Transcript Highlights:

• There has been a lot of funding efficiencies happening.
• The last suggestion is to administer our funds more efficiently.
• And now, you know, it was a More efficiently.
• metric, and our tiebreaker really does prioritize efficiency of resources.
• And then, finally, we've talked a lot about efficiency.

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Housing Finance and Affordability held its first hearing of 2025 to examine California’s housing finance system, with opening remarks emphasizing the state’s severe housing shortage, high costs, and the need for practical recommendations to the Legislature and Governor. Co-chairs described the committee as an educational and problem-solving forum focused on financing housing production, first-time homeownership, mixed-income developments, and affordability across the income spectrum. Witnesses from state agencies and the development sector were invited to explain how housing is financed and where the system is breaking down. Panelists from the California Housing Partnership, the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, the Tax Credit Allocation Committee/State Treasurer’s Office, CalHFA, and Related outlined the “capital stack” used to finance affordable housing, stressing that projects typically rely on multiple public and private sources, including federal and state low-income housing tax credits, tax-exempt bonds, state subsidies, local funds, and rental income. Speakers noted that affordable housing rents generally cannot support full project costs without public subsidy, and that recent federal changes—especially the expansion of the 4% and 9% tax credit programs and the reduction of the bond financing threshold for 4% credits—should allow California to finance substantially more units. CalHFA also described its homeownership programs, including My Home, Dream For All, and disaster-related mortgage assistance, as well as its multifamily lending and bond issuance programs. Several witnesses and committee members emphasized that the system remains too complex, too slow, and underfunded. They pointed to the need for more state funding, a housing bond, a permanent funding source, and better coordination among agencies, while also citing recent streamlining efforts such as AB 434’s SuperNOFA, AB 519’s one-stop-shop working group, and the planned California Housing and Homeless Agency reorganization. Members raised concerns about equity, access, missing-middle housing, gender and racial disparities, and whether current programs adequately serve extremely low-income households and those at risk of homelessness. No formal votes or actions were taken during the hearing; the discussion ended with committee members and witnesses agreeing that both funding and administrative reform are needed to increase production and improve affordability.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:21:35.840> but it will make that more efficient but it will make that more efficient but
• Let's move on to Senate Bill 635, relating to Energy Efficiency.
• This one would require state agencies to expeditiously use energy-efficient lighting.
• expeditiously use energy efficient expeditiously use energy efficient Lighting<00:24:50.279>
• Don't you guys already try to use energy-efficient lighting? And we do, in fact.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing began with SB 133 on energy, which drew opposition testimony from James Abraham, who said the bill was unnecessary because the Public Utilities Commission had already opened a proceeding to investigate wheeling, including intergovernmental wheeling, and should be allowed to finish its collaborative process. The committees then moved to SB 161 on county permitting and inspection, where several agencies submitted written comments or opposition, while the Grassroots Institute and HCDA-related testimony supported the measure. Members raised concerns about accountability and whether state agencies would report back on projects approved under any permitting exemption, and witnesses suggested annual reporting or amendment language to address that issue. The hearing then turned to SB 232 and SB 588, both related to renewable energy permitting. Testimony on SB 232 was largely supportive, but Rocky Mold of the Hawaii Solar Energy Association said SB 232 was an older version of a bill and that SB 588 was the preferred, updated measure. Members discussed whether the bill should be limited to residential or behind-the-meter customer-sited systems rather than utility-scale projects, and Mold clarified that the proposal was intended for customer-sited systems, not utility-scale facilities. For SB 588, the Department of Land and Natural Resources warned that state or county laws inconsistent with the National Flood Insurance Program could jeopardize flood insurance eligibility and related federal assistance, while Mold argued the bill’s FEMA floodway exemption was needed to avoid blocking solar installations on existing structures. The chair expressed concern about risking federal funding and questioned whether the exemption could be narrowed without defeating the bill’s purpose. SB 412, also on renewable energy, received supportive testimony from the State Energy Office and others. Members questioned whether a single coordinating entity should compile agency assessments, and Mark Glick said the Energy Office could take on that role if given the duty and sufficient staff. The committee then discussed SB 635 on energy efficiency, which would require state agencies to use energy-efficient lighting. Mark Glick testified that much of the work was already underway through benchmarking and related contracts, and a DAGS representative said the state was already assessing 590 buildings over 10,000 square feet, with results expected around 2027. Members suggested amending the bill to require annual status reports so the committees could track progress and avoid duplication. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• This initiative not only fosters a safe, efficient, and enjoyable environment, but also ensures efficient
• This initiative not only fosters a safe, efficient, and enjoyable environment, but also ensures efficient
• ,<00:45:26.079> we To improve meal flow and efficiency, we To improve meal flow and efficiency
• highquality meals in a safe, efficient highquality meals in a safe, efficient and<00:46:24.319><
• Uh, expanding sustainable nor efficient.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:36:05.760> programming assessing Energy Efficiency programming assessing Energy Efficiency
• remainder of the 2426 Energy Efficiency remainder of the 2426 Energy Efficiency plan<01:02:14.559
• supervisor of our Energy Efficiency supervisor of our Energy Efficiency programs<01:04:22.680>
• <01:21:06.120> initiatives it's the Energy Efficiency initiatives it's the Energy Efficiency
• <01:24:07.440> improvements Energy Efficiency improvements Energy Efficiency improvements

