Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we have now 308 employers who have purchased coverage for their workers. 308 employers who have purchased
• So if I purchase January 1, I have to wait seven months to have a claim.
• It's county attorney offices, so the county attorney offices will use this to pay for victim advocates
• It's county attorney offices, so the county attorney offices will use this to pay for victim advocates
• It's county attorney offices, so the county attorney offices will use this to pay for victim advocates

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session on the Department of Business and Economic Affairs budget, with testimony from Chase Hegman and Kathy Frederickson. Early discussion focused on staffing and vacancies, including a senior planner position tied to FEMA requirements, a program assistant funded by federal ORID dollars, a program specialist being considered for reclassification, two Housing Champions positions to be funded in the next biennium, and temporary welcome center positions. Members also reviewed the commissioner’s office, indirect cost recoveries tied to federal program administration, and the structure and staffing of rest areas and welcome centers, including the Turnpike-funded locations and seasonal staffing patterns. Members then moved through economic development and federal grant-related accounts. Hegman explained that a large share of the agency’s funding is federal, with some programs requiring state match, including the Apex Accelerator, which supports government contracting assistance for businesses. He described Apex as a small team that helps businesses with DOD and other contracting opportunities through webinars, matchmaking, and one-on-one support. The Office of Workforce Opportunity was described as largely federally funded through Commerce-related workforce programs and subrecipients, with some general fund support for agency-wide needs. The Northern Borders Regional Commission dues and capacity grant were also discussed, with officials explaining the state’s required contribution and the federal funds used to administer the program. A major point of discussion was the proposed reduction to the Small Business Development Center, which officials said provides one-on-one technical assistance to new and small businesses and has a strong return on investment. Members questioned the cut, the federal funding sources, and whether there was a waiting list for services; officials said they would provide more detail on matching requirements and funding. The committee also reviewed travel and tourism accounts, including the joint promotional grant program and tourism advertising funds, both of which are proposed to increase. Officials said the tourism marketing formula is based on a percentage of meals and rooms tax revenue and argued that the spending generates significant visitor spending and tax revenue, citing an outside ROI study and examples of advertising in test markets. No votes were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've done a lot of meetings with county leadership and the aerospace companies there.
• Brevard County wastewater needs that are becoming very apparent.
• We've done a lot of meetings with county leadership and the aerospace companies there.
• The funds requested will provide subgrants for counties to purchase an independent automated audit program
• The funds requested will provide subgrants for counties to purchase an independent automated audit program

Bills: S0048

Keywords: housing, accessory dwelling units, affordable housing, local government, zoning regulations, military families, density bonus, homeownership, property taxes

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard presentations on the Governor’s recommended budget for fiscal year 2026-27 and then considered one bill, CS/SB 48 on accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The Governor’s office outlined a $117.4 billion overall budget, with transportation and economic development receiving about $18 billion statewide and $601 million in general revenue. Agency heads then presented priorities for Commerce, Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Military Affairs, State, Transportation, Emergency Management, and the Florida State Guard, emphasizing workforce development, housing, tourism marketing, aviation and space infrastructure, law enforcement recruitment, emergency preparedness, and military readiness. In the Commerce presentation, Secretary Kelly highlighted funding for housing programs, the Hometown Heroes program, the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, rural infrastructure and workforce grants, Reconnect and Florida WINS systems, law enforcement and firefighter recruitment bonuses, defense support, Visit Florida, Space Florida, and SelectFlorida. Senators asked about Visit Florida’s private match requirements and whether the agency fully leveraged prior appropriations; Visit Florida’s CEO said the match was met and exceeded, though it is difficult but important. The Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles presentation focused on trooper pay, pursuit vehicles, aviation assets, and enterprise data systems, with questions about immigration enforcement and body cameras. Military Affairs requested funding for readiness centers, training facilities, education and health benefits for Guardsmen, and maintenance of existing armories; members discussed Guard deployments, staffing levels, and a proposed firing range project. The Department of State requested funds for automated election audits, a conservation lab, and historic preservation, and defended its arts grant process and rule changes. Transportation’s budget emphasized a $14.3 billion work program, road and bridge maintenance, aviation and aerospace, safety initiatives, and seaport investments, while Emergency Management requested funding for preparedness, flood mitigation, WebEOC, grants management, and alert systems; senators also asked about the Alligator Alcatraz detention facility. For CS/SB 48, Senator Gates explained that the bill would require local governments to allow property owners to voluntarily create ADUs, while preserving local authority over setbacks, construction, and permitting. An amendment removed reusable tenant screening reports and clarified that conforming ADUs would be allowed by right without a separate hearing. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association supported the bill, saying ADUs could help provide long-term housing for service workers. After questions about local government and HOA authority, the committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS/SB 48 favorably by roll call vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we've done work for Pinellas County. We do work with the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.
• We started with just three counties participating.
• Every county in the state of Florida is engaged with this. This has been a remarkable program.
• As you can see so far, that's only been up and running for a year, 29 counties.
• We're going to give you a bunch of options if you're an agency CIO to purchase off of.

