Transcript Highlights:

• Between the government and some of their contractors.
• Um, as you can see later in, um, my presentation, we, we work with other, with other local governments
• governments, um, completed and getting the dollars out the door.
• Quite frankly, the federal government.
• They're governed at 65. There's two drivers with the vehicle at all times.

Transcript Highlights:

• Utilities are required to meet all safety codes and local ordinances. Thank you.
• elected officials, local government staff, and they have their own staff.
• governments.
• directly to the local government entity.
• That will pretty much be the theme of the presentation today through our partners: our local governments

Summary: The committee heard introductory remarks from Chair LaMarca and members, then received presentations on electric utility planning, transportation infrastructure, and broadband deployment. Public Service Commission staff explained how Florida’s utilities plan for reliability and cost through 10-year site plans, demand forecasting, and economic dispatch. The presentation emphasized Florida’s residential-heavy load, growing EV demand, expanding solar and battery storage, continued reliance on natural gas combined-cycle plants, and the role of nuclear power. Members asked about energy efficiency, rates, renewable options beyond solar, cybersecurity, grid resilience, data centers, and small modular nuclear reactors; the witness said efficiency programs are reviewed every five years, utilities must balance reliability and affordability, and large new loads like data centers generally must pay for their own infrastructure needs. Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue described FDOT’s five-year work program, decentralized district structure, and funding mix, noting that the agency is predominantly state-funded and prioritizes maintenance and preservation before expansion. He highlighted record investment levels, major congestion-relief projects, toll-road revenues, seaport and airport partnerships, spaceport investments, workforce and equipment needs, and emerging technology such as advanced air mobility. Members asked about project timing, MPO planning, rail and ferry funding, airport governance, winter storm preparedness, and flooding/sea-level rise; Perdue said faster delivery depends on resources, local governments lead transit operations with FDOT as a capital partner, and coastal and drainage projects are designed around storm surge and resiliency. The Office of Broadband reported on six grant programs supporting infrastructure, community facilities, digital connectivity, and future digital capacity and broadband expansion. Director Leo Garcia said the office has awarded hundreds of millions of dollars across most counties, leveraged significant private investment, and focused heavily on rural areas. He noted that broadband efforts are intended to support telehealth, education, workforce development, and economic growth, and said the state has reduced the number of unserved locations from more than 400,000 to a projected 170,000 after current awards are completed. He also said the office needs additional budget authority for the upcoming digital capacity program and that the larger federal/state broadband deployment program will be used to reach remaining unserved and underserved areas.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, this is required by Century Code Section 54-27-27.
• This is on fiscal irregularities required by Century Code Section 54-14-03.1.
• It is both state funding, local property taxes, and in lieu of property taxes.
• The local share for that $11,000 per kid is 60 mills.
• The House E&E and the Senate Government Operations will meet in 327E, and House Government Ops and Senate

