Transcript Highlights:

• </c> no one needed you know fiber optic lines no one needed you know fiber optic lines and<00:04:48.520
• </c><00:06:27.400><c> before</c><00:06:27.759><c> that</c> rate I think in that line before that rate
• Yeah, you know, a ratio of 67% is not out of line. It used to not be that way.
• He does not know what that chart says on the gross item line. He apologizes. Rep.
• </c> the actual um 0825 Amendment um in line the actual um 0825 Amendment um in line three<00:10:29.320

Summary: The subcommittee discussed HB 694, focusing on how to set fair market rates for lease renewals involving state agencies and political subdivisions. Members and the New Hampshire Association of Counties worked through draft language defining fair market value, including how appraisals, depreciation, and building deficiencies should be considered. Testimony emphasized that market value and appraised value can differ significantly, and that the bill should allow flexibility rather than require a rigid formula. The group also debated what expenses should be included in lease terms. After discussion of examples such as utilities, custodial services, insurance, maintenance, and newer needs like communications or internet service, members agreed not to create an overly specific list. They settled on language stating that additional expenses, including but not limited to utilities and custodial services, would be negotiated separately. The final amendment was revised to apply to lease renewals for land, buildings, or space between a political subdivision and the State of New Hampshire, with renewals at fair market rate unless otherwise agreed by the lessor. The subcommittee agreed to have the amendment drafted at OLS and then closed the public subcommittee meeting on HB 694.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had an issue with the sewer.
• plan as well as we work in and the sewer plan as well as we work in those<00:08:27.919><c> areas.
• Two support sewer projects reallocation.
• Two support sewer projects and<00:21:18.720><c> one</c><00:21:19.120><c> supports</c><00:21:20.080><c
• . one uh sewer are also three grants. one uh sewer grant<00:21:34.480><c> uh</c><00:21:34.720><c> requesting

Summary: The Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee met on July 16 and approved the June meeting minutes. Members received six information items, including quarterly capital project status reports, notice that the committee did not approve a Kentucky Community and Technical College System fire academy maintenance building project, reports of upcoming school district debt issues, leasehold improvements, a Northern Kentucky University asset preservation revision, and prior debt issues from the School Facilities Construction Commission. The committee then heard five project reports from the Finance and Administration Cabinet. Three new projects were presented for action and approved: a $1.3 million White Haven rest area renovation in Paducah, a $6.5 million Boone County north- and southbound rest area remodel and expansion to add truck parking, and a $4.5 million Bluegrass Station Building 14 modernization project funded by a Department of the Army grant. Members asked several questions about the Boone County rest area project, including truck congestion, restroom capacity, staffing, and the need to keep the facility open during construction; Transportation staff explained the project is meant to expand parking and improve facilities. Two emergency projects were reported with no action required: an amended Fort Boonboro flood remediation project in Madison County and a Kentucky Horse Park emergency flood repair project. The committee also approved three new leases after hearing from the Division of Real Properties. The leases included Department of Corrections parking spaces in Louisville, a Kentucky State Police office and lab lease in Hopkins County, and an Education and Labor Cabinet lease in Kenton County that was negotiated at a lower rate. Members asked about lease terms and how local match or negotiated rates were set, and staff explained that lease lengths are generally set by lessors and that the Kenton County lease was reduced through direct negotiation to stay within budget. A separate lease modification for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, involving reception-area renovations, was reported with no action required. Finally, the committee considered seven grant reallocations from the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority, including six Clean Water Program grants and one EKSF-related reallocation. Members questioned whether some flood-related water infrastructure work, especially an Olive Branch subdivision storage tank project, fit the intended purpose of the funding; staff explained the reallocations were needed to keep federal dollars from being returned and to move funds to eligible projects. The committee initially failed to approve the package on a 4-4 vote, but after a member noted a missed vote and changed to yes, the grants passed with favorable expression. The committee then began hearing three Kentucky Product Development Initiative grants for industrial site development in Russell County, Cumberland County, and Berea/Madison County, with members asking about match requirements, funding sources, and the scope of the projects; the transcript ends during the roll call on those grants.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to go ahead and start with tab number six, SB 1784, on sewer collection systems by Senator
• So if you're bringing new septic-to-sewer conversion, tapping it to the sewer, there should be a fee
• But are you saying, just for clarity, because I don't do those septic-to-sewer conversions...
• Are you saying, just for clarity, because I don't do those septic-to-sewer conversions, that the fee
• The short answer is I would say yes, because you have to run the sanitary main line by extension.

