Transcript Highlights:

• February forecast would be February forecast would be about<01:39:29.640> 8.9<01:39:30.360>
• forecasted forecasted anticipated<01:40:24.160> amount<01:40:24.640> that<01:40:25.200
• We still have overall budget forecast.
• you know, when you look at the forecast you know, when you look at the forecast and<01:43:00.640
• Well, it is new spending, but it's already in the forecast. But it's already in the forecast.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Usually we like to talk about forecasts in our presentation, but as it so happens, later this afternoon
• there is a revenue estimating conference that's going to revise the forecast, and so I left that out
• A part of this equation is also the forecast, and that certainly is coming within the next couple of
• I think we have a GR forecast that's next Friday.
• How we do that, you know, that's going to be very difficult as we navigate and get the forecast.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Finance and Tax met to hear a staff presentation on Florida property taxes. Staff Director Azar Khan gave an overview of the property tax system, including constitutional limits, January 1 assessment rules, homestead and non-homestead residential property, commercial and agricultural classifications, tangible personal property, and centrally assessed property. The presentation highlighted major exemptions and assessment caps, such as the homestead exemptions, Save Our Homes, the 10% cap for non-homestead property, and favorable treatment for agricultural/classified use land. It also reviewed long-term growth in just value and taxable value statewide, along with declining millage rates over time as taxable values have risen. Members then discussed the possibility of eliminating property taxes and the fiscal consequences of doing so. Senator Jones asked about the impact on local governments and referenced estimates that replacing property tax revenue could require roughly $43 billion; staff responded that current levied amounts are in the ballpark of more than $30 billion for non-school levies and more than $20 billion for school levies, but that the exact impact would depend on county and district budgets and collections. Senators Bernard, Passidomo, Gates, and others emphasized the need for more data on alternative revenue sources, such as sales tax increases or other combinations, and for input from counties and cities before considering broad tax changes. Chair Avila explained the presentation was intended to give members a foundation before property tax proposals are heard in committee, noting that several bills had already been filed involving homestead and tangible personal property. No bills were voted on, and no formal action was taken beyond the informational presentation. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm not sure how they go about reviewing these after the February forecast.
• <00:17:29.960> is when the Fe February forecast is when the Fe February forecast is released
• So I'm not sure how they go about reviewing these after the February forecast.
• so I'm not sure how they go about reviewing these after the February forecast.
• <00:18:33.320> so is based on the November 24 forecast so is based on the November 24 forecast

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:37:05.680> you know looking ahead at the forecast you know looking ahead at the forecast
• But it is unwise in my opinion to get out ahead of the February forecast.
• We don't even know what the February forecast is going to say.
• So, I February forecast is going to say.
• We're not waiting for the February forecast. We're not waiting for anything.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 3403, authored by Vice Chair Rep. Kazowski, and first adopted an A1 amendment. The amendment made technical and implementation changes recommended by the Department of Revenue, allowed a small portion of funds for county and tribal administrative costs, and clarified timing and reporting for spent and unspent funds. After the amendment was adopted, the bill was moved to Ways and Means. Rep. Kazowski described HF 3403 as a $50 million emergency rental assistance measure to help stabilize households facing eviction, with $44 million directed to counties and $6 million reserved for tribal nations, administered through the Department of Revenue using the existing local homeless prevention aid formula. Supporters said the bill would provide immediate, targeted help to renters and landlords, prevent evictions, and reduce downstream costs to shelters, schools, employers, and health systems. Several testifiers, including representatives from Greater Twin Cities United Way, St. Louis County, Hennepin County, Minneapolis, social workers, a resident, and tribal housing leaders, said local resources were insufficient to meet rising need and emphasized the impact of federal immigration enforcement and related economic disruption on families, workers, and communities. Testimony highlighted sharp increases in rental assistance requests, rising eviction filings, depleted county funds, and the strain on nonprofit and mutual aid efforts. County and city officials said emergency rental assistance and related legal services had already prevented thousands of evictions, but current funding was not enough. Tribal testimony stressed disproportionate homelessness among Native Americans and supported the bill’s tribal allocation. During member discussion, Rep. Amani Hiltsley said the bill was an economic stabilization tool and requested a roll call vote, noting safeguards against fraud and the broader costs of inaction.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also forecasts those costs into year-of-expenditure dollars.
• best job at looking backwards to look forwards on what the inflation forecast ought to be.
• Inflation has been higher than ODOT forecast.
• I give the specific example of the traffic and revenue forecast.
• I give the specific example of the traffic and revenue forecast.

