Transcript Highlights:

• That would be a huge deficit for a future city if they had to take those projects on for themselves.
• We also think there may be a need for… Part of their project.
• You've also probably heard from that same article that a permit review or another project was told to
• And what they found was that in the first year after the mitigation was constructed, only 6.7% of the
• The size of the UGA itself has to be based on population projections that are provided for growth in

Summary: The committee held a work session on local government issues, beginning with an update from the State Building Code Council on four legislatively mandated code amendments now in CR-102 rulemaking: temporary emergency shelters, reduced minimum dwelling unit size, multiplex housing up to three stories and six units, and single-exit apartment buildings up to six stories. Council staff also described a separate embodied-carbon appendix proposal that remains under public review, with testimony both supporting and opposing it. Members asked about the rationale for some of the code limits, including the restriction on connecting multiplex buildings. The committee then heard a panel on annexations from MRSC, Pierce County, and the Association of Washington Cities. Witnesses reviewed annexation methods, including petition, election, and interlocal agreement approaches, and said larger annexations are increasingly using interlocal agreements because they can address infrastructure, revenue sharing, and public process concerns. They described barriers such as inconsistent local standards, the cost of infrastructure, referendum risk, census requirements, and the difficulty of persuading residents and local officials to support annexation. Members asked about the five-year restriction on residential zoning changes in one annexation method and whether a hearing examiner could reduce political pressure on local decision-makers. A second panel discussed subdivision reform. The Master Builders Association urged raising the short-plat threshold within urban growth areas to 30 lots as a simpler first step, citing permitting delays and added housing costs. The City of Spokane described implementation problems with recent housing laws, including uncertainty about how to review plats under HB 1110, lot-splitting administration, and added notice requirements for unit lot subdivisions. AWC said there was broad agreement that subdivision decisions should be more administrative, but public hearings remained a point of disagreement. The committee also heard from FutureWise, the Washington State Association of Counties, and Lewis County on county development regulation and enforcement, with witnesses emphasizing underfunded code enforcement, inconsistent standards between counties and cities, and the need for better coordination, incentives, and possibly stronger enforcement tools. No votes were taken; the chair said the committee would continue working on possible solutions in future sessions.

Transcript Highlights:

• those recommendations in a constructive those recommendations in a constructive way.<00:03:36.000
• , multi-hazard projects, multi-sector projects, and multi-jurisdictional projects because of that hub-and-spoke
• , think about multi-ben projects, think about multi-ben projects, multi-hazard<00:48:32.640> projects
• projects, multis sector projects<00:48:35.280> and<00:48:35.520> multi-jurisdictional
• projects and multi-jurisdictional projects and multi-jurisdictional uh<00:48:37.680> projects<

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The interim task force on disaster prevention and resiliency met for its fourth meeting and focused heavily on insurance markets, affordability, and mitigation. Cochairs noted they are working toward recommendations for a later fall meeting. The main presentation came from David Snyder of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, who said the insurance industry sees itself as part of the problem and part of the solution because it ultimately pays for losses created by natural conditions, development choices, and construction practices. Snyder described rising losses from natural catastrophes, inflation-driven increases in rebuilding and repair costs, more development in disaster-prone areas, wildfire exposure, severe convective storms, hail, and roof damage. He argued that Kentucky should avoid the mistakes he attributed to California, where regulatory responses contributed to a strained insurance market and greater reliance on the FAIR Plan. He said Kentucky’s private market appears to be functioning better, with relatively few FAIR Plan policies, and urged lawmakers to preserve that market through risk-based rates and policies that do not worsen availability. He recommended a broad mitigation strategy involving stronger building codes, land-use decisions, stormwater infrastructure, public access to risk data, and incentives for resilient construction. He highlighted programs such as the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, fortified-home standards, wildfire-prepared community practices, and examples from Alabama, Louisiana, and Florida showing that mitigation can produce quick returns and insurance discounts. He also suggested catastrophe savings accounts, flexible coverage options, and a whole-of-government approach that includes the insurance department, building-code agencies, first responders, FEMA, NFIP, and NOAA. In questions, a legislator asked about the prognosis if carriers continue exiting markets and if nothing is done to address affordability and accessibility. Snyder said he could not predict market exits but stressed that regulators should monitor the market closely, use available data, and focus on loss prevention and mitigation. He said insurers want to do business in Kentucky and that the long-term solution is coordinated action among public and private stakeholders to reduce risk and keep coverage available.

