Transcript Highlights:

• So section number two really deals with the securing of the property rights to easements for not only
• setback, if everybody wants to sign individual contracts for that and put that on the deed as an easement
• calls into question the ability to have a fair shake at that and whether or not, I'm sorry, not easements
• Not easements, but setbacks, whether or not those individuals who are being approached are just going

Committee: House Utilities

Summary: The committee first took up House Committee Substitute for House Bills 21, 22, and 1626, which would combine the bills and add a clawback/refund provision for construction work in progress in base rates if costs were imprudently incurred or a project is not placed in service in a reasonable time. Supporters argued Missouri should remove its CWIP ban to stay competitive with neighboring states and attract utility investment, while opponents warned about unknown costs and timelines for ratepayers. The substitute was adopted, and the committee voted the combined bill do pass by 12 ayes and 7 noes. The committee then considered House Bill 2711, as amended by a substitute, dealing with broadband-related property tax treatment. The sponsor explained the substitute narrowed the bill to new installations, added a seven-year sunset, and aimed to clarify assessment issues. Supporters said the measure would help expand broadband infrastructure and improve service in underserved areas, while opponents argued the tax break should not apply to upgrades within existing service territories and questioned whether the bill truly expanded access. The committee adopted the substitute and voted the bill do pass by 12 ayes and 7 noes. The remainder of the hearing focused on House Bill 2762, a broad solar/wind/water measure. The sponsor described provisions setting a $2,500 per megawatt tax on solar nameplate capacity, creating more uniform assessment rules, establishing setbacks for solar facilities, limiting eminent domain use, and including smaller sections on water district dissolution and wind turbine lighting. Testimony was mixed: solar developers, Clean Grid Alliance, Renew Missouri, and Missouri Farm Bureau supported clearer rules, grandfathering, and setbacks they viewed as reasonable, while landowners and local residents raised concerns about property rights, transparency, runoff, glare, noise, and the impact of large solar projects on neighboring farms and homes. No final action on HB 2762 was taken in the portion provided, but the chair said a committee substitute would be developed to address the solar issues more comprehensively.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 9, prescriptive easements for electricity delivery, ayes 47, nos 14, excused one; Senate
• Message 299 references Senate File 99, Prescriptive Easements for Electricity Delivery.
• Um, this is that, uh, simple electrical REA easement bill that we sent down the hall.
• bill that we electrical REA easement bill that we sent<02:33:14.479><c> down</c><02:33:14.720><c> the
• They, uh, added a paragraph that asked for publication of an easement if they're going to grant one or

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:20:33.919><c> HOAs,</c><00:20:35.039><c> contracts,</c> land use, easements, HOAs, contracts
• , land use, easements, HOAs, contracts, and<00:20:36.320><c> other</c><00:20:36.640><c> important</c>
• So this mandate could conflict with those development goals and those conservation easements, creating
• </c><00:54:34.720><c> creating</c> conservation easements creating conservation easements creating confusion
• </c><00:57:32.319><c> appreciate</c> the conservation easement appreciate the conservation easement appreciate

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• easement in their areas, we can use that for a bike path while it gives them more access to their to
• easement in their areas, we can use that for a bike path while it gives them more access to their to
• easement in their areas, we can use that for a bike path while it gives them more access to their to
• easement in their areas, we can use that for a bike path while it gives them more access to their to
• In different areas to see what easements they may have, and if we improve their easement in their areas

