Transcript Highlights:

• By ordering the defendant to give up a bond of up to 10% of the current market value of the property.
• My last question: why in the world would they let grant them bond if they're?
• Why would a judge grant bond to someone for this? I don't know that you can answer that.
• For follow-up, so this ankle monitor wouldn't be a condition of bond or some post-trial release effort
• But we're not talking about some bond here. We're talking about a person going and.

Bills: HB2650 , HB3277 , HB3386 , HB3419 , HB3430 , HB3742 , HB3791 , HB3835 , HB3905 , HB3968 , HB4119 , HB4153 , HB4408

Committee: House Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight

Keywords: probate, estate administration, summary administration, decedent, inheritance, vehicle inspection, title registration, salvage vehicles, ownership, Oklahoma Statutes, evictions, forcible entry, mediation, residency proof, children, housing law, corruption, nonpublic information, government accountability, criminal law

Transcript Highlights:

• health care providers in terms of their, we serve as a conduit and help them access the tax-exempt bond
• market if they're interested in issuing a bond.
• And we are the nation's largest bond counsel, including representing the state of California, and also
• And we are the nation's largest bond counsel, including representing the state of California, and also
• And we are the nation's largest bond counsel, including representing the state of California, and also

Summary: The Senate Rules Committee met to consider several routine agenda items and a gubernatorial appointment. The committee first approved appointments not required to appear, including Gina Castro Rodriguez to the Board of State and Community Corrections, Richard Stein to the California Arts Council, and Nicholas Hardiman to the California Housing Finance Agency Board of Directors. Members also approved references to bills and committees, committee and subcommittee appointments, joint committee appointments, and floor acknowledgments. Two rule waiver requests by Senators Perez and Padilla to suspend SR 22.5 for additional bill introductions were discussed and ultimately approved on a divided vote. The committee then heard testimony from Andy Nakahata, nominated to serve as executive director of the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank). Nakahata described his background in finance and infrastructure lending and said he would focus on stewardship, expanding access to IBank programs, and supporting small businesses and infrastructure projects statewide. Senators questioned him about geographic equity in lending, outreach to underserved counties, creditworthiness standards, the Transportation Infrastructure Accelerator, and whether IBank could better reach municipalities and health care providers. Nakahata said IBank tracks lending by county, works through financial development corporations, municipal advisors, and other networks, and can adjust loan sizes or partner with other funding sources when projects are not fully creditworthy. Public witnesses spoke in support of Nakahata, citing his expertise and leadership in public finance. No opposition testimony was presented. The committee then voted unanimously to move Nakahata’s nomination to the full Senate for confirmation. Afterward, the committee re-ran the earlier votes for the record, confirming the appointments and other agenda items, and then adjourned the public portion of the meeting to enter executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also referred this to the prosecutor and the attorney general, and it was also certified to the bond
• This finding was referred to the prosecutor, the attorney general, and was also certified to the bond
• finding was referred to the Prosecutor Attorney, the Attorney General, and was also certified to the bond
• was referred to the prosecuting attorney and the Attorney General, and it was also certified to the bond
• was referred to the prosecuting attorney and the Attorney General, and it was also certified to the bond

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-STATE AGENCIES

Transcript Highlights:

• bill, please: House Bill 2289, an act amending sections relating to taxation and truth-in-taxation bond
• House Bill 2289, relating to truth in taxation bond notices.
• This bill is a bad idea because it would bias the voter against voting for the school bond.
• Generally, we want to report to the voters how your home property taxes would be affected by this bond
• And therefore, it could bias voters against supporting the school bonds.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Republicans and the Transportation Committee opposed the bond bill.
• Yeah, thanks for the question, Jerry, because it would authorize new bonds.
• Certainly, you bond to build long-term assets, but it's often unwise to bond for simply maintenance work
• As far as I know, Democrats have not asked for any Republican votes on the bond bill.
• That list is a K-12 funding bill, the two tax bills I just mentioned, the bond bill you mentioned, Jerry