Transcript Highlights:

• go back and look at the actual project go back and look at the actual project records<01:17:31.600
• There isn't room for more without major construction, for which I could find no plans.
• There isn't room for more without major construction, for which I could find no plans.
• it is the completion of the projects it is the completion of the projects that<01:22:02.400>
• the construction of additional housing. the construction of additional housing.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , hospitals or medical or construction, hospitals or medical or construction, they<01:17:05.920><
• I would point out a couple of things on the projects that are to be constructed.
• I would projects that are listed there.
• :14.000> in<01:29:14.320> Wyoming say that construction in in Wyoming say that construction
• project. I think that's it there. Mr. project. I think that's it there. Mr.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• jobs and 150 permanent construction jobs and 150 permanent jobs.
• 18:59.600> at Construction is currently underway at Construction is currently underway at Marshall
• But as mentioned, track construction is going well. We will be running in Ashland in 2026.
• /c><00:39:58.640> going mentioned um track construction going mentioned um track construction
• The Kentucky Council has received approval for two workforce development projects.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from its August 21 meeting and then received an update from Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation leadership on implementation of Senate Bill 299 and House Bill 566. Jamie Eids and staff described the agency’s new structure after charitable gaming was brought under the corporation, including new divisions, staffing, banking, payroll, insurance, procurement, and reporting systems. They also unveiled the corporation’s new logo and tagline, and said the transition had been designed to avoid interruption for charities, licensees, and racing operations. A major focus was the fee structure required by House Bill 566. Eids outlined current licensing fees across racing, sports wagering, and charitable gaming, compared Kentucky’s fees with other states, and recommended keeping the status quo for one more year because the agency has only recently brought all three components fully in-house. Members asked about whether charitable gaming had harmed veterans’ groups or other nonprofits, whether any revenue should be transferred back to the state, and whether the charitable gaming licenses cover one-off raffles as well as standing operations. Eids said she had not heard complaints, said the licenses include all such activity with some exemptions, and agreed to look at the question of future transfers. The committee then heard from Melissa Combs Wright on pari-mutuel wagering and Hannah Sims on sports wagering. They reported continued growth in historical horse racing, more than $11 billion in total pari-mutuel wagering in fiscal year 2025, over $10.5 billion in HHR wagers, and about $161 million in pari-mutuel tax revenue, with most of that supporting the general fund and horse-breeding development funds. They also said sports wagering has generated nearly $5 billion in wagers since launch, $73 million for the public pension fund, and more than $2 million for problem gambling services, while expanding to 13 retail locations and 92 additional sports events. Members raised concerns about players being cut off after winning, the lack of local government revenue sharing from gaming facilities, and the growth of computer-assisted wagering; the witnesses said they were reviewing CAWs and that Kentucky does not license poker rooms through the corporation.

Transcript Highlights:

