Transcript Highlights:

• It just makes us more efficient in terms of meeting some of those basic needs that our food entrepreneurial
• It just makes us more efficient in terms of meeting some of those basic needs that our food entrepreneurial
• It just makes us more efficient in terms of meeting some of those basic needs that our food entrepreneurial
• It roughly tripled our floor space that we had available, so we've become much more efficient.
• So just a lot of efficiencies gained, and it now allows us to bring in equipment from our entrepreneurs

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• to show up in a partnering fashion in a way that...' ...in a partnering fashion in a way that is efficient
• doing that work and that there may from doing that work and that there may be<00:47:45.319> efficiencies
• in another way to be efficiencies in another way to actually<00:47:47.000> collect<00:47:47.359
• I did just want to say when we talk about specifically cloud storage, that there's significant efficiencies
• efficiencies to be gained<01:41:35.960> by<01:41:36.119> going<01:41:36.520> with

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met for a Health and Finance Policy hearing, began with member and staff introductions, and noted that Representative Keeler was participating as a non-voting member. The chair outlined committee rules on decorum and then introduced the day’s first agency presentation from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), with Commissioner Cunningham appearing to present the department’s budget priorities. Commissioner Cunningham described MDH’s broad public health role and emphasized that public health is underfunded relative to health care, with significant reliance on federal dollars. The department’s main budget request was for infectious disease prevention and response to offset anticipated federal funding losses. MDH also outlined several fee increases tied to public water systems, wells, licensing and certification, assisted living and health care facilities, HMO regulation, food/pools/lodging inspections, radioactive materials, X-ray equipment, and asbestos abatement. The commissioner said these changes were needed because costs, workload, and regulatory complexity have increased, while many fees have not been updated in years. MDH also presented budget-neutral proposals, including continuing the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Advisory Committee, converting the Maternal and Child Health Advisory Task Force into a standing advisory committee, restoring some local and tribal public health cannabis and substance misuse prevention grants, creating direct American Indian Health Special Emphasis Grants, reauthorizing the State Trauma Advisory Council, and extending firefighter PFAS biomonitoring work. The department also requested an operations adjustment for rising employee, insurance, fuel, utility, and legal costs, and referenced additional Clean Water Legacy Fund proposals. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided. Representative Bierman then offered supportive comments, praising MDH’s work and backing the funding and fee proposals, especially the restoration of local public health prevention grants.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are all working on innovation, collaboration, partnership, efficiency, constantly trying to do more
• We are all working on innovation, collaboration, partnership, efficiency, constantly trying to do more
• We are all working on innovation, collaboration, partnership, efficiency, constantly trying to do more
• We are all working on innovation, collaboration, partnership, efficiency, constantly trying to do more
• partnership efficiency constantly trying to<01:03:25.240> do<01:03:25.400> more<01:03:

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Health Finance and Policy Committee heard testimony from the Minnesota Hospital Association and several hospital leaders about the financial strain facing hospitals across Minnesota. The association’s CEO said hospitals are essential 24/7 safety-net providers, but rising labor, supply, technology, and drug costs are outpacing reimbursement from Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial payers. He warned that many not-for-profit hospitals are struggling, that workforce shortages remain significant, and that the committee should consider help on Medicaid rates, discharge/boarding problems, mental health services, workforce development, protecting the 340B drug discount program, and avoiding new mandates that add costs. Relle Schultz of Winona Health described a community hospital with a 49-bed facility and long-term care services that has faced years of losses, including a $17 million loss in 2023 and $12 million in losses the following year. She said government payers now make up about 65% of the hospital’s mix, and each 1% increase in that mix costs about $1 million. She highlighted the difficulty of sustaining services such as dialysis, which was nearly closed until a local donor provided $3 million to keep it open for three years, and she emphasized the importance of 340B savings and the need for higher Medicaid payments. Carrie Mulski of Riverview Health in Crookston said critical access hospitals are also under pressure despite their federal designation. She explained that federal support has eroded, that Medicaid and other public programs do not cover full costs, and that her hospital’s 340B savings help keep the doors open. She said Riverview opened a new hospital in 2020 but was hit by the pandemic and inflation, leading to annual losses of $5 million to $6 million and a negative operating margin of 9% to 10%. She also described bond covenant problems, low cash on hand, the prior closure of the nursing home, and the need for rapid state action to stabilize rural hospitals and preserve access to care.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:27:17.159> beginning<00:27:17.559> on<00:27:17.720> Minnesota's efficiencies
• beginning on Minnesota's efficiencies beginning on Minnesota's Iron<00:27:18.600> Range<00:27
• They have both the strength and the efficiency on the cost front, so they should be not any more expensive
• They have both the strength and the efficiency on the cost front, so they should be not any more expensive
• <00:40:26.319> on both the strength and the efficiency on both the strength and the efficiency