Summary: House and Senate Republican leaders held a media availability on day 59 of the session focused mainly on the House-passed income tax proposal, the pending operating and transportation budgets, and several late-session tax and policy bills. Republicans said the income tax was a major, rushed change to the tax code, argued it was unconstitutional under existing state precedent, and criticized Democrats for blocking referendum options and for what they described as a tax-first approach to affordability and budgeting. They also said the budget conference process was likely to produce another deficit and warned of future tax increases if spending is not restrained. On transportation, Republicans discussed a bond bill needed to support the transportation budget and noted it requires a three-fifths vote in the House, which Democrats could reach on their own. They said they generally support maintenance and preservation but are skeptical of bonding for those purposes. They also identified other bills likely to move at the end of session, including a data center tax, a wholesale pharmaceutical tax, a K-12 funding bill, a highway construction bill, a direct electric vehicle sales bill, and an electric transmission bill. Republicans repeatedly framed the income tax as a “millionaires tax” that could later expand to more taxpayers, and said the 24-hour floor debate was intended to slow the process and force daylight scrutiny. They also criticized the use of Climate Commitment Act funds in the budget, saying the money should be returned to taxpayers or used for transportation or other public needs rather than special interests. In closing, Stokesbary said House Republicans had defeated a majority of Senate bills sent to the House and had helped stop several major Democratic priorities, including an agriculture unionization bill and other tax and regulatory measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bond and fine deposits were approximately... ...increasing from 2022 to 2023.
• The bond and fine deposits were approximately $180,000 in 2022 and $409,000 in 2023.
• We have one report that's being certified to the bond board and referred to the prosecuting attorney
• This finding has been referred to the prosecuting attorney and certified to the bond board.
• Under the district court clerk, the following items were noted in the analysis of the district court bond

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

Transcript Highlights:

• But already couldn't they issue a warrant and have the bond amount be higher than the traffic ticket?
• And then we're going to have somebody bring up $200 to bond her out.
• What if somebody doesn't have that bond? That was the whole premise of Senate Bill 5.
• And then we're going to have somebody bring up $200 to bond her out.
• What if somebody doesn't have that bond? That was the whole premise of Senate Bill 5.

Committee: House Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1087 from Senator Joe Nicola, which would update limited driving privileges and create a process to suspend licenses after repeated failures to appear or pay for minor moving traffic violations. Nicola said the bill was intended to improve public safety and municipal court compliance without restoring the pre-2015 system of fines and fees. Supporters, including officials from Independence, O’Fallon, and the Missouri Municipal League, argued that municipal court reform had sharply reduced citations and increased failure-to-appear rates, leaving courts with too little leverage to ensure compliance and creating safety problems for repeat offenders. They said the bill would preserve discretion, protect work and basic travel needs, and help law enforcement and courts address chronic noncompliance. Opponents, including the State Public Advocate, argued the bill would restore a cash-cow system, burden low-income residents, and create harsh consequences for missed notices or address problems. The hearing closed without a vote on SB 1087. The committee then moved into executive session and reconsidered House Bill 2288, ultimately voting to reconsider and then voting the bill due pass by a 10-5 margin. The committee also adopted a substitute and passed House Bill 3006 due pass by 13-1, passed House Bill 2289 due pass by 10-3 with one present, and passed House Bill 2906 due pass by 13-1 after adopting an amendment and rolling it into a substitute. Members discussed procedural issues about quorum and the reconsideration motion during the HB 2288 vote. Later, the committee heard House Bill 3491 from Representative Don Mayhew, which would codify English-language proficiency requirements for commercial driver’s license holders and impose penalties on drivers and motor carriers when those requirements are violated. Mayhew and a Lincoln County prosecutor described a recent Highway 61 incident involving a Minnesota CDL holder who could not communicate in English, could not identify his location, and was taken out of service after a Highway Patrol proficiency test. Supporters said the bill would mirror federal rules in state statute, improve safety, and hold both drivers and carriers accountable. Some members questioned whether the bill was redundant with federal law, whether it would be enforceable before an accident, and whether the language was too broad, especially the phrase about conversing with the general public. The prosecutor said the current tools are mostly reactive and that the bill would help remove dangerous drivers and penalize carriers, but no final action was taken on HB 3491 in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• $444 million in $7,000. [00:01:40] $45 million in the general fund, $444 million in severance tax bonds
• , and $280 million in supplemental severance tax bonds.
• funds we actually have now on those smaller items, smaller ticket items, and then on the severance bonds
• And then on the severance bonds, are we putting those toward the projects that will go out 20 years?
• So I would say that we have done that in this bill because the bonding capacity was really reserved for

