Transcript Highlights:

• The monies they get for their locals from their local gas tax and so forth is not part of this legislation
• These expansion projects and the congestion are not created by the local people in that community.
• If it's a state project, it should be state-funded and not placed on the backs of the local utility consumers
• We've seen these relocations where we've had to observe increased electric costs on the local electric

Bills: HB606 , SB271

Committee: House Transportation, Utilities and Infrastructure

Keywords: HB606, Alabama, Department of Transportation, DOT, public highways, utility relocation, right-of-way, state right-of-way, road construction, bridge, tunnel, toll road, interstate highway, defense highway, utility facilities, broadband, telecommunications, cable, electricity, gas

Transcript Highlights:

• Like local churches, to meet the needs of kids and families, keeping them together when possible.
• Representative, did you know that last year alone, the attorney general...
• We should have a strong attorney general that addresses this and strong criminal action against those
• I said, we have issues with our local government county.
• Do you support or oppose increased appropriations to the Attorney General Paxton's office?

Bills: SB1 , HB500 , SB1 , HB1400 , HB 1094 , HB365 , HB 1109 , HB647 , HB500

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• safety health and wellness, the first district wastewater association, farm to school, and then the local
• </c><00:02:49.280><c> food</c><00:02:49.680><c> uh</c> school, and then the local food uh school, and
• then the local food uh purchasing<00:02:50.400><c> program</c><00:02:51.360><c> uh</c><00:02:51.440>
• </c><00:23:49.600><c> farmers</c><00:23:50.400><c> by</c> but also supports local farmers by but also
• supports local farmers by enabling<00:23:51.039><c> them</c><00:23:51.280><c> to</c><00:23:51.440><c

Bills: HF2446

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Lubbock County District attorney.
• I've been the elected district attorney for Galveston County for 14 years.
• I'm the Nueces County District Attorney.
• to take those slots or attorneys that were willing to work at the pay we were offering.
• Uh, this is not a local issue.

Bills: HB467 , HB318 , HB503 , HB198 , HB318 , HB198

Committee: House S/C on County & Regional Government

Keywords: hospital district, Cedar Creek, scholarship, dissolution, county judges, healthcare funding, grant program, rural counties, law enforcement, sheriff's departments, funding, public safety, deputy shortages, sheriff, prosecutor, salary assistance, HB 198, Wade Cannon Act, firefighter cancer screening, occupational cancer screening

Bills: HB386 , HB387 , HB388 , HB389 , HB386 , HB387 , HB388 , HB389

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: HB386, food tax, grocery tax, sales tax reduction, use tax, Education Trust Fund, state revenue trigger, tax cut, consumer tax relief, Alabama sales tax, Alabama use tax, groceries, retail tax, revenue growth threshold, county and municipal tax, fiscal trigger, sales tax, food taxation, local government, financial growth

Transcript Highlights:

• Catherine's Dominican University, um, which is a local program, a local school, and um, uh, I feel like
• </c> Dominican University um which is a local Dominican University um which is a local program<00:01:
• </c> be able to get into their local be able to get into their local libraries<00:10:32.920><c> and</
• 02:00.119><c> has</c><01:02:00.319><c> borrowed</c> library a local Knitter has borrowed library a local
• </c><01:38:01.199><c> dollars</c> stretching the impact of local dollars stretching the impact of local

Bills: HF56 , HF780

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: HF56, Minnesota bonding bill, capital investment, state bonds, bond proceeds fund, Hutchinson Area Transportation Services, Hutchinson, McLeod County, transportation facility, vehicle storage, equipment storage, fueling facility, temperate storage, local infrastructure, public works, general obligation bonds, education finance, school funding, state aid, appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Our first amendment deals with the district attorneys, not everything else.
• Our first amendment deals with the district attorneys, not everything else.
• Our first amendment deals with the district attorneys, not everything else.
• Our first amendment deals with the district attorneys, not everything else.
• Our first amendment deals with the district attorneys, not everything else.

