Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, you know, you can imagine, for example, a map that would have splashy things with all the capital
• I have to apologize, I was knee-deep in capital budget negotiations when all this was flying around,
• I have to apologize, I was knee deep in capital budget negotiations when all this was flying around.

Summary: The committee approved the minutes as corrected and noted there were no employment disclosure forms. It then discussed a draft advisory opinion on legislative stickers, pens, business cards, and similar items. Members agreed the opinion should identify historically provided items as presumptively within normal legislative conduct, but add clearer language that such items still cannot be used in a campaign-related way or otherwise conflict with ethics rules on use of public resources. Staff said Legislative Support Services and administration would be the main points of review for questionable requests, and the draft would be revised for board review. The committee also reviewed a second advisory opinion request about legislative and caucus staff interacting with caucus social media posts. The discussion focused on whether staff may like or engage with posts about legislation or policy positions. Members generally agreed that liking or otherwise engaging with caucus posts could be viewed as support and could create ethics problems, especially because social media content remains online and could later be tied to legislation. The draft was to be revised to draw clearer lines for compliance. Members then discussed a long-running project to review and either retain or retire older advisory opinions, and agreed to continue and complete that review process. They also discussed the recently passed ethics bill and supported issuing an ethics alert summarizing major changes, including concerns about a House amendment affecting social media and website references during the election year activity period. Finally, the committee approved spending about $19,171 to digitize archived case files into searchable format, with members expressing support for moving away from paper records. After public business ended, the committee adjourned the public session and planned to reconvene in executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Model Toxics Control Capital and Model Toxics Control Operating, 60 and 10.
• Model toxic control capital and model taxes control operating, 60 and 10.
• from the very top line, which is the assumption of additional debt service costs related to the new capital

Summary: The conference committee met on Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5167, the state operating budget, and received a detailed staff briefing on the proposed conference report. Staff explained how to read the comparison documents, the four-year balanced-budget outlook, and the main resource assumptions, including use of the March 2025 revenue forecast, exclusion of the statutory 4.5% growth assumption, revenue legislation totaling about $8.7 billion, numerous fund transfers, and reversion assumptions. They also noted the proposal does not include a temporary salary reduction or furloughs. The briefing highlighted major policy areas and their net five-year impacts, including increases for state and higher education employee compensation, K-12 education, long-term care and developmental disabilities, corrections, information technology, and other policy items. It also described net reductions in behavioral health, children/youth/families, higher education, natural resources, other human services, and health care/public health, with many of the changes tied to delayed programs, rate adjustments, fund shifts, and savings options from Governor Ferguson. The committee then heard member comments, with supporters emphasizing K-12 funding and fiscal responsibility, and Senator Gildon opposing the process and the closed-door nature of the budget development. A motion was made and seconded to recommend adoption of the conference report and pass the bill. The roll call showed one member voting do not recommend, one member excused, and the remaining members recommending adoption. By vote of the committee, the conference report was adopted, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• a great time this morning<00:15:31.279> touring<00:15:31.639> the<00:15:31.800> capital
• ><00:15:32.199> got<00:15:32.319> to<00:15:32.440> visit morning touring the capital
• got to visit morning touring the capital got to visit the<00:15:32.759> governor's<00:15:33.240

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• officer<00:02:02.399> at<00:02:02.600> the<00:02:02.799> state<00:02:03.119> capital
• ><00:02:03.520> up<00:02:03.719> here<00:02:04.719> and officer at the state capital
• up here and officer at the state capital up here and as<00:02:06.000> agitant<00:02:07.000>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• :49.040> really Capital for reinvestment becomes really Capital for reinvestment becomes really
• cost of capital. cost of capital.
• c> regulatory<00:40:09.599> environment capital and the regulatory environment capital and
• It's very capital support those vessels.
• something that accounts for the capital something that accounts for the capital intensive<01:04:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard SB 2694 SD2, which would authorize the Public Utilities Commission to create automatic adjustment mechanisms for water carriers, including a water carrier inflationary cost index, and to waive certain requirements under the Hawaii Water Carrier Act. Testimony was sharply divided. The Department of Transportation, Young Brothers, and several shipping, harbor, labor, and business-related supporters argued the bill would modernize regulation, reduce the need for large catch-up rate cases, and help keep rates aligned with rising costs. Young Brothers said its current rate-setting process is expensive and delayed, and that annual adjustments with guardrails such as a 5% cap and periodic full reviews would support sustainable operations and the state’s supply chain. Some supporters also said the company’s less-than-container-load service and required inter-island routes create costs that are not fully covered by current rates. Opponents, including the Consumer Advocate, the Maui Chamber of Commerce, Hawaii Food Industry Association, restaurant and chamber groups, and other businesses, argued the bill would lead to higher costs for consumers and businesses and should not move forward. Several testified that shipping costs already significantly affect pricing and that automatic increases would worsen the cost of living. The Consumer Advocate said Young Brothers should focus on cost control and implementing its business plan rather than automatic rate increases. The Maui Chamber and others pointed to a recent PUC decision that imposed a two-year stay on rate increases and said the bill would undermine that protection. Some opponents urged the committee to defer to the PUC’s regulatory authority. The PUC explained that it regulates water carriers as public utilities under existing statute and said it had recently approved a temporary rate increase while imposing a two-year stayout period on further increases, with emergency relief still possible. PUC members said they were still examining whether they have authority to adopt the proposed WICI mechanism by rule and wanted legislative clarity. In response to questions, the PUC said it prefers the current two-year stayout as reflected in its order. Young Brothers also clarified that it serves less-than-container-load cargo, that some routes and services are cross-subsidized because they are not profitable, and that an independent observer is being put in place to monitor implementation of its updated business plan. The transcript ended with the committee still taking questions; no final vote or disposition on the bill was shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's kind of like wearing your snow boots in July, you know, like waiting for the snow.