Summary: The committee heard the Senate Finance Committee substitute for Senate Bill 240, a capital outlay measure appropriating about $1.3 billion statewide. The bill includes funding for projects prioritized by legislative members and the governor, along with state agency, judicial, and higher education projects. Staff explained that the bill uses a mix of general fund money and severance tax bonds, and that recent Senate floor amendments corrected technical drafting issues and were intended to ensure funds could be used as sponsors intended without delaying grantees. During committee discussion, members asked how cash-funded projects and bond-funded projects were being separated, and staff said general fund surpluses were being used more for smaller equipment and discretionary projects while bonding capacity was reserved for larger, longer-lived projects. Several members raised questions about specific items, including a proposed purchase of a clinical services building in San Miguel County and a Navajo Code Talker Museum project, asking for more detail on intended use, location, and whether the funding was additional to prior appropriations. One member said she would vote no because of concerns about the San Miguel County item, while others said they wanted more information before the floor vote but supported moving the bill forward. No public testimony was offered. The committee then voted 9-3 to give the bill a do pass recommendation. Members who explained their votes said they supported advancing the bill to the floor while still seeking clarification on certain projects, and the chair closed by thanking members and staff for the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• today we are acting on three vehicle-only bills since we have not reached a joint agreement for a geo bonding
• Members, this is another vehicle bill so we can hopefully get a bonding bill done. Thank you.
• I really appreciate that, and I really am excited for the bonding tours where more friendships can be
• Unfortunately, a lot of the good things that people really get excited about in a bonding bill are their
• I look forward to the bonding tours; there's nothing like being on a bus with many of my favorite colleagues

Bills: HF719 , HF2484 , HF2486

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• Another success of the session was passing a bonding bill.
• Well, to the point of using the bonding bill as a bargaining chip, you know, Senate Republicans were
• able to get one of their priorities in response to getting the bonding bill out the door, and that was
• </c> a bonding bill to reduce those tab fees. a bonding bill to reduce those tab fees.
• </c> able to do that and provide a bonding able to do that and provide a bonding bill<00:20:15.000><c

Summary: The program reviewed the end of Minnesota’s 94th Legislature and featured interviews with Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy and Minority Leader Mark Johnson about the session’s major outcomes. Murphy said Senate Democrats used their one-seat advantage to advance priorities including emergency rental assistance, immigration enforcement, stabilization of HCMC, gun violence prevention, and a $1.2 billion infrastructure/bonding bill. She also highlighted a one-year reduction in vehicle tab fees, some property tax and business tax relief, and the creation of an independent Office of Inspector General, while saying more should have been done on lead pipe replacement and that some work was delayed by House inaction and federal policy changes. Murphy argued the session was shaped by a divided legislature and by negotiations that often happened late and behind closed doors, which she said made the process frustrating and left some Senate proposals without House counterparts. She said the Senate also worked on protecting Medicaid and SNAP from federal cuts and on stabilizing hospitals, especially HCMC and rural facilities. She described the gun violence and immigration debates as examples where bipartisan demands did not match what she saw as the needs of Minnesotans, and said the state should return to more public conference committee negotiations next session. Johnson said Senate Republicans focused on fraud prevention, affordability, and education. He pointed to the Inspector General bill and the “Take It Back Act” as major bipartisan wins, and said Republicans used their leverage to secure the tab fee reduction and other tax relief. He also said the caucus wanted stronger protections against fraud without harming legitimate service providers, and criticized DFL priorities on government growth and education outcomes. Both leaders said relationships across the aisle improved over the session, though they differed sharply on how much was accomplished and what should be prioritized next year.

