proposed increase to the general excise tax and exemptions or credits for lower-income households. Supporters, including labor groups and housing/worker advocates, argued the bill would reduce burdens on working families, help with food insecurity, and keep residents in Hawaiʻi. Opponents, including the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi and some community witnesses, said the general excise tax is regressive and would raise costs across the state. The committee voted to advance SB 1043 with substantial amendments, deleting most of the bill except section two and setting a far-future effective date, while noting the fiscal impact had not been provided.
The committee also deferred SB 633 and later deferred SB 1633 for further decision-making, scheduling continued consideration for February 12, 2025, in Room 225. The hearing included standard instructions on one-minute testimony, written testimony, and Zoom procedures, and the committee adjourned after taking the above actions.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- You know, it's generally not used for the actual construction cost of the buildings itself, although
- You know, it's generally not used for the actual construction cost of the buildings itself, although
- cost of the buildings construction cost of the buildings itself<00:37:15.000>
um <00:37:15.160 - served as a source of construction served as a source of construction materials<00:54:18.119>
- cost-effective access to construction cost-effective access to construction materials<00:54:30.040
Summary:
The Minnesota Senate Taxes Committee met on February 6, 2025, and first approved the February 5 minutes. The main item was the Office of the State Auditor’s annual report on tax increment financing (TIF), presented by Jason Nord in place of Auditor Blaha, who was ill. Nord explained how TIF captures new property value to finance development, and reviewed statewide data for 2023 reported in 2024.
The report said TIF was used by 382 authorities statewide, with 378 authorities reporting on 1,678 districts. Redevelopment and housing/economic development districts made up the vast majority of districts, with housing districts becoming especially common in Greater Minnesota. Of the $238 million in tax increment generated in 2023, 78% came from the metro area, and most dollars came from redevelopment districts. The report also noted $7.4 million in increment returned to counties, cities, and school districts, and described long-term trends showing early growth in TIF use, reforms in the 1980s and 1990s, a drop after 2002 property tax changes, and another decline after many older districts reached maximum duration.
Committee members asked about uncodified districts, the location of the remaining pre-1979 district, whether the same cities continue using TIF over time, and how Minnesota compares with other states. Nord said the uncodified districts include housing replacement and special-law districts, the pre-1979 district is in Princeton, and the number of authorities starting or stopping use each year is usually small. He also said Minnesota differs from many states, including by allowing pooling. The presentation highlighted that TIF debt statewide is a little over $1.8 billion, mostly in pay-as-you-go notes rather than general obligation bonds, and that many districts decertify early—often years before their maximum term—supporting the chair’s interest in legislation to shorten redevelopment district duration and repeal renewal and renovation districts. No votes were taken on the report.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/24/2026 - House Natural Resources, Energy & Water
Natural Resources, Energy & Water
Transcript Highlights:
- So, the Department of Water Resources' last management plan prohibit water providers from constructing
- We are the state's construction association representing contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and
- And that's despite significant growth, increased construction activity, and a surge in utility locate
- Users of the system, such as utilities, locators, construction companies that I represent, and more are
- positive two-way response system, and increasing accuracy and safety through white lining before construction
Keywords:
underground utilities, utility locating, dig safe, call before you dig, 811, excavation safety, damage prevention, one-call center, locate request, white lining, large project coordination, buried infrastructure, subsurface utilities, utility marking, locator wire, locator strip, interactive positive response system, landlord duties, apartment community, mobile home park
Summary:
The committee first received a presentation from the Arizona Water Banking Authority by Dr. Rebecca Burnett. She explained the authority’s role in storing Colorado River water as long-term storage credits, its funding sources, and its obligations to provide backup supplies for CAP municipal and industrial subcontractors, the Hualapai River Indian community, and Nevada. Members asked about future firming for CAP users, recovery of credits, water quality issues, and whether municipalities banking water themselves affects the authority’s supply. Burnett said the authority has no current firming policy for CAP M&I subcontractors, is waiting on Colorado River guidelines, and does not have excess water to bank because no surplus is available. No action was taken on the presentation.
The committee then heard and voted on several bills. SB 1445, as amended, allows small municipalities to test bacteriological samples on site with EPA-approved equipment; the sponsor and a rural mayor argued it would save money and improve responsiveness, while some members questioned whether the change was already possible under existing law. The bill passed 6-4. SB 1137, with a Taylor amendment, modernizes Arizona’s 811 call-before-you-dig system by adding large-project coordination meetings, an interactive positive response system, and related procedures; it passed unanimously 10-0. SB 1287, which expands an existing groundwater use allowance for irrigation grandfathered rights from initial AMAs to all AMAs, passed 9-1.
The committee also considered SB 1335, as amended, which in its final form addressed a temporary continuation of irrigation tied to the Ag-to-Urban program and groundwater savings credits; DWR said the amendment was still a placeholder and needed cleanup, while supporters said it would help manage timing issues for farmers and developers. It passed 5-4. SB 1336 reauthorized the State Land Department through 2030 and added oversight, reporting, and planning requirements; the department was neutral but raised concerns about the proposed oversight committee and implementation details. After debate over the need for another board and the length of reauthorization, it passed 5-4.
Finally, SB 1677 appropriates $3 million to the Department of Forestry and Fire Management for salt cedar mitigation along the lower Gila River corridor. Supporters from Audubon Southwest, the City of Buckeye, and local landowners said the invasive trees increase flood and wildfire risk, consume large amounts of water, and crowd out native habitat; some members raised concerns about herbicide use and wanted more detail on the mitigation plan. The bill passed 9-0. The chair then thanked staff and members, and the meeting adjourned.