Transcript Highlights:

• <00:16:02.759> in Development in Development in support<00:16:05.399> nahal<00:16:06.000
• All we're doing is making developers wealthy. We're not making our community wealthy.
• Michael's Development in support. Limby Hawaiʻi with comments on Zoom.
• <00:25:24.279> and support Michael's development and support Michael's development and support
• Um, clarify that the bill authorizes revenue bonds and blank out the value of the bonds and the line

Keywords: 910, house, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• burdens on small developers. burdens on small developers.
• same resources which large developers same resources which large developers have<00:19:09.200>
• <00:24:37.440> is<00:24:38.240> fraudulently a developer is fraudulently a developer
• Uh, representing developers.
• <00:52:58.960> where development. um where the develop where development. um where the develop

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've developed a best management practices document, worked alongside and educated each agency and collected
• A strong table of industry allows for the job and economic development in these areas.
• If you guys recall last year, not only the legislative body passed the climate bond, but the voters supported
• Fire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024, which authorized the issuance
• of bonds in the amount of $10 billion.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ... ...and confidential information in order to qualify for market development payments.
• It will extend these existing legal protections to priority care developments, including housing tied
• The Education Commissioner shall develop findings and recommendations for a second phase of education
• And this is a bill that also, in many ways, complements the housing bond that we've all voted to put
• The state of California is stepping up with this bond.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I was trying to be funny saying I was in a bonding while I was late.
• And so I was trying to be funny saying I was in a bonding while I was late.
• counties, tribes, and tribes to develop counties, tribes, and tribes to develop long-term<00:12:
• :13:17.120> person's responsible for developing a person's responsible for developing a person's
• <00:58:11.240> a appreciate the proposal to develop a appreciate the proposal to develop a

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We bonded. It was a trip that we all remember, and it was great for us.
• Many attend professional development or work a second job.
• and workforce development.
• and leadership development areas as well.
• and leadership development areas as well.

Summary: The committee heard several education bills, with most of the discussion focused on Senate Bill 1835, Senate Bill 784, Senate Bill 1049, Senate Bill 2942, and Senate Bill 2928. SB 1835 would raise from 5% to 20% the cap on nonresident students who can receive resident tuition and fees through competitive scholarships at certain regional universities in slower-growing workforce development areas, provided the schools have capacity as determined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Supporters, including West Texas A&M University, said the bill would help fill underused capacity, attract students who may stay and work in Texas, and support regional workforce needs. SB 784 would strengthen a prior law allowing peace officers’ children to transfer between public school districts for safety reasons by requiring both districts’ approval, making clear that districts of innovation are not exempt, and prohibiting tuition charges. SB 1049 would require districts and open-enrollment charters to excuse students, at a parent’s request, for religious release-time instruction for up to one hour per day and five hours per week; witnesses said the program is constitutional, voluntary, and already operating in other states and some Texas districts. Each of these bills was left pending after testimony, with no public witnesses opposing them. SB 2942 would expand and adjust the state’s adult charter high school pilot program. Senator Creighton said the bill is intended to help the estimated 7 million Texas adults without a high school diploma by removing barriers to expansion, aligning legal protections with ISDs, changing TEA’s disapproval window for expansion amendments to a 30-day period after receipt, and updating funding to reflect part-year attendance. A committee substitute kept the upper enrollment age at 50 and removed a proposed testing change. Testimony from New Heights students and leadership described the program as life-changing, emphasizing that it combines diplomas with career credentials, childcare, transportation, and other supports to help adults stabilize their families and enter better-paying work. TEA witnesses explained the expansion process and said adult charter schools are overseen by the commissioner rather than the SBOE. The committee substitute was adopted, public testimony closed, and the bill was left pending. SB 2928 would set a uniform school start date for public school districts at the third Wednesday in August, while preserving existing district-of-innovation flexibility for current DOI districts and allowing year-round systems to continue. Senator Creighton argued the bill would reduce the patchwork created by DOI exemptions, support students and families, and preserve summer employment and tourism revenue. A committee substitute was adopted. Testimony came largely from tourism, hospitality, and recreation interests, including hotel, water park, zoo, chamber of commerce, and camp representatives, who said later start dates would extend the summer travel season, improve staffing and revenue, and give students more opportunities for summer jobs and camps. Several witnesses cited large economic impacts from tourism and said early school starts reduce August business. Some senators raised concerns about charter schools being excluded and about year-round calendars, but the bill was left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• at all five areas of development.
• He's the director of the Infrastructure Planning and Development Division.
• General obligation bond capacity, on the other hand, went up a bit.
• Chair, members of the committee, on the Capital Development Program Fund, we did develop a policy.
• We did develop policy for this right around the June-July timeframe.