Transcript Highlights:

• I researched the impact on bonding for communities.
• I researched the impact on bonding for communities.
• And how much are for bonds? Every time you say yes to a bond, it could be a really well-meaning...
• How much are for bonds?
• And if you're not choosing to vote on one of those bonds, those bonds are usually voted on by the majority

Bills: LB737 , LB753 , LB788 , LB913 , LB1055 , LB1195 , LB1216 , LB1256 , LB429 , LB721 , LB722 , LB727 , LB743 , LB745 , LB749 , LB778 , LB787 , LB365A , LB823 , LB900 , LB903 , LB940 , LB954 , LB1127 , LB1127A , LB1205 , LB1240 , LR293 , LR296 , LR422 , LR505 , LR507

Transcript Highlights:

• We issue what are called mortgage revenue bonds. That is basically the bucket of money we get.
• exempt, so we get a lower rate on those bonds.
• exempt, so we get a lower rate on those bonds.
• Mortgage revenue bonds are tax exempt, so we get a lower rate on those bonds.
• It's just, you know, the timing of selling those bonds.

Summary: The committee met as the Regulatory Division of the budget section and received updates on several Industrial Commission-related agencies and programs. Legislative Council first reviewed base budget materials, then the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency reported on its current appropriation and staffing, noting that its new FTEs were being filled gradually and that it remained largely funded through special and federal funds. Agency leaders described homeownership lending, loan servicing, and housing incentive fund activity, including below-market mortgage rates, down payment assistance, and a growing servicing portfolio that has increased workload but not yet required additional FTEs. Housing Finance also detailed use of the Housing Incentive Fund and homeless grant dollars. Officials said the multifamily HIF round drew more than $73 million in requests and awarded $25 million, while the single-family program supported rural development and community land trusts. Homeless grant funding was split between emergency shelter, prevention, and rapid rehousing, with performance-based scoring used to renew or reallocate awards. Members discussed housing affordability, aging households, rental assistance, and the need to coordinate housing and site-preparation messaging with Commerce. The agency asked that HIF, single-family, and homeless funding be maintained or increased in the next session. The Department of Mineral Resources then presented its budget and operations update. Staff said the agency was on track financially, had filled most of its new reclamation FTEs, and was not expecting major litigation costs beyond normal late-biennium invoices. The director reviewed agency initiatives including Project North Star IT modernization, organizational restructuring, succession planning, rulemaking, and implementation of the development incentive well tax program and critical minerals rules. He also discussed oil and gas activity, explaining that longer laterals, especially three- and four-mile wells and the first five-mile spacing case, are helping keep production relatively flat even as rig counts ease. Members asked about gas capture, hedging, break-even prices, and the effects of Iran and Venezuela on oil markets. The committee also heard about enhanced oil recovery grants and the Pipeline Authority. The EOR program’s $25 million appropriation was fully allocated to six projects, with total awards reaching about $45.1 million when other fund balances were included, subject to a possible 5% reduction if federal DOE money does not materialize. Officials said the projects are public, reimbursement-based, and will produce results over the next several years. Finally, the Pipeline Authority outlined natural gas transmission projects, including the imminent Bakken Express line and the proposed Bakken East project, which WBI was selected to advance after an Industrial Commission RFI process. The project is moving through open season, survey permission, and regulatory work, with in-service dates projected for 2029 and 2030.