Bills: HF3965, HF3704, HF3260, HF3718

Keywords: pesticide, agriculture, environmental protection, health risks, chemical safety, local agriculture, insecticides, pollinators, seeds, environmental health, neonicotinoids, systemic insecticides, civil penalties, pest management, land trends, report, appropriation, farmers, veterinary medicine, veterinary technology

Transcript Highlights:

• Food shelves are kind of the boots-on-the-ground local organizations that directly impact support for

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to honor you all here at your capital to honor you all here at your capital today<00:17:00.440><
• Thank you for being at your capital Thank you for being at your capital today.
• Congratulations, Coach, on an capital.
• murder, capital murder. murder, capital murder.
• Uh you're talking about the capital Uh you're talking about the capital offenses<01:55:02.480>

Keywords: MS House Floor - 31 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a guest vocalist, and the Pledge of Allegiance before moving into routine business. Members first recognized several special guests and school groups, including championship teams from Simpson County Academy, New Albany High School, Tougaloo College, Madison-Richland Academy, East Rankin Academy, Morton High School, and others, along with honorees such as Dr. Katrina Cox, Pamela Moody, Joe Helen Joey Walker, and Jimmy Carr. The chamber also noted a prior resolution honoring Reverend Dr. Victor Dixon and the Copiah County Ministerial Alliance, and Dr. Dixon led the opening prayer. On the calendar, the House adopted a conference report on House Bill 1752 dealing with judicial salaries. The report set new salary amounts for state court judges effective January 1, 2027, froze district attorney salary increases until January 1, 2028, and then tied DAs to 95% of circuit and chancery judges’ pay. It also removed mandatory raise language for judges and county court judges, and members briefly discussed the broader issue of legislative compensation. The report passed 115-2. The House then adopted a conference report on House Bill 377, the missing persons bill, which clarified definitions, added forensic genetic genealogy testing provisions, and set timelines for law enforcement to enter credible missing-person reports into NamUs and NCIC. That report passed 120-0. The chamber also adopted a conference report on House Bill 525, changing the penalty for sexual battery in a position of trust or authority from a 0-to-30-year range to a 5-to-30-year range; it passed 112-0. Later, the House adopted a conference report on House Bill 925 after removing veto-message language, and adopted another conference report on House Bill 939 combining a low-sat repealer change and a fire truck acquisition program that creates a Fire Equipment Fund supported by recurring black tag revenue. The House also approved unanimous-consent amendments to Senate Bill 3105 and recommitted Senate Bill 2747 for further work.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:11:08.080> Improvement and I look at your Capital Improvement and I look at your Capital
• Capital Improvement project request uh Capital Improvement project request uh thank<02:14:31.000>
• Capital formation is fueling industry growth.
• Access to capital is a cornerstone of economic development.
• <05:13:58.000> and Workforce in human capital and Workforce in human capital and cultivating