• scale are about 4hour long projects, scale are about 4hour long projects, which<00:57:17.839>
• those projections. those projections. Excuse<01:15:57.520> me.
• particularly driven by um projected particularly driven by um projected resource<01:19:43.440>
• of our projected uh, demand growth. of our projected uh, demand growth.
• not keeping pace with that projected not keeping pace with that projected demand<01:29:11.360>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The supplemental revenue from land leases for solar projects and other renewable energy projects can
• If it's a community solar project, it may not be.
• , a variety of these projects.
• , a variety of these projects.
• Bergman shared, so we're not talking about billion-dollar projects.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on H. 3256, a bill stemming from the Massachusetts Cranberry Revitalization Task Force that would remove Chapter 61A barriers for certain renewable energy projects on non-producing agricultural land. Supporters said the bill would let farmers separate adjacent land from Chapter 61A without a municipal right of first refusal, avoid rollback and advance tax penalties, and use small solar or other renewable projects to generate supplemental income while keeping the farm in operation. Testimony emphasized that the proposal is intended to be “farm-first,” limited to marginal or accessory land, and could also produce local tax revenue for municipalities. Some members raised concerns about whether the bill should be limited to solar, the appropriate project size, impacts on other agricultural sectors, and whether future sales or conversion back to other uses should trigger local rights of first refusal. Witnesses said the bill had been reported favorably in a prior session and noted that similar projects typically involve 20-year leases with extensions. The committee also took testimony on S. 2009, which would authorize regional transportation ballot initiatives. MAPC and Transportation for Mass argued that the bill would give municipalities and groups of municipalities a flexible tool to raise local revenue for transportation projects such as transit, roads, bridges, bikeways, and pedestrian infrastructure, with sunset provisions so the revenue ends when the project ends. They said the measure would not raise taxes on its own, but would allow local voters to decide whether to adopt a revenue source, and pointed to examples from other states where similar initiatives funded major transit and infrastructure projects. No votes were taken during the hearing. Testimony was also heard on S. 1922, which would create a Massachusetts fund allowing voluntary taxpayer donations to the UN Least Developed Countries Fund or related 501(c)(3) nonprofits supporting climate-vulnerable communities. Climate Reality Project representatives said the bill would let Massachusetts residents support climate resilience projects in the world’s poorest countries at no cost to the Commonwealth, and could serve as a model for other states. Senators questioned how recipient countries and nonprofits would be selected, what safeguards would exist regarding countries such as Yemen, and how taxpayers would know where donations would go; witnesses said the fund would be administered through the UN system and that they would provide more clarification. Rep. Michelle Ciccolo also testified on H. 3051, seeking a one-year deferral of the higher interest rate that applies when deferred property taxes become due after the death of a senior or veteran, saying the current jump to 16% can burden heirs and discourage use of the deferral program. The hearing concluded without any votes or committee actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• His latest project, Minnesota Masterpiece Hall, is currently under construction.
• His latest project, Minnesota Masterpiece Hall, is currently under construction.
• His latest project, Minnesota Masterpiece Hall, is currently under construction.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If he's got a project he's working on and he already has meetings scheduled, he Brian Dolan: might not
• One of the most significant costs in constructing new residential housing stock is the price of land
• We beg developers to put affordable purchase residences in their high density projects.
• When we talk about changing policy that's going to construct certain kinds of people will be able to
• We hear from folks that are first responders, teachers, service workers, construction workers - I mean

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, new construction is left out of that.
• Construction is in progress.
• Personal property has nothing to do with new construction.
• Personal property has nothing to do with new construction. Okay.
• There was a physical inspection or new construction.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AUTHORIZES A PRIVATE SCHOOL TO CONSTRUCTIVE FACILITIES ON LAND OWNED BY A CHURCH, LIBRARY, THEATER OR
• THE INTENT WAS TO ALLOW NEW CONSTRUCTION ADDING ONTO THAT AND THAT IS MAKING SURE THAT IS CAUGHT IN THE
• THE INTENT WAS TO ALLOW NEW CONSTRUCTION ON THE SAME LAND AND THERE ARE A FEW AREAS ACROSS THE STATE
• I'VE BEEN A MEMBER OF THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND EXPLOITATION LAW PROJECT FOR THE LAST THREE SEMESTERS
• IT HAS BEEN DURING THE TIME THE PROJECT IS ON THE NEED FOR THE BILL AND I WORKED TIRELESSLY TO GET IT

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:24:24.679> make and then for any new construction, make and then for any new construction
• regulatory and and construction regulatory and and construction [clears throat] [clears throat]
• <00:30:22.960> design uh certainty, local projects design uh certainty, local projects design
• <00:34:12.879> or construction or construction or the<00:34:14.200> rental<00:34:14.760
• application to any building construction application to any building construction or<01:02:20.320