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The committee heard and acted on a long agenda of environmental and natural resources bills. It reported favorably SB 1784 on sewer collection systems, allowing municipal sewer revenues to be used for expansion; SB 1388 on vessels, which prohibits random vessel inspections without probable cause, creates a five-year safety decal, bars local fuel-type boat bans, and expands funding options for boat ramps and marinas; and SB 880, which designates the American flamingo as Florida’s state bird and the Florida scrub jay as the state songbird. SB 946, as amended, was also reported favorably; it restricts certain waste facilities and incinerators near the Everglades, with the amendment narrowing the focus to the Broward/Miami-Dade area near the C-9 impoundment project. SB 1792 on dry sandy beaches was reported favorably after amendment, creating a pilot and process to inventory beaches and explore voluntary public access or conservation arrangements with private owners. SB 866 on anchoring limitation areas was reported favorably despite opposition from cruisers and boaters who argued existing law should be used instead of new county-specific restrictions. SB 832 on former phosphate mining lands was reported favorably with amendments that removed language about the necessity of phosphate mining and clarified that landowners requesting a radiation study must pay for it. The committee also reported favorably SB 1326 on hurricane evacuation clearance times and permit allocations in the Keys, and SB 1580, after a delete-all amendment, which authorizes DEP to use public-private partnerships for coastal resiliency projects. Finally, SB 1300 on oil and gas drilling permits was introduced to require DEP to consider potential harm from accidents or blowouts to natural resources when reviewing drilling permits, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill. The committee also took up confirmations, temporarily postponing the vote on Rodney Barreto’s FWC reappointment after public criticism of his leadership, while recommending favorably the other listed appointments.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> water, and sewer systems are neglected. water, and sewer systems are neglected.
• Because if there's a catastrophic failure of sewer or water supply lines or roads, how do you sufficiently
• And without water, sewer, and roads.
• </c><00:53:41.040><c> cleanings</c> they're getting their sewer cleanings they're getting their sewer
• </c> there's a catastrophic failure of sewer there's a catastrophic failure of sewer uh<00:54:17.760>

Bills: HF4234 , HF484 , HF483 , HF2614

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Lines 19 to 24. Nothing in point it out. Lines 19 to 24.
• on lines 15 through 16.
• And then he also mentioned his line workers.
• I see the same thing were gas lines.
• And in line number three, I worked on.

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• Our update on the delinquent private water and sewer reports for the year ending 2022.
• So next we have private water sewer reports.
• and Sewer Department for December 31, 2023, and 2022.
• And somewhere along the line...
• On page 16, the next six reports are private water-sewer reports.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