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• terribly controversial, but there's a lot of things going on in this space and I think a lot of efficiency
• terribly controversial, but there's a lot of things going on in this space and I think a lot of efficiency
• <00:04:20.880> of I think a a lot of efficiency of I think a a lot of efficiency of governance
• comment I just made about efficiencies comment I just made about efficiencies and<00:04:49.280><
• with IT as we go agile and efficient with IT as we go forward<00:05:15.520> with<00:05:15.759

Keywords: Technology - Room 210; 28 January, 2026: 9:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Technology Committee met a few minutes late and took up four bills. Senate Bill 2437, which establishes a baseline definition of artificial intelligence and aligns it with federal language, was explained as a recommendation from the AI regulatory task force; it passed without questions and was reported out. Senate Bill 2650, the Mississippi Emergency Communications Authority Act, was presented as a follow-up to last year’s 911 legislation to make minor, non-funding adjustments to definitions around EOCs, EOCCs, and NG 911 standards; members noted the board has not yet fully met or been confirmed, and the bill passed and was reported out. Senate Bill 2653, the Mississippi IT Optimization Act, was described as creating a new code section to improve state IT efficiency and enterprise solutions as agencies move to the cloud and data sharing expands. The chair cited consolidation efforts such as reducing multiple Microsoft mail accounts and potential cost savings, and the bill passed with no opposition. Senate Bill 2654 would establish a state security operations center to centralize cybersecurity response and related assets; after a committee substitute corrected a typographical error, the substitute was adopted and then passed as a title sufficient do pass, to be reported out. The chair also said the committee would likely see further revisions later in session, especially on the 911 and cybersecurity measures, and announced a February 5 field trip for technology committees to visit MDE from about 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with more details to follow.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:23:31.440> which First one is uh energy efficiency which First one is uh energy efficiency
• And as far as I understand it, from an efficiency, not necessarily cost efficiency, but just distribution
• ,<00:29:36.240> not understand it from an efficiency, not understand it from an efficiency
• <00:29:38.240> just necessarily cost efficiency, but just necessarily cost efficiency, but just
• :29:40.720> have distribution efficiency, that would have distribution efficiency, that would

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• safe efficient energy in Minnesota. safe efficient energy in Minnesota.
• Efficiency is one of the best things.
• <00:23:41.840> the efficiency.
• Efficiency is one of the efficiency. Efficiency is one of the best<00:23:42.200> things.
• Uh but efficiency through best things.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , it also creates operational efficiencies for delivering that service.
• It allows for better efficiency across the state.
• It will allow us to have more efficient operations.
• Improve the energy efficiency, two, to create additional office space.
• Reduce our operating costs through efficiencies by being... ...through efficiencies by being able to