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee met and approved the minutes from the previous meeting. The chair noted that agency overviews from the Office of Higher Education and other state agencies were not available, so the committee proceeded with University of Minnesota presentations instead. The committee also reviewed posted committee rules. University of Minnesota representatives gave an overview of the university’s research enterprise, describing it as a system of five campuses with a possible expansion to St. Cloud, and highlighting research strengths across campuses in agriculture, energy, natural resources, health, and the Twin Cities flagship campus. They said the university has more than $1.3 billion in annual research expenditures, receives most of its research funding from federal sources, and is ranked highly for both overall research and interdisciplinary research. Examples discussed included the Clinical and Translational Science Institute, the Forever Green initiative, and research tied to sustainable crops, health, and commercialization. Members asked questions about specific research areas, including biodegradable or renewable plastics, wheat research, food dyes, health and environmental toxins, and the market for winter camelina and winter pennycress. University staff said they could follow up with more detailed information and explained that the winter crop work is intended to become market-driven over time, while also improving soil health and creating new revenue streams for farmers. They also clarified that the university’s federal research funding includes money from NIH, NSF, DOE, DOD, and other agencies, and that the “other” funding category includes foundations, subawards, and internal university seed funding. The committee then heard a second University of Minnesota presentation focused on partnerships, commercialization, and workforce development. Testimony highlighted collaborations with industry and government partners such as U.S. Steel, 3M, Medtronic, Cisco, and defense-related industry leaders, as well as programs supporting microelectronics, AI, cybersecurity, and sustainable aviation fuels. No formal votes were taken beyond approving the minutes, and the committee ended the segment by moving on to the next testifier.

Transcript Highlights:

• In conclusion, the goal of these modifications is simple: to increase efficiency, reduce project downtime
• These comments reflect our belief that the Dig Safe laws should be efficient and protective of public
• and protective of public be efficient and protective of public safety<01:16:00.159> and<01:16
• and often improving safety as efficiency and often improving safety as well.<04:24:24.880> It's
• We need to reduce, we need to promote the generation of clean energy and promote energy efficiency so

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• during the design and work and drawings phase of the project to ensure safety, code, and energy efficiency
• during the design and working drawings phase of the project to ensure safety, code, and energy efficiency
• or years of software development to days or weeks, using low-code technology and fostering more efficient
• Can you speak to the need, potentially, to streamline those programs for efficiency? Certainly.
• administration noted, that early-action funding... potentially to streamline those programs for efficiency