Summary: The committee began with approval of the prior meeting minutes and then received updates on delinquent private water and sewer reports. Staff reported that 19 of 43 original entities for the 2022 reporting year had had turnback reinstated, while 24 remained in escrow; for the 2023 reporting year, 59 of 64 entities had filed, leaving five still outstanding. The committee also heard that Adona had come into substantial compliance with municipal accounting law, and it voted to file that report and discontinue withholding turnback. It then voted to start the 60-day clock and file the report for Gum Springs after hearing repeated findings involving budgeting, disbursements, payroll, and Act 833 funds, with city officials saying they had begun correcting records and were seeking help from the Municipal League and a city attorney. Fargo was deferred because the mayor was absent due to illness. The committee next considered Denning, where staff described repeated and serious accounting problems over 2022-2024, including unauthorized payments, missing documentation, weak payroll controls, and improper handling of funds. The mayor and recorder-treasurer said prior records were disorganized and that they were now working with an attorney, CPA help, and new software; the committee voted to start the 60-day clock and file the report. Green Forest’s report, involving a fixed-asset listing issue after the mayor’s death, was filed. Several private water and sewer reports were either filed or deferred depending on whether responses had been received, and the committee announced its March meeting would be held in Room 149 because of renovations. The committee then reviewed a series of referred reports involving alleged financial irregularities. In Elaine, the fire chief’s questionable purchases were referred and filed. In Strong, staff described undeposited garbage-bag receipts, improper payments for private dumpster service and other expenditures, payroll tax penalties, and deficit fund balances; the mayor said controls had been improved, but the committee deferred the report to March. The Faulkner County Fair Association report found undocumented cash withdrawals, questionable disbursements, and inadequately documented cash payments to a carnival vendor; the committee filed it. Brooklyn’s report involved a fraudulent direct-deposit change, and Mineral Springs’ report involved transfers from the cemetery fund, employee loans, overpayments, and travel reimbursement issues; both were filed. Additional reports included Rondo, where the recorder-treasurer explained missing computers and fuel purchases tied to personal vehicles, and the committee filed the report; Waldo, where the mayor had been overpaid due to extra biweekly payments, which was filed; Columbia County, where a floodplain management contract lacked an authorizing ordinance, which was filed; and several private water-system reports, some filed and others deferred for lack of responses. Carlisle’s report showed large but improving misstatements in financial records, and the committee filed it after hearing that new software and training had reduced prior problems. Caddo Valley’s report prompted a lengthy discussion about CDs and interest recognition; staff explained that principal balances should be reflected as city assets and interest should be recorded when earned or reported by the bank, and the report was filed. Prairie County’s budget overrun and road-fund issues were discussed at length, with the judge explaining equipment and weather-related costs and staff clarifying the distinction between road funds and locally approved sales-tax uses; the report was filed. Finally, the committee deferred a Cross County Rural Water Association matter after learning it had not filed with Legislative Audit since 2002-2003 despite receiving significant state funding, and members expressed concern about the long gap in filings.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that had existing trunk water and sewer that had existing trunk water and sewer lines<00:03:17.040
• </c> Senator Draheim, it'd be in line 1.14. Senator Draheim, it'd be in line 1.14.
• 16, delete this section and insert paragraph A, and then line after line 1.1's—actually, sorry, after
• The next thing I'm looking at is at line 2.11, evaluate how whereas the previous line, 2.9, it references
• </c> The next thing I'm looking at is at line The next thing I'm looking at is at line 2.11, 2.11, 2.11

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, we honor the life and service of fallen police officer Herminda Grewal, who passed away in the line
• While I support parks and sewer and water connection fees, my community wouldn't be as great as it would
• , $50,000, or $60,000 per unit for their park mitigation impact fee, and in my district one of the sewer
• Thank you. sewer and water connection fees and my community wouldn't be as great as it would be without
• Adding these 538 firefighters will ensure that all firefighters injured in the line of duty have access