Summary: The committee heard first from LFC staff on a brief about New Mexico’s universal child care expansion. Staff said child care assistance has clear benefits for parents and families, but LFC has not found evidence in New Mexico that it improves children’s educational outcomes; they argued pre-K is the better tool for that goal. The brief highlighted four concerns with universal access: an estimated annual cost of about $849.7 million, a sharp decline in registered homes, possible crowding out of lower-income families, and reduced access for children under age two. Staff also suggested possible mitigations such as prioritizing slots for low-income and at-risk families, reinstating sliding-scale co-pays, and tying quality improvements to workforce wages. Members raised questions about the cost estimate, funding sources, provider quality, and whether the data showed actual crowding out. Several lawmakers expressed support for child care generally but concern about the fiscal impact and whether universal access would divert resources from the families most in need. Others emphasized the importance of child care for workforce participation, rural communities, and family stability, and questioned how registered homes are counted and regulated. LFC staff clarified that the cost estimate was for child care assistance only, not the entire ECECD budget, and that the data showed declines in the share of lowest-income children and infants/toddlers served, though not causation. The ECECD secretary then presented the department’s response, saying universal child care is intended to complete a cradle-to-career system and that the department has already seen strong uptake, increased capacity, and rising workforce participation. She said 6,206 families were found eligible in the first month, the share of infants and toddlers served rose, and new provider applications and licensed slots increased after the November rollout. The department also emphasized wage increases, quality improvements, and a new wage scale/career lattice, while projecting a lower near-term cost than LFC’s estimate and requesting additional funding for child care, early pre-K, home visiting, workforce systems, and capacity-building. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided; the discussion was informational and focused on questions and testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is on the bonding bill side.
• And this is an $8 million appropriation from a bonding bill in previous years. Great.
• <00:07:06.960> We This is on the bonding bill side. We This is on the bonding bill side.
• bonding bill in previous years. bonding bill in previous years.
• <00:52:49.280> and the process of developing and the process of developing and establishing

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill No. 431, introduced by the Committee on Revenue and Economic Development, revises provisions
• Senate bill number 431, introduced by the Committee on Revenue and Economic Development, revises provisions
• It's a bonds bill.
• It's a bonds bill.
• It's a bonds bill.

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve on our Economic Development Authority. I have a degree in public policy.
• There are eight of the 17 compacts that are in the process of developing a license database.
• That are in the process of developing a license database.
• if you use preventive detention, that person can't bond out.
• Detention is way better than using cash bond.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's also policy in there to allow for adaptive reuse of buildings using housing infrastructure bonds
• The new owners that bought it are raising the rent to get you out so that they can develop the land for
• And the kinds of investments that we make through housing infrastructure bonds and workforce housing,
• In relation to a home that he secured through a public investment via housing infrastructure bonds.
• Investment that's included when we say yes to housing infrastructure bonds in this bill, and we should

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:42.399> finance<00:10:42.800> and development finance and development finance and
• <00:12:15.839> Public Minnesota Business Development Public Minnesota Business Development
• It allows them to development fund.
• Contributing workforce development.
• > bonding<01:08:09.839> dollars were bonding bills uh bonding dollars were bonding bills

Bills: HF3228, HF2441

Keywords: workers' compensation, insurance programs, employee protection, Minnesota statutes, safety regulations, prevailing wage, certified payroll, payroll reporting, construction contracts, public works, project registration, labor standards, contractor compliance, subcontractor reporting, state government, Department of Administration, Commissioner of Labor and Industry, Metropolitan Council, highway construction, public construction

Transcript Highlights:

• Does the ability to pay a $1 million bond prevent an entity from exercising this right?
• But at that 25% threshold, the bond becomes a requirement.
• The bond does not prevent that initial work from happening.
• The bond only comes into play when a petition sponsor of that political...
• The $1 million bond is reasonable, and for most bonds what you have to put up is 1% to 5%.