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Finance received an informational briefing from the Department of Education on its budget request for the upcoming fiscal year. The Superintendent and staff described the department’s mission, enrollment and staffing scale, recent gains in NAEP reading and math, persistent attendance problems since the pandemic, and the need for resources to support student recovery, middle school math, and other strategic priorities. The department said its proposal is intended to be aligned with its 2023–2029 strategic plan, fiscally balanced, and reliable for schools, while also addressing inflation, workforce needs, and uncertainty in federal funding. Assistant Superintendent and CFO Brian Hallet reviewed federal grants, non-general funds, and the budget development process. He said federal funds make up about 11% of the department’s FY25 appropriation and warned that House budget proposals could threaten predictable funding for core programs. He also explained that the department began its biennial budget work in April 2024 and used an internal review group to identify possible reallocations. The department characterized its request as a “flat” budget proposal overall, with a large share devoted to continued funding for existing recurring needs, and noted challenges including a projected state funding decline, inflation, lingering pandemic impacts, recruitment and retention, and uncertainty about future federal support. A major topic was the department’s capital improvement program. DOE officials argued for a risk-based, proactive approach using lump-sum “buckets” to manage facilities and deferred maintenance across more than 21.5 million square feet at 268 sites. They said this would allow more efficient prioritization of projects and better coordination with complex area superintendents, principals, and legislators. Members asked about how legislative priorities would fit into the bucket system, county-versus-state property jurisdiction issues affecting school facilities, enrollment decline and staffing ratios, and how the department plans to adjust facilities and human resources to shifting enrollment patterns. DOE said it is studying enrollment trends, will brief the Board of Education next month, and is willing to provide further briefings to legislators. No votes or formal actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:36.720> construction, capital construction, capital construction, building<00:21:38.799
• > reserve<02:09:41.920> and thing about the capital reserve and thing about the capital
• That's just not the nature of the purpose of the capital reserve funds.
• <02:13:38.960> reserve um districts will have a capital reserve um districts will have a capital
• nature of the purpose of the capital nature of the purpose of the capital reserve<02:14:18.719><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and because that was an issue right here for the Capital Center for the Arts and Concord, they didn't
• Center for the Arts here for the Capital Center for the Arts and<00:29:44.720> Conquered,<00:
• It lowers the cost of capital for the development.
• Cost of capital for the development improves project feasibility and allows infrastructure to be built
• all that usually goes under capital all that usually goes under capital improvement<04:21:28.720

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > you<00:09:01.760> know Representative Frock: Um, isn't adding to the existing fleets capital
• RSA 79-E:4-a as it now exists enables municipalities to create a non-lapsing capital reserve fund or
• She said it seems more like a capital reserve account.
• capital reserve account as I read it. capital reserve account as I read it.
• There is the um revol the capital There is the um revol the capital reserve<01:30:50.800> fund

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• delays in capital improvements.
• public schools when it comes to capital public schools when it comes to capital improvement.<01:
• <01:53:26.560> delays<01:53:27.000> in<01:53:27.120> capital because of capital
• delays in capital because of capital delays in capital improvements.<01:53:28.640> And<01:53:
• This would be $200 given to them per student for capital improvement.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, April 10, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate reconvened with a quorum and began by reading House messages and first-reading bills, including SB 8 on identity fraud and deepfakes and HB 145 on election misinformation and deepfakes, which was referred to Rules. The chamber then handled several concurrence and conference matters. On HB 154, the Open Meetings Act bill for county boards of education, the Senate initially moved to recede from its amendments and accept the House version, but debate centered on a Senate transparency amendment limiting school boards’ ability to censor recordings. A motion to reconsider the amendments was laid over for 15 minutes. On SB 514, a third-degree assault bill, the House refused to recede and a conference committee was appointed. A guest introduction also welcomed a 10-month-old visitor to the gallery. In second-reader business, the Senate adopted committee amendments and advanced SB 504, which strengthens data privacy protections and limits use of personal data for immigration enforcement, and SB 790, the Public Health Reform Act, which revises the Commission on Public Health, updates the Maryland Medical Reserve Corps, adds health equity review processes, and makes related administrative changes. Both bills were reported favorably with technical and conforming amendments and ordered printed for third reading. The chamber then took up HB 191, which would require merchants to accept cash for essential consumer goods and set related rules and exceptions; members questioned its scope, exemptions, and enforcement, and the bill was laid over pending clarification about whether stadiums are covered. Finally, HB 564 on pet cremation and burial services added consumer protection and disclosure requirements for pet cremation providers; its technical amendment was adopted and the bill was ordered passed for third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• to call capital A affordable housing. to call capital A affordable housing.
• <00:30:17.360> and<00:30:17.760> developing<00:30:18.559> and um, capital and
• developing and um, capital and developing and preserving<00:30:19.679> affordable<00:30:20.240
• So, we will vote this out of our committee today to Capital Investment.
• Committee on Capital Investment. All those in favor say I. I. All those opposed.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Making investors dumber will serve only to drive capital out of U.S. markets.
• only to drive capital out of US<00:24:43.600> markets.
• markets, for capitalism that is free of the mealy-mouthed government intervention that you all seem
• . capitalism. capitalism.
• That is not capitalism.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, January 15, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Green, uh, how much of the capital do you keep for administering the program?
• while allowing uh efficient capital while allowing uh efficient capital allocation<01:13:32.080>
• Uh and I am the CEO of Fortis Capital.
• But for this capital will be a part of the capital stack.
• We have three other banks that'll be a part of the capital stack.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• buildings, and I can't really do the justice that it deserves, but when we heard this bill in the Capital
• investment you know HS are you capital investment you know HS are you know<00:20:26.679> they
• Capital, you know, flood the city went to the suburbs.
• Paul adopted its rent increase: capital fled the city to the suburbs.
• you know flood the city went to Capital you know flood the city went to the<01:25:20.560> suburbs