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, welcomed visiting students from De La Salle High School and a guest for Assembly Member Kalra, and then moved through a lengthy concurrence and third-reading agenda. Early actions included concurrence on ACR 21 honoring fallen Galt Police Officer Herminda Grewal, followed by a series of mostly noncontroversial bills on utilities, reclamation districts, housing, wildfire relief, mobile homes, environmental quality, health care coverage, and local government. Several measures were presented as technical, clarifying, or urgency bills, and many passed with unanimous or near-unanimous votes; notable items included AB 238 (wildfire mortgage forbearance), AB 571 (Southern California Veterans Cemetery permitting/CEQA exemption), AB 574 (health care coverage), AB 696 (lithium-ion battery safety advisory group), AB 1150 (airport car rental facility maintenance), AB 1154 (ADU parking standards), and SB 499 (impact fee deferrals for emergency-related parkland and utility infrastructure). SB 499 drew the most debate, with supporters emphasizing disaster resilience and dual-use parkland and an opponent arguing it would worsen housing-related fee burdens; it ultimately passed after a call was lifted. The chamber also adopted SJR 4 urging restoration of NIH funding, and passed SB 230 expanding workers’ compensation presumptions to additional firefighters, SB 92 tightening density bonus law to curb loopholes, SB 782 creating disaster relief financing districts, SB 40 capping insulin copays at $35 and limiting step therapy, SB 362 strengthening small-business financing disclosures, SB 513 requiring workers access to training records, SB 489 requiring public agencies involved in housing approvals to post requirements online, SB 31 promoting recycled water use, SB 551 introducing normalization and dynamic security concepts in corrections, SB 639 extending flood-protection deadlines for Sacramento/Yuba projects, SB 653 defining environmentally sensitive vegetation management, AB 652 on air pollution, and SB 221 updating stalking law to include threats to pets. Several bills received recorded opposition or split votes, including SB 551, SB 439, SB 782, and SB 499, but most measures passed comfortably. The Assembly also concurred in Senate amendments on AB 516 and AB 1523, and later lifted the call on SB 499 to complete passage. The session included an adjournment in memory of Rick Bryson of Long Beach, with Assembly Member Lowenthal highlighting Bryson’s athletic, business, and civic contributions. The day ended with reminders to secure floor managers for pending bills, a notice of the next day’s 10 a.m. floor session, and adjournment until Thursday, September 4th.

Transcript Highlights:

• express how the representative feels or the family standing behind me, who have lost loved ones in the line
• Standing behind me who have lost loved ones in the line of duty.
• We're trying to make that an annual line item.
• outflows. ...to the consequences of flooding from heavy rainfall because of combined sewer outflows.
• ... ...soiled because at the same time the water was rising, our water and sewer infrastructure actually

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hearing on 25 tax and administrative bills, with opening remarks explaining the hearing process and noting that House-filed matters must be reported by December 6. The first major topic was funding for the Massachusetts Law Enforcement Memorial and related support for families of fallen officers. Police representatives, memorial fund advocates, and family members gave emotional testimony urging favorable action on S. 1934 and related bills, emphasizing the need for a permanent revenue stream to maintain the memorial and honor officers killed in the line of duty. Committee members and legislators responded with personal remarks of support and appreciation for law enforcement families. The committee then heard testimony on a proposed Commonwealth Bitcoin Strategic Reserve, including S. 1967 and related bills. Senator Peter Durant and later Dennis Porter argued that the state should be allowed to invest a limited share of stabilization or other funds in Bitcoin or other regulated digital assets as a hedge against inflation and fiscal risk, with strict caps, custody rules, and audits. They described the proposal as a forward-looking, non-mandatory framework for diversifying state reserves. No vote was taken during the hearing. Another major topic was disaster resilience funding. Dr. Paul Biddinger of Mass General Brigham supported S. 1936/H. 3030, saying climate-driven flooding, drought, and wildfire risks are increasing and that the State Disaster Relief and Resiliency Trust Fund needs a dedicated revenue source. Senator Comerford also testified in favor, explaining that the fund was created in the prior session, that recent floods showed the need for quick state response, and that the bill would dedicate a portion of capital gains revenue to the fund. Committee members asked about how the fund would accrue and be used. The committee also heard testimony on PILOT and endowment-related bills: AICUM opposed H. 3122/S. 2013 and H. 3264/S. 2016, arguing that an endowment tax and mandatory PILOTs would harm private nonprofit colleges, students, and research; and a representative from Peru supported reform of PILOT formulas for state-owned land, saying rural towns need higher reimbursements and hold-harmless protections. The hearing concluded after testimony on the digital asset bills, with no recorded votes or final actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, the campus requires replacement of water and sewer mains and considerable updates to come into
• and water lines and the opportunity, and one of the testifiers behind you can probably answer this as
• Absolutely, the needs of the youth are the first priority across every service line that we have.
• We also are needing to replace gas lines.
• Fixing for HVAC and water and sewer things of that nature, roofs—that's not on HHS's bill; that's on