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health held a May Revision hearing covering several health-related budget proposals and broader concerns about the state’s budget structure. The Chair opened by praising some May Revision changes, such as added health IT funding, county administration support tied to Medi-Cal changes, a delay in Medi-Cal cuts for some lawfully present immigrants, and additional support for Covered California subsidies, while criticizing proposed increases in Medi-Cal premiums, changes to senior eligibility, the lack of a Medi-Cal dental solution, and other reductions affecting counties, mobile crisis units, workforce incentives, and physician shortages. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the state’s budget condition remains weak despite progress on the structural deficit, and the Department of Finance said the May Revision uses a mix of reductions, reforms, revenue proposals, and fund shifts to cut out-year deficits. The committee first heard Department of State Hospitals proposals, including adjustments to county bed billing authority, contract exemption language for online clinical/pharmacy subscriptions, reversion of unspent funds, a revised Metro Central Utility Plant replacement project, electronic health record implementation, and workforce development funded partly through Behavioral Health Services Act resources. DSH also described savings and realignments in incompetent-to-stand-trial and conditional release programs, including extending the independent placement panel program and shifting funds to support additional bed capacity and a mental health rehab center. Members asked about the use of BHSA funds for workforce programs, and the department said the proposal would replace General Fund support with BHSA reimbursements. The Emergency Medical Services Authority proposed funding for statewide behavioral health crisis response guidance and for enterprise system development, and the Department of Managed Health Care proposed modernization of its complaint system and claims-settlement data system to improve oversight and comply with AB 3275. The largest discussion centered on the administration’s BHSA spending plan under Proposition 1, including state-directed prevention, workforce, and other uses, plus General Fund offsets for existing programs. The LAO questioned whether some proposed offsets fit Proposition 1’s non-supplant and eligible-use requirements, while the administration argued the uses were consistent with the measure and that the state-directed share can be adjusted annually. The Commission for Behavioral Health’s proposals drew the most public and member concern. The administration proposed cutting the commission’s Innovation Partnership Fund from $20 million to $10 million and reducing the Community Advocacy Program by $6.7 million, while redirecting BHSA dollars to other state purposes and direct services. Commissioners, advocates, and several members argued the cuts would weaken community voice, reduce support for underserved populations, and disrupt grants already in process; they also objected to using BHSA funds to backfill General Fund commitments. Public commenters, including youth, disability, behavioral health, LGBTQ, tribal, veteran, immigrant, and community-based organization representatives, overwhelmingly opposed the cuts and urged preservation of prevention, advocacy, mobile crisis, and innovation funding. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• This language was about appliance efficiency standards, as the national standards may be changing.
• This is keeping the status quo of the appliance efficiency standards that producers have to meet.
• And then, we did also include, along with the appliance efficiency standard, there was language that
• Oh, and we ask for the Senate's support. along with the appliance efficiency along with the appliance
• efficiency standard standard standard um<01:42:42.560> there<01:42:43.040> was um there

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• remind everyone that the Assembly has rules to ensure that we maintain order and run a fair and efficient
• If they think that that makes economic sense and that they can operate the jail as efficiently or more
• efficiently, they would have that option.
• prison rather than being tied solely to the location of the treatment facility, helping improve efficiency
• prison rather than being tied solely to the location of the treatment facility, helping improve efficiency

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The key arguments for repeal focused on efficiency costs and capital flight, with the OECD finding that
• Good morning, Chair and members of the committee. efficient, effective government, efficient, effective
• 23.520> on The key arguments for repeal focused on The key arguments for repeal focused on efficiency
• c> costs<00:42:24.600> and<00:42:24.720> capital<00:42:25.120> flight, efficiency
• costs and capital flight, efficiency costs and capital flight, with<00:42:25.680> the<00:42:25.800

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard presentations on two tax bills: House File 4123, by Representative Agbaje, would expand Minnesota’s net investment income tax to include certain business income, especially income from S corporations and LLCs not subject to federal self-employment taxes, while keeping the current rate and million-dollar threshold; she said it would raise an estimated $88.7 million next year. House File 4616, by Chair Gomez, would impose a 1% annual tax on fortunes above $10 million. Gomez framed the bill as a response to growing wealth inequality and argued that wealthy households and large fortunes should contribute more to public services, while Agbaje said her bill would broaden the tax base and help meet state needs. Public testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project, Erica Mominee of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, Lauren Richards, and teacher Kristen Sinicariello, said the bills would help address wealth and income inequality and provide needed revenue for public health, education, and other public services. They pointed to federal tax cuts for high-income households, cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, and strains on state agencies and schools. Richards said small businesses already pay more than large corporations like Amazon, and Sinicariello argued that higher revenue would support classrooms and help equalize opportunity. Opponents, including Brian Cook of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, Dalton Danielson of the Minnesota Business Partnership, and John Beschi of NFIB Minnesota, warned that both bills would hurt business competitiveness and investment. They argued that HF 4123 would effectively create a new higher tax tier for pass-through businesses and that HF 4616 would be difficult to administer, could force sales of illiquid assets, and could discourage entrepreneurship and capital investment. No votes or final committee action were taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the committee moved through bill presentations and public testimony before member discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are a research and education organization in support of sound tax policy, efficient spending, and
• It harms tax system integrity in the eyes of many taxpayers. support of sound tax policy, efficient support
• of sound tax policy, efficient spending,<00:23:52.720> and<00:23:52.880> accountable<00
• Neutrality or economic efficiency—introducing economic distortions into the market violates that one.
• My preference is to cut taxes for everybody, and that is the most efficient, effective thing we can do

