Transcript Highlights:

• it's an advantage to the parents and hopefully not an overburden for the state, we didn't want to aggregate

Committee: House Ways and Means

Summary: The House Ways and Means Committee met in executive session and first took up Senate Bill 994. Members adopted a House committee substitute and a related amendment that removed conflicting language and added a federal tax filing reference. The committee then voted the House committee substitute do pass on an 8-0 roll call, with one member absent. The committee next considered House Bill 2461, with discussion indicating the bill was being rolled together with related bills and that the amendment would extend, not eliminate, a sunset on a tax credit at a 50% level. After adopting the amendment and substitute language, the committee voted the House committee substitute do pass by a 6-2 vote. The transcript also notes procedural action to roll in other bill language before the final vote. In public hearing, the committee heard Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 1032, which would allow a one-time $2,400 state income tax deduction for each child born or adopted in the tax year beginning after January 1, 2027. Senator Moon described it as pro-family tax policy, and Missouri Right to Life testified in support, saying it would help families choose life and offset early child-rearing costs. Members questioned the policy rationale, whether the deduction should be refundable or recurring, and the estimated fiscal impact, but no vote was taken on the bill. The committee also heard House Bill 3329, which would repeal a long list of expired or unused tax credits and clean up outdated statutory language. Representative Thompson and the Department of Revenue supported the bill as a way to reduce administrative burden and eliminate obsolete credits from the books. No opposition testimony was offered, and the hearing concluded without further action before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We didn't want to aggregate that over the years and have that continual.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If we can aggregate conservation lands in mitigation banks, there's more value there.

Transcript Highlights:

• The other funding mechanism is essentially a set-aside of the severance tax bond incapacity.
• No bonds are sold until a project is actually approved.
• They're unsold bonds, essentially, but it's up to that capacity.
• It's the set-aside amount from severance tax bond dollars, but... And that works for the...
• limitation is $2.5 million.

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• So I may limit the amount of time to testify or direct each side to select a fixed number of presenters
• We likely won't fix the number of presenters, but typically we will limit the amount of testimony to
• , and political subdivision bond elections in general.
• The bonds are payable without limits to the rate or amount. I have some issues with that.
• Representative Luna-Nájera. have some concerns also seeing that updates the language for bonds the bonds

Bills: HB2016 , HB2104 , HB2105 , HB2288 , HB2289

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: tax penalties, filing, tax returns, administration, Arizona Revised Statutes, agricultural property, classification, county assessor, property inspection, appeal process, property tax, agricultural classification, Department of Revenue, property valuation, inspection notice, inspection report, on-site inspection, full cash value, rural land, farm land

Transcript Highlights:

• This is in the bonding bill for 2027 at $155 million.
• That's $155 million in the bond, and that's basically in Hurley.
• So this is for the bonding, not for the budget, or is it? Mr.
• Chair, Representative, no, this is not for the bonding.
• So based on the limited funding that we had, that was all that we were able to budget... ...limited funding

Summary: The committee first heard HB 299, a bill to support the Highway 180 project between Deming and Silver City. The sponsors described it as a three-phase road expansion that is already partly complete, but they emphasized rising construction costs, frequent accidents, heavy mining traffic, and the importance of the route to the local economy, tourism, and access to Silver City. A DOT engineer confirmed the project’s phases and cost increases, and the bill drew support from a former DOT official and others. The committee voted do pass, 6-0. The committee then heard HB 325, which would create a railroad crossing safety fund to help improve crossings statewide with lights, gates, overpasses, and other safety measures. Sponsors said the fund would be seeded with a modest amount and could leverage local, federal, and possibly public-private funding, with DOT setting rules and priorities. Railroad lobbyists from Union Pacific and BNSF supported the bill, saying it would help address a major public safety issue, especially for smaller communities. The committee voted do pass. Next, SB 73 was presented to require driver education schools to include at least three hours of instruction on vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. Supporters said the bill would improve awareness and safety at low cost, and public testimony included a bicyclist and a parent who lost a daughter in a crash involving a vulnerable road user. Some members asked how the requirement would apply to first-time or older drivers, and sponsors said it would be part of driver education curriculum developed by MVD and DOT. The committee voted do pass, with one member explaining a vote to note the bill should be read as applying to any first-time driver, not just young drivers. The committee also heard SB 111, which would align the Motor Vehicle Division’s confidentiality rules with last session’s SB 36 by protecting personal information such as sex, gender identity, immigration status, and national origin from public disclosure. The Taxation and Revenue Department said the change was meant to close a gap in the law and prevent release of sensitive data in response to public records requests, while still allowing disclosure for law enforcement and other legally required purposes. The bill passed on a 6-1 vote, with one member voting no and saying he was frustrated by last-minute efforts to fix problems he did not see as existing. The meeting concluded with lengthy DOT district presentations from District 1 and District 6, covering budgets, completed and ongoing projects, local road and bridge work, equipment needs, and unfunded priorities. Members asked about specific projects, freight routes, cattle guards, dust and weather issues, striping contractors, and how projects are prioritized under the state’s asset management scoring system. DOT officials said many projects were complete or underway, that some major projects would be funded through Senate Bill 2 or other appropriations, and that equipment and recurring maintenance funding remain major concerns. The committee adjourned after thanking DOT staff and members for their work.