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The committee first received an informational update on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project from Carly Francis and Travis Brower. They described the project’s purpose as improving seismic resilience, safety, freight movement, transit, and bicycle/pedestrian access across the Columbia River, and said the updated cost estimate is $13.2 billion to $14.4 billion for the full corridor. They explained the increase from the 2022 estimate as driven by construction inflation, a more conservative inflation curve, schedule delays, more detailed engineering, and risk modeling. They also outlined the funding plan, including $2.1 billion in federal funds, $1 billion each from Oregon and Washington, and $1.5 billion in projected toll revenue, and said they are working to obligate federal funds by the end of September. The panel described a first funded phase that would include the bridge, highway connections, tolling infrastructure, bridge removal, and transit design, with light rail to Vancouver still intended but dependent on additional funding. Members questioned the risk of losing federal transit funds, whether bridge design decisions were being made with legislative input, and whether the space reserved for light rail could be used for buses if transit funding does not materialize. The committee then heard testimony on maintaining Oregon’s existing roads and bridges from representatives of Knife River, the Asphalt Pavement Association of Oregon, and CRH. Witnesses said pavement and bridge preservation is severely underfunded, with ODOT needing about $400 million per year for pavement preservation but receiving roughly $100 million annually. They showed examples of deteriorating highways such as U.S. 97 and I-84 and argued that delaying maintenance leads to much higher reconstruction costs, more safety risks, and higher user costs. Knife River described layoffs and reduced work in Oregon because of limited preservation funding, while witnesses also said rising wages, equipment costs, fuel, and permitting delays are increasing project costs. Committee members asked about the role of prevailing wage, diesel equipment, hauling distances, and whether preservation work could be prioritized more effectively. Finally, economist Joe Cortright presented on recent ODOT megaproject cost overruns. He said Oregon has experienced persistent overruns driven by overly optimistic revenue forecasts, heavy reliance on debt, consultant costs, inflation above forecast, and projects that have become much larger in scope than originally presented. He cited major increases in the Interstate Bridge, Rose Quarter, and Abernathy Bridge projects and argued that some designs are far wider and more expensive than necessary. Cortright said better accountability, clearer priorities, and more disciplined project sizing are needed, and committee members pressed him on why agencies proceed with larger designs even when consultants recommend narrower, less expensive alternatives.

Transcript Highlights:

• Forecasted programs are in each revenue forecast.
• in February when we get a new forecast in February when we get a new forecast it<00:08:10.120>
• Go down to the next set: forecasted programs.
• Berg: Is that FFP number also a forecasted number that will change with the forecast, or is that based
• Is that FFP number also a forecasted number that will change with the forecast, or is that based on past

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met for an introductory overview of its jurisdiction and budget, with the chair emphasizing the committee’s role over a large portfolio of children, youth, and family programs and the new Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). House Research and House Fiscal staff explained their roles and described the 2023-24 reorganization that transferred many programs from DHS, DPS, MDH, and MDE to DCYF, along with a statute recodification and a crosswalk resource for members. Doug Berg then walked through the committee’s budget structure, explaining the difference between all-funds and general fund views, the major funding sources, and how forecasted programs and grant bases roll forward. He highlighted that the committee’s general fund base is a little over $2.1 billion for the biennium, with large federal components such as SNAP and TANF, and noted smaller accounts including child protection-related opioid funds and federal reimbursement offsets (FFP) for administrative costs. Members asked several questions about federal financial participation, TANF, and the effect of the repeal of the Diversionary Work Program (DWP). Staff explained that FFP generally applies to administrative costs for federally related programs and usually does not change much unless program activity changes, while TANF is a block grant that has been stable for years. On DWP, staff said the program was sunsetted effective March 1, 2026, and that the associated funding and administrative costs were being reworked rather than simply removed. A member also asked about federal funding fluctuations; staff said no changes were currently factored in, though SNAP or other federal policy changes could alter future numbers. Danielle Penelli then presented on economic assistance and employment supports transferred to DCYF, focusing first on MFIP, Minnesota’s state-supervised, county-administered welfare program jointly funded by state and federal dollars. She explained that MFIP provides cash and food assistance, employment and training services, and related supports, with a 60-month time limit and certain exemptions for illness, incapacity, or other barriers to employment. She also described the program’s income and asset standards, including a $10,000 asset limit with exclusions for homesteads and one vehicle per assistance unit member age 16 or older. Members asked clarifying questions about how the time limit applies and what assets count, and staff responded that the limit applies to the caregiver and does not restart with additional children. Penelli also introduced support services grants, which fund employment services for MFIP, DWP, and SNAP participants through workforce centers, counties, tribes, and community agencies, and help cover some county and tribal administrative costs. She began outlining nutrition programs under DCYF, including SNAP, the Minnesota Food Assistance Program, the Minnesota Food Shelf Program, the Emergency Food Assistance Program, and the American Indian Food Sovereignty Program. No formal votes or bill actions were taken during this meeting; it was primarily an informational staff briefing and question-and-answer session.