Bills: SB137 , SB164 , SB165 , SB49

Committee: Senate State Governmental Affairs

Keywords: sewer, wastewater, public service commission, PSC, utility regulation, private utility, regulated utility, affiliated system, consolidation, rate jurisdiction, rate setting, wastewater management entity, common ownership, control, Jefferson County Board of Health, local constitutional amendment, public utilities, Alabama Code Title 37, Alabama Code Title 22, certification

Transcript Highlights:

• He's an emergency room physician whose career has spanned the local, state, federal, and international
• That comes from the FBI and also from other, a lot of attorneys general in the United States.
• That's why the Attorney General is signed on as a co-author.
• It may happen to other local health jurisdictions.
• There are investigations by the district attorney, by the State Fire Marshal, and many others.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, observed a moment of silence for Alex Prettie, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized several visiting groups in the gallery, including UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute fellows and community college representatives. The body approved the Senate journals and then confirmed two gubernatorial appointments: Dr. Hernando Garsohn as Chief Medical Officer at the Emergency Medical Services Authority and Stephanie Weldon as Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity at the Department of Public Health, both by 39-0 votes. The chamber then took up a series of third-reading bills. Measures that passed included SB 799 on the South Bay Regional Housing Trust, SB 33 on public contracts and contractor payment claims, SB 222 to streamline permitting for heat pump installations, SB 300 to strengthen protections for minors in AI chatbot interactions, SB 457 on community land trusts and affordable housing, SB 479 allowing certain cities to share information in homeless response teams, SB 719 extending a reporting sunset on automated decision systems, SB 722 protecting mobile home park residents from demolition-related displacement, SB 832 updating the Upper Los Angeles River working group, SB 342 on contractor license lapse rules, SB 490 on inspections of unlicensed treatment facilities, SB 828 requiring better state-local permit verification after the Esparto fireworks tragedy, SB 849 barring physician license renewal after specified sexual misconduct, SB 742 addressing decommissioned electrical lines and wildfire risk, SB 96 on over-amplified streaming and digital ads, SB 677 as a technical cleanup to last year’s housing law, and SB 58 on hydrogen sulfide monitoring and public health. Most of these bills passed unanimously or with overwhelming support; SB 222 and SB 677 drew some no votes but still passed. The most extended debate centered on SB 694, which would align California law with federal VA accreditation rules for those assisting veterans with benefits claims and impose penalties for unauthorized claims assistance and data access. Supporters argued it would protect veterans from predatory “claim shark” practices and ensure only accredited providers charge fees; opponents said it would reduce veterans’ choice and could limit access to needed help. After a motion to pull the bill from Rules and take it up immediately passed 29-9, the Senate approved SB 694 on a 29-10 vote. The session concluded with unanimous approval of the consent calendar and adjournment until January 27, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have more local controls. So thank you. Thank you.
• In other words, when the judge chose to waive these fees, was there a prosecuting attorney or something
• In other words, when the judge chose to waive these fees, was there a prosecuting attorney or something
• They generally know the attorneys in their communities.
• It ended up getting put in the Attorney General's bill.

Committee: Joint Judiciary Committee

Summary: The Judiciary Interim Committee met to continue its study of charitable gaming, especially the ownership of alcoholic beverage establishments by licensed charitable gaming organizations and the relationship between charities, site owners, and gaming manufacturers/distributors. Legislative Council reviewed the background memo and Attorney General’s Gaming Division explained the legal framework, including site authorizations, rent limits, allowable expenses, and restrictions on distributors and manufacturers. Members focused heavily on electronic pull tabs, asking about the large gap between gross proceeds and adjusted proceeds, how much is paid out in winnings, how much is retained for expenses, and whether the 60% allowable-expense cap is being used as intended. The AG’s office said e-tabs account for most gaming volume, that winnings make up much of the difference, and that some organizations do not use the full 60% while others may exceed it, though only the capped amount counts as gaming expense. The committee also discussed the number of gaming organizations that appear to own or be affiliated with bars, the ways those ownership structures are formed, and whether some arrangements may create conflicts or site-selection pressure. The League of Cities and the Association of Counties described the local site-authorization process and recent model policies adopted after the 2025 session. Cities said they can require signed agreements, limit games and machines, set qualifications, and charge up to $100 for site authorization, but cannot require charities to donate net proceeds or force a specific charity or site. They said the new policies are meant to add transparency and local control, though the more controversial parts involve requiring a local nexus or community connection. County representatives said the issue is mostly a city matter and that counties generally take a lighter-touch approach. Committee members raised concerns about whether local rules could unfairly exclude larger regional charities or create inconsistent standards across cities. The North Dakota Gaming Alliance said it supports the study and provided information on charities that own or are affiliated with bars, emphasizing that most gaming organizations do not own alcoholic beverage establishments. Its representative said some charities may pursue bar ownership for site stability and diversification, while others decide against it because operating a bar is difficult. He also said a ban on charity-owned bars could raise federal tax-law issues depending on how it is written, and agreed to provide more detail. The committee asked Legislative Council and the Gaming Alliance for additional information on ownership structures and federal-law questions before the next meeting. Later, the Racing Commission gave a separate update on live racing, pari-mutuel wagering, and related charitable partnerships, and the State Hospital superintendent reported on the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s support services, staffing, and wait lists; no votes were taken on these presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> attorneys as well for taking that case. attorneys as well for taking that case.
• </c> is the cost to the locals. is the cost to the locals.
• </c> for this bill. for this bill. local<02:06:19.440><c> government</c> local government local government
• The majority are local government.
• The majority are local for this? The majority are local government. government. government.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I know there's an attorney back here that can explain that a lot better than me.
• </c><00:51:56.640><c> back</c><00:51:56.880><c> here</c> And I know there's an attorney back here And
• And family law family law attorneys.
• , prosecutions, prosecutions, spending<02:11:44.719><c> thousands,</c><02:11:45.440><c> navigating</c
• cannot be overridden by local community connections.

Bills: HB0101 , HB0062 , HB0109

Committee: House Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• So we were willing to do that for them. 18-707 is basically a shield against prosecution under criminal
• I'm not an attorney, but I am told that this is a very well-recognized and understood legal term that
• in paid, non-accredited claims assistance targeting veterans, and we confirm this trend with the Attorney
• In confirm this trend with the Attorney General Office's Consumer Protection Division.
• who would represent the veteran, or an attorney who would represent that veteran, typically in appeals

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• bill, but it is a local bill.
• When they say local government is not in support of this, the majority of your local governments already
• local governments.
• State attorneys are going out to look over the cases and not to prosecute these cases.
• Thank the Florida Sheriffs Association for your support, Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association, Whitney

Bills: SB 5 , SJR 3 , HB 11 , HJR 72 , HB 48 , HB 27 , HB 144 , HB 37 , HB 1481 , HB 581 , HB 1696 , HB 2216 , HB 1035 , HB 1633 , HB 742 , HB 754 , HB 1689 , HB 1690 , HB 2669 , HB 391 , HB 517 , HB 1775 , HB 1024 , HB 1607 , HB 252 , HB 1716 , HB 1562 , HB 4116 , HB 1866 , HB 1741 , HB 2103 , HB 2637 , HB 2884 , HB 3707 , HB 503 , HB 1089 , HB 1757 , HB 2986 , HB 972 , SB 365 , SB 1786 , SB 5 , SJR 3 , HB 14 , HB 43 , HB 36 , HB 26 , HB 149 , HB 121 , HB 206 , HB 136 , HB 3114 , HB 2733 , HB 1732 , HB 3700 , HB 467 , HB 1130 , HB 1846 , HB 1442 , HB 1147 , HB 2176 , HB 2701 , HB 805 , HB 2890 , HB 1154 , HB 1644 , HB 2118 , HB 1718 , HB 2488 , HB 2596 , HB 2468 , HB 484 , HB 2578 , HB 3204 , HB 1041 , HB 307 , HB 685 , HB 538 , HB 2525 , HB 3125 , HB 2027 , HB 2894 , HB 3077 , HB 106 , HB 18 , HB 11 , HJR 72 , HB 48 , HB 27 , HB 144 , HB 37 , HB 1481 , HB 581 , HB 1696 , HB 2216 , HB 1035 , HB 1633 , HB 742 , HB 754 , HB 1689 , HB 1690 , HB 2669 , HB 391 , HB 517 , HB 1775 , HB 1024 , HB 1607 , HB 252 , HB 1716 , HB 1562 , HB 4116 , HB 1866 , HB 1741 , HB 2103 , HB 2637 , HB 2884 , HB 3707 , HB 503 , HB 1089 , HB 1757 , HB 2986 , HB 972

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have more local controls. So thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
• In other words, when the judge chose to waive these fees, was there a prosecuting attorney or something
• In other words, when the judge chose to waive these fees, was there a prosecuting attorney or something
• They generally know the attorneys in their communities.
• It ended up getting put in the Attorney General's bill.