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate reconvened with a quorum present and then proceeded through committee reports, largely adopting favorable reports and amendments without objection. Early measures included SB 530, which funds grants for multigenerational social connection programs for older adults; SB 731, clarifying the legal status of the Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council; SB 809, directing a feasibility study on a caregiver infrastructure program; SB 860, creating an Aging Resilience Fund with reporting and budget protections; SB 910, requiring insurance reimbursement for services provided by graduate-level clinical interns under supervision; and SB 972, making several Baltimore City alcoholic beverages licensing changes. Each of these bills was advanced to third reading after committee amendments were adopted. The Finance Committee also advanced SB 555, establishing a Dementia Services and Brain Health Program and a provider resource toolkit for dementia care; SB 757, creating a Maryland Local Sourcing Portal to connect businesses with local sources for tariff-impacted goods; SB 772, creating an employment training and opportunity database to help people qualify for or maintain Medicaid and SNAP; SB 792, requiring hospitals to adopt and train staff on immigration-enforcement policies consistent with Attorney General guidance; SB 869, establishing a workforce training pilot program through Commerce and community colleges; SB 905, creating an advanced manufacturing grant program through TEDCO; and SB 974, changing who may serve as inspector for the Caroline County Board of License Commissioners. Most of these bills were reported favorably with technical or narrowing amendments and then ordered printed for third reading. Budget and Taxation advanced SB 28, which would create binding arbitration for state employee collective bargaining impasses and include a proposed constitutional amendment requiring funding in the Governor’s budget; SB 466, expanding a physician preceptor tax credit and adjusting training-hour requirements; and later SB 704, concerning estate tax treatment for qualified agricultural property transferred to an LLC. SB 557, a gaming-related bill, was laid over until the end of the evening at the majority leader’s request. In the Education, Energy, and the Environment report, the committee advanced SB 35 on a state natural science museum designation, SB 166 on shellfish aquaculture permit sanctions, SB 189 on municipal drainage inlet safety requirements prompted by a child’s death, SB 242 on civil relief for service members and spouses, SB 266 on local regulation of invasive trees and tree-of-heaven, and SB 267 on a corporate rental-property registry and local housing application review process. SB 267 drew a brief question from the minority leader, who asked whether prior opposition remained and how the amended bill differed; the sponsor said the opposition had gone away and described the bill as now focused on a responsible-owner registry and an administrative review process.

Transcript Highlights:

• That would be a huge deficit for a future city if they had to take those projects on for themselves.
• So those projects can be built usually through a site plan approval process and building permits.
• Part of their project.
• You've also probably heard from that same article that a permit reviewer or another project was told
• In San Juan County, similar results: 75... ...was constructed. In San Juan County, similar results.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• services company, a Fortune 500 company. ...and engineering and construction services company, a Fortune
• It moves the public hurricane loss projection model to Florida State University and provides some funding
• I mentioned earlier that the bill also focuses on the public loss projection model.
• And so what— ...is on the public loss projection model.
• semester, removes the provision related to the option of setting aside 10% of allocated funds for construction