Summary: The joint informational briefing focused on the Hawaii Department of Transportation’s work under the Navah settlement, which was described as a first-of-its-kind climate agreement tied to the state’s constitutional public trust and clean-environment obligations. Speakers said the settlement was intended to accelerate progress toward Hawaii’s 2030 and 2045 clean energy goals, especially by addressing transportation, the state’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. They emphasized that the agreement formalizes milestones, reduces dependence on changing administrations, and includes a role for the legislature alongside the courts and executive branch. DOT and Earthjustice representatives outlined the main settlement deliverables: creation of a new Office of Energy Security and Community Outreach, formation of a youth council, and development of an emissions reduction plan that will be updated over time. They also highlighted a new project-level greenhouse gas/VMT scoring tool, described as the first of its kind in the nation for DOT-wide use, to evaluate the climate impact of transportation projects. The presentation tied these efforts to prior legislative actions, including the state’s climate emergency declaration, net-zero/net-negative targets, and Act 131’s requirements for multimodal network planning and emissions reporting. A substantial portion of the briefing was devoted to the youth council, which reported 20 members selected from 83 applicants, representation from across the islands, and work on bylaws, committees, and outreach. Youth members described feedback they gave on the energy security plan, a student leadership summit presentation, and future plans to meet with legislators and participate in the Climate Future Forum. DOT also said the settlement’s transportation strategies include clean fuels, electrification, aviation sustainable aviation fuel, marine shore power, and carbon sequestration, including expanded native tree planting and fire mitigation work. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the briefing. Members discussed implementation challenges, including cost and supply constraints for aviation and marine decarbonization, but DOT said industry stakeholders were not rejecting the goals, only raising affordability and timing concerns. Officials also noted that a GIS map for network gaps was in development and that the settlement’s pedestrian, bike, and transit connectivity requirement would compress roughly 15 years of work into five years, with an estimated annual commitment of $40 million to $50 million.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, apparently, uh, Pheasants Forever received some uh Legacy dollars that they used for an easement
• </c><01:11:36.840><c> had</c> 36 so an easement had 36 so an easement had been<01:11:39.880><c> uh</c
• The lawyers insisted on a quick claim deed for that parcel that had been used or had had an easement
• </c><01:45:12.080><c> affect</c><01:45:12.719><c> access</c> designations and easements affect access
• designations and easements affect access to<01:45:13.360><c> aggregate</c> To aggregate resources, as

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• the breach of fiduciary duty of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources in enforcing the easement
• the breach of fiduciary duty of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources in enforcing the easement
• the breach of fiduciary duty of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources in enforcing the easement
• the breach of fiduciary duty of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources in enforcing the easement
• for instance mil and lumber easement for instance mil and lumber used<00:43:17.319><c> to</c><00:43:

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• submit to you, mismanage it more often than not, we're going to put money toward buying environmental easements
• Chair Esposito, are lands that are conserved through easements, private easements, or the Rural and Family
• Chair Esposito, are lands that are conserved through easements, private easements, or the Rural and Family
• Chair Esposito, are lands that are conserved through easements, private easements, or the Rural and Family
• The Rural and Family Lands Protection Program uses conservation easements, which is a critical way to

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present, then adopted the special order report and moved into a series of budget-related bills. The chamber first took up HB 5011/SB 2506 on environmental resource management and natural resources funding, where Democrats argued the bill would reduce recurring support for the Resilient Florida program, the Florida Wildlife Corridor, invasive species removal, and other conservation efforts. Supporters said the change would shift money from recurring to nonrecurring funding so the Legislature could reassess priorities each year and rely more on private-sector stewardship. After a strike-all amendment and conference posture change, SB 2506 passed 97-12. HB 5013, reducing state-funded property reinsurance reserves, passed 108-0, and HB 5501, redirecting documentary stamp tax distributions from housing and transportation trust funds into general revenue, passed 82-26 after extended debate over its impact on affordable housing and transportation funding. The House also passed HB 5015 on state group insurance, which requires DMS to develop a formulary management system and was described as producing significant savings; members raised concerns about prescription access and implementation, but the bill passed 109-0. HB 5201 on state financial accounting and HB 5203 on the Capitol Center both passed unanimously, as did HB 5009, which creates a Florida Accountability Office and reorganizes audit functions. The chamber then passed HB 7031, a major sales tax reduction bill lowering the state sales tax rate and several related rates; supporters framed it as permanent relief for all Floridians, while opponents said property tax relief would be more meaningful and that the sales tax cut would also benefit tourists and out-of-state visitors. HB 7031 passed 112-0. The House then began consideration of HB 501, the proposed fiscal year 2025-26 budget, totaling $112.9 billion and emphasizing reduced recurring spending and large reserves. Subcommittee chairs outlined their budget silos: K-12 education at $20.6 billion with teacher raises, school hardening, literacy, transportation stipends, and security funding for Jewish day schools; health care at $47 billion with full Medicaid and KidCare funding, opioid settlement spending, mental health beds, and senior services; transportation/economic development at $18.5 billion; agriculture and natural resources at $5.8 billion with reduced Everglades spending but continued water, resiliency, and land management funding; higher education at $8.7 billion; state administration at $2.9 billion; justice at $7.3 billion; and IT at $529 million for Florida PALM, FX, and other systems. Members then began questioning the K-12 budget, focusing on FEFP funding, proration, voucher growth, stabilization dollars, mental health and school safety funding, and whether districts would be held harmless under the proposed allocations.