Bills: HB 9, HB 22, HB 908, HB 1392

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, tax exemption, local government finance, appraisal district, chief appraiser, rendition statement, property tax relief, small business, commercial property, leased property, related business entity, unified business enterprise, tax situs, Texas Tax Code, local taxing unit, constitutional amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm really hoping to return to the bonding committee, the transportation committee.
• I'd love to work on jobs again, as you know—that's kind of my life passion as workforce development in
• But I will have to wait, so we'll develop our plan.
• really hoping to return to the bonding really hoping to return to the bonding committee<00:09:33.079
• <00:09:39.959> in<00:09:40.120> the Workforce Development in the Workforce Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The program opened with interviews on the start of Minnesota’s 94th Senate session, where the chamber is evenly split 33-33 after the death of DFL Senator Kari Dziedzic and a special election to fill the vacancy. DFL Majority Leader Aaron Murphy and Republican Leader Mark Johnson both said the tied Senate and narrow margins in both chambers will require more cooperation and compromise. Murphy emphasized affordability issues such as health care, child care, housing, college costs, and medical debt, while Johnson said Republicans want to refocus on Minnesota’s needs, limit tax increases and mandates, and use the split chamber to gain more influence in negotiations. Both leaders said they expect bipartisan work on issues like mental health, EMS, public school funding, permitting reform, and mandate reform. Former Senator Ann Johnson Stewart was also sworn in after winning the special election for District 45 and said she hopes to work on infrastructure, transportation, bonding, and jobs. The Senate Finance Committee then held a hearing on the social impact of legalizing online sports betting. Testimony from researchers and gambling addiction experts warned that online sports betting can contribute to addiction, family harm, and financial distress, with one witness describing it as a public health disaster and citing higher bankruptcy filings in states that legalize it. Committee discussion also reflected the competing view that many Minnesotans want the option to bet legally, while lawmakers have a responsibility to protect residents from harm. The final segment focused on Minnesota’s budget and economic forecast. Officials said the state is expected to end the 2026-2027 biennium with a surplus, but spending growth is projected to outpace revenues in the following years, creating a structural deficit of nearly $6 billion in fiscal years 2028-2029. Legislators said the forecast underscores the need to address spending, inflation, and long-term obligations such as special education and disability services, and some Republicans called for attention to waste, fraud, and abuse. The report noted that an updated forecast will be released in February, which could further shape budget negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:20:03.039> the<00:20:03.120> southern development going on in the southern development
• , of potential development there, of potential development there, especially<00:20:21.919> with
• <00:23:01.360> and contamination economic development and contamination economic development
• <01:24:39.040> their reading fluency and developing their reading fluency and developing their
• <01:53:16.480> their boards would have to develop their boards would have to develop their

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• High school students, when they're 16 years old, have not reached full brain development.
• So the thing that's missing is they don't... ...not reach full brain development.
• AARP developed this legislation because it has worked to get it passed across the nation.
• It's just an economic development issue.
• All right, next we're going to move to Warren Bonds, who's online with us. Great. Hi, thank you.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several financial services bills, with the main focus on cryptocurrency kiosk regulation, financial literacy, and earned wage access. Legislators and witnesses described widespread crypto-related scams targeting older adults, often involving impersonation, urgency, spoofed phone numbers, and rapid transfers through kiosks that are difficult to trace or recover. Supporters of the kiosk bills said Massachusetts needs licensing, registration, transaction limits, warning notices, receipts, refund protections, and other safeguards; some also urged a “pause” or hold on transactions to give victims time to reconsider and allow law enforcement to intervene. The Attorney General’s office, AARP, local law enforcement, and several prosecutors and sheriffs backed the consumer-protection approach, while Bitcoin Depot supported a narrower regulatory framework but opposed low fee caps and strict daily limits, arguing they would function like a ban and reduce legitimate use. Witnesses from Waltham police, Middlesex and Essex County law enforcement, and the AG’s office said crypto scams are growing quickly, losses are often unrecoverable once funds move, and current tools are limited. They described cases involving elderly victims losing thousands of dollars, and said warnings alone are not enough because scammers keep victims on the phone and guide them through the process. Some witnesses said a temporary hold or refund mechanism has worked in at least one case, while others emphasized that transaction limits and visible disclosures could reduce harm even if they do not stop fraud entirely. The AG’s office also said it would submit written opposition to separate earned wage advance legislation, while DailyPay testified in support of that bill, saying earned wage access helps workers bridge short-term gaps without debt or credit reporting. The committee also heard support for mandatory financial literacy education from Representative Jim Hawkins, who said high school students need instruction on credit, debt, and inflation before they enter adulthood. In addition, the committee took testimony on litigation financing bills from insurance industry representatives, who argued for disclosure and regulation of predatory litigation lending and warned about foreign interference and reduced plaintiff recoveries. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing; members asked questions throughout, and the chair noted the need to move testimony along because of time constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Who developed the scorecard? >> Who developed the scorecard?
• partner of the TOD and the developments. partner of the TOD and the developments.
• to help develop the path. to help develop the path. >> I'm<00:58:56.880> serious.
• the spear and leading the development. the spear and leading the development.
• That performance bond performance bond.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I support it, but I think it needs personally to be more developed if you look at my past stuff.
• Good afternoon, Chris Locke, Langen Development Group.
• I am principal of Ninth Street Development Company.
• Our company is entrepreneurial, and we've stacked up downtown development district grants, historic tax
• Coming off a bond bill, yeah.

Bills: HB371

Keywords: HB371, Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Act, farmland preservation, agricultural lands, agricultural preservation district, Farmland Preservation Advisory Board, county advisory board, Delaware Foundation, Department of Agriculture, DNREC, planning and zoning, growth zone, open space, land use, farmland protection, rural land preservation, agribusiness, active farmers

Summary: The Senate Executive Committee met in hybrid format, approved the minutes from its June 17 and June 18 meetings, and considered several nominations and bills. The committee heard testimony from Michael T. Skeuse for the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission and Jay Eric Fearwald for the University of Delaware Board of Trustees; both nominees described their backgrounds and qualifications, and no objections were raised. The committee then moved to legislation focused largely on property tax reassessment and related school-tax issues, along with a technical constitutional corrections bill, an agricultural lands preservation cleanup bill, and a child-safety/service-letter bill. A major portion of the meeting centered on Senate Bill 350, which would create a third multifamily residential tax classification at 1.2 times the residential rate. Supporters argued apartments are housing and should not be taxed as commercial property, emphasizing relief for renters and fairness after reassessment. Opponents, including county and school officials, warned the bill would reduce local revenues, complicate tax administration, and create unintended consequences for counties, municipalities, school districts, and agriculture. Similar themes carried into House Bill 462, which would make the split-rate school tax structure permanent and lower the nonresidential cap to 1.85, and House Bill 463, which would align New Castle County senior school-tax exemptions with county exemption rules; both bills drew discussion about shifting burdens, fiscal impacts, and timing. The committee also heard House Substitute 1 for House Bill 320, a technical corrections bill to the Delaware Constitution, with one public commenter objecting to charter-related changes being included in a correction bill. House Bill 371, which removes the requirement for county farmland preservation advisory boards under the Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Act, was presented as a streamlining measure and had support from the Department of Agriculture and public comment in favor. House Bill 438, expanding service-letter requirements to a broader set of child-serving facilities and requiring reporting when employers fail to respond, was described as a cleanup bill closing a safety loophole. After public comment and committee discussion, the meeting ended with a motion and unanimous adjournment; no recorded votes on the bills were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires the Office of the Chancellor of CSU annually to develop enrollment targets for each campus
• It requires the Office of the Chancellor of CSU annually to develop enrollment targets for each campus
• So as the Department of Health Care Access and Information develops the program design and evaluates,
• The total cost of that bond that voters were told was $33 to $45 billion.
• The total cost of that bond was, voters were told, $33 to $45 billion, and we would be on that train

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then finally, professional development, which is designed to And then finally, professional development
• And then finally, for PD, or professional development, all students generate $41 per student.
• Entire student population, so all students would generate a professional development funded amount for
• So this is making up 45% of total professional development categorical funds, and we'll get into more
• And this makes up 45% of, 48% of all professional development categorical funds.

Summary: The House and Senate Education Committee first approved minutes from February 2 and 3, then heard an interim study proposal on Arkansas adult education and the Excel Center model, presented by Goodwill Industries of Arkansas and the University of Notre Dame’s Lab for Economic Opportunities. Witnesses argued that about 300,000 Arkansas adults lack a high school diploma or GED and described the Excel Center as a diploma-granting public charter option for adults 19 and older, with wraparound supports such as child care, transportation, tutoring, life coaching, and career services. They said the Arkansas campuses are not state-funded, highlighted growth in enrollment and graduation outcomes, and cited research showing improved employment, earnings, and reduced criminal justice involvement for graduates. Committee members discussed the role of Goodwill’s nonprofit mission, the need for multiple adult education pathways, and the relationship between adult education challenges and broader state efforts such as LEARNS and ACCESS. The committee then debated the interim study proposal procedure, including whether questions should have been taken before the vote. The motion to adopt the ISP passed, and members noted that the study would broadly examine adult education, GED testing, high school diplomas, charter schools, in-person adult education, and funding allocation. Several members asked for follow-up information on current adult education funding, the availability of Excel Centers, and the criminal justice study results. After that, staff from the Bureau of Legislative Research gave a detailed adequacy funding overview for Arkansas K-12 education. They reviewed national funding principles and then explained Arkansas’s revenue streams and distribution system, including general revenue, the Educational Excellence Trust Fund, the Educational Adequacy Fund, local property-tax revenues, and facilities partnership funding. They also walked through the state’s foundation formula, categorical aid, supplemental aid, and additional funding, including the per-student matrix amount of $7,771 for 2025 and how funds are allocated to districts and charters. Members asked about student support staff, special education high-cost occurrences, ALE funding, teacher salary equalization, and the Excel Center’s treatment in funding totals; staff said some of those questions would be addressed in a later spending presentation. The meeting ended after the committee was told the department was present mainly to answer questions and no further business remained.