Transcript Highlights:

• The OE board has limited it to 30%.
• They have artificially limited their scope because of the funding made available.
• We had the authority, the Mortgage Finance Authority, to issue tax-exempt bonds.
• bonds, and we pass those savings on to our first-time homebuyers.
• The vast majority of that is with the tax-exempt bonds that we issued.

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• But we have limited choices.
• A small tax base limits local revenue. We're gonna talk a little bit about bonding.
• Our entire bonding capacity is $3.7 million. That's the most that we can, we can bond.
• Yes, we, we are currently bonded at that capacity with existing bonds.
• For your meals and also on the bonding.

Transcript Highlights:

• Oftentimes it's the practice of school boards that they place votes on school bonds on other ballots.
• Is it your opinion that school bonds should all go in the November ballot as well?
• Votes on school bonds on other ballots?
• Is it your opinion that school bonds should all go in the November ballot as well?
• House Bill 4029 merely limits the appropriations in which we gave... ...merely limits the appropriations

Bills: HB4028 , HB4029 , HB4059 , HB4063 , HB4073 , HB4074 , HB4075 , HB4076 , HB4077 , HB4078 , SB1130 , SB1131 , SB1132 , SB1133 , SB1134 , SB1142

Committee: House Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget

Keywords: tax deduction, venture capital, economic development, Oklahoma, investment, ALS, funding, healthcare, State Department of Health, emergency declaration, public finance, state budget, financial regulations, monetary policy, referendum, constitutional amendments, special election, Oklahoma legislature, public voting, recovery fund

Summary: The committee considered a series of bills largely focused on reappropriating and closing out ARPA-related funds, transferring interest earnings, and filling funding gaps in existing state projects. Measures included funding for the Health Care Workforce Training Commission, juvenile services in Rogers County, rural hospital rebuild projects, DHS-related projects for Boys and Girls Clubs and the YWCA, water and wastewater projects through the OWRB, ALS grant limits for OSDH, pandemic relief accounting, administrative costs for ARPA projects, pediatric cardiology and OSU-related projects, rural industrial park and port water/wastewater gaps, and emergency response grants through the Department of Emergency Management. Most of these bills were presented by Rep. Newton, Chairman Caldwell, Speaker Hilbert, Rep. Osborne, Rep. Hill, and others, with committee substitutes adopted without objection where noted. One bill, House Bill 4028, drew the most discussion. It would extend the sunset on the qualified equity investment deduction for venture capital investments. Members questioned the lack of program-specific evaluation data, including return on investment, jobs created, and how much of the tax deduction had actually been used. The sponsor said the program had helped grow Oklahoma venture capital and that he would seek better data, but argued the sunset should be extended for now. The bill passed 23-6. Another extended exchange centered on House Bill 4063, which combined measures related to placing state questions on the August ballot, including HJR 1024 and a bill tied to House Bill 1440. Members raised concerns about single-subject issues, ballot timing, voter turnout, and whether combining the measures limited legislators’ options. The Speaker defended the approach as election-related and noted prior precedent. The bill passed 23-6. The remaining bills were approved overwhelmingly, generally by votes of 27-0, 28-0, or 29-0, and were reported out with due pass recommendations before the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• bond out, set your bond at $5,000.
• Within 24 hours of their arrest, if they have not posted bond, whether it's from the uniform bond schedule
• And the judge can then set a bond.
• And the judge can then set a bond.
• They can post the bond themselves or have a family member post the bond.