Transcript Highlights:

• We issue what are called mortgage revenue bonds. That is basically the bucket of money we get.
• exempt, so we get a lower rate on those bonds.
• exempt, so we get a lower rate on those bonds.
• Mortgage revenue bonds that are tax exempt.
• It's just, you know, the timing of selling those bonds.

Summary: The committee met as the Budget Section’s Regulatory Division and first reviewed base budget materials for the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency and the Department of Mineral Resources. Legislative Council explained the blue-sheet budget summaries and historical funding trends. The Housing Finance Agency then reported on its ongoing homeownership, housing incentive, and homelessness programs, noting that its new FTEs are being filled, loan servicing remains above benchmark, and the agency is operating largely on special and federal funds rather than general fund dollars. Housing Finance officials said the Housing Incentive Fund continues to be heavily oversubscribed, with requests far exceeding available dollars, and described how funds are being used for multifamily gap financing, rural single-family development, community land trusts, and homeless prevention/rapid rehousing. Members asked about performance measures, the number of people served, and the relationship between housing costs, wages, and homelessness. The agency said it uses scoring criteria tied to performance and outcomes, and requested that the Legislature maintain or increase funding for HIF, single-family housing, and homeless grants. Committee members also discussed the need to coordinate housing finance efforts with Commerce and broader site-preparation and workforce issues. The Department of Mineral Resources reported that it is on track with its budget, has filled most of its newly authorized reclamation positions, and is moving ahead on several initiatives, including IT modernization through Project North Star, organizational succession planning, and rulemaking for critical minerals and oil and gas programs. The director gave an extensive update on oil and gas activity, explaining that longer laterals and operational efficiencies are keeping production relatively flat even as rig counts decline, and that gas capture remains around 95 percent. Members asked about oil prices, hedging, spacing units, and the effects of geopolitical events on markets and state revenues. The committee also received an update on the enhanced oil recovery grant program and the Pipeline Authority. The EOR program’s $25 million appropriation was fully allocated to six projects, with additional oil and gas research funds also committed, and officials said the projects will require public status reports and final reports. The Pipeline Authority described major natural gas transmission projects, including the upcoming Bakken Express line and the proposed Bakken East project, which recently completed a binding open season after the Industrial Commission selected WBI Energy’s proposal to move forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have some bond initiatives. This is calendar 29. Clerk will read the bond initiatives.
• Majority leader moved so be considered the reading of the bond initiatives.
• We have some bond committee.
• </c> will read the bond initiatives. will read the bond initiatives.
• </c> the reading of the bond initiatives. the reading of the bond initiatives.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> The clerk will read the bond initiatives and the committee assignment. >> Introductory House Bond
• Introductory House Bond Initiatives number 43, February 17, 2026.
• </c><00:06:16.400><c> initiatives</c> &gt;&gt; The clerk will read the bond initiatives &gt;&gt; The
• House Bond initiatives number<00:06:20.080><c> 42,</c><00:06:20.560><c> February</c><00:06:21.039><c
• Introductory House Bond appropriations.

