Transcript Highlights:

• We have no, nothing has developed on the lawsuit on the...
• No, nothing has developed on the lawsuit on the closure bill of left one.
• And assuming they all made the option, what would the economic...
• Now, and assuming they all made the option, what would the economic impact be?
• It's too great of an economic impact. So what does that look like?

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:17:34.320> and provided more time to develop and provided more time to develop and support
• visions for growth and development.
• trails and so when we bring development trails and so when we bring development into<01:06:29.839
• bedrooms in a residential development bedrooms in a residential development during<01:34:06.199>
• They need the road capacity necessary to support new development.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Once that happens it will take some time to develop a brewed.
• The third and final point that I would add, as we're developing this. calculus.
• As far as other impacts, as was mentioned earlier, you know, the economic economic impact is one aspect
• It signals suffering and economic loss.
• They've developed, I guess, back after the border closed the first time last November.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He developed aggressive behaviors because that's what happens when adults paid to protect a child hurt
• Arizona employers feel it when our bachelor's degrees can't scale according to economic demand.
• Arizona employers feel it when our bachelor's degrees can't scale according to economic demand.
• I am pleased to once again be voting for a taxpayer-friendly, business-friendly, pro-economic development
• We were ill-prepared to be able to manage the inevitable downturn in the economic cycle.

Summary: The joint House and Senate Appropriations committees met to hear the FY 2027 budget package, beginning with the General Appropriations Act (HB 4154/SB 1847). Staff outlined the overall budget, including one-time fund transfers, lump-sum reductions, funding for state employee health insurance, school facilities, corrections, flood and wildfire relief, education and child care, and other ongoing and supplemental items. Members briefly discussed the absence of a requested $1.5 million for the oversight office, but the chair said no amendments would be taken in committee and that only limited technical changes were likely later in the process. Public testimony on the feed bill was largely supportive but focused on specific funding concerns. Testimony highlighted school safety funding, Alzheimer’s services, small business tax expensing provisions, disability oversight for group homes, county use of opioid settlement dollars, adult education/community college funding, victim notification funding, and ESA oversight. Several speakers praised the budget for funding DDD and other services, while others opposed or sought changes to items such as the COMIT group home monitoring program, Maricopa Community Colleges’ lack of operating aid, and a possible cut to the victim notification program. The chair repeatedly emphasized that changes to the negotiated budget would be difficult and should be routed through leadership. The committee then moved quickly through the remaining budget reconciliation bills. Staff summarized bills covering amusement and wagering, capital outlay, commerce, criminal justice, environment, health care, higher education, human services, and K-12 education. Notable provisions included continued wagering assessments, highway and building renewal funding, defense innovation and economic development changes, corrections and wrongful conviction provisions, groundwater and water banking measures, health insurance oversight and opioid settlement provisions, higher education funding and ABOR operating caps, SNAP and housing trust fund changes, and a 2% inflation increase for K-12 formula components. The K-12 bill also included a biometric school safety pilot and a child sexual abuse prevention pilot. No votes were taken in the portion provided, and the chair indicated the committee would continue through the remaining bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• putting this under Commerce so that it can be more evenly distributed than if it were just under the Economic
• Development Authority.
• Development Authority.
• I totally blanked on the developmental, the economic developmental authority.
• I totally blanked on the developmental, the Economic Development Authority.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Select Committee on School Choice met, established quorum, and approved the minutes from its February 25, 2026 meeting. The committee then took up House Bill 4588, which was explained as a measure to align with Senate Bill 644 and require the Secretary of Commerce to participate in the federal tax credit scholarship program under Public Law No. 119-20 and 119-21, with the change intended to place administration under Commerce rather than the Economic Development Authority. The committee adopted the amendment and reported HB 4588 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass as amended. The committee next considered House Bill 5048, which would create new code to ensure foster students in temporary placement facilities receive virtual instruction until placed in a permanent home. Counsel explained that if a county lacks a virtual program, a virtual charter school could be used, and the West Virginia Department of Education would provide free training for those responsible for the child, along with a plan to transfer information to the new school district and foster family. The committee adopted the proposed amendment, noting it had been worked out with the House, and then reported HB 5048 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass as amended. At the end of the meeting, the chair thanked the committee and staff for their work during the session. The committee then adjourned by motion and unanimous voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• I had the privilege during the modernization to get to know a number of the economic development people
• I have asked for the fact sheet from the Office of Economic Status of Women to be passed out.
• <00:03:17.239> development a number of the economic development a number of the economic development
• <00:03:44.200> status sheet from the office of economic status sheet from the office of economic
• Don't get if you talk to your Economic Development and your licensing units and stuff, they get nothing

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Children and Families Committee met with a quorum, approved the January 21, 2025 minutes, and then focused on child care shortages and the pressures facing family child care providers across Minnesota, especially in Greater Minnesota. Chairing members noted the issue affects both rural and metro areas and introduced testimony from Cindy Cunningham, a St. Paul family child care provider and public policy chair for the State Association for Family Child Care. Cunningham argued that family child care is in crisis despite state investments, saying provider numbers continue to decline and that the system is not working. She raised concerns about food reimbursement tiers, special licenses that may not qualify for the family child care food program, the need for supplemental support for lower-tier programs, and the burden of upfront grant spending and delayed reimbursement. She also said providers receive little financial benefit for their own children in care and described a recent DHS decision affecting supervision of providers’ own children as an example of poor communication. Her broader message was that unclear, inconsistent, and poorly implemented licensing rules are driving providers out of the field. She recommended implementing the Office of the Legislative Auditor’s recommendations, improving DHS communication with both licensors and providers, updating public guidance and training materials, and considering more direct county funding and support for family child care. She also suggested reevaluating support for certified centers and other state-funded programs that she said operate under different standards. Committee members thanked her for the detailed testimony and said they wanted to follow up with her. The committee then moved on to letters and additional testimony from providers around the state, with members emphasizing the goal of identifying specific regulations that are hindering child care startup and continuation.

Transcript Highlights:

• WHEN I SEE, TO FURTHER ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY, HOW DOES THAT TRANSLATE?
• I WOULD VIEW THE PATHWAY THAT ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY TO NOT NEED BENEFITS ANY LONGER.
• HOW CLOSELY HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING WITH THEM IN DEVELOPING THE METHODOLOGY TO DEVELOP THAT UNIQUE IDENTIFIER
• WE ARE IN THE DEVELOPMENT PHASE OF SEVERAL MODULES.
• IN THE JUNE OR JULY TIMEFRAME AS WE PLAN TO WRAP UP ALL THE DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Your Committee on Economic Development has had under consideration engrossed Committee Substitute for
• Your Committee on Economic Development has had under consideration engrossed House Bill 4008.
• Your Committee on Economic Development has had under consideration engrossed House Bill 4008, relating
• a comprehensive energy development policy and plan for the Office of Energy, and has amended same.
• Engrossed House Bill 5381, relating to developing a comprehensive energy development policy and plan

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Development and the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing, and General Affairs on or before
• Senate Economic Development and the Senate Economic Development and the Senate Committee<00:02:56.880
• Committee on Economic Economic Development,<00:02:58.840> Housing,<00:02:59.160> and<00
• on Commerce and Economic Development? on Commerce and Economic Development?
• and Economic Development Trust Fund. and Economic Development Trust Fund.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House first suspended the rules briefly to make announcements, including welcoming former representative Doug Gage to the gallery. It then returned to House Bill 211 on data brokers and personal information, where the Appropriations Committee explained a $50,000 appropriation to the Secretary of State for a consultant-led study on an accessible deletion mechanism for consumers to delete personal data held by data brokers, with interim and final reports due in 2027 and 2028. The committee reported a 9-0-2 vote in favor, and the House agreed to the Commerce and Economic Development Committee’s amendment and ordered third reading. Floor debate on H. 211 focused heavily on the bill’s deletion and exemption framework. Supporters argued the bill is needed to give Vermonters meaningful control over their data and to prevent data brokers from commingling information for unrelated uses. Opponents warned the bill could conflict with existing federal frameworks such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Gramm-Leach-Bliley, and the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act, and could make credit, banking, insurance, fraud prevention, and identity verification harder. In response, the sponsor said the bill uses use-case-based exemptions rather than broad entity-level exemptions, noted testimony from banks, insurers, a data broker, a former data broker employee, and the Attorney General, and said no constitutional concerns were raised. The House ultimately adopted the amendment and advanced the bill. After H. 211, the House moved to House Bill 577, establishing the Vermont Prescription Drug Discount Card Program. Committee reports from Health Care, Ways and Means, and Appropriations were read into the record, and the Colchester member described the bill as a way to lower prescription drug costs by joining the multi-state Array Rx program. The bill would let any Vermont resident obtain a free discount card for FDA-approved prescription drugs, with claimed savings up to 80% on generics and 20% on brand-name drugs. The House then proceeded to second reading on H. 577.

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, let's look at nonprofit low-income housing development.
• of revenue that's dedicated to low-income housing development.
• of revenue that's dedicated to low-income housing development.
• It is providing tax relief and helps developers to build homes.
• That economic threshold is also the reason beneficiary savings are limited.

Summary: The committee met on December 3, 2025, with a quorum present and approved the September 17 minutes. Members first voted to suspend the 2026 JLARC lodging tax expenditure report for one year, based on staff’s explanation that the report is self-reported, not verified, and less useful than State Auditor accountability audits; the motion passed. The committee also approved renaming the JLARC I-900 subcommittee to the “Committee to Hear SAO Performance Audits,” while keeping the opening script noting that the performance audit process exists under Initiative 900. The committee then heard follow-up updates on two prior performance audits. The Department of Health presented a draft strategic management plan in response to findings on hospital inspections, complaints, adverse event review, and hospital data access. JLARC staff reiterated that 72% of hospital inspections were late, that DOH did not verify third-party inspection standards or review adverse event reports, and that complaint data suggested possible language-access barriers. DOH said it concurred with the recommendations, had improved on-time inspection compliance to about 49%, planned annual updates starting in July 2026, and would work on accreditation oversight, complaint-language access, and data accessibility, though members pressed for firmer deadlines and questioned the three-year timeline for language access improvements. The Liquor and Cannabis Board also reported on its cannabis market study recommendation. JLARC staff said the agency’s data were incomplete and unreliable, limiting oversight of production, recalls, tax collection, and diversion. LCB said it had improved its current CCRS system but still relied on self-reported data, and it presented a decision package for a new traceability system estimated at about $9 million over three fiscal years. LCB described a plant-tagging and serialization approach tied to production, processing, testing, and retail, but acknowledged it did not currently have sufficient staff to fully implement the system without additional funding. The committee also received briefings on JLARC’s recommendation-tracking tools and the 2024 public records reporting summary, including a high-level review of agency response rates, request volumes, costs, and litigation. Finally, JLARC presented the proposed final report on the Office of Privacy and Data Protection, concluding that OPDP meets its statutory responsibilities and has high user satisfaction, but that its mandate should be updated to better match its current capacity and focus; the committee adopted the report for distribution. The meeting then moved into the 2025 tax preference performance reviews, where JLARC staff summarized nine reviews and noted that the Citizens Commission on Tax Preference and Performance Measurement endorsed all 17 legislative auditor recommendations, with comments on seven. Early reviews discussed included natural gas transportation fuel preferences, travel agent and tour operator B&O rates, nonprofit low-income housing development, multipurpose senior centers, disabled veteran adaptive housing, and trade convention attendance, with staff and commissioners generally recommending continuation of some preferences, modification of others, and improved objectives or performance measures where needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then it was going to be up for development.
• I'm wondering that in this period of development, Mr.
• Can you imagine what the economic impact is for San Miguel County?
• Kramer Winningham on an economic contribution analysis.
• I think it's just something really important to plug from an economic development perspective and also

Transcript Highlights:

• Economic issues are important issues for Minnesota farmers.
• fundamental economic principle. fundamental economic principle.
• will create substantial economic will create substantial economic benefits<00:09:13.640> throughout
• We encourage decades of economic growth.
• investment in Minnesota's economic investment in Minnesota's economic future.<00:10:03.960> Thank

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank the committee chairs for spending an incredible amount of time and energy to develop
• Additional resources support development only for developmental disability centers.
• Next, we will hear from Chair DiCeglie to report on transportation, tourism, and economic development
• We developed a good government budget that provides for the tourism and economic development activities
• It requires the Department to develop a reimbursement invoicing system.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Angeles, we faced chaos and uncertainty from President Trump's ever-changing tariffs and incoherent economic
• The changing economic circumstances.
• A special fund for economic uncertainty at the end of the year is important to note.
• development.
• We want to highlight their hope that the Social Entrepreneurs for Economic Development, also known as