Summary: The subcommittee held its first meeting to examine Florida’s information technology governance, budgeting, cybersecurity, data management, and telecommunications operations. Chair Schneider and other members framed the panel as a new joint policy-and-budget forum focused on reducing jargon, improving accountability, and asking whether technology investments are feasible, aligned with state goals, cost-controlled, and secure. State Affairs Chairman Will Robinson and members emphasized that the committee should avoid buying “shiny new objects” without clear business cases and should focus on long-term value, cybersecurity, and operational efficiency. Florida Digital Service and Department of Management Services leaders provided an overview of the state IT enterprise. Secretary Pedro Allende described DMS as the state’s business, workforce, and technology service provider, while State CIO Warren Spanholz outlined Florida Digital Service’s four core areas: cybersecurity, project success, data interoperability, and enterprise architecture. Chief Data Officer Ed Ryan said the state data catalog is about 400,000 elements and roughly half of agencies are participating, and he described efforts to identify authoritative data sources and improve interoperability. Chief Information Security Officer Jeremy Rogers discussed the state cybersecurity operations center, enterprise risk management, incident response exercises, and a recurring $35 million cybersecurity resiliency budget. Chief Technology Officer Leo Schoonover described oversight of major IT projects over $10 million, updated project management standards, and a shift toward smaller phased implementations and more flexible methodologies to reduce delays and overruns. Other presenters covered telecommunications, data center operations, and cybersecurity workforce development. Director Denise Atkins said the Division of Telecommunications manages Suncom and MyFloridaNet, with nearly $336.9 million appropriated for fiscal year 2024-25, and is procuring the next network contract while emphasizing security controls and vendor flexibility. Tim Brown said the Northwest Regional Data Center operates on a chargeback basis, serves state and local customers, and returned surpluses to customers in recent years. Cyber Florida Director Ernie Ferraroso described training, workforce pipelines, K-12 outreach, a cyber range, and research programs aimed at building Florida’s cyber workforce and improving public-sector readiness. Members asked about budget setting, project delays, change orders, cybersecurity reporting, data catalog participation, interoperability, and expanding cybersecurity operations centers. Officials said chargeback rates are based on actual direct and indirect costs, project delays often stem from unclear scope and insufficient upfront planning, and cybersecurity success is measured by mean time to detect, respond, and recover. They also said the state is moving toward more modular project delivery, broader agency participation in shared cybersecurity services, and expanded CSOC locations within existing staff and budget where feasible.

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul, Dakota County, and Minnesota Housing.
• Paul, Dakota County, and Minnesota St.
• Suites are a high-end discretionary purchase.
• But going to the people purchasing stadium suites.
• <01:09:15.440> stadium going to the people purchasing stadium going to the people purchasing

Bills: HF4234, HF3697, HF1183, HF4738

Keywords: HF4234, Minnesota private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, bond cap, aggregate bond limitation, residential rental projects, multifamily housing, affordable housing finance, housing bonds, public finance, bond allocation, private activity bond cap, Minnesota Statutes 474A.02, tax committee, tax refund, Minnesota Statutes, time limit, claims, tax overpayment, taxation