Transcript Highlights:

• earlier, and now it looks like that may be revised up. to ERCOT and PUC as they're the ones making the forecasts
• Lines 4 through 12 to improve ERCOT's load forecasting.
• . of things we discovered through this process is that there's a lot of uncertainty in forecasting now
• year later and adding another 60 megawatts and in doing that, they it would escape some of the forecasting
• Uh, for we were in in forecasting. If you, uh, the that are caught in the P. U. C.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Residential and small commercial consumers will benefit from more accurate load growth forecasting and
• To that end, a mechanisms to determine whether forecasted load growth is real and sustainable may be
• The load went up and down with, with, with, uh, with the forecast.
• We have House Bill 5066, which is driving that forecast.
• Um, a lot of data centers, of course, the, the bottom bracket there is just your base forecast, but then

Transcript Highlights:

• , a week and a half when the next forecast comes out.
• when the next forecast comes out.
• when the next forecast comes out.
• forecasts.
• Um and and uh in the future forecasts.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HHFDC's 2019 Hawaii housing planning study forecasts demand over the five years from 2020 to 2025 of
• HHFDC's 2019 Hawaii housing planning study forecasts demand over the five years from 2020 to 2025 of
• As a result, the same study forecasts a demand of 1,855 units of 100 to 120 to 140% AMI rentals over
• a demand of 1,855 units of 100 forecasts a demand of 1,855 units of 100 to4<00:36:12.240> 120
• is needed for 120 to 140 study forecasts is needed for 120 to 140 Ami<00:37:38.640> rental<00

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a series of housing measures focused on streamlining approvals, reshaping financing programs, and expanding affordability requirements. SB 27 would exempt state-financed housing developments from County Council approval; SB 38 would bar county legislative bodies from changing housing proposals in ways that increase project costs; SB 25 would let counties reduce housing capacity in one area only if they offset it elsewhere with no net loss; and SB 379 would require perpetual affordability covenants for HHFDC projects and prohibit affordable housing in special flood hazard areas. SB 378 would create an HHFDC working group to identify mixed-use Maui properties for possible acquisition, SB 414 would authorize condemnation proceedings for a new Lānaʻi access road tied to disaster recovery, and SB 13 would eliminate the state income tax mortgage interest deduction for second homes. Testimony was mixed across the bills, with state agencies and housing advocates generally supporting faster permitting and more production, while county planners, NAIOP, Catholic Charities, and others raised concerns about local control, marketability, financing feasibility, and long-term affordability enforcement. A major portion of the hearing centered on the rental housing revolving fund. SB 70 would limit eligible applicants to government agencies or organizations that reinvest all surplus into additional housing; HHFDC said most developers would not object in principle but questioned how the surplus requirement would be enforced, while NAIOP and Catholic Charities opposed it as too restrictive and difficult to monitor. SB 71 would amend the fund’s preference criteria and eligibility rules, and SB 163 would require HHFDC to prioritize projects with the shortest repayment terms and highest unit production per dollar per year. HHFDC and some advocates supported the goal of faster recycling of funds, but NAIOP and Catholic Charities warned that shorter loan terms and narrowed preferences could burden developers and disincentivize projects, especially for lower-income tenants. The chair indicated SB 163 would be deferred and its concerns folded into amendments to SB 71. In decision-making, the committee voted to pass SB 27, SB 38, SB 70, and SB 71 with amendments, and SB 25 unamended. The chair said SB 27 would be amended to include projects with a state financing commitment and a report note that such projects still undergo 21-38 review; SB 38 would receive technical changes and language preventing county bodies from imposing cost-increasing conditions; SB 70 would add language addressing enforcement of the surplus requirement and a preamble citing the need to recycle taxpayer-financed housing value; and SB 71 would be amended to incorporate concerns raised in SB 163, including a broader preamble and revised priority criteria. SB 163 was deferred, while the other measures on the agenda were heard but no final action was described in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:06:23.840> for<00:06:24.000> the<00:06:24.080> mile forecast for the mile forecast
• That is what is currently forecast.
• We're forecasting the 1% reduction.
• <00:25:02.760> that representative McKenzie we forecast that representative McKenzie we forecast
• we do impact both recessionary forecasts we do impact do<00:25:40.080> forecast<00:25:40.799>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a forecast bill, and I'm going to have Mr. Strom introduce the bill, if I could.
• Representative Kisha, House File 780 is the annual forecast adjustment bill.
• The November forecast had initial adjustments, as you can see from the bill.
• Strom regarding the mechanics and the purpose of this forecast bill?
• <01:20:24.159> bill forecast bill forecast bill uh<01:20:25.639> chair<01:20:25.960>