Summary: The Criminal Justice Subcommittee held its first meeting of 2025, took roll, confirmed a quorum, and heard member introductions before turning to an informational panel on how a criminal case moves through Florida’s system. The chair emphasized respectful committee process and introduced staff, then invited the panel to explain the path from arrest through prosecution, first appearance, arraignment, discovery, trial, plea negotiations, and sentencing. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri described law enforcement discretion, probable cause, misdemeanor and felony arrest rules, pre-arrest diversion, jail operations, and the statewide uniform bond schedule. He also discussed jail overcrowding, supervised release, mental health and substance abuse issues in jails, and the need for better case management and diversion resources. Judge Frank Allman explained first appearance, bond setting, arraignment, trial procedures, plea colloquies, and sentencing under Florida’s punishment code, including downward departures and victim impact statements. State Attorney Jack Campbell outlined charging decisions, the higher proof burden prosecutors must meet, coordination with law enforcement, Baker Act proceedings, victim notification, informations versus grand jury indictments, and the role of diversion and treatment courts. Public Defender Matthew Mets described indigency screening, discovery, the growing volume and technical complexity of evidence, mitigation work, and the importance of treatment-based resolutions. Members asked about time-served credit for supervised release, mental health recidivism, homelessness enforcement, ICE holds, and sentencing discretion; no votes were taken and the meeting ended after the informational presentation and discussion.

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
• They'll push the limit out.
• But again, you know, there were a couple things that limited us.

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:

• </c><00:09:43.839><c> for</c> then also index that limit for then also index that limit for inflation
• Wagering losses were limited.
• This affected losses were limited.
• And so the percentage limit, the 30% limit, then would increase because you're using a larger base to
• </c> the duration of the bond repayments. the duration of the bond repayments.

Bills: HR1 , HF387

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: January 6 insurrection, pardon, law enforcement, violent crimes, public safety, justice system, political accountability, Blaine, local sales tax, special tax, restaurant tax, lodging tax, admissions tax, amusement tax, hotel tax, redevelopment, capital improvements, municipal finance, bonding authority, tourism tax

Transcript Highlights:

• Every single one of those countries accepts the notion that aggregating large businesses into what their
• It's limited in scope to just five years.
• The chair is recommending an aye vote with amendments to limit the customer-site active solar system
• to 10 kilowatts and limit the exclusion to additions to existing property.
• The amendments limit the customer-site active solar system to 10 kilowatts and limit the exclusion to