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 3524 and House File 3525 and laid both over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill, with no amendments adopted and no vote taken at this stage. HF 3524 would conform Minnesota law to the federal overtime tax deduction, and HF 3525 would conform to the federal tip-income deduction. The author argued both bills would help workers keep more of their earnings, simplify tax filing, support labor-force participation, and provide relief to workers in hospitality, trades, health care, and other industries. The committee heard testimony in support from a restaurant owner, Sandra Weiss of the Finnish Beastro in St. Paul, who said the bills would help tipped workers keep more of their income and would support hospitality businesses. She described her staff as roughly half men and half women, including students and long-term employees, and said front-of-house tipped workers and back-of-house workers face different pay levels. She also said Minnesota’s tip rules and lack of a tip credit create challenges for the industry. During questioning, members discussed wage disparities, the makeup of her workforce, and the practical effects of the proposals. Opposition testimony came from Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project and Eric Bernstein of We Make Minnesota, both of whom argued the bills are regressive, poorly targeted, and costly. They said the deductions would mainly benefit higher earners, violate horizontal equity by treating similar incomes differently, and could encourage compensation restructuring. They also warned the combined cost would exceed $500 million over the 2028-29 biennium and could pressure funding for health care, education, and other public services. Mark Havenman of the Minnesota Center for Fiscal Excellence similarly criticized the bills on tax fairness and administrative grounds, noting the federal tip deduction framework is still under development and could create enforcement issues. Nonpartisan staff provided revenue estimates showing HF 3524 would reduce general fund revenue by about $365.9 million in fiscal 2027 and HF 3525 by about $126 million in fiscal 2027, with smaller ongoing impacts in later years. Members also raised questions about how the bills would be paid for and what income would qualify under the overtime deduction.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:24:52.720> it<00:24:52.800> allows HB 145 is efficient because it allows HB 145
• is efficient because it allows residents<00:24:53.760> to<00:24:53.880> pay<00:24:54.600
• And we did the full analysis and looked at efficiency differences across those vehicle types, across
• And we did the full analysis and looked at efficiency differences across those vehicle types, across
• And we did the full analysis and looked at efficiency differences across those vehicle types, across

Bills: SF0095, SF0107, SF0112

Keywords: driver's license, motor vehicle services, third-party providers, Wyoming, regulatory compliance, motor vehicle, registration, license plate, electronic system, State Department of Transportation, county treasurers, vehicle fees, public records, license plates, replacement cycle, vehicle registration, motor vehicles, state fees, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• about trying to look at ways to combine different kinds of activities or services and try to be more efficient
• about trying to look at ways to combine different kinds of activities or services and try to be more efficient
• try<00:59:07.760> to<00:59:07.839> be<00:59:08.000> more<00:59:08.240> efficient
• services and try to be more efficient services and try to be more efficient with<00:59:08.799>
• serving based on, you know, anything that you can provide us to help provide better understanding on efficiency

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard presentations from the Legal Aid Network of Kentucky, including Legal Aid of the Bluegrass, Kentucky Legal Aid, AppalRed Legal Aid, and the Legal Aid Society in Louisville. The presenters explained that the four nonprofit programs provide civil legal services in all 120 counties, focusing on low-income clients and matters such as domestic violence, family law, housing, expungement, public benefits, and veterans’ issues. They emphasized that they do not handle criminal defense cases and described statewide efforts such as the kyjustice.org website and Project Renew, which helps people in recovery with legal issues that affect stability, employment, housing, and family reunification. Each organization highlighted regional service challenges and examples of casework. Legal Aid of the Bluegrass described its 33-county service area, its mobile “justice bus,” and expungement work for people in recovery. Kentucky Legal Aid focused on disaster response after the December 2021 tornadoes, including insurance disputes and contractor fraud, and said it has continued to handle repeated FEMA-declared disasters. AppalRed described serving 37 rural counties with limited attorneys, the shortage of lawyers in “rural legal deserts,” and its disaster-response work after flooding and tornadoes, including FEMA appeals clinics and volunteer attorney support. The Legal Aid Society described its Louisville-area veteran services, including Social Security and VA disability cases, veterans treatment court referrals, and homeless outreach. Committee members praised the organizations’ work and noted the importance of their services. In response to questions about funding, the presenters said their support comes from a mix of Legal Services Corporation funds, state appropriations, federal grants such as VOCA, VAWA, and HUD, United Way, and foundation funding. They stressed that many grants are restricted, while state funding is more flexible and useful for emergencies and day-to-day operations. The presenters said current funding does not fully meet demand and requested an increase in the General Assembly’s appropriation from $500,000 per year to $1 million per year, or $2 million over the biennium.