Bills: HF56, HF780

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:

• For FY 27 and 28, the consensus forecasting group lottery revenue forecast was $365 million each year
• In fact, the forecast was within $76,000 of the $114 million appropriation for FY 25.
• The forecast for FY 27 is $117.5 million and $118.9 million for FY 28.
• lottery revenue forecasting group lottery revenue forecast<00:41:12.079> was<00:41:12.560>
• forecast was $365 million each year. forecast was $365 million each year.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education heard presentations from the University of Louisville and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) on their strategic plans, enrollment trends, and budget priorities. University of Louisville President Bradley highlighted the university’s new five-year strategic plan, its R1 research status, community-engaged and opportunity college classifications, record enrollment of 25,005 students, and its role in serving first-generation, Pell-eligible, military-connected, and rural students. He also emphasized the university’s economic and workforce impact, including athletics, nursing, dentistry, and a recent Speed School building, and previewed major capital and program requests: a $142 million STEMH building, a $15 million one-time request for National Cancer Institute-related cancer research, and $5.3 million for the Kentucky Manufacturing Extension Partnership. He also discussed a planned $260 million health sciences building and the university’s efforts to expand health care access beyond Louisville through regional sites and residency partnerships. Members responded positively, with Representative Tipton asking about agency bond projects and regional health outreach, and President Bradley saying the university is evaluating debt capacity and exploring smaller projects while noting that the STEM building request would rely on state-funded debt service. He described UofL Health’s expansion into places such as Bullitt County, Shelbyville, Madisonville, and Paducah, and its efforts to train physicians for rural practice. Representative McCool praised the university’s military-friendly designation and cancer research priorities and noted personal family ties to UofL. Michaela Aman, a sophomore from Letcher County, also testified about how UofL has supported her as a rural student and emphasized the university’s commitment to opportunity and social mobility. KCTCS President Ryan Quarles and CFO Todd Kilburn then presented the system’s enrollment, completion, and workforce-training results. They said KCTCS now serves more than 110,000 students, graduated a record 24,000 students last May, and has moved from 45th to 4th nationally in graduation rate. They also highlighted that over half of students are first-generation, 60% work while enrolled, 70% of graduates work in Kentucky, and 74% graduate with no student loan debt. KCTCS described its common-course-numbering agreement with Morehead State as part of a broader transfer simplification effort, and said it trains about 200,000 Kentuckians annually when including workforce training and firefighter instruction. The system also outlined efficiency measures, including property sales, a new bookstore contract projected to save $4.3 million over five years, and a new evaluation process for real estate and facilities. KCTCS’s budget and capital requests included operating funding tied to enrollment growth, support for the TRAINs program, the ECTC training facility at Glendale, continued support for Health Force Kentucky, three capital construction projects at Jefferson, Bluegrass, and Gateway, and asset preservation funding focused on safety and security upgrades. Quarles also referenced House Bill 5, saying it would expand KCTCS’s correctional education and re-entry work and could help reduce recidivism. Members asked about the bill and its impact, and KCTCS said it already provides instruction in jails and prisons and sees the proposal as an extension of that work.