Summary: The Judiciary Interim Committee met to begin its study of charitable gaming and the ownership of alcoholic beverage establishments by licensed charitable gaming organizations, a study directed by Senate Bill 2334. Legislative Council gave an overview of the constitutional and statutory framework for charitable gaming, site authorizations, rent limits, proceeds, and recent legislative changes. The Attorney General’s Gaming Division then clarified the financial flow of gaming, explaining that in fiscal year 2025 North Dakota had about $2.5 billion in gross gaming proceeds, with roughly 88-90% paid back in prizes and about $256 million available to organizations after taxes; most of that activity came from electronic pull tabs. Members asked for more detail on winnings, replays, rent, and the breakdown of manufacturer/distributor revenues, and the AG’s office agreed to provide supplemental information. The committee also heard from the League of Cities and the Association of Counties about local site authorization. Cities said they have a limited role in approving gaming sites, can adopt policies after public hearing, may charge up to $100, and can set certain conditions, including local nexus requirements, but cannot require donations or force a specific charity or site. The League said it had worked with stakeholders on a model policy to provide more consistency, though members raised concerns that local requirements could become too restrictive for charities serving broader areas. Counties said the issue is mostly a city matter, with little county involvement beyond minimal site fees and general site approval. The North Dakota Gaming Alliance testified in support of the study and provided IRS-related material suggesting charities may use asset diversification, while emphasizing it had not taken a position on whether charities should own bars. Members questioned whether bar ownership is being used for site stability or to channel charitable gaming dollars, and whether city policies might disadvantage charities with broader missions. The committee also discussed the relationship between gaming organizations, manufacturers, and distributors, including restrictions on incentives and interference, and asked for more information on those entities and their ownership. Later in the meeting, the Racing Commission gave its regular update on live racing, pari-mutuel wagering, ADW providers, purse and promotion funds, a new TRPB contract, and concerns about cease-and-desist actions from other states. Finally, the State Hospital superintendent briefly reported on the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s support services, including the SORT team, training, and security assistance for the hospital campus.

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, down in Nogales, we use federal credits, working with the local nonprofit, the city, and the
• conduct a study of the economic benefits of small modular reactors and data centers to the state and local
• According to court documents and a United States Attorney press release, Ms.
• We don't need to change the whole program for something that's been done, and they have prosecuted these
• The attorney general is going after these cases of fraud and abuse, and I'm glad that we're having some

Bills: HB2352 , HB2388 , HB2418 , HB2499 , HB2500 , HB2579 , HB2584 , HB2804

Committees: House Appropriations , House House Appropriations Committee of Reference

Keywords: funding, auditor general, county treasurer, procedural reviews, state appropriations, HB2388, Arizona Commerce Authority, ACA, small modular reactor, SMR, nuclear energy, advanced nuclear, data center, data centers, economic development, study, appropriation, general fund, jobs, wages

Transcript Highlights:

• And this was particularly important because 84% of our local education groups and throughout the state
• Daniel Shirle with SEIU Local 1000.
• Hello, Justin Garcia with CAPS-UAW Local 1115. We want to thank this...
• Hello, Justin Garcia with CAPS-UAW Local 1115.
• My name is Sadalia King with UDW AFSCME Local 3930.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee heard opening remarks on the 2025 Budget Act, which will be amended into AB 101 and SB 101 for floor consideration. Committee leaders described the budget as a difficult compromise shaped by a $12 billion deficit, federal funding uncertainty, wildfire impacts, and rising out-year costs, while emphasizing a balance between compassion and fiscal responsibility. Each budget subcommittee chair then summarized major actions in their areas, including health care, human services, education, climate and transportation, housing and state administration, public safety, and oversight/transparency. Key policy items included delaying or narrowing some of the Governor’s proposed cuts, especially in Medi-Cal and other safety-net programs; preserving funding for dental care, women’s health, family planning, hospice, long-term care, IHSS, and services for undocumented Californians; and maintaining or expanding child care, foster care, food banks, and CalWORKs-related supports. Education actions included additional Proposition 98 settle-up, reduced deferrals, support for TK-12, teacher recruitment, literacy, mental health, preschool slots, and restored funding for UC and CSU. Other major items included housing and homelessness investments, wildfire and disaster response funding, transit loans and greenhouse gas reduction fund support, Proposition 36 and VOCA-related public safety funding, and oversight measures on federal impacts and state efficiency. Department of Finance and Legislative Analyst staff said the package makes some of the same savings moves as the May Revision but relies more on internal borrowing and fewer reductions, leaving a smaller reserve than the administration’s plan but still maintaining roughly $11 billion in the rainy day fund. Members from both parties largely supported the package while raising concerns about long-term sustainability, Medi-Cal costs, reserve use, and the need for future revenue and program review. The committee adopted the subcommittee actions by roll call, 18-6, with the roll held open for absent members and additional comments continuing after the vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:40:27.319><c> local</c> who serve on the state local local who serve on the state local local
• </c><01:07:01.559><c> and</c> of myself and many County attorneys and of myself and many County attorneys
• um</c><01:20:41.400><c> and</c> attorneys not Count's attorney um and attorneys not Count's attorney
• </c> we've heard from the county attorney we've heard from the county attorney that<01:35:58.239><c>
• Real quick, I got a question for the county attorney, Otter Tail County Attorney M. Dean.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• We have the opportunity through our law enforcement partners and our local state attorneys, with programs
• And that's working with your local entities, your local chiefs, and your sheriffs on these programs.
• And that's working with your local entities, your local chiefs and your sheriffs on these programs.
• I'm the Chief Deputy Attorney General.
• having the funding to keep our attorneys.