Summary: The House convened with 132 members present, offered prayer, approved the previous day’s journal, and adopted a House resolution honoring United Communities Against Poverty for 60 years of service in Prince George’s County fighting poverty. The organization’s board members were recognized in the gallery. The chamber then handled introductory business, including first-reading referral of House Bills 1587-1596, two introductory House bond initiatives referred to Appropriations, and Senate Bill 25 and other Senate bills received in the House and referred to committees. The House also took up committee reports and special orders. The Economic Matters Committee reported favorably on several bills, including House Bills 236, 241, 242, 259, and 308, all of which were adopted and ordered printed for third reading. On House Bill 146 regarding on-site wastewater systems, a friendly amendment was adopted to allow repair or replacement of failed drain field components needed to meet the bill’s requirements. On House Bill 220 concerning individual water meters/submetering, a substitute amendment was adopted to strike a provision related to eviction proceedings and keep the bill aligned with existing law; the bill was then ordered printed for third reading. Members also made several announcements recognizing visiting groups and observances, including the ALS Association, Career and Technology Education Month, Economic Development Day, Developmental Disabilities Day, Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day, the start of Ramadan, and Easter season. The House heard a Black History Month-style recognition of Ethel Beh Hill and welcomed multiple delegations and student groups. Committee and subcommittee meeting announcements followed, and with 134 members present, the House remained in session before the majority leader moved adjournment until Thursday, February 19 at 10:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• So your Senate decided to lower some of these obligations with bonding and lines of credit because of
• That was eliminated: the $100 million bond that was for the Southwest Pipeline Project.
• We looked at some alternatives for funding these outside of bonding, and these two large projects are
• It was a little like the concept we did with the FM version when we bonded it.
• We actually negotiated $20 million down when we gave them the bond, and Bakesy said don't come back.

Summary: The Senate met with a quorum present and handled a mix of conference committee appointments, appropriations bills, policy bills, and House amendments. Early in the session, the chamber appointed conference committees for SB 2399 and for House-amended SBs 2213 and 2354, and also named conference committees for HB 103, HB 1308, and HB 1169. The Senate then took up several appropriations measures, including HB 1612, which creates the North Dakota Center for Aerospace Medicine at UND; the Senate adopted an amendment shifting the funding to a one-time $250,000 Community Health Trust Fund appropriation with a required $250,000 match from other sources, and the bill passed 39-7. HB 1193, the “Back the Blue” grant, was amended to make the funding one-time and focus on officer retention, then passed 41-5. HB 1329, a government spending database proposal for school districts, was amended into a legislative study and passed 42-4. HB 1020, the water budget, received extensive amendments reducing and reallocating funding across major water projects, adding studies and oversight changes, and passed 45-0 with the emergency clause. HB 1581, a tribal tourism grant, also passed 40-6. The Senate rejected HB 1330, which would have authorized divestment from direct investments in Chinese companies; after debate over the prudent investor rule, trade impacts, and whether the bill singled out one nation in law, it failed 20-26. HB 1534, limiting property valuation increases, and HB 1266, adjusting the disabled veterans property tax credit, both failed unanimously or nearly so after committee recommendations against them. HB 1566, which would have created a regulatory framework for a product discussed as kratom, was amended on the floor to convert it into a study and then passed 31-15. The chamber also passed HB 2241 on charter schools after a House amendment changed the funding formula to the statewide average from the prior year, and HB 2022, the indigent legal counsel budget, after House changes added funding flexibility, offset lost fee revenue, and included a study on a public defender office. The Senate concurred in several House amendments and then passed a number of Senate bills. SB 2375, allowing joint negotiations between dental providers and insurers under Attorney General oversight, passed 44-2. SB 2251, clarifying that open records requests during state audits should be referred to the audited agency, passed 46-0. SB 2159, related to nuclear energy research, passed 43-3 after House amendments required Industrial Commission approval and consultation with the radioactive waste advisory council. SB 2155, changing gratis antelope license rules, passed 30-16 after debate over landowner rights and tag distribution. SB 251, setting fees and an audit for the Private Investigative and Security Board, passed 44-2. SB 2280, the prior authorization health insurance bill, passed 43-3 with a House-added study and consumer protections. SB 2023, the Racing Commission budget, passed 41-5 after a House change made internship funding one-time. SB 2232, changing prenatal substance exposure reporting requirements and related toxicology rules, passed 44-2. SB 2241, authorizing public charter schools, passed 39-7. The session ended while the Senate was still processing SB 2022’s final passage vote, but the bill had already cleared concurrence on House amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<01:19:40.160><c> which</c><01:19:40.400><c> is</c><01:19:40.760><c> uh</c> bonds, which is uh bonds
• </c> have claims spanning multiple bond have claims spanning multiple bond periods,<01:20:23.320><c>
• </c> surety bonds in place. surety bonds in place.
• </c> page 10, line 11, the surety bond thing. page 10, line 11, the surety bond thing.
• </c> than they're having a surety bond now. than they're having a surety bond now.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:37:38.400><c> by</c><00:37:38.560><c> supervisor</c> bonds and cash bonds taken by supervisor
• bonds and cash bonds taken by supervisor at<00:37:39.320><c> night</c><00:37:40.120><c> and</c><00:37
• That's what I I was just on bonds. Okay.
• give bonds, and that was one of the things they wanted to clear up.
• </c><00:58:41.160><c> out</c> that, but then people were bonding out that, but then people were bonding