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee held an invited-testimony hearing on LR 425, which examines the Whitehall campus in Lincoln and possible long-term options for youth currently served there. Chair Brian Hardin explained that Whitehall houses two separate programs for adolescent males: a substance use program and a youth-who-sexually-harm program. Testimony from DHHS officials described Whitehall as a Joint Commission-accredited psychiatric residential treatment facility (PRTF) that provides about 40 hours of weekly programming, family involvement, school services, and community reintegration activities. Officials said the department is evaluating whether the programs should remain at Whitehall or move to another state-owned facility, with Hastings described as the department’s preferred alternative because it is more residential in design than a youth rehabilitation treatment center (YRTC).

Transcript Highlights:

• Number 6 SB 1784 on sewer collection systems by Senator Pizzo.
• So the if this is to bring more online and the septic to sewer conversion and make sure that they have
• the additional capacity to handle the additional sewer, doesn't the isn't there a whole cup fee for
• Because I want to do septic to sewer conversions that the fee portion of the connection is not allow
• So it's not just that I am but actually running, you know, and trenching and actually running that line

Transcript Highlights:

• When these emergencies, like water or sewer line breaks or roof failures, occur, it pushes planned projects
• When these emergencies, like water or sewer line breaks or roof failures, occur, it pushes planned projects
• </c><00:35:19.359><c> line</c> emergencies, like water or sewer line emergencies, like water or sewer
• </c> our water and sewer project in St. our water and sewer project in St.
• The water and sewer systems were out.

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that funding for the Baldwin Sanitary Sewer System rehabilitation and water main replacement on
• Representative Salzman moves that funding for the Baldwin Sanitary Sewer System rehabilitation and water
• But I need your help to get it over the finish line. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
• And this is our opportunity to do this, but I need your help to get it over the finish line.
• Remove lines 14 through 16 and insert an amendment.

Summary: The House convened for opening-day business, with prayer, a moment of silence for Captain Bill Guston, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum established. The Speaker outlined a budget message emphasizing reduced spending and a proposed permanent 0.75% sales tax cut, and the chamber then received the Governor’s veto message on portions of HB 5001. Members moved to reinstate several vetoed appropriations, including the Florida Senior Veterans and Crisis Fund, Rockledge Advanced Water Treatment Phase 1, the Department of Corrections automated staffing/time management system, and Baldwin sewer and water main work; each reinstatement passed unanimously. The House also adopted a special order calendar and special amendment procedures for the General Appropriations Act and related bills. On the special order calendar, several bills passed unanimously or near-unanimously, including Lucy’s Law on boating safety (CS/CS/CS/HB 289), HB 735 on water access facilities, HB 11 on municipal water and sewer utility rates, CS/CS/HB 85 on hazardous walking conditions, and CS/HB 157 on service of process. These measures focused on boating safety, water infrastructure, utility-rate fairness, school walking safety, and procedural civil-law updates. A major floor debate centered on HB 6017, which would repeal Florida’s “Free Kill Law” limiting wrongful-death damages in medical negligence cases. Supporters described the bill as a long-awaited justice measure for families who lost adult children or unmarried relatives to medical malpractice, while opponents were not recorded in the final vote tally; the bill passed 104-6 after extensive emotional testimony from sponsors and affected families. The chamber also heard a lengthy, highly divided debate on HB 759, which would lower the firearm purchase age from 21 to 18. Supporters argued the current law is inconsistent with adult rights and responsibilities and cited constitutional precedent, while opponents emphasized Parkland, youth gun violence, and public-safety concerns; the transcript ends during continued debate on that bill, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we got a program to do roads and sewers with a team of people that have never done roads and sewers
• These are the programs, the line items, that fall underneath it.
• We have places that have broken sewer lines, they have sewer seepage, we have places that have undrinkable
• </c><01:17:02.280><c> items</c> these are the programs the line items these are the programs the line
• sewer</c> broken sewer lines they have sewer broken sewer lines they have sewer seepage<01:19:59.080>

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• For those individuals, we have 10,000 individuals that do not drive and utilize bus line.
• The sewer infrastructure and restore.
• ><c> sewers</c><00:58:25.840><c> are</c><00:58:26.000><c> about</c> underneath the sanitary sewers are
• </c><00:59:00.280><c> And</c> address the sewer work underneath.
• And address the sewer work underneath.