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing reconvened with testimony from several agencies on their capital budget requests. The Department of Environmental Services requested a little over $38 million, with major emphasis on dam repairs and design work for aging state-owned dams, including a $5.25 million match for possible FEMA BRIC funding at Pawtuckaway/Tuckaway and other projects such as Milton Three Ponds, Murphy Dam, and Lakeport Gates. DES also requested funding for state revolving loan fund matches, a Superfund match for the Savage Well site, IT and air-monitoring upgrades, and a new $750,000 cybersecurity request for water and wastewater systems. Committee members asked about FEMA eligibility, the distinction between design and construction money, and the timing and risk of banking funds if federal grants do not materialize. The University System of New Hampshire requested $20 million in state support, primarily $15 million for a major Diamond Library renovation at UNH to create a student support hub and reduce/repurpose collection space, plus $2.5 million each for deferred maintenance at Plymouth State and Keene State. The Community College System requested about $16.6 million across seven projects, led by critical maintenance, campus safety/security upgrades, IT infrastructure, parking and site improvements, HVAC replacement at White Mountains Community College in Littleton, a building management/energy system, and modernization of NHTI’s dental clinic and radiology spaces. The Department of Education requested $29.5 million, including a $4.9 million internal management platform to replace paper-based and siloed systems, plus career and technical education capital projects; Milford’s CTE project was described as being revised after repeated failed bond votes, while ConVal said its revised project would focus on modernizing existing CTE space and adding a security vestibule. Fish and Game requested $1.075 million for three facilities: Sewall Falls in Concord, the Lancaster Armory, and the Bunker Lane Barn in Durham, focusing on structural repairs, security, reconfiguration, and in one case replacement of a failing barn with a new 40-by-60 building. The department also said hatchery work is ongoing but that it is taking a cautious approach because of the planned New Hampton Hatchery and future capital needs. The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources requested $9.26 million for eight projects, including campground electrical upgrades at Ellacoya and Lake Francis, White Lake water system replacement, Mount Washington fuel tank and safety work, Odiorne Point visitor center work funded through parks revenue, roofing and parking lot repairs, Fox Forest office safety upgrades, and historic site repairs at White Island and Fort Constitution. Members asked about revenue-based capital, the stability of the parks fund, and flexibility in choosing projects as bids come in. The Department of Transportation began its presentation at the end of the transcript, but its detailed requests were not yet discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• AI, and especially around how state governments can utilize AI to deliver better outcomes more efficiently
• is to start off with pilots, start off with them augmenting and supporting individuals to be more efficient
• I want to ask one then about, and I'm all about the efficiencies of finding ways of getting AI instituted
• And I want to make sure that we balance employment versus efficiency to the taxpayer, because they're
• fruit, being able to augment existing employees on how to do their jobs in a significantly more efficient

Bills: HB2452, HB2592

Keywords: comprehensive plans, county governance, data centers, zoning, state regulations, land use, energy production, infrastructure, environmental impact, artificial intelligence, government regulation, innovation, procurement, administrative burdens, 1182, all

Summary: The House Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Committee heard a presentation from Steven Garrison of the Cicero Institute on how Arizona state government could use AI to improve service delivery, reduce costs, and streamline procurement. He argued that AI should be treated as software deployed across many use cases, not just chatbots, and urged the state to identify opportunities proactively, avoid unnecessary agency-level AI rules, use existing procurement structures, and measure outcomes. Members asked about workforce impacts, agency involvement, privacy, and the balance between innovation and regulation; Garrison said AI would likely augment workers first, create new jobs over time, and should be guided by the legislature rather than broad agency rulemaking. The committee then considered HB 2592, which directs the Department of Administration to have budget units identify AI opportunities and streamline implementation, and an amendment adding reporting requirements to state leaders and the Secretary of State. After limited public testimony, the amendment was adopted and the bill received a due pass recommendation on a 4-2 vote, with one member absent. The committee next took up HB 2452, which would add data centers and small modular reactors to county comprehensive planning and adjust county land-use planning requirements, including changes related to renewable energy planning in larger counties. Supporters said the bill would help counties plan ahead for data center growth and future energy needs, including SMRs and other emerging technologies. County representatives opposed the measure, arguing it improperly singled out specific uses, blurred the line between comprehensive planning and zoning, and reduced local control by altering established public planning processes; they also raised concerns about vague standards and the bill’s treatment of renewable energy. After debate, the committee approved HB 2452 on a 4-3 vote for a due pass recommendation and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know why I can't say that—railroad crossing safety, the Austin efficiency, and the life-saving
• It verifies FDOT's duties with respect to airport systems to facilitate efficient movement of passengers
• So, if it's simply, for example, energy efficiency or saving dollars, there might be room where that
• We in the city of Orlando have implemented a lot of positive changes when it comes to energy efficiency
• A lot of it has been said, you know, there are goals that go towards affordability and cost efficiency

Transcript Highlights:

• Referred to the Committee on Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency.
• Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency.
• Further to the Committee on Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency.
• Regulatory fares and government efficiency.
• Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency. Somebody's got to run it every year.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and approval of the prior journal. Members then recognized several guest groups and proclamations, including the Alzheimer’s Association, the Arizona Society of CPAs, the Arizona Airports Association (with a proclamation designating Arizona Aviation Day), and students from Onyose Day Academy in Yuma for School Choice Week. Additional guest introductions included school choice and community advocates. The chamber then handled executive nominations and a long list of bill introductions and committee referrals. Measures covered a wide range of topics, including veterans’ property tax exemptions, ESA reporting and spending limits, public school communications requirements, sentencing and expungement, SNAP work and audit provisions, immigration-related restrictions, water and land issues, election law, domestic relations, health insurance and fertility coverage, and several education, transportation, and public safety proposals. The Senate also moved through second-reading consideration of numerous bills and resolutions, including measures on voting security, prison sentencing, weather modification, water supply, emergency shelters, rural health, reentry programs, and foreign contributions. A large portion of the floor time was taken up by personal privilege statements focused on human rights and immigration enforcement. Senators from both parties spoke about alleged abuses by federal immigration authorities, citing deaths and injuries in several states and calling for investigations, transparency, and an end to excessive force. Separate remarks also addressed a humanitarian crisis in Iran, with a resolution read in support of human rights and the Iranian people. The chamber recessed and later reconvened to continue reading bills and announcements. No substantive floor votes on legislation were taken in the transcript beyond routine procedural actions, and the meeting ended with committee announcements and adjournment until the next scheduled session.

Transcript Highlights:

• SOMETHING TO MAKE US MORE EFFICIENT INTERNALLY.
• COME IN AND SAY GIVE ME MORE MONEY ALL THE TIME BUT HOW CAN WE BE MORE EFFICIENT IN THE PROCESS.
• WE ORGANIZE A LOT OF THE OFFICES THAT WERE THERE TO BE MORE EFFICIENT.
• EFFICIENCY AND SCALE THAT WE WERE AT TWO YEARS AGO.
• THIS YEAR WE LOOK FOR SOME EFFICIENCIES THROUGH THE CITRUS PROGRAM.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Efficiency Act.
• So we try to keep it efficient.
• Focusing first on workload absorption, process improvements, and efficiency.
• This reduction reflects sustained cost efficiencies through technology, streamlined operations, and efficiencies
• tracked in an efficient way, not in a conspiratorial manner, to see.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our goal here is to be sure that we provide efficient and effective services for the constituents that
• Our goal here is to be sure that we provide efficient and effective services for the constituents that
• I have a little time today efficiencies.
• So these are ways that I think we can bring efficiency and more bang for the taxpayer dollars.
• I'm I'm this make that more efficient.

Keywords: Government Structure - Room 409, 12 January, 2026; 2:00 P.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee held its first meeting under its new Government Structure Committee name and began by electing Senator Chris Johnson as secretary. The chair explained the committee’s purpose as improving efficiency, effectiveness, and stewardship of taxpayer dollars, and said members had asked statewide officials and agencies for ideas on streamlining government and reducing costs. Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce Andy Gibson testified at length about ways his agency has found efficiencies, especially after the COVID-era consolidation of three agencies into one. He said state procurement and construction rules can add major time and cost to projects, citing a proposed $300,000 building that grew to about $1 million through the state process. He recommended raising repair and quote thresholds, streamlining construction procedures, reconsidering restrictions on payments between state agencies, and allowing more flexibility for agencies to help one another when authorized. Members questioned Gibson about the repair caps, the construction cost increase, Ticketmaster and other technology/vendor arrangements, and whether agencies should have more decentralized control over contracts. The chair and several senators agreed the committee should examine red tape, vendor relationships, and procurement rules, and Gibson said he would provide more information and work with the committee. No formal legislation was acted on in the portion provided. The transcript then shifted to testimony from the Insurance Commissioner, who said his department is heavily affected by IT and board structure issues and oversees 17 boards. He urged consolidation of some boards, criticized the effects of SB 2362 on special-fund agencies, and said the State Fire Academy and other operations have been constrained by general-fund treatment and limited authority. He also discussed insurance-rate pressures, including projected premium increases, wind pool rate concerns on the Gulf Coast, and the need for mitigation to stabilize costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• and Looking at ways within our operational budget to find savings to be more efficient and then reinvest
• How do we make that as efficient as possible?
• And so you're taking an inefficient process and making it more efficient.
• And you're building efficiencies into the department, and hopefully that's a never-ending process.
• But it seems like... ...efficiencies in the department.

Summary: The committee met for an information-only hearing with no votes or other action items. DOTD Secretary Glenn LaD and Deputy Secretary Beau Black gave an update on the department’s transformation efforts, focusing on faster project delivery, improved construction administration, and new technology. They said monthly contractor payment approvals have been reduced from roughly 35 days to 15 days or less, change orders from about 40-45 days to around five days, and that DOTD delivered 86% of its advertised projects in the last fiscal year. They also described new tools such as Headlight for field inspections, Smart PM for schedule tracking, Hall Hub for e-ticketing and work-zone mapping, and a pilot using advanced sensors on district vehicles to identify potholes, guardrail damage, and other asset issues. The department also outlined a district reorganization that replaces the area engineer model with dedicated district points of contact for construction, maintenance, and operations, with no increase in total staff. Members raised concerns about local maintenance issues, especially mowing, drainage, culverts, potholes, and communication with district offices. Several members asked for clearer coordination on jurisdictional questions, more frequent meetings with district administrators, and better public updates on long-running projects. LaD said DOTD would schedule follow-up meetings, use the coming customer service portal to track complaints, and improve public communication through project information officers, social media, and other outreach. Questions also covered contractor accountability, utility relocations, road transfer maps on the DOTD website, and whether maintenance work adjacent to capital projects should be handled by district crews or through new IDIQ contracts. The secretary also reviewed the Highway Priority Program process, saying DOTD will work between June and September to review projects not included in the prior program, explain why, and refine a five-year fiscally constrained plan before the fall road show. He said the department is using IDIQ authority to award bridge maintenance and other task-order work, and that this should help address a two-year bridge repair backlog. Members discussed whether current funding levels are enough to reduce the statewide backlog, and DOTD said the current program likely maintains rather than eliminates it absent new revenue. The hearing ended with a project-specific update that a barge struck the Black Bayou Pontoon Bridge that morning, causing significant damage; DOTD said divers and staff would inspect it and determine emergency repairs. After DOTD’s presentation, Archie Chesson of the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction gave a brief update on that office’s first year, describing its use of consultant pools, master service agreements, a public GIS map, and a data tool to prioritize rural road and bridge projects, with several early projects already completed or under construction.

Transcript Highlights:

• And also, as a business person in the private sector, if you want efficiencies out of your employees,
• And also, as a business person in the private sector, if you want efficiencies out of your employees,
• And also, as a business person in the private sector, if you want efficiencies out of your employees,
• and helping state workers do their job effectively and efficiently.
• Modernizing our systems and efficiently.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up Senate File 334, a bill to modernize Minnesota’s county-administered human services technology systems, including those used for Medicaid, SNAP, and related programs. The author described the current systems as outdated “green screen” platforms from the late 1980s and early 1990s that are cumbersome for county workers, slow service delivery, and make it harder to retain staff. The bill would create an integration layer over legacy systems, establish a long-term technology modernization fund with about $90 million in spending over time and a $50 million cap, and place MNIT in charge of holding and disbursing funds. It also creates governance structures, including an interagency group with county representation and a legislative working group, and includes a $15 million fund for the Office of the Inspector General’s technology needs. Several members spoke in strong support, emphasizing that modernization would improve efficiency, help counties serve residents better, and strengthen fraud detection and data sharing. Representatives from Winona, Washington, Olmsted, Stearns, Hennepin, and others cited local experiences with hacked county systems, obsolete software, and the difficulty of recruiting workers to outdated systems. One member urged that the effort be made enterprise-wide and suggested adding the Office of Legislative Auditor to oversight. Another noted the bill’s potential to improve identity verification tools and support broader agency collaboration. No amendments were offered. After third reading and debate, the clerk called the roll and the House passed the bill with 134 ayes and 0 nays; the title was agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• Both of those technologies are, my understanding is, very energy efficient and water efficient as well
• Both of those technologies are both, my understanding is they're very energy efficient and water efficient
• So we believe in efficiency.
• They should be asking for efficiency metrics.
• They should be asking for efficiency metrics.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That means efficient transportation.
• That means efficient transportation.
• We like efficiencies. That's what we need: more efficiencies, less waste.
• We like efficiencies. That's what we need: more efficiencies, less waste.
• We like efficiencies. That's what we need: more efficiencies, less waste.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The agency performed a compensation analysis which revealed pay efficiencies for specific positions like
• Furthermore, complaints and licensees will benefit from this enhanced efficiency.
• Board staff stand ready and eager to address that growing volume through efficient licensing.
• Enhancements include upgrading systems to improve efficiency and service quality.
• Please look for ways to be more efficient in our processes.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

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

Transcript Highlights:

• in this bill, I just want to say thank you to our incredible chairs, who led with humility and efficiency
• in this bill, I just want to say thank you to our incredible chairs, who led with humility and efficiency
• in this bill, I just want to say thank you to our incredible chairs, who led with humility and efficiency
• That they can run their businesses efficiently in the state of Minnesota. Pretty important work.
• our taxpayers go exactly where they need to go and that we can help the most people in the most efficient

Keywords: 1183, house