Transcript Highlights:

• This will be significant in terms of extensive time and human resources needed to efficiently and effectively
• This will be significant in terms of extensive time and human resources needed to efficiently and effectively
• <01:02:31.680> it House File 950 would reduce the compliance burden and increase the efficiency
• 01:05:14.720> and<01:05:15.039> increase<01:05:15.280> the<01:05:15.520> efficiency
• <01:05:16.000> of burden and increase the efficiency of burden and increase the efficiency

Bills: HF2048, HF2360, HF2006, HF950, HF912, HF3140, HF2931

Keywords: individual income tax, retirement contributions, tax corrections, annuity contracts, tax year attribution, tax credit, economic development, community investment, data disclosure, Minnesota regulations, tax increment financing, municipal authority, job creation, transferred increment, public hearing, nonresident employees, income tax exemption, Minnesota taxation, employment duties, tax withholding

Transcript Highlights:

• school districts harmless from non-serious requests and help manage large and complex requests more efficiently
• work in this program, and Representative Mueller for her considered approach to championing this efficient
• to Mueller for her considered approach to championing<01:03:54.559> this<01:03:54.760> efficient
• <01:03:55.160> and<01:03:55.319> effective championing this efficient and effective
• championing this efficient and effective Bill<01:03:56.279> thank<01:03:56.400> you<01

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• of the division is to proctor licensing exams for licensed building and construction trades to efficiently
• sure that we can provide the services we're providing and we can do it in the most effective and efficient
• :49:01.520> most<00:49:02.160> effective<00:49:02.520> and<00:49:02.680> efficient
• it in the most effective and efficient it in the most effective and efficient manner<00:49:04.119
• I'll say it was a very successful first-of-its-kind program that really efficiently delivered timely

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee met under a new Senate power-sharing arrangement with co-chairs, began with member and staff introductions, and then received a jurisdiction overview from Senate counsel. The overview explained that the Labor Committee’s jurisdiction has not changed from the previous biennium and covers fair labor standards, minimum wage, workers’ compensation, occupational safety and health, and related agencies and boards such as the Department of Labor and Industry, Bureau of Mediation Services, PERB, and the Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals. It also noted that some topics, including paid leave, fall under other committees, while earned sick and safe time remains within Labor and Industry jurisdiction. Commissioner Nicole Blissenbach and Josiah Moore then gave a detailed Department of Labor and Industry presentation. They reviewed the department’s funding sources, emphasizing that workers’ compensation funds and construction codes/licensing revenues make up most of the budget, while the general fund is a small share. They described the department’s major divisions, including workers’ compensation, construction codes and licensing, labor standards, nursing home workforce standards, and OSHA consultation and compliance, and highlighted practical examples of their work. Examples included return-to-work assistance for an injured worker, compliance training that reduced penalties for self-insurers and claim administrators, and use of the Special Compensation Fund when an employer lacked workers’ compensation insurance. The labor standards section highlighted enforcement actions involving unpaid overtime, pregnancy and parental leave retaliation, wage deductions, and child labor violations, along with totals for 2024 collections and inquiries. The presentation also noted the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board’s adopted rules, the expansion of construction licensing exams statewide, and OSHA consultation programs such as Min-SHARP and MINSTAR, including a Minnesota employer that recently achieved MINSTAR status. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Given the impact on taxpayers, it is important to have the most qualified, professional, and efficient
• <00:41:29.280> workforce professional, and efficient workforce professional, and efficient
• 42:45.200> costs,<03:42:45.520> and<03:42:45.760> support<03:42:46.080> efficiency
• control costs, and support efficiency control costs, and support efficiency for<03:42:46.720>
• people can understand how to efficiently people can understand how to efficiently use<03:44:18.080