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so while leasehold solar development, like many other leasehold arrangements, presents legitimate
• And otherwise it establishes baseline obligations for solar developers.
• > many<00:01:52.880> other solar development like many other solar development like many
• Many laws in our state are fortunately experiencing economic development and economic growth, but, you
• <00:14:38.320> development, experiencing economic development, experiencing economic development

Keywords: Energy - Room 210, 2 February, 2026; 4:15 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee took up several energy, utility, and infrastructure bills. Bill 2527 on solar decommissioning was presented as a landowner consumer-protection measure that would set statewide baseline requirements for solar lease agreements, preserve some freedom of contract, preempt duplicative local rules, and protect landowners from reclamation costs; after no questions, it was moved and passed. The committee also discussed changes to the Gulf Coast Regional Utility Act in HB 2058 and HB 2309, including new first-right-of-refusal language, prohibitions on unauthorized service, civil penalties and enforcement tools, and legislative intent language aimed at preventing duplication and protecting public investment; both were adopted as committee substitutes and passed. HB 2018 was amended to extend similar oversight to water systems, and it was reported after questions about the scope of the change. Several bills focused on water and wastewater oversight. SB 2311 and SB 2312 would create statewide A-to-F grading systems for drinking water and wastewater systems, require annual public reporting, and direct the health and environmental agencies to adopt objective scoring rules; both were passed. SB 2526 would create a Mississippi Rural Water Oversight Committee, require rate studies, capacity studies, and asset management plans for water associations, and provide staffing and funding support from existing revolving-fund resources; it was adopted as a committee substitute and reported, with supporters saying it would help identify and assist troubled associations. The committee also heard a bill creating the Metro Jackson Water Authority, allowing a lease of city system assets, special revenue bonds to refinance legacy debt, and supplemental revenue sources such as sanitation fees and possibly sales tax revenues; the sponsor said no general fund money would be used, and the bill was reported. The committee also advanced HB 2641, which was stripped down to a study committee on wind turbine facilities, grandfathered existing projects, and imposed a moratorium on new construction until the study is completed; members asked about existing projects and were told current projects under construction would not be penalized, and the committee substitute passed. SB 2783 would make targeted definition changes to BEAD-related broadband grant programs so remaining federal funds could support other state initiatives, including AI workforce training, and it was reported after questions about future federal guidance. Finally, HB 2787 would add propane to the school gas-leak testing statute; the sponsor said the inspections would not require additional state funding because propane dealers and the State Fire Marshal’s office already handle the checks, and the bill passed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Dennis Ling for the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism stands on its written testimony
• Dennis Ling for the Department<00:03:46.879> of<00:03:47.040> Business<00:03:47.519> Economic
• Department of Business Economic Department of Business Economic Development<00:03:48.360> and
• and Tourism debed stand on Development and Tourism debed stand on its<00:03:50.439> written<00
• Development and Tourism with comments.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Culture and Arts met on February 7 and heard testimony on two measures. HB 1025, relating to the Center for Cultural and Technical Interchange Between East and West, received support from the East-West Center, the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, and Friends of Civil Rights, with the Department of the Attorney General submitting comments. No opposition was noted, and the committee later voted to pass HB 1025 with amendments. The chair said the amendments would incorporate the Attorney General’s comments, add a preamble clarifying legislative intent, and change the effective date to July 1, 3000; the vote was unanimous among members present, with two members excused. The committee also heard HB 1378, which would establish a Performing Arts grant program under the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. The SFCA supported the bill but asked that section 5 be deleted, saying the Works of Art Special Fund is not the right vehicle for performing arts and that the agency’s positions are currently federally funded and should be shifted to general funds. The Attorney General likewise recommended deleting section 5, warning that expanding the Works of Art Special Fund could jeopardize the state’s tax-exempt GO bond status, and suggested creating a separate special fund in chapter 9 instead. DBEDT stood on its written testimony, and several arts organizations and individuals testified in support, with the chair noting about 23 supporters overall. During questioning on HB 1378, members asked about possible federal funding losses. The SFCA director said the agency is in discussions with other state arts agencies about potential reductions from the National Endowment for the Arts and related White House requests, and that the immediate goal is to protect federally funded positions by moving them into the general fund. The committee did not take final action on HB 1378 and deferred decision-making until Wednesday, February 12.