Bills: HF1143, HF1548, HF1340, HF2549, HF2559, HF1673, HF2740, HF2507, HF2461, HF2381, HF2695

Keywords: education funding, unemployment aid, special education, Minnesota statutes, appropriations, housing, redevelopment, local government, trust funds, community development, HF1340, housing infrastructure bonds, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, MHFA, affordable housing, supportive housing, permanent housing, adaptive reuse, area median income, AMI

Transcript Highlights:

• I can talk about our project costs and the the capital investment that we have.
• We would be putting roughly $45 million of our own capital into this project.
• <00:32:28.799> investment costs and the the capital investment costs and the the capital investment
• roughly $45 million of our own capital roughly $45 million of our own capital into<00:32:34.480>
• So, I would say they're more capital intensive than our project and um are they're expensive as well.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• of $3.6 million in the capital budget.
• of $3.6 million in the capital budget.
• The first item is the capital budget rider.
• James Kessler: Turning to page five, the first item is the capital budget rider.
• Turning to page five, the first item is the capital budget rider.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We can give you more details about that, but a lot of it had to do with capital investment and who was
• We have a capital plan, which we use to make the investments needed to maintain, improve, and replace
• We have a capital plan, which we use to make the investments needed to maintain, improve, and replace
• This act enables critical partnerships and serves to unlock the capital necessary to cost-effectively
• In 2023 alone, ratepayers were asked to fork over $1.5 billion for gas utility capital spending.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on H. 4144, the Governor’s Energy Affordability, Independence, and Innovation Act, with the administration arguing the bill would lower bills in the short and long term while expanding clean energy supply and innovation. The Governor and Secretary said the bill would reduce or restructure charges on customer bills, reform Mass Save, expand securitization as a financing tool, speed interconnection, create energy-ready zones, strengthen consumer protections in competitive supply, and allow broader state procurement of energy resources. They said the package could save consumers billions over time and would help address high energy costs, especially during extreme heat and winter spikes. Committee members pressed the administration on several provisions, especially securitization, asking whether the bill requires an apples-to-apples comparison of total costs over time, including interest and lost tax revenue, versus paying through rates. Administration witnesses said DPU review and public comment would be required and said they would work to clarify the language if needed. Members also questioned the bill’s solar and procurement provisions, including reduced net metering compensation for some large facilities, the scope of all-resource procurements, and whether hydro, solar, and nuclear would be included; the administration said those resources were contemplated and that procurement would still be reviewed by DPU. Other questions focused on the short-term relief from bill changes, the treatment of low- and moderate-income discounts, and whether the bill’s heat pump and Mass Save reforms would help customers who cannot afford upfront costs. Several witnesses and committee members discussed Mass Save reforms, including securitization of program costs, on-bill financing, pre-approval of rebates, and shifting program administration away from gas utilities. Administration witnesses said the changes were intended to reduce volatility, lower administrative costs, and better align costs with long-term savings. Questions also touched on geothermal permitting, municipal participation in offshore wind procurement, and the proposed repeal of the ballot requirement for nuclear power, which the administration defended as preserving future options under heavy review. No votes were taken during the hearing portion described. Supportive testimony came from labor, environmental, business, planning, and development groups. The AFL-CIO, NECA, and the Environmental League of Massachusetts backed the bill, emphasizing lower bills, job creation, labor standards, just transition protections, and cleaner energy. NAIOP, the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, and MAPC supported provisions on energy-ready zones, interconnection reform, microgrids, extreme-heat shutoff protections, and Mass Save improvements. A HEET representative praised the bill’s use of securitization, geothermal, and utility financing tools but urged guardrails and workforce protections. Overall, testimony was broadly favorable, with most witnesses calling for refinements rather than opposing the bill outright.