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• They took all of the, each house's sewer line out, backfilled, like nothing ever happened.
• This is a main line, a 20-inch main line that was sectioned for the city of Post Falls to provide protection
• work for a sewer line that's going to go about 20 feet underneath this.
• Coast Falls to provide protection work for a sewer line that's going to go about 20 feet underneath this
• And right in the middle you see a state line.

Committee: House Resources and Conservation

Transcript Highlights:

• in line.
• </c> line 223 is the parks and trails fund. line 223 is the parks and trails fund.
• Uh, you'll see line 299.
• Uh, you'll see line 299.
• I do have concerns on line bill.

Summary: House File 2563, the Omnibus Legacy Bill, was presented as a roughly $779 million package funding projects across Minnesota through the four Legacy funds: Outdoor Heritage, Clean Water, Parks and Trails, and Arts and Cultural Heritage. Chairs Vang and McDonald described the bill as a responsible one-time spending measure with no ongoing base funding, emphasizing habitat restoration, water protection, parks and trails, and arts and cultural heritage. Nonpartisan staff then walked through the spreadsheet, explaining that the bill largely follows the recommendations of the relevant councils and governor, with some additions such as a Wilderness Inquiry partnership, an Ash River sewer extension, competitive grant funding, and several arts and history projects. Staff highlighted the major allocations and structure of the bill: Outdoor Heritage funding for land and habitat projects, Clean Water funding for water-quality work, Parks and Trails funding following the traditional 40-40-20 split, and Arts and Cultural Heritage funding for the State Arts Board, Minnesota Historical Society, Humanities Center, Indian Affairs Council, Department of Education, and other recipients. They also noted policy provisions requiring Clean Water Council recommendations to be broken out by fiscal year, requiring recent 990 forms for arts grantees, limiting arts funds from being used for capital construction except in specified cases, and extending a prior appropriation for the Sunni Lee memorial project. Members asked about land acquisition, the new 990 requirement, and reduced funding for children’s museums; chairs and staff responded that Outdoor Heritage includes land acquisition, the 990 is simply a documentation requirement, and children’s museum funding is lower because more money is now placed in a competitive grant pool. The chairs said the bill reflects compromise and an effort to keep the bill relatively clean of earmarks, while also noting that a Department of Revenue transfer of more than $31 million from legacy funds affected available funding and forced difficult choices. After discussion, the committee laid the bill over, with the chair noting it was also being done in honor of Representative Mary Murphy.

Transcript Highlights:

• Restoration to sewer service in L is at 67% and involves assessing 990,000 lineal feet of sewer collection
• lines.
• </c><00:08:50.080><c> collection</c> 990,000 lineal feet of sewer collection 990,000 lineal feet of sewer
• and sewer?
• </c> to get something over the finish line to get something over the finish line and<01:28:17.159><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:33.520><c> In</c> water, sewer systems are neglected.
• In water, sewer systems are neglected.
• ,</c><00:05:12.840><c> roads,</c> infrastructure, water, sewer, roads, infrastructure, water, sewer,
• And on line 1.12, the bill requires post-writ occupancy for 10 days.
• And on line 1.12, the bill requires post And on line 1.12, the bill requires post writ<00:20:02.840><

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• of duty or get hurt know die in the line of duty or get hurt know die in the line of duty or get hurt
• in the line of duty that'd be more in the line of duty that'd be more in the line of duty that'd be
• with everything in his a straight line with everything in his a straight line with everything in his
• 41 through 45 on page uh replaces line 41 through 45 on page uh replaces line 41 through 45 on page
• page phage two tell me what's on line page phage two tell me what's on line page phage two line 52 oh