Transcript Highlights:

• . money in the February forecast being money in the February forecast being available<00:06:27.280>
• Again, the differences between the two columns is just the less money in the February forecast.
• Again, the differences between the two columns is just the less money in the February forecast.
• Again, the differences between the two columns is just the less money in the February forecast.
• <00:13:20.399> Um, money in the February forecast. Um, money in the February forecast.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, we didn't have much of a projected surplus in the November forecast.
• You know, we didn't have much of a projected surplus in the November forecast.
• You know, we didn't have much of a projected surplus in the November forecast.
• You know, we didn't have much of a projected surplus in the November forecast.
• You know, we didn't have much of a projected surplus in the November forecast.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• happens that later this afternoon, there is a revenue estimating conference that's going to divide the forecast
• Weve sometimes group real property just so that we are able to understand that and forecast what's happening
• Part of this equation is also the forecast and that, you know, that that that certainly is is is coming
• I believe I think we have a GR forecast. That's that's next Friday.
• You have 3 that gate and get the fort forecast.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• forecast forecast Appropriations<00:53:59.599> and<00:53:59.839> then<00:54:00.319>
• Then you see the November forecast, so those are base numbers.
• will see zeros in the November forecast will see zeros in the November forecast area<00:58:58.960
• as reductions came from utilizing past-year data and then forecasting into the future data.
• <01:45:06.119> as of the amounts that were forecasted as of the amounts that were forecasted

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That would be at not quite $600 million as the forecast.
• If we go to the next slide, then we'll show the total State Road Fund forecast in nominal terms.
• The forecast as far out as 2050. We also need to consider inflation.
• Once inflation forecasts are taken into account, we're looking at about a 50% decline in...
• The orange area shows the forecasted revenue loss due to increased miles per gallon.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, you know, next week, or later this week, we will have the updated forecast, so um part of the reason
• so um part of the updated forecast so um part of the reason<00:05:14.280> why<00:05:14.400>
• In November 2024, Minnesota Management and Budget forecast a state government budget deficit of $3.5
• Minnesota management and budget forecast Minnesota management and budget forecast a<00:14:26.839
• and budget forecast a state government<00:15:03.560> budget<00:15:04.120> deficit<00:15

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Just to note, any appropriations made by the committee would be based on the February 4 forecast, that's
• Just to note, any appropriations made by the committee would be based on the February 4 forecast, that's
• Just to note, any appropriations made by the committee would be based on the February 4 forecast, that's
• that's either late February forecast that's either late February beginning<00:21:00.240> of<00
• and I think that's all I have forecast and I think that's all I have unless<00:21:08.799> there's

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Legacy Finance Committee held its first meeting of the session, with members and staff introducing themselves and the chair emphasizing the committee’s role in overseeing Minnesota’s Legacy Amendment funds. The committee then received an overview of the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund from Mary Davis. She explained that the fund receives 19.75% of the 1% sales tax, is constitutionally limited to arts education, arts access, and preserving Minnesota history and cultural heritage, and is not a guaranteed base for prior recipients. She reviewed major recipients and statutory requirements, including the Minnesota State Arts Board’s 47% share, funding for the Historical Society, libraries, humanities and cultural organizations, public media, and the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council. She also noted the 5% reserve requirement, reporting obligations, and a 2023 legislative directive to improve access through free or reduced admission and outreach to households regardless of income. The committee next heard from Janelle Taylor on the natural resources funds, focusing on the Clean Water Fund and Parks and Trails Fund. She said the Clean Water Fund receives 33% of Legacy revenues and must be used to protect, enhance, and restore water quality and protect groundwater, with at least 5% dedicated to drinking water sources. She described the Clean Water Council’s recommendation process and said most of the money goes to Board of Water and Soil Resources projects, with additional funding for PCA and DNR monitoring. In response to a question about Hastings and PFAS contamination, she said the legislature could appropriate clean water money if the project fits the constitutional criteria and protects drinking water sources. For the Parks and Trails Fund, she explained it receives 14.25% of Legacy revenues and is allocated under the long-standing 40-40-20 split: 40% to state parks and trails, 40% to metropolitan regional parks and trails, and 20% to Greater Minnesota regional parks and trails. House Fiscal Analysis staff then reviewed the reserve requirement and available balances, noting that each Legacy fund must keep a 5% reserve to protect against forecast changes. For the upcoming biennium, they cited approximately $327.229 million available for the Outdoor Heritage Fund, $184.73 million for the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, and $133.13 million for the Parks and Trails Fund, with the Clean Water Fund total discussed earlier at about $311 million. Members briefly discussed the importance of the reserve and the zero-base nature of the funds. The committee then moved on to an overview of the Outdoor Heritage Fund and Outdoor Heritage Council from Mark Johnson and Joe Pelco, who explained that the fund was approved by voters in 2008, lasts 25 years, receives about one-third of the 3/8 of 1% sales tax, and is used to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife. They described the council’s statutory role, the small grants program for projects from $5,000 to $500,000, and the annual recommendation process, but no votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.