Summary: The Budget Section approved the March 18 minutes and received an OMB update showing the general fund is still ahead of the budgeted starting point, but revenues through May are now about $76 million below the legislative forecast, driven mainly by individual income tax and sales tax shortfalls. OMB also reported the budget stabilization fund is above its cap, meaning a transfer to the general fund is expected, and reviewed oil price/production assumptions, noting continued volatility. Members asked about the income tax netting process, the sales tax decline, oil price discounts/premiums, natural gas taxation, and when the executive branch would present its revenue forecast. The committee then acted on several Emergency Commission requests. It approved, as a group, requests for federal mine reclamation funds for the Public Service Commission, an additional criminal investigator FTE and funding for the Attorney General’s office, and a DPI transfer for bridge software costs. It separately approved DPI request 2164 for $500,000 to support the food vendor program after debate over whether the program’s savings were known and whether the money was simply a pass-through. OMB also reported on federal grants, fiscal irregularities, tobacco settlement proceeds, budget guidelines for agencies, FTE pool usage, vacancy savings, and the DAPL settlement, noting the settlement funds had been deposited and that a deficiency appropriation may be needed later to cover remaining accrued interest. Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus presented on the primary residence credit program, saying participation has grown sharply and that the current biennium will likely need about $431 million, roughly $22 million above the appropriation. He explained how the credit interacts with homestead and disabled veteran benefits, how the 3% property tax cap works, and why county valuations and mill rates vary. The committee also received a Legacy Fund/Budget Stabilization Fund report showing strong returns, and DOT Director Ron Henke received approval for two Flex Fund highway projects on ND 49 and ND 31. Henke also explained remaining Highway 85 funding and said the department is exploring uses for leftover state dollars. Finally, the Department of Mineral Resources reported on abandoned well plugging and site restoration, noting North Dakota remains in relatively strong shape compared with other states, and DPI began a presentation on gap funding tied to the 3% levy cap, reporting 24 districts received $1.8 million in the first year and projecting higher future needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• They are trapped by the government.
• Code 518210 of the 2022 North American Industry Classification System.
• data center in Texas were under 20. data center in Texas were under 20.
• <02:41:00.640> Government >> Thank you, Mr. President.
• Government >> Thank you, Mr. President.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Gentleman from Texas. Mr.
• from Texas is recognized. Mr. Mr. from Texas is recognized. Mr. Mr.
• Texas recognized. Mr. Speaker, budgets Texas recognized. Mr.
• Gentleman from Texas. reserves. Gentleman from Texas. M.<01:18:32.159> Mr.
• gentleman from Texas reserves. gentleman from Texas reserves.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, July 3, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was signed by the Republican-led Florida government in 2018 after the mass shooting in Parkland.
• This supports the community and our local economy.
• Representative Holcomb, you are recognized to explain this amendment, bar code 366053. Rep.
• Texas has more providers than Florida yet has less claims than Florida.
• You are recognized to present bar code 115219. Rep.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many states, including Texas, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, and California, have
• We've also seen a shift in what the federal government has been doing, and some grants and programs for
• And it's also a topic That is very local.
• Seguin really does kind of just clarify the tax code, bring it in alignment with federal tax code, creating
• Property taxes are strictly local. Okay.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Tennessee recently passed the local opt-in approach.
• how the building codes are developed.
• Add to that we have something called the stretch energy code, which is an opt-in code, and then, of course
• , the promulgation of the specialized municipal opt-in code, yet another energy... ...code.
• But remember, fundamentally, the state building code was promulgated because it's a safety code.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing opened a hybrid hearing focused on housing production bills, with Chairs Julian Cyr and Rich Haggerty emphasizing Massachusetts’ housing shortage and the need to produce more than 200,000 units over the next decade. The committee then heard testimony on a wide range of proposals, including social housing, starter homes and the “missing middle,” accessory dwelling units (ADUs), single-stair residential buildings, permanent affordability homeownership, and housing for people with disabilities. Several witnesses framed the bills as tools to expand supply, lower costs, and address racial and generational wealth gaps. Representative Connolly testified for H. 1478 on the Massachusetts Social Housing Program, describing publicly owned, mixed-income housing financed through a revolving loan fund. Senator Feeney testified for S. 989 on missing middle starter homes, arguing for zoning changes, incentives, and affordability tools to support smaller starter homes and duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes. Multiple witnesses, including housing advocates, real estate representatives, and local officials, supported the ADU trust fund bill and the single-stair study bill, saying they would reduce barriers, support homeowners, and enable more family-sized and infill housing. Some witnesses opposed bills they said would weaken ADU reforms or add new restrictions, while others urged broader deregulation to speed production. A major portion of the hearing focused on H. 1576/S. 1010, the Homes for Lasting Affordability bill, which would create a permanent affordability homeownership program for low- and moderate-income buyers and support small developments with long-term affordability restrictions. Testimony from community land trust leaders, legislators, and housing advocates emphasized that permanent affordability can preserve public investment, stabilize neighborhoods, and help families build wealth over generations. Senator Miranda and Representative Worrell tied the bill to closing the racial wealth gap and expanding access to homeownership for Black and Latino residents. The committee also heard testimony on S. 971, which would reform the Housing Development and Incentive Program to require more affordability in Gateway City projects. The committee additionally heard from Senator Kennedy and disability advocates on S. 1004, which would strengthen the Alternative Housing Voucher Program for people with disabilities by codifying project-based vouchers and aligning the program more closely with other voucher systems. Witnesses described long waitlists and the lack of accessible, affordable units as major barriers that can lead to homelessness or unnecessary institutionalization. No votes were taken during the hearing; the session was devoted to testimony and questions from committee members.

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas, Mississippi, and West Virginia have all passed it within the past 9 months with nearly unanimous
• Um, if, as I understand it, the federal government has not yet approved formal studies of ibogaine.
• Why not join with say<00:16:56.680> Texas<00:16:57.680> or<00:16:57.839> California<
• or California or both and and say Texas or California or both and and partner<00:17:00.760> with<
• State of Ohio has passed a similar standard and is applicable through their code process.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:12:06.639> and Arizona, Massachusetts, Florida and Arizona, Massachusetts, Florida and Texas
• So it's not in in many states Texas.
• control and a focus on want local control and a focus on accessibility<00:43:04.560> to<00:43
• Uh, we have about 140 employees locally based out of our offices in Bedford, New Hampshire.
• way, that assessment would be governed way, that assessment would be governed by<01:11:45.600>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Committee to Study Long-Term Managed Care met to approve prior minutes and outline its schedule, with meetings set for September 24 and September 29 ahead of an October 1 report deadline. The chair said the committee would use the first two meetings to digest testimony, likely ask follow-up questions of DHS, and then work toward conclusions and a report format. The minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously. The main testimony came from Sharon Alexander of Amera Health, who argued in favor of moving from fee-for-service Medicaid long-term services and supports to a managed LTSS model. She described managed LTSS as a capitated, quality-driven system used in about 26 states, and said it can improve care coordination, accountability, access to home- and community-based services, and budget predictability. She cited Amera Health’s experience in Pennsylvania and Delaware, including care coordination, housing and transportation support, caregiver programs, and quality benchmarks tied to state oversight. She also said nursing facilities would remain an important option for people who need that level of care. Committee members asked about how the programs are administered, how rates are set, how care managers work, and how quality is measured. Alexander said states contract with managed care organizations at actuarially sound capitated rates, with annual contracts, reporting, and oversight. She explained that care managers typically conduct quarterly assessments and follow up after trigger events such as hospitalization, and that housing coordinators may assist with transitions to the community. On quality, she said states use CMS-related and HCBS benchmark measures covering service timeliness, care planning, transitions, and other outcomes, and that New Hampshire could build on existing metrics rather than starting from scratch. She also noted that rural areas face workforce and transportation challenges, which managed care plans try to address through technology and self-direction options.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 4063 is a Representative Tendridge: Local bill that was passed unanimously by our local Palm Beach
• HB Representative Tendridge: 4065 is a local bill that passed unanimously by our local delegation and
• And a government that does not manufacture new fights.
• But government-compelled personal expression is not.
• That's efficient government.

Transcript Highlights:

• So again it's all about personnel and leadership really at the local level.
• So it goes to Texas.
• To Texas.
• So tell me how the local funding is, how you raise that local funding. Got it. Thank you, Mr.
• And the local governments are going to have to learn that you can't just run to us and say, here's my

Transcript Highlights:

• Isn't that current code?
• Isn't that current code?
• The Committee on Government Organization moved to amend the title of the bill.
• Government transparency. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Government transparency, government accountability. These are things we want.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate met on March 11, 2026, with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approval, and numerous guest and page introductions, including school groups, prayer caucus visitors, and advocates for Home Family Education Day and Women in Blue Day. The chamber then took up committee reports and a large number of House bills, most of them on third reading, along with several resolutions and referrals. Senate Resolution 62, designating March 12, 2026, as West Virginia Athletic Trainers Day, was adopted after remarks emphasizing the value of athletic trainers in preventing injuries and tragedies in school sports. Several other resolutions and concurrent resolutions were referred to the Committee on Rules or laid over under the rules. The Senate passed a wide range of bills addressing economic development, public safety, health, licensing, and state administration. Measures approved included bills on the West Virginia Collaboratory at Marshall University, the Business Ready Sites program, volunteer fire company spending authority, the Load Forecast Accountability Act, funeral service licensure, work zone fines, biennial business reporting, correctional officer retirement law, the Right to Try Act, quick claim deed tax exemptions, an ibogaine drug-development grant program, aggravated vehicular homicide sentencing, 529 savings plan definitions, opportunity zones, barber apprenticeship, municipal and county hotel occupancy fund uses, criminal-record licensing standards, intimate image disclosure remedies, executor training materials, contempt penalties, PEIA treatment flexibility, PANS/PANDAS information, the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, capitation rate review expansions, convention and visitors bureau board membership, peer support services, cosmetology licensure compacts, natural resource police retirement, DNR fee indexing, ALS care services, the Neighborhood Investment Program, oil and gas well plugging and carbon capture-related provisions, DUI technical changes, abuse intervention program terminology, and a youth summer employment and career readiness program. Most bills passed overwhelmingly, with a few closer votes, including the Load Forecast Accountability Act and the DNR fee-indexing bill. Several bills were amended on the floor, including title amendments and strike-and-insert changes. The Senate also debated the work zone penalty bill, with supporters citing worker safety and fatalities and opponents arguing the bill increased fines too much without requiring removal of outdated work-zone signs. On the energy-related load forecast bill, senators discussed the inclusion of provisions from Senate Bill 420 and concerns about coal plant utilization and utility impacts. After debate, the Senate adopted amendments and passed the bill. In most cases, after passage the Senate ordered the bills communicated to the House, and for a few measures it also adopted title amendments or made bills effective from passage or on a specified date.

Transcript Highlights:

• , creating a patchwork of conflicting local regulations.
• I think I saw Texas—this is on record, so I need to be really careful about Texas—Arizona, and I saw
• Is it just wondering is that what does, what can the local government do at this particular topic to
• help if, you know, we can, you know, you bring this to the state side, but what does the local government
• We can, you know, you bring this to the state side, but what does the local government can do to, you

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a hybrid hearing with testimony on a range of environmental bills. Early testimony focused on H. 1018, which would update management of the Commonwealth’s water resources and limit new conditions on historic water registrations. Water officials from Wellesley and the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission supported the bill, arguing that drought-related restrictions on registered withdrawals are difficult to administer, create customer confusion, and can undermine utility revenue needed for infrastructure upgrades. A Massachusetts Waterworks Association representative also backed the bill, saying registered systems have long operated within their allocations and should not have those withdrawals conditioned by regulation. A major portion of the hearing centered on H. 1040, which would ban tire-derived materials on playgrounds and playing fields. The bill’s petitioner, environmental advocates, and an environmental chemist testified that crumb rubber and other tire-derived infill can release chemicals into soil and water and may pose risks to aquatic life and public health. Committee members asked about alternatives and costs; witnesses said natural grass and some organic infills are available, though more research is needed on some substitutes. Rep. Schwartz also testified on CSO-related bills, describing combined sewer overflows as a public health and environmental problem and saying the bills set deadlines but leave implementation methods to local and regional officials. Rep. Chacolo supported H. 909, a grant program for low-noise, low-emission landscape equipment, citing worker health, noise, and emissions concerns, and Sen. Cyr testified for bills addressing coastal and environmental acidification and nutrient pollution. The hearing also included extensive testimony on H. 4040, which would prevent discharge of radioactive materials from the Pilgrim decommissioning process. Speakers including a Sierra Club representative, a physician, and the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association opposed Holtec’s plan to dispose of radioactive wastewater through evaporation or discharge, citing public health, transparency, and economic risks to fisheries and coastal communities. Another large block of testimony addressed CSO legislation, especially H. 1046 and related bills for the MWRA service area. Environmental groups, residents, and river users described sewage overflows into the Charles, Mystic, and Alewife Brook, impacts on health and recreation, and the need for a timeline to eliminate or sharply reduce overflows. Industry representatives opposed the CSO and waste bills, arguing they would be costly, duplicative, and disruptive, while waste facility operators said they already use continuous emissions monitoring and comply with existing regulations. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• OK, so we are now subject to the procurement code. Is that accurate? Mr.
• Expenditures not subject to the procurement code?
• It is a very legal product under the federal government.
• soil and water conservation district boards. that are locally elected.
• And we want that local board to continue to have Local control by identifying their local projects, and

Transcript Highlights:

• So, there's not, you can't just sue the government; you can't just sue public entities.
• In fact, most in Texas.
• the criminal codes there.
• I'm the Associate Director of Government Relations at UNM.
• I also go practice at my local shooting range in Alamogordo.

Transcript Highlights:

• And local economic activity.
• The clerk will read: Senate Bill 757 by Senator Richardson, an act relating to local government.
• Local governments use various enforcement strategies to make neighborhoods, streets, parks, and buildings
• governments, thereby putting the financial burden on local agencies to enforce these fines.
• Arno was born on January 20, 1941, in Dallas, Texas.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, adopted the previous day’s journal, and handled several procedural motions, including suspending rules to allow committee notices and moving some bills and items on and off the file. Members also introduced a number of guests and fellows on the floor, including Equality California Comcast Fellows, tribal youth visitors, interns, local officials, and community representatives. On the floor file, the Assembly concurred in Senate amendments to AB 1216 (TK-12 omnibus education technical changes), AB 377 (high-speed rail), and AB 951 (health care coverage), and adopted ACR 103 declaring July 14-18, 2025 as California Western Monarch Protection Week. The body also adopted AJR 18, a resolution calling for an official legislative apology to California Native Americans for historic injustices and affirming support for healing and reconciliation, and ACR 71 designating a portion of State Route 101 as the Little Saigon Freeway. Each of these measures drew supportive remarks from multiple members, and co-author rolls were opened before final adoption. The Assembly also adopted SCR 66 proclaiming Law Day, after a lengthy partisan debate over the rule of law, executive power, and recent federal and state actions; the resolution was ultimately adopted by voice vote after 51 co-authors were added. Members then adopted SJR 3 urging Congress to reverse SNAP cuts and protect CalFresh benefits, with debate focused on food insecurity, fraud, work requirements, and the impact on low-income Californians; the resolution passed with 69 ayes and no noes after 70 co-authors were added. SB 757, authorizing local governments to use nuisance abatement liens or special assessments to collect abatement costs, also passed 68-0, and ACR 94 on anti-microbial resistance was adopted on the consent calendar. The session concluded with adjournments in memory honoring Jane Day, agricultural leader John C. Harris, and Willie Earl Arno, followed by announcements of committee meetings and the schedule for the next floor session. The Assembly adjourned until Thursday, July 17, 2025, at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those businesses, again, as you heard last week, are generating local taxes, they're supporting local
• Those businesses, again, as you heard last week, are generating local taxes, they're supporting local
• Those businesses, again, as you heard last week, are generating local taxes, they're supporting local
• local local wood product year so with a local local wood product and<00:24:29.279> a<00:24:29.520
• platform governance governance the platform governance Council<01:38:08.239> as<01:38:08.400>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• must be a more reliable partner for communities and local governments.
• and federal partners, including the timber industry, local government, scientists, tribes. and conservationists
• No level of government can tackle this alone. I am very grateful, Mr.
• And in accordance with the ESA with a broad group of local stakeholders.
• level with very well-resourced states and local governments.

Bills: HB471

Keywords: forest management, wildfire prevention, public lands, Tribal jurisdiction, Fix Our Forests Act, wildfire, forest health, hazardous fuels reduction, fuels treatment, prescribed burning, mechanical thinning, mastication, fuel breaks, fire breaks, wildland-urban interface, WUI, fireshed, fireshed management area, fireshed registry, Fireshed Center

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on H.R. 471, the Fix Our Forests Act, which aims to address the ongoing crisis of wildfires exacerbated by climate change and the need for updated forest management practices. Various committee members voiced concerns about past federal management failures and emphasized the necessity for collaborative approaches involving local communities and stakeholders in forest management. As discussions unfolded, there were varying perspectives on the implications of certain provisions in the bill, particularly around regulatory changes and their likely impacts on public participation and environmental reviews.

Transcript Highlights:

• The state understood the magnitude of that decision and committed to hold local governments harmless
• It's an avenue that, you know, any local government would take to try to open up an opportunity to your
• My name is Felipe Donair, and I'm AFSCME Local 29 president.
• This is really government in action.
• But they also operate networks in Texas... ...but they also operate networks in Texas and Florida, I

Keywords: 988, house, all