Summary: The Justice Budget Subcommittee met for an introductory overview of the justice budget and the major agencies within it. Chair Maney explained that the committee would hear broad presentations rather than detailed budget questions, and the first panel included the Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of Corrections, Commission on Offender Review, Department of Law Enforcement, Office of the State Courts Administrator, and the Attorney General’s Office. Each agency described its mission, staffing, budget, and major responsibilities, with repeated emphasis on public safety, rehabilitation, staffing shortages, technology needs, and the importance of mental health services and education in reducing recidivism. Secretary Hall described DJJ’s prevention-to-aftercare continuum, including civil citation, detention, probation, and residential commitment programs, and highlighted reductions in juvenile arrests and commitments. Secretary Dixon said DOC’s biggest issues are staffing, overtime, and inflation, while noting progress in education, reentry, and a low recidivism rate. FDLE Commissioner Glass outlined the agency’s investigative, forensic, intelligence, and protective functions, including work on fentanyl enforcement and crime reporting systems. The State Courts Administrator emphasized the judiciary’s constitutional role, case volume, and challenges in providing interpreters, experts, and technology support. Chief Deputy Attorney General Guard described the office’s litigation, criminal appeals, consumer protection, and opioid recovery work, especially defending state laws and recovering opioid settlement funds. Members then asked questions about prison conditions, immigration enforcement, court filing fees, crime reporting, staffing ratios, and transnational gangs. Agency leaders responded that they were not aware of ICE contracts in some cases, that FDLE works with immigration authorities and detention facilities under existing authority, and that filing fees are a legislative policy decision. The committee also heard from the Justice Administrative Commission, prosecutors, public defenders, guardian ad litem, regional conflict counsel, and capital collateral regional counsel, who focused on indigent representation, dependency and death penalty cases, and persistent staffing and retention problems. No votes were taken, and the meeting concluded after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• It will not affect the local discretionary sales tax.
• The method making its way back to these local providers is that this local amount is levied.
• For example, if the Sixth Circuit state attorney got a pay increase for the attorneys, was there consideration
• This is a local bill that will change our local airport name to St. Augustine Airport.
• Florida Prosecuting Attorney Association, Florida Sheriff's Association, Florida Police Chief Association

Bills: HJR 99 , HB 1399 , HB 1400 , HB 1094 , HB 365 , HB 1109 , HB 647 , HCR 35 , SB 14 , HB 12 , HB 1522 , HB 422 , HB 675 , HB 204 , HB 748 , HB 912 , HJR 99 , HB 1399 , HB 1400 , HB 1094 , HB 365 , HB 1109 , HB 647 , HCR 35 , HCR 123 , HCR 124 , HR 57 , HR 87 , HR 111 , HR 228 , HR 230 , HR 322 , HR 624 , HR 625 , HR 626 , HR 627 , HR 628 , HR 630 , HR 631 , HR 634 , HR 635 , HR 636 , HR 637 , HR 638 , HR 639 , HR 640 , HR 645 , HR 646 , HR 648 , HR 649 , HR 651 , HR 652 , HR 653 , HR 654 , HR 664 , HR 665 , HR 668 , HR 675 , HR 676 , HR 678 , HR 679 , HR 680 , HR 683 , HR 686 , HR 688 , HR 689 , HR 694 , HR 695 , HR 697 , HR 698 , HR 699 , HR 472 , HR 622 , HR 632 , HR 633 , HR 643 , HR 655 , HR 657 , HR 660 , HR 661 , HR 662 , HR 663 , HR 667 , HR 670 , HR 674 , HR 681 , HR 682 , HR 696

Transcript Highlights:

• Before joining the TEC she worked at a local law firm working with her municipal clients and various
• city attorneys.
• in the elected class are statewide elected members of the legislature in some district and county attorneys
• someone who makes contributions to such a member, and Senate Bill 12 grants jurisdiction to the Attorney
• General to prosecute criminal election offenses.