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education first took up a block of confirmation hearings for trustees and board members at several public universities and state colleges. Appointees from Florida A&M University, Florida International University, New College of Florida, Pasco-Hernando State College, South Florida State College, Valencia College, Florida Atlantic University, and the University of Florida described their backgrounds and emphasized themes such as governance, student success, workforce alignment, fiscal stewardship, research growth, and institutional reputation. Members asked a few questions, but most nominees received no substantive opposition. The committee then voted unanimously to recommend confirmation of the group of appointees on tabs 3 through 18 and forwarded them to Ethics and Elections. The committee next heard Senate Bill 114 by Senator Trumbull, which would create the Florida Center of Excellence in Insurance and Risk Management at Florida State University, move the public hurricane loss projection model from FIU to FSU, and provide funding for the effort. Trumbull said the bill is intended to strengthen the state’s insurance research capacity and broaden study of insurance lines beyond wind risk. Senators asked about the impact on FIU and the distinction between the new center and existing FIU work; Trumbull said FIU’s Wall of Wind would remain and that the state-owned model would simply be contracted to FSU instead of FIU. The committee reported the bill favorably. The committee then considered Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1624 by Senator Calatayud, a wide-ranging higher education bill addressing tuition, workforce programs, institutional operations, and naming changes. Amendments were adopted to create state college regional consortium service organizations for rural colleges, remove a proposed out-of-state fee change for nonresident online students, extend university master plan update cycles from five to 10 years, and rename Hillsborough Community College as Hillsborough College. The bill also changed several references from specific minority categories to “underrepresented,” revised aid and waiver provisions, adjusted adult education and career program rules, and made other technical changes. Senators Smith and Davis questioned the shift away from enumerated categories, arguing it could obscure disparities affecting groups such as Black students, women in STEM, and students with disabilities; Calatayud said the intent was to focus on socioeconomic access and flexibility for institutions. After debate, the committee voted 6-2 to report the bill favorably, with Senators Davis and Smith voting no, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, this is Senate Bill 241, relative to construction of a public pier on Hampton Beach.
• think I'd call it an ambitious project. think I'd call it an ambitious project.
• .<00:40:47.040> And projections.
• And projections.
• committee was bringing up projections committee was bringing up projections that<00:41:14.720>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee first took up Senate Bill 63, which Representative Maguire described as a straightforward bill setting funding for the Division of Travel and Tourism. He said it was not controversial. The committee voted to retain the bill by roll call, with one no vote and one member absent, and the motion passed 23-1-1. The committee then considered Senate Bill 74, dealing with annual reporting requirements for state departments that issue permits. Representative Maguire explained Amendment 2282 would shorten the reporting burden by requiring summary data on delayed permits rather than listing every permit, and would delay the first report until 2027 so agencies would not have to reconstruct old data. The amendment was adopted by voice vote, and the bill was then approved as amended by a 24-1 roll call vote. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 241 on construction of a public pier at Hampton Beach. Representative Sweeney moved inexpedient to legislate, saying the project was ambitious and lacked public support. The motion passed unanimously 25-0, sending the bill to consent. Division Two then took up Senate Bill 145, a replace-all amendment to the education freedom account bill. Supporters said the amendment clarified the bill, kept the policy intact, removed a reimbursement program and an open-ended appropriation, and established a cap of 10,000 students with priority for current students and certain other groups. Opponents argued the measure was still a major expansion, would increase spending after crossover, and that the cap was not meaningful. After discussion, Amendment 2301H was adopted and the bill was approved as amended by a 25-0 vote, with members noting it could go on consent because no money remained in it.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then on lines um 170 construction.
• time line 297 for the Father Project time line 297 for the Father Project Goodwill<00:23:07.520>
• Project for Pride and Living 1 time.
• Project for Pride and Living 1 million<00:23:40.640> one<00:23:41.000> time.
• are eligible and what projects are eligible, according to this.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the Browerville construction sales tax exemption.
• materials and supplies for construction materials and supplies for construction reconstruction<00
• I'm director of the Minnesota Budget Project.
• at a time that we are facing a projected at a time that we are facing a projected state<00:39:35.440
• <01:34:53.119> for<01:34:53.320> us projections for us projections for us so<01:34:54.840

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• portfolio of publicly financed projects portfolio of publicly financed projects to<00:10:16.920>
• <00:10:39.200> where previously underwritten projects where previously underwritten projects
• The projects just don't work without those two components.
• The projects just don't work without those two components.
• The projects just don't work without those two components.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes significant investments in our colleges, universities, and public school construction projects
• Dollars for local emergency preparedness and response projects. Mr.
• What is the projection of this year after year?
• . ...is going forward into the future for future loss projections.
• We have $50 million for dorms and $48 million for Orbis and a couple of other IT projects.