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• the APA, for programs that are funded by Proposition 4, the Climate Resilience and Natural Resources Bond
• The bond was intentionally designed to address urgent and ongoing climate impacts already affecting many
• After the voters approved the bond and the Legislature allocated the funds last fall, my office started
• The bond was intentionally designed to address urgent and ongoing climate impacts already affecting many
• After the voters approved the bond and then the legislature allocated the funds last fall, in September

Summary: The committee heard several natural resources bills focused on wildfire resilience, recycling, forest management, and organic waste diversion. AB 442 would remove a requirement that a harvest area be limited to a single watershed for working forest management plans; the author and supporters from the California Forestry Association and Pacific Forest Trust said it would reduce barriers to forest resiliency work, and there was no opposition. AB 623 would require state agencies to report on the use of CEQA and Coastal Act suspensions for wildfire and fuel-management projects after the governor’s emergency proclamation; the author said the bill would provide data on how well the suspensions are working, and it drew support with no opposition. AB 35 would exempt Proposition 4-funded programs from the Administrative Procedures Act to speed implementation of climate, water, wildfire, and environmental projects; the author and a large coalition of local governments, water agencies, conservation groups, and fire organizations argued the exemption would help get funds out faster, while no opposition was present. The committee also discussed AB 3333, which would create a market-development payment to support end users of non-container glass, such as ground glass pozzolan used in cement, in order to divert glass from landfills and reduce carbon emissions. Supporters said the bill would create a productive use for hard-to-recover glass, while opponents from the Glass Packaging Institute, Californians Against Waste, and waste management interests argued it would divert beverage container recycling funds away from the bottle-to-bottle system and could undermine existing recycling investments and recycled-content goals. Members raised questions about the fund’s revenue sources, the purpose of the beverage container recycling program, and whether the bill would amount to “downcycling”; despite those concerns, the bill advanced on a due-pass-as-amended recommendation, with members noting fiscal and policy issues for further work. AB 643 would allow certain diverted organic material used as a beneficial agricultural amendment, including CDFA-licensed fertilizer products made from biosolids, to count toward SB 1383 recovered organic waste procurement targets. Supporters from wastewater agencies and Clean Water SoCal said the change would expand options for meeting procurement requirements and help move biosolids out of landfills, while Californians Against Waste and other opponents argued the bill could expand procurement credit beyond SB 1383’s original intent and weaken investments in composting infrastructure. Committee members questioned what kinds of biosolids would qualify, how the procurement credit would work, and whether the bill could be narrowed to historically landfilled materials; the author said she would continue working with opponents and wait for CalRecycle technical assistance. The committee adopted the bills’ amendments and passed AB 35 with urgency, AB 3333, AB 442, AB 623, and AB 643 to Appropriations, and also approved consent-calendar AB 946. After roll calls, all of the measures were reported out of committee, and the hearing adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a public finance professional with DAD Davidson and a tax-exempt bond expert.
• of borrowing for these institutions that are using these bonds.
• It's a longstanding financing bonds are.
• It allows for these these bonds.
• allocation, LIHTC or low 4% tax credit bonds, which fall in this pool.

Bills: HF3217 , HF2252

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy