Transcript Highlights:

• There is an amendment that's bar code number 941, Chair: 889.
• And I do see an Amendment Chairman: bar code number 718509.
• Chair: You are recognized to explain the strike-all Amendment bar code number 873707.
• The hope was to give some local governments some flexibility to use some of the excess building code
• Chair: Bar code number 897687. You're recognized to explain the amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• If it's acting as a code enforcement mechanism, it's basically supplanting code enforcement for proper
• So when you go to the post office and change your zip codes.
• So when you go to the post office and change your zip codes.
• So it's with product, it's with technology, zoning, and building codes.
• But the zoning regulations, too, are the zoning codes.

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met with a quorum present and took up SB 122, which would repeal Chapter 205 on local business taxes while allowing municipalities to continue imposing a gross-receipts-based business tax on merchants. Senator Trumbull presented the bill for the sponsor, and committee members questioned what services local governments fund with local business tax revenue and whether the bill should be considered alongside broader property tax changes. County and city representatives opposed the bill, arguing that local business taxes are capped home-rule revenues used for general fund services such as public safety, zoning and licensure checks, economic development, and business support, and warning that repeal would shift costs to residential taxpayers and reduce local flexibility. Senator Shreve said he would vote no because of ongoing property tax discussions, while Senator Pizzo said he would support the bill but wanted clearer accounting of how the revenue is spent. The committee voted 5-1 to report SB 122 favorably. The committee then held a housing panel discussion focused on Florida’s housing shortage, affordability, and supply constraints. Dr. Samuel Staley said Florida is in a housing crisis driven largely by insufficient supply, arguing that the state needs roughly 100,000 additional units per year just to keep up with in-migration and that local planning systems often do not prioritize housing enough. He urged more emphasis on measurable impacts, streamlined permitting, accessory dwelling units, smaller lot sizes, and other market-responsive tools. Ann Ray of the Shimberg Center said Florida is seeing more single-family and multifamily construction but that production is concentrated in a handful of counties, while condo construction remains limited; she also noted that rents and home prices spiked sharply in the early 2020s and remain above pre-2020 levels, with nearly 905,000 low-income renters cost-burdened. Leslie Deutsch of John Burns Research said the national housing market is slow, Florida has a severe affordability problem, and builders are lowering prices and offering incentives but still face high land, labor, materials, and insurance costs. In committee discussion, senators focused on whether Florida should encourage more density, including townhomes, build-to-rent products, modular housing, and redevelopment of existing sites rather than relying on large new subdivisions. Members also discussed the role of local zoning, impact fees, density bonuses, and state incentives tied to housing targets. Several senators said Florida’s growth and affordability challenges require updating land development codes and planning for where future residents will live without overbuilding rural or environmentally sensitive areas. The chair closed by emphasizing that density can support affordability and that Florida should use existing footprints more efficiently.

Transcript Highlights:

• We implemented a national conversion of the CIP codes, which I know we regularly talk about, like CTE
• But this is a good example of it being complicated because nobody else uses CIP codes as just a term
• CIP codes as just a term that we throw out there it's the classification index for the program so it's
• When the national SIP code changes, and it doesn't happen too often, but when...
• When the national SIP code changes, and it doesn't happen too often, but when they change, there is a

Summary: The House Education Committee received status updates on career and technical education (CTE), including OSPI’s work under 2024 legislation on allied health pathways and a statewide CTE task force, an update from Core Plus Maritime, and findings from an Education Northwest longitudinal study of Washington CTE access and outcomes. OSPI described development of allied health guidance such as a home care aide to nursing assistant bridge, model curricula, updated course equivalency frameworks, and coordination with health agencies and employers. It also reviewed Core Plus framework work, task force expansion under later legislation, and the timeline for recommendations due in November 2026. Committee members asked about health profession outreach, equitable access for rural districts, data updates, and employer support for local programs; OSPI said it continues to work with agency and industry partners and that local labor-market alignment varies by region. Core Plus Maritime presenters described expanding maritime career exploration into middle school through low-cost ROV curriculum, student visits to ferries and vessels, Sea Scouts partnerships, and ship-based safety and welding experiences. Industry representatives from the Northwest Marine Trade Association, American Seafoods, and Vigor Marine Group emphasized the maritime sector’s economic importance, aging workforce, and need for hands-on training to build the pipeline for family-wage jobs. A teacher from South Kitsap High School said the program gives students a clear pathway and has helped connect them to careers in shipyards, fishing, and related trades. Vigor also noted support for a student welding competition and equipment donations for a Rainier Beach shop. Dr. Sam Riggs of Education Northwest presented a longitudinal study using state data from 2013-14 through 2023-24. The study found CTE access has been relatively steady statewide, but offerings vary by school size, locale, and income, with rural and lower-income schools generally offering fewer pathways. Participation is high: nearly all students earn at least some CTE credit, and more students are accumulating multiple credits over time, though fewer go deep within a single pathway. Students who earned more CTE credits, especially within pathways such as agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, and construction, were more likely to graduate on time and later had stronger postsecondary certificate attainment and earnings. Riggs recommended addressing local barriers to participation, considering whether the CTE graduation requirement should better encourage depth while preserving flexibility, and aligning offerings more closely with labor-market needs. Committee members asked about COVID-era trends, student motivation, early workforce entry, delivery settings such as skill centers, and how to interpret the comparison groups used in the analysis.

Transcript Highlights:

• We code and configure. And then we test, accept, and release.
• We code and configure. And then we test, accept, and release.
• You have access to the original code and structure of the data.
• We're still, that code is written in COBOL, correctly.
• My job is to enforce the election code.

Summary: The subcommittee first heard a panel on state cloud modernization efforts after canceling an LBR on the Department of Corrections’ OBIS project because the presentation materials were not submitted on time. Florida Digital Service, the Northwest Regional Data Center, and several agencies described how the state is assessing and migrating applications to cloud environments under the cloud-first policy. Northwest explained its 2023 cloud readiness assessment of 890 applications from 24 agencies, the criteria used to rate readiness and risk, and its recommendation to tackle lower-risk applications first. Agency updates covered the Department of Corrections’ modernization of 98 legacy applications tied to OBIS and cloud-native infrastructure, the Department of Elder Affairs’ Microsoft Power Platform modernization, the Department of Health’s health management and child protection systems, and FDOT’s large cloud program for transportation systems. Members repeatedly asked about costs, data ownership, disaster recovery, single sign-on, security tools, and whether cloud migration actually saves money; presenters generally said the focus is more on modernization, resilience, and efficiency than immediate savings, and that cost analyses are often application-specific rather than enterprise-wide. The discussion also covered governance and architecture questions. Florida Digital Service said agencies remain responsible for their own databases and cloud tenants, while FLDS provides advice and an enterprise architecture framework; it does not have statutory oversight over most projects, except for OBIS project oversight due to its size. Northwest said it is acting as a cloud broker for some agencies and is consolidating Azure and AWS payer tenants to seek better pricing, but agencies still make system-by-system decisions based on business needs, risk, latency, and total cost of ownership. Members raised concerns about fragmented data structures, the lack of a complete statewide application inventory, and the need for better interoperability and enterprise standards. Several agencies said disaster recovery is built into their cloud plans, and FDOT and Corrections described ongoing efforts to keep systems current through core platforms, training, and ongoing support. In the second half of the meeting, the Department of State presented two new technology requests. Secretary Byrd described the SunBiz corporate registry system as a 34-year-old platform supporting more than 3.5 million business entities and generating over $575 million in annual general revenue. He said the department had already virtualized the legacy hardware after earlier modernization efforts failed and is now seeking $800,000 recurring for password protection and $5 million nonrecurring to continue procurement for a replacement system. The department also presented the Florida Voter Registration System modernization request, noting that the current system is outdated and requires manual workarounds for some statutory changes. The department requested $2.4948 million nonrecurring and $44,000 recurring to procure a modernized FVRS solution, and staff said the feasibility study recommended a hybrid approach. Members asked about the study’s findings and about creating a database for voter eligibility information for returning citizens; the department said that would require data sharing with all 67 clerks of court and other entities such as DOC.

Transcript Highlights:

• As of this week, 320 of the 946 providers have been coded as a CFSS agency.
• <00:56:53.079> for because they're not coded for because they're not coded for cfss<00:56:
• One just got coded last Thursday; we did a big celebration.
• One just got coded last Thursday; we did a big celebration.
• I mean, I know M Home Care has done that, but they're still not coded.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• OK, so VCA code update.
• And if you want to, there's a QR code.
• And if you want to, there's a QR code.
• Because due to code, we have to present at one meeting and vote at the next.”
• “Due to code, we have to present at one meeting and vote at the next.

Keywords: Virginia Commission for the Arts Board Meeting, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am here to strongly oppose efforts to roll back CEQA and freeze building codes statewide in the state
• CEQA is not the reason for the delays in development, and building codes are not the reason for rising
• For these reasons, we strongly oppose a rollback of CEQA and the freeze on statewide building codes in
• 1st and the future Title 24 Part 6 energy code.
• if I get this wrong, but in AB 11630, there's language in there that references a different labor code

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Family Code 264.001 gives the state a compelling interest in protecting children from abuse, neglect,
• The Education Code 38.004 mandates schools adopt... Policies addressing sexual abuse.
• Though the bill currently points to a code that's very dispersed, your language in the education code
• We've also worked over the years on that Teacher Code of Ethics. So yes, we absolutely, you know.
• Can you provide the Teacher Code of...? ...ethics to the committee for us because I'm not...

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My question is, what about structural engineering code, electrical code that may be localized?
• Would their electrical code be able to be applicable, or would this..."
• "Would their electrical code be able to be applicable, or would this, if this bill becomes law, would
• It doesn't override a municipal utility's own internal processes when it comes to electrical codes."
• "When it comes to electrical codes. Okay. And so only in commercial districts.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee met under Chair Kevin Parker and considered a series of energy, utility, and clean transportation bills. The committee first advanced a bill by Senator Connery on make-ready electric infrastructure for public-serving EV charging, after members raised concerns that the costs of preparing school bus charging infrastructure could be shifted to ratepayers. The committee then advanced Senator Parker’s pilot program for resilient EV charging microgrids, with discussion focused on using existing NYSERDA resources, the role of batteries, and the bill’s purpose in supporting emergency charging during outages. Another bill on heavy distribution centers and EV charging was also advanced after debate over its application to large warehouse and e-commerce facilities. The committee also considered a bill on carport-mounted solar systems that would limit local zoning restrictions. A motion to substitute in a different bill was ruled improper for lack of notice, and the chair’s ruling was upheld on appeal. Members then advanced a PSC guidebook bill on gas and electric rate-making, and a utility shutoff protection bill for medical emergencies, life support equipment, and elderly, blind, or disabled customers, with questions about age definitions and the scope of medical documentation. The committee also advanced the Home Utility Weatherization Jobs Act, which would create a pilot program for electrification and weatherization in disadvantaged communities, with members discussing whether the program would be available at no cost to building owners and how utilities would access capital. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly raised concerns about who would pay for the programs, whether ratepayers or taxpayers would bear the costs, and how much local control would remain under the solar siting bill. At the end of the meeting, members briefly discussed a recent NYISO report warning about possible summer reliability issues and urged the committee and the PSC to review it closely. The chair noted the report should be considered alongside other state planning documents, and the meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• But they've all asked me to do this, and I've been wanting to do it for a while because I like the code
• So if you go to the code and look, which you know lawyers do, you'll see two code sections currently,
• because<00:06:59.759> I<00:07:00.080> like<00:07:00.240> the<00:07:00.479> code
• 00:07:00.800> to<00:07:01.039> be<00:07:01.680> consistent because I like the code
• to be consistent because I like the code to be consistent and<00:07:02.960> easy<00:07:03.360

Bills: HB277, SB89, HB135, HB277, SB89, HB135

Keywords: HB277, 2A Sales Tax Holiday, firearms tax exemption, ammunition, hunting supplies, sales tax holiday, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Second Amendment, gun tax holiday, gun rights, outdoor gear, hunting equipment, state sales tax, use tax, local option tax exemption, county opt-in, municipal opt-in, Department of Revenue, Alabama

Transcript Highlights:

• districts' open enrollment charter schools if they receive a waiver under section 7056 of the education code
• the bill we heard previously that's relating to a school psychologist licensed under the occupations code
• The substitute amends section 11.059E of the Education code.
• Also, the substitute adds the repeal of Section 11.059F and G of the Education code.
• House Bill 824 builds on the Texas Education Code, which outlines curriculum requirements for public

Bills: HB178

Keywords: efficiency audit, political subdivision, tax rate, fiscal management, government accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• We keep everything up to code.
• 46.160> to the inspections we keep everything up to the inspections we keep everything up to code
• 45:47.559> actually<00:45:47.760> you<00:45:47.880> go<00:45:48.040> a code
• we make sure I actually you go a code we make sure I actually you go a little<00:45:48.319> above
• It essentially penalizes an individual for exercising the right to travel and does not provide equal

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If the answer is yes, should that care be left to the honor code alone?
• If the answer is yes, should that care be left to the honor code alone?
• Property, if the answer is yes, should that care be left to the honor code alone?
• amends default terms in the trust code amends default terms in the trust code known<00:33:59.480
• The trust code is complicated.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Tax expenditures are special provisions of the tax code that reduce taxpayers’ liability for tax.
• tax, so this applies to all the business deductions under the federal Internal Revenue Code.
• tax, so this applies to all the business deductions under the federal Internal Revenue Code.
• There was an analysis that ranked us 50th out of 50 states in tax code progressivity.
• 50th uh out of 50 states in tax code 50th uh out of 50 states in tax code progressivity<01:19:15.280

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Tax Committee met for an organizational and orientation session. Members and staff introduced themselves, with several lawmakers noting their districts, business backgrounds, and interest in tax policy. Chair Greg Davids then opened the committee’s first substantive item: a presentation from House Research and House Fiscal staff on how the committee works and on basic tax concepts. House Research staff Sean Williams and Chris Clayman explained their roles in drafting bills and amendments, writing bill summaries, answering legal and policy questions, and modeling tax proposals. They also described the committee’s key documents, including partisan and nonpartisan bill summaries, revenue estimates, fiscal notes, and supporting materials. Their presentation covered core tax concepts such as tax bases, rates, deductions, exemptions, credits, tax revenues, and tax expenditures, emphasizing that tax expenditures function like spending through the tax code and are reviewed by a legislative commission. The staff then reviewed Minnesota’s major taxes, focusing on the individual income tax and business taxation. They explained that Minnesota’s individual income tax starts with federal adjusted gross income, then applies state additions, deductions, subtractions, and credits, and that the state’s income tax brackets and rates are set separately from federal law. They also outlined the difference between corporate franchise taxes for C corporations and individual income tax treatment for pass-through entities, and discussed how the federal SALT cap led Minnesota and other states to adopt pass-through entity taxes so businesses could preserve federal deductibility of state taxes. Members asked questions about a duplicate “marriage penalty” entry on a slide, the purpose of Minnesota’s marriage penalty credit, comparisons with other states, and the timing and effect of the pass-through entity tax; staff answered that the duplicate was a mistake, the credit offsets bracket-related marriage penalties, and the pass-through entity tax was adopted in response to the federal SALT cap.

Transcript Highlights:

• kind of code in the country touches. kind of code in the country touches.
• Internal Revenue Code Section 2031. Internal Revenue Code Section 2031.
• Um, it's mobile, it's detached from places and specific code and a budget to meet our public code and
• In Minnesota we've seen this already with our tax code.
• . code. code.

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:

• Folks, this is National Electrical Code. Folks, this is National Electrical Code.
• To say that a UL listing meets code [snorts] for electrical code for installation, it's flat out wrong
• in and of itself does not make it code compliant.
• To say that a UL listing meets code [snorts] for electrical code for installation, it's flat out wrong
• in and of itself does not make it code compliant.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 525 would also require DOC to provide complete code books for the data.
• Unless codes change in the future, Unless codes change in the future, uploading the code book would be
• All the info, the code books, every single bit of it.
• All the info, the code books, every single bit of it.
• One is a change to Children's Code Article 412 governing the confidentiality of records.

Summary: The committee first approved the April 28 minutes and announced that Senate Bill 499 was voluntarily deferred. It then heard several House bills, beginning with HB 168, a reentry/transitional housing program for female parolees near release; supporters said it would improve public safety and reduce recidivism, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. HB 322, a cleanup bill from the Maggie Grace Act clarifying that victims or families requesting transcripts would not be charged, was also reported favorably without objection. HB 622, which aligns Louisiana criminal history information practices with federal rules, was amended and then reported favorably. HB 821, moving the School for Safe Centers from GOSEP to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement, was reported favorably as well. The committee then took up HB 364, which directs State Police to partner on public awareness efforts about the illegality of discharging firearms, especially around holidays. An amendment removed a proposed printing cost and shifted the bill toward PSAs; the bill was reported favorably with amendments. HB 568, which strengthens enforcement of drug-free school zone laws by creating a clearer offense for openly smoking or vaping illegal drugs in school zones and setting a specific penalty for marijuana, drew extensive debate. Supporters, including the author and governor’s office, said it was needed to protect children and families and to give law enforcement a workable deterrent. Opponents argued it would impose harsh, geography-based penalties, sweep in medical cannabis patients and veterans, and worsen racial and fiscal disparities. After roll-call, the committee reported HB 568 favorably by a 3-2 vote. The committee also approved HB 296, a cleanup bill removing long-defunct programs from statute, without objection. HB 823, creating an Orleans Parish DA pilot diversion program for unhoused people accused of nonviolent offenses, was supported by Covenant House and others as a way to avoid criminalizing homelessness and was reported favorably without objection. Finally, HB 1038, a major bill revising the authority and liability structure of city marshals and local governments, prompted extensive testimony. The bill and amendments would limit some marshal powers in smaller jurisdictions, require local approval for certain staffing/insurance matters, and allow local governments to restore powers by ordinance. Supporters said it would reduce liability, clarify authority, and address problems in some marshal offices; opponents, including multiple marshals and law enforcement supporters, said it would undermine elected marshals, hurt small offices, and was too broad and under-studied. The transcript ends amid that hearing, with no final committee action shown on HB 1038.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, um, I reached out to see what, in fact, our code of conduct looks like, and our code of conduct is
• reached out to see what in fact our code reached out to see what in fact our code of<00:10:22.160
• <00:10:23.440> like,<00:10:24.240> and<00:10:24.480> our<00:10:24.720> code
• <00:10:24.959> of of conduct looks like, and our code of of conduct looks like, and our code
• <00:10:29.920> of<00:10:30.079> conduct the last revision of our code of conduct the

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They looked at historical issues and code here in our state.
• We think that's what sets it apart from the current code.
• Agencies and where they land in code are all identified now clearly in one statute.
• There's a unique governance structure in this code, and we've had some questions about that, so I want
• You can almost say we're diminishing our code. I think that's a nice thing. Thank you.

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So SB 588 created Labor Code Section 238.5, and so that is essentially... ...outside of the judgment
• So SB 588 created Labor Code Section 238.5, and so that is essentially...
• So SB 588 created labor code section 238.5.
• And so that is essentially. 8 created labor code section 238.5.
• Under Labor Code Section 238.4, This is really important.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment held a review hearing on SB 588, the 2015 wage theft enforcement law, focusing on whether its tools are working and what additional authority or resources may be needed. Committee members emphasized that wage theft is a major and under-enforced form of theft in California, citing large backlogs in wage claims and long delays that often leave workers unpaid even after winning judgments. Panelists from UCLA, worker advocacy organizations, and legal aid described SB 588’s enforcement tools, including liens, levies, stop orders, successor and individual liability, and priority in bankruptcy. They said the law has improved collections and settlement leverage, especially in industries like janitorial services and property services, where client companies and contractors can be held jointly responsible. Several examples were discussed, including cases involving Tesla, Cheesecake Factory, Optum, and Winko Foods, where the law helped secure payments or settlements for workers. At the same time, advocates argued that the prejudgment lien provisions are too limited, that care home cases remain especially difficult, and that more staffing and broader authority would improve recovery. Workers testified about unpaid wages, long delays, retaliation fears, and the difficulty of collecting even after obtaining judgments. A home care worker described waiting years for a hearing and still not recovering money because assets had been moved or hidden. A residential care worker said caregivers are often underpaid, denied breaks, and left with little practical recourse. The Labor Commissioner reported that the agency has recovered more wages since SB 588, including through mail levies, liens, and stop orders, but said many cases involve judgment-proof employers and require intensive investigation. Public comment from a SEIU representative supported SB 588 and urged continued focus on bad actors and targeted enforcement. No vote or formal action was taken at the hearing.