Transcript Highlights:

• development, and I've always thought it was important to engage and work much more closely with our
• development standpoint, that'll go forward.
• development, and I've always thought it was important to engage and work much more closely with our
• development standpoint, that'll go forward.
• The spirit of looking at what's in the best interest of Minnesotans from a jobs and economic development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The discussion focused on Minnesota Senate power-sharing after the chamber split evenly between DFLers and Republicans, leading to a temporary arrangement with two co-presiding officers instead of a single Senate President. Senator Bobby Joe Champion described the arrangement as historic but practical, noting that he and Senator Jeremy Miller both have prior leadership experience and mutual respect, which helps the Senate operate smoothly at the start of session. He said the agreement is intended to keep the Senate functioning while the seat in Senate District 60 remains vacant and until the 34th vote is restored. Champion said the power-sharing agreement will end once the tie is broken and the Senate regains a majority, after which one of the co-presiding officers will become Senate President. He expressed hope that he would hold that role, but emphasized that the broader goal is to keep the chamber focused on people-centered policymaking rather than partisan numbers. He also said some elements of the agreement, especially those that encourage closer collaboration, may continue even after the tie is resolved. The senator highlighted bipartisanship, committee balance, and working relationships across party lines as key features of the arrangement. He pointed to his role as co-chair of jobs and economic development and said he expects continued cooperation with Republican lead Senator Draheim on issues affecting Minnesotans. Throughout the interview, Champion framed the moment as an opportunity to “meet the moment” with leadership, citing the importance of how the Senate handles challenge and controversy.

Transcript Highlights:

• While some lead to meaningful job opportunities, others can leave students with little economic benefit
• AB 2499 requires the Cal/OSHA to develop and propose a standard covering these facilities.
• It requires that Cal/OSHA should develop and propose a standard covering these facilities.
• Jose Espinoza, who's the executive officer with the Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board.
• At a time of rapid economic transformation... ...and improving lives for working people.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He has actively supported youth development through a free talent development program offering vocal
• Because I know that duty of care standards are bedrock in the product development cycle of everything
• We all know that these platforms are harmful and addictive, particularly while the brain is developing
• Unhealthy habits or fully develop their self-esteem.
• self-reliance, particularly for individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill allows charter schools to directly access funding through the Workforce Development Capitalization
• Senator, will including charter schools in the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program
• and economic growth.
• During my time in state government, I don't... ...provide lifelong economic stability.
• During my time in state government, I don't... ...provide lifelong economic stability.

Summary: The committee first took up CS/SB 742 on workforce education, which would let charter schools directly access the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program for career and technical education programs leading to industry certifications, and would expand the number of programs covered by the money-back guarantee at career centers and Florida College System institutions from three to six. Senator Simon said the bill would help fund CTE expansion; Senator Davis asked whether it could reduce funding for school districts, and Simon said it could depending on available grant funds. A supporter from the Foundation for Florida’s Future appeared in favor, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then heard SB 892, which would codify the Florida State University Center for Election Law so it can continue operating and become eligible for recurring funding. Senator Simon said the center’s work is focused on nonpartisan, evidence-based research related to improving responses to natural disasters and reducing fraud, mistakes, and irregularities in elections, rather than lobbying or redistricting advocacy. FSU supporters testified that the center has already hosted events such as a Bush v. Gore anniversary conference and has contributed to law school scholarship. After questions from Senator Davis about the center’s scope and funding, the bill was reported favorably. The remainder of the meeting consisted largely of confirmation testimony from appointees to university and college boards, who described their backgrounds and priorities. Most emphasized workforce development, student success, affordability, and local community partnerships at institutions including Tallahassee State College, Valencia College, New College, Pensacola State College, Florida Gulf Coast University, University of South Florida, Florida Atlantic University, Daytona State College, University of North Florida, St. Johns River State College, Palm Beach State College, and Santa Fe College. Several appointees highlighted their personal ties to the institutions and their goals of supporting programs in nursing, technical education, research, internships, and graduation rates. One nominee, Dr. Joel Rudman for Pensacola State College, faced pointed questioning about past public comments; he said his remarks were directed at the Florida House, not the Senate, and denied any knowledge of drug use by current or former senators. Public testimony was mixed on his nomination, with one supporter praising his community service and one critic urging rejection. No final confirmation votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.