Summary: The committee first adopted the April 14, 2026 minutes as amended, correcting a misspelling in the reference to Chair Davids. It then heard House File 4234, a tax-exempt bonding/affordable housing bill from Representative Rey Rower, and adopted a technical A1 amendment before laying the bill over for possible inclusion in the 2026 tax bill. The bill would conform Minnesota law to recent federal changes to low-income housing tax credit rules by lowering the amount of tax-exempt bonds needed for projects to qualify, with the stated goal of spreading bond allocations across more projects and increasing affordable housing production without additional state funds. Testimony in support came from the bill author, the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, and Mary Tingerthal, who said the change would increase efficiency in the use of federal bond authority and could raise the number of funded housing projects from about 16 to 25 per year, bringing in roughly $120 million more annually for housing. Members discussed where the benefits would be felt statewide, including greater Minnesota and larger metro areas, and the author said the bill would help address shortages in affordable and senior housing. The committee took no final vote on the bill, instead laying it over. The committee next heard House File 3697 from Vice Chair Norris, which would change Minnesota’s tax refund claim timelines to better align with federal law and most other states. The author and a tax attorney testifier said the bill would reduce confusion and help taxpayers, especially vulnerable individuals who may overpay or be overassessed and then miss the current deadline to seek refunds. The Department of Revenue said it had no concerns with the language and did not oppose the bill, and the committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion in the 2026 tax bill. Finally, the committee began hearing House File 4738 from Representative Keeler, a Safe Harbor funding proposal for victims of sex trafficking and sexually exploited youth. The author described Safe Harbor as a statewide program serving youth across Minnesota and said the committee should consider creative funding options, but Chair Davids stated the proposed funding source would not work because it would take money from women’s sports scholarships. Testifiers from Lake House in Duluth and a former Safe Harbor youth described the program’s impact on homeless and trafficked youth, including shelter, mental health services, education, and transition to adulthood. The hearing continued with testimony, but no action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• County. The applicant is Nathan Jenin. County. The applicant is Nathan Jenin.
• They had to get $16,667 in county money to multiple counties where they service.
• Union County. Union County.
• has a county 611 where every county has a county council<00:19:35.039> uh<00:19:35.200> membership
• This includes Todd County, Logan County, Muhlenberg County, and Christian County that this will be available

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:18 KOAP Report 00:58 Approval of Minutes 53:58, 958, all

Summary: The Tobacco Settlement Agreement Fund Oversight Committee met on June 11 but did not have a quorum, so it could not approve the prior minutes. The committee then received a compliance and program update from Brandon Reed and Bill McClowski of the agricultural development board, who said the office is fully staffed, has digitized most records, and has added a Facebook page to share board actions, projects, and compliance work. They also reported that the board and finance corporation continue to operate with strong county-council participation and that the office had completed numerous site visits, program reviews, and project closeouts over the reporting period. The presenters reviewed monthly funding actions from December through May, including board approvals ranging from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars, with a December finance meeting delayed by a snowstorm. They highlighted that the Kentucky Agriculture Finance Corporation now has 57 loans generating more than $2 million per month in payments, and that the revolving loan program has grown to support more than $24 million annually in repayments available for relending. They also noted that 75% of the portfolio is in beginning farmer loans and that the office had recently surpassed 1,000 active loans. Several projects were discussed in detail. These included a grain facility in Callaway County supporting organic corn production for expanding egg-layer operations, a Union County cattle business expansion, a West Liberty Veterinary Clinic project to build a working cattle facility, a Grayson County farmers market project, a Casey County veterinary services project, and a packing warehouse for the Kanye family to support specialty crops. The presenters emphasized that county and state tobacco settlement funds are often combined, sometimes with participation loans, to leverage local investment. They also stressed the importance of supporting greenhouses, farmers markets, specialty crops, and large-animal veterinary services as key agricultural priorities. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond the lack of quorum and the informational presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• in Victoria County.
• All of our counties, or the overwhelming majority of our counties are self-insured.
• each county, 'Y'all decide.'
• County, or DeWitt County, or Lee County. So I think that there's something there. Thank you.
• I'm Gary Bourne from Franklin County. I live at the south end of the county.

Bills: SB458, SB819, SB1238, SB1642, SB1643, SB1644, SB1791, SB1810, SB1824, SB1825, SB758, SB1455, SB1706

Keywords: insurance appraisal, property insurance, auto insurance, homeowners insurance, residential property, disputed loss, loss valuation, appraisal clause, appraiser, umpire, Texas Department of Insurance, TDI, insurance dispute resolution, claims adjustment, total loss, windstorm insurance, FAIR Plan, surplus lines insurance, policyholder, insurer

Transcript Highlights:

• for Senate Finance with Senate Bill 406, which appropriates $20 million to the city of Nashua to purchase
• could be purchased for $20 million. could be purchased for $20 million.
• So I do a lot lot county nursing home.
• <01:58:13.199> this is that if the state purchases this is that if the state purchases this
• <01:58:34.239> this taxes in NSHA by purchasing this taxes in NSHA by purchasing this property

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• check with the folks that were getting the free copies because we did notice that there were a few counties
• So, you know, there were a few counties where we contacted them and then actually reduced the number
• And that's from folks like Lexus, Hewton, who purchased... ...folks like Lexus, Hewton, who purchased
• So they purchase that and send us a check every year for their portion of that.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today I purchased all of these yesterday.
• Remain in stores today, I purchased all of these yesterday.
• I mean, it's very easy to purchase these products online.
• I mean, it's very easy to purchase these products online.
• We are based in Santa Barbara County, the other wine region.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee heard an audit on the Department of Cannabis Control’s oversight of cannabis packaging and labeling, focused on whether products attractive to children are being kept out of the legal market. The auditor said the department’s rules are often vague or subjective, leading to inconsistent enforcement, and that the state relies heavily on licensees to self-police because there is no upfront review before products reach the market. The audit cited examples involving cartoon-like images, bright colors, flavor references, candy-like imagery, strain names, and beverage packaging, and recommended clearer statutory standards, possible pre-approval of packaging, better enforcement tools, and stronger tracking of repeat violators. Assemblymembers and senators largely agreed that child safety is the priority, but differed on the best policy response. Some members argued for clearer legislative limits and even plain packaging, saying products like root beer, cherry pie, and cereal-like designs are plainly appealing to children. Department officials said they had already begun reforms, including a centralized label-review team, a rubric, improved databases, and more attention to repeat violations, while also emphasizing that the illicit and intoxicating hemp markets are major sources of youth exposure and that resource constraints limit inspections. They said they are open to working with the Legislature on more specific standards and additional funding. Public witnesses split between public health and industry perspectives. A pediatrician and public health advocate urged stronger restrictions, including plain packaging, limits on flavors and potency, and a pre-market review system, arguing that vague rules have failed children. Industry representatives said they support youth protections but want bright-line, objective standards so compliant businesses can know what is allowed; they argued that most youth-targeted packaging is in the illicit market and that the legal market needs clearer rules rather than broader bans. No formal vote or committee action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• WE ARE FROM COLUMBIA COUNTY. I'M A COMMISSIONER THERE. IT IS A RURAL COUNTY.
• I'M A CLAY COUNTY RESIDENT AND I HAVE BEEN IN CLAY COUNTY ALL MY LIFE.
• I REPRESENT INLAND HALF OF CLAY COUNTY BECAUSE I REPRESENT THE ENTIRE RURAL PART OF CLAY COUNTY.
• PURCHASES.
• THESE RURAL COUNTIES OF MILL AND LAFAYETTE ARE WORTH $443,000 AND HAMILTON COUNTY IS ANOTHER RURAL COUNTY

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• utilities today purchasing hydro power. utilities today purchasing hydro power.
• :16.760> agreements already under purchase power agreements already under purchase power agreements
• > that<00:10:04.240> we're we're already purchasing, that we're we're already purchasing
• But I just wanted to reiterate the anaerobic digester for Ramsey County and Washington County, both counties
• But I just wanted to reiterate the anaerobic digester for Ramsey County and Washington County, both counties

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• More from the literature: Hansen and 2012 found that the MID increased the size of home purchase, but
• encourages the purchase and construction of<01:12:11.560> larger<01:12:12.120> homes.
• ,<01:12:42.160> but increased the size of home purchase, but increased the size of home purchase
• In terms of the geographic boundaries, seven-county metro area, okay. Thank you.
• <01:22:39.480> Thank Seven-county metro area, okay. Thank Seven-county metro area, okay.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Tax Expenditure Review Commission met on June 17, 2026, approved the January 20, 2026 minutes, and then adopted updated commission procedures. The procedural changes, presented by Legislative Budget Office Director Christian Larson, required a quorum of voting members to complete evaluations before a formal recommendation vote, and allowed members to bundle or unbundle tax expenditures for voting. The commission approved the revised procedures by roll call vote, with five ayes and four excused. The commission then reviewed member evaluation summaries for tax expenditures presented in December 2025 and January 2026. It first considered the alcoholic beverage tax credits for small brewers and microdistilleries, and after discussion voted to recommend repeal of those two expenditures, while leaving the small winery credit for a later meeting because it lacked enough member responses under the new procedures. The vote on the repeal recommendation passed 4-1, with Commissioner Marquart voting no. The commission next approved the lawful gambling bundle, which included bingo, raffle, and related exemptions. Larson reported that most members recommended continuation for each item, and the commission voted to recommend continuing all six lawful gambling expenditures. It then reviewed the residential utility services bundle—residential heating fuels, residential water services, and sewer services—where members generally favored continuation but several noted possible modifications or caps for higher-income users; the commission voted to recommend continuation of the bundle. Finally, the commission reviewed the data center equipment sales tax exemption, which Larson said had an estimated annual revenue loss of $95 million and was intended to create jobs in construction and data center industries. Members raised questions about its effectiveness and whether the exemption should be modified or capped, but the commission ultimately voted to recommend continuation. The meeting concluded with these recommendations set to be included in the commission’s 2026 annual report.

Transcript Highlights:

• And when you purchase purchase vehicles.
• I spoke with the Carver County this.
• We had testimony from county 30%.
• what if it crosses the jurisdiction into Scott County or Hennepin County, and how do they coordinate
• what if it crosses the jurisdiction into Scott County or Hennepin County, and how do they coordinate

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The reality is Texas wineries are not purchasing enough local fruit. Marketing is the key.
• This last cycle and, and, and Cliff mentioned, uh, the amount of, uh, grapes that were not purchased,
• Intending to purchase raw material and they didn't do it.
• Uh, I've even purchased some of the Bingham's fruit in the past and off a contract.
• We purchased grapes from 33 different Texas families and employ 113 individuals statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our family has farmed in Terry County for over... ...a hundred years.
• This last cycle, and Cliff mentioned the amount of grapes that were not purchased.
• People intending to purchase raw material and they didn't do it.
• We also purchase more than 700 tons of Texas fruit every year.
• We have purchased some of Bingham's fruit in the past and operated under a contract.

Bills: HB589, HB705, HB1842, HB1874, HB2349, HB2614, HB2827, HB3012, HB3214, HB3308, HB3385, HB3529

Keywords: cosmetology, licensure, interstate compact, state regulations, public safety, workforce mobility, charitable raffles, nonprofit, wildlife conservation, ticket sales, fundraising, master electrician, electrical work, occupational licensing, work scope, Texas law, Texas Real Estate Commission, TREC, real estate broker, sales agent

Transcript Highlights:

• is going on between the city and county is going on between the city and county and<00:22:01.120
• Okay, so is purchasing property on Oahu allowed?
• So is the $54 million already spoken for, or is that something that HEMA is looking to use to purchase
• that haima is looking to use to purchase that haima is looking to use to purchase property<00:29
• being proposed to use to purchase being proposed to use to purchase property<00:29:55.080> on

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To purchase a minor age 16 or 17 years old for sex.
• Instead of saying that any victim of sex trafficking who's purchased...
• Somebody wants to purchase a child for sex. Those families that we talked about.
• This bill doesn't accomplish what we're trying to do, which is to make it a felony for purchasing a 16
• When it comes to Johns purchasing them for sex on the streets.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we need more facilities, especially in our county, to separate inmates from those with severe
• We're also in the process of purchasing two additional canines as well.
• We have two with... ...purchase of two more.
• This has also been echoed by multiple sheriff's offices regarding jailers in our county jails.
• It's Lee County; it's my district. This one happened in the Cedar Creek area in Bastrop County.

Bills: HB1482, HB2017, HB2103, HB2341, HB2756

Keywords: community supervision, repeat offenders, intoxication, Texas Penal Code, criminal justice reform, intoxication manslaughter, criminal penalties, mandatory supervision, parole eligibility, Grayson's Law, mental health, trauma, jailers, law enforcement, occupational health, diligent participation, state jail felony, time credits, rehabilitation programs, de-escalation

Transcript Highlights:

• That, Father Lord, the 67 counties, Father Lord, that the distress Would be lifted off of them, and that
• My really great friend, Mike Twitty, who's our Pinellas County property appraiser, is a dear friend of
• They're great business owners in Pinellas County.
• Ranchers who purchase major farm equipment.
• County.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then as you can see from about Suwannee County all the way over into the Jacksonville market, that
• They're served by 560 employees across 43 counties.
• Lucie County. And 3rd piece today is a is a growing solar flee.
• And 35 different counties across the geographical breath of Florida.
• We're incentivized to purchase where there are a tariffs, frankly, right?