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation heard several bills dealing with tax policy, local revenue authority, consumer protections, and incentives for development. AB 1726 would create catastrophe savings accounts for homeowners to save pre-tax dollars for disaster mitigation and recovery costs; it drew support from the Department of Insurance and the California Bankers Association, while the California Teachers Association opposed it because of the General Fund and Prop. 98 impact. The bill was referred to suspense. AB 1768 would authorize Los Angeles and Contra Costa counties to ask voters to approve local transaction and use taxes to offset projected federal funding cuts affecting health care and safety-net services; it received broad support from health providers and county representatives, opposition from one member and a resident, and passed the committee 5-2 to the Assembly Local Government Committee. The committee also considered AB 1790, which would repeal the Waters Edge corporate tax election and require worldwide combined reporting for multinational corporations. The author and supporters argued it would close a loophole, raise several billion dollars annually, and help fund schools, Medi-Cal, and other programs; opponents warned of double taxation, compliance burdens, retaliation from foreign governments, and job losses. After extensive testimony and member debate, the bill was referred to suspense. AB 2020 would provide a full property tax exemption for the primary residence of 100% disabled veterans and surviving spouses, and AB 2069 would create a targeted sales and use tax exemption to spur development projects at fairgrounds; both measures had support from sponsors and related organizations, no opposition, and were referred to suspense. Finally, AB 2705 would regulate third-party “asset finders” who help claim excess proceeds from tax sales by requiring written agreements, disclosure that claims can be filed free with the county, and a cap on fees at 10%. County officials and local government groups supported the bill as a consumer protection measure, while recovery companies and related firms opposed it, arguing the work is complex and the cap would reduce access to services. The committee moved AB 2705 to the Assembly floor on a 4-0 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is also a proviso in the amendment that limits the market pay enhancement to 20% of the average
• The revenue bonds are to be issued for the purpose of providing funding for paying for all or a portion
• The principal amount of the bonds issued under the new sections may not exceed $150 million for a term
• authorized by the new provisions. ...for the State Culture Center prior to the issuance of the bonds
• This modification reducing their federal taxable income... ...and limited liability corporations.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present and first approved the minutes from the prior meeting. It then reconsidered Committee Substitute for House Bill 5212, noting that an Education Committee amendment had been inadvertently omitted the day before; the vice chairman withdrew the prior motion to report the bill, and the committee returned to the bill with the technical Education Committee amendments pending. The transcript then moved through a long agenda of bills and supplemental appropriations, with the committee generally hearing brief explanations from counsel, occasional member questions, and then voting to adopt amendments and report measures to the full Senate. Among the substantive policy bills, the committee advanced House Bill 4007 on the Industrial Access Road Fund, allowing an additional possible $3 million transfer in a fiscal year, expanding eligible uses, and increasing county/municipal spending limits; House Bill 4765, which raises salaries for state police, teachers, and school service personnel and, via a strike-and-insert amendment, creates a market pay enhancement tied to county and regional income data; House Bill 5162, recodifying tax lien sale procedures and clarifying ownership and government-property tax treatment; House Bill 5382, extending the Neighborhood Investment Tax Credit Program to July 1, 2031; House Bill 5685, authorizing up to $150 million in revenue bonds backed by excess lottery funds for State Culture Center improvements; House Joint Resolution 42, placing a constitutional amendment on the ballot to raise the homestead exemption from $20,000 to $40,000; House Bill 4010, creating an airport hangar grant program and fund; House Bill 4404, increasing from $500 to $5,000 the amount volunteer fire departments may spend on training and fire prevention materials; House Bill 4592, requiring standardized campus safety mapping data for higher education institutions; House Bill 4784, extending and making retroactive a qualified opportunity zone business tax modification; and House Bill 5088, increasing retirement benefits for Division of Natural Resources police officers, with a one-time $4.25 million cash injection. The committee also reported several supplemental appropriations and originating bills, including Senate Bill 842 for the Spay Neuter Assistance Fund, Senate Bill 846 for Culture and History capital repairs, Senate Bill 872 for Natural Resources capital repairs (reduced to $10 million in committee substitute), Senate Bill 876 for Department of Health facilities, Senate Originating Bills 1 through 5 covering Culture and History, road funds, corrections IT and services, tobacco education, and the Adjutant General’s armory board transfer, respectively. Most items were adopted by voice vote; House Bill 4765’s strike-and-insert amendment was adopted after a division vote of 10-6. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sticking with the financial support, 20 years, et cetera, are you bonding? Are you taking bond?
• Chairman, if you're asking if we leverage and use bonds in that direction, we are not.
• We're looking into that, but communities do go out for bonds.
• Not on securitizations or bonds or money at all? Okay, just thought I'd ask.
• So there is some limited testing of private wells throughout the state. Further questions?

Committee: House Environment, Energy and Technology

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the House Chair of the Bonding Committee, calling the meeting to order at 10:02, and I want to thank
• The mask wins action. available to answer any technical questions about bonding.
• Speaking of the bond ahead of this hearing and learn more about the bill.
• I have a question about the bonding authorization itself.
• But the risks are not limited to cybersecurity.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets

Summary: The House Bonding Committee met to hear testimony on H. 5527, the Mass Wins Act, with Secretary of Economic Development Eric Paley opening by describing the bill as a follow-on to Mass Leads. He said the proposal includes $305 million in bond authorizations, with $180 million for new programs and $125 million to expand existing ones, plus $140 million in deauthorizations of unused or redundant authorizations. He highlighted investments in applied AI and quantum, robotics, business expansion capital, defense innovation, global business attraction, ag tech and food science, downtowns, and the creative economy, and said the bill is intended to support geographic equity and small business growth across the Commonwealth. Committee members questioned the administration on several policy sections, including the MassCEC climate-tech certification language, housing-related provisions tied to 40B compliance and site plan review, the removal of the LCSW exam, AI transparency and federal preemption concerns, and the effect of lower LLC filing fees. Paley generally said some contested sections were added by the Economic Development Committee rather than the administration, defended the MassCEC discretion language as necessary for climate certification, and said the administration would follow up on committee-added provisions. He also said the bill’s housing provisions were meant to help address the state’s need for more homes and that the deauthorizations were housekeeping measures that did not affect current capital plan projects. Public testimony covered a wide range of topics. AARP and local advocates urged a statewide ban on cryptocurrency ATMs, arguing they are heavily used in scams, impose high fees, and drain money from seniors and local economies. Housing groups supported codifying site plan review and adding parking reform and YIGBY-style housing on faith-owned land. Building trades asked to include off-site fabrication in prevailing wage law. The Massachusetts Public Banking Campaign backed the bill and urged inclusion of a public bank concept. Several witnesses supported Section 106, the Transparency and Frontier AI Act, as a way to require safety plans, audits, incident reporting, and whistleblower protections for the largest AI companies, while an AI startup group argued the section would overregulate smaller firms and should be separated from the bond bill. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Mass Wins Act... available to answer any technical questions about bonding.
• First, as we just talk about the bonding side, given the committee, what I...
• I have a question about the bonding authorization itself.
• Separate these provisions from the bond bill.
• But the risks are not limited to cybersecurity.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:32.000><c> Bill</c> think it was in the in the bonding Bill think it was in the in the bonding
• </c><00:08:11.440><c> Bill</c> berries was included in the bonding Bill berries was included in the bonding
• </c><00:20:02.600><c> bill</c> why are we depending on a bonding bill why are we depending on a bonding
• </c> over the last couple years that bonding over the last couple years that bonding bills<00:20:06.760
• </c> people's lives by waiting for a bonding people's lives by waiting for a bonding bill<00:26:53.840