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• efficiencies there. efficiencies there.
• But at the same time, have a back-end structure that would drive efficiencies and leverage the licensing
• Overall, there’s where your efficiencies and economies of scale are going to come from.
• , but I still want to efficiencies, but I still want to maintain<00:59:35.800> my<00:59:36.120
• Um, in order efficient decision-making.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Instead, because operating efficiently.
• This is opacity masquerading as efficiency. Government transparency is not optional.
• This is opacity masquerading as efficiency. Government transparency is not optional.
• This is opacity masquerading as efficiency. Government transparency is not optional.
• Second, the bill empowers efficiently.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• efficiency efficiency and<00:18:03.120> um<00:18:03.840> I<00:18:04.080> stand<
• :02.799> way<00:20:03.039> to efficient and transparent way to efficient and transparent
• This was done to create efficiencies.
• The services they receive are delivered more efficiently.
• The services they receive are delivered more efficiently.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• MUDs efficiently and equitably fill this void by allowing the residents and businesses who use the facilities
• Muds efficiently and equably fill this void by allowing the residents and businesses who, MUDs efficiently
• that design was purposeful from the community's inception so that our infrastructure operated as efficiently
• They can deliver services efficiently, preserve local flexibility, and provide accountability without

Summary: The committee heard testimony first from the Texas General Land Office and School Land Board. GLO officials described the agency’s role in managing more than 13 million acres of state lands and mineral interests for the Permanent School Fund, overseeing the Alamo, coastal programs, veterans’ services, and federal disaster recovery. They said the agency has generated about $6 billion for the Permanent School Fund since Commissioner Buckingham took office, and that its disaster recovery portfolio is about $14 billion across multiple events, with more than 22,000 housing units rebuilt or reconstructed since Hurricane Harvey. Members asked about land purchases such as Brewster Ranch, rare earth mineral leasing, SpaceX-related beach access, and whether the lands are public access lands; GLO staff said the holdings are managed to maximize revenue for education, that most land is leased rather than open to public access, and that they are coordinating on coastal access and compliance. On the School Land Board, members sought clarification on the difference between GLO-managed lands and the Permanent School Fund Corporation’s investment role, and staff explained that GLO generates the revenue while the separate corporation invests it. No votes or formal actions were taken. The Board for Lease of University Lands then testified. University Lands officials explained that they steward 2.1 million acres of surface and mineral interests in West Texas for the Permanent University Fund, which supports UT and Texas A&M institutions. They said a 2025 lease sale produced about $50 million in bonus revenue from 28,000 acres, and described the Board for Lease’s role in approving lease forms, lease sales, and development agreements. Members asked about the size and use of the PUF, how distributions work through UTIMCO, whether PUF money can be used for athletics, and how the land is managed; the witness said the fund is a constitutional endowment, the land is largely leased rather than sold, and distributions are generally used for buildings, labs, and other permanent structures, with some institutions also using a portion for operations. No votes or formal actions were taken. The committee then took up municipal utility districts. Testimony from a law firm, the Texas Municipal League, Fort Bend County Commissioner Vincent Morales, and Johnson Development largely supported MUDs as a financing tool for infrastructure tied to growth. Witnesses said MUDs help fund water, sewer, drainage, roads, parks, and related infrastructure, allowing development to proceed without shifting costs to existing taxpayers and helping keep housing affordable. They emphasized that MUDs are created with disclosure to homebuyers, are subject to the Open Meetings Act and Public Information Act, and are overseen by TCEQ for bond issuance and related financial stress tests. Members questioned whether MUDs are taxing entities, whether they can be created inside city limits or ETJs, how much control cities and counties retain, and whether MUDs are becoming permanent local governments; witnesses acknowledged they levy taxes and debt, can exist within city limits with city consent, and often function as long-term local entities. The committee did not take any formal action during the hearing.