Summary: The Senate began with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved into floor consideration of the 2026-2027 budget. Appropriations Chair Hooper presented Senate Bill 2500, describing a $115 billion budget that reduces overall spending from the prior year, maintains reserves, and includes a 3% pay raise for state employees and 5% raises for state law enforcement, firefighters, correctional officers, and park rangers. Committee chairs then outlined major spending in their areas, including K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and environmental and agricultural programs. Highlights included increased funding for school scholarships and safety, workforce and university programs, Medicaid and child welfare, corrections operations, affordable housing, rural communities, Everglades and water quality projects, and infrastructure. Members then asked detailed questions about several budget items. Senators sought clarification on the Emergency Management Trust Fund, arts and cultural grants, Florida Forever land acquisition versus conservation easements, teacher salaries, charter school capital outlay funding, EASE grants, New College funding, DOC inmate counts and reimbursement, lottery staffing, concealed weapons licensing positions, election security funding, iBudget waiver support, ADAP funding, Medicaid hospital rate reductions, and scholarship and enrollment supplements in K-12 education. Chairs explained that some reductions reflected technical shifts or right-sizing, that some funds were being moved below the line for better tracking, and that several items—such as ADAP and corrections operations—would likely remain conference issues with the House. After questions, the Senate substituted House bills for the budget and implementing measures and adopted amendments placing the Senate language onto the House vehicles to prepare for conference. The chamber passed the budget-related bills and several conforming measures, including bills on retirement, fuel taxes, the state agency law enforcement radio system, court trust funds, judgeships, and K-12 and higher education conforming changes. Votes on the major bills were overwhelmingly unanimous or near-unanimous, and the Senate repeatedly voted to accede to the House’s request for conference on the substituted bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota Department of Transportation reviewed its cost participation policy for trunk highway projects
• ,<00:17:51.520> leading<00:17:51.840> to<00:17:52.080> lower highway projects
• , leading to lower highway projects, leading to lower shared<00:17:52.880> costs<00:17:53.360>
• <00:17:55.760> costs<00:17:56.160> and comes to construction costs and comes to construction
• projects. >> Listening to some of the city engineers and county engineers, it's almost too good to be

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The program focused first on Minnesota Republicans’ efforts to combat fraud and improve government accountability, featuring Sen. Mark Koran. He argued that fraud in programs such as Medicaid, childcare assistance, PCA, autism services, housing support, and food aid harms both taxpayers and vulnerable recipients, and he cited cases where people in need were left without services. Koran said the problem stems from weak agency oversight, overreliance on self-attestation, and poor use of available data and site visits. He described a bill and related work to strengthen an independent inspector general structure, standardize eligibility checks, require better verification and external data use, and improve agency accountability; he also said federal involvement is necessary because many programs include federal dollars. No vote was taken in the interview, but he said the Senate had already passed an inspector general-related measure and that broader reform is still needed. The second major topic was the Senate DFL’s “ICE accountability agenda” in response to federal immigration enforcement activity in Minnesota. The package includes bills to protect sensitive spaces such as schools and hospitals, ban law enforcement officers from wearing masks while on duty, and allow Minnesotans to sue the federal government in state court. DFL members framed the issue as one of constitutional enforcement tactics rather than immigration policy, and said the measures are intended to prepare the state if ICE returns. No committee vote or final action was described. The final segment covered school seclusion policy. Sen. Judy Seeberger explained that seclusion is intended as an emergency safety tool, not discipline, but said the 2023 law banning it through grade 3 removed a resource without replacing it. She said supporters of the ban point to misuse and trauma, while she and a working group sought a compromise with tighter safeguards: extending the policy through grade 12, requiring explicit parental consent and access to the room, interpreter services when needed, and reporting if seclusion is used repeatedly. She said the working group’s recommendations were largely reached by consensus, but the issue remains unresolved and it is unclear whether further legislation will advance this session.