Bills: HF192 , HF268 , HF1214 , HF494

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: Minnesota income tax, dependent exemption, personal income tax, tax relief, family tax relief, children, dependents, tax deduction, tax exemption, state revenue, inflation indexing, tax year 2025, taxable income, household tax policy, family tax credit, HF268, Joshua Schmidt Memorial Highway, memorial highway, highway naming, road designation

Transcript Highlights:

• So if they have to raise more than the bond issue allows it.
• So we should manage the cash with some bonding if we could.
• The drinking water program has revenue bonds making up about 79% of that portfolio, and improvement bonds
• And the Clean Water Program has about 70% revenue bonds and 30% improvement bonds.
• I'm not necessarily saying we should have bonded it.

Committee: Joint Water Topics Overview Committee

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met to review several interim studies and receive updates from the Department of Water Resources. The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes, observed a moment of silence for the late Representative Conmy, and welcomed Representative Hansen to the committee. Staff then reported that the watershed management study and the stormwater/wastewater study had both satisfied the presentation requirements in their study directives, with no further required testimony unless members wanted additional information. The department’s main presentation focused on major water projects and agency operations. Reese Haas and staff updated members on the NAWS project, the Southwest Pipeline Project, Devils Lake outlet operations, low-head dam safety work, floodplain management repository implementation, data center water use, and the 2027 Water Development Plan. Members asked detailed questions about NAWS funding sources, remaining project costs, capacity concerns for All Seasons and other users, and whether current construction is being designed for future demand. The department said NAWS remains on track for substantial completion by October, that remaining NAWS funding will come from a mix of federal, state, and local sources, and that current construction is designed for ultimate capacity while some future components will be adjusted for increased demand. A large portion of the meeting was devoted to the department’s cash management, Resources Trust Fund revenues, carryover balances, and the State Water Commission’s cost-share program. The department reported $340.6 million in carryover remaining, explained that much of it is already obligated to long-term projects, and noted that oil price forecasts and stripper-well exemptions will affect future revenues. Members raised concerns about large carryovers, affordability for local sponsors, and whether the state should continue obligating money multiple bienniums ahead. The department said it is working with the commission on a revised prioritization framework, including high/moderate/low project categories and a two-tier pre-construction/construction approach, to better manage obligations and affordability. The committee also reviewed Deloitte’s finalized studies on regional governance/finance and cost-share policy. Deloitte presented options for Southwest, NAWS, and Red River governance, with stakeholders generally favoring keeping NAWS largely as is, using the current Southwest model with improvements, and pursuing a more structured governance option for Red River. On cost share, the department said Deloitte’s recommended package would cover projected needs through the 2030s, but would require policy changes such as lower percentages for some project types, a 25% replacement-project rate with a cap, and possible bonding or delayed reimbursement strategies. No votes were taken on these policy questions, and the chair indicated the committee would continue the discussion at future basin meetings and the September Water Topics meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• , we're a very good deal for your local school district bonds.
• Project Revolving Fund, we're able to really buy down the costs of the bonds.
• The general obligation bonds obviously would need to be approved by the voters.
• The bonds are issued and sold by the State Board of Finance.
• It doesn't limit them.

Committee: House Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force