Transcript Highlights:

• not place an unexpected and unfair tax burden on the very people who own them. the land that the easements
• And it would exempt land dedicated for border security infrastructure through a recorded easement from

Bills: HB195 , HB247 , HB255 , HJR2 , HJR4 , HJR6 , HJR31 , HJR34 , HB195 , HB247 , HB255 , HJR6 , HJR31 , HJR34

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: school district, ad valorem tax, local revenue, tax collection, education funding, border security, tax exemption, ad valorem, real property, infrastructure, Texas-Mexico border, ad valorem taxation, farm products, livestock, timber, death tax, inheritance tax, estate tax, property transfer, constitutional amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• >> This will include both individuals that have property that is in a conservation easement, that is
• This will include both individuals that have property that is in a conservation easement, that is real
• >> If it does not disrupt that area, they can seek to have an easement to run utilities or something
• </c><00:25:41.760><c> to</c><00:25:42.000><c> run</c> acqu uh seek to have an easement to run acqu uh
• seek to have an easement to run utilities<00:25:43.120><c> or</c><00:25:43.440><c> something</c><00:

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• county have banded together to come up with a way to purchase the property and place a conservation easement
• She said the bill would only allow a conservation easement if it does not reduce the number of high-density
• This bill would only allow a conservation easement if it does not reduce the number of high-distance.
• would only allow a conservation easement if it does not reduce the number of high density residential
• It would allow a conservation easement on a piece of property that is very unique only if it doesn't

Summary: The Assembly Local Government Committee heard a long agenda of housing, water, and local finance bills, with the chair repeatedly reminding attendees about hearing rules and noting that several measures were being heard without a quorum at first. Early items included AB 407, which would broaden eligibility for state-run loan and financing programs to help small businesses fund environmental, seismic, and ADA upgrades, and AB 93, which would require data centers to estimate and report water use and follow state best practices. AB 93 drew support from water advocates and local government groups, while the Data Center Coalition opposed it, arguing the bill could be overly restrictive, difficult to retrofit, and raise trade secret or security concerns. The committee also heard AB 650 on housing element review, AB 1044 on creating a new Tulare County groundwater sustainability agency, and AB 523 on allowing proxy voting for single-representative member agencies on the Metropolitan Water District board; all drew broad support from local agencies and related stakeholders and no recorded opposition in the room. Several housing bills were presented as part of a broader fast-track housing package. AB 507 would streamline adaptive reuse of office buildings into housing, especially in downtowns with high vacancy; supporters said it would revive urban cores and help meet housing and climate goals, while the League of California Cities and a few cities opposed it unless amended, citing concerns about one-size-fits-all by-right approval and fee limitations. AB 1294 would create a universal housing application and limit early application requirements; it drew strong support from housing and business groups, with the American Planning Association and League of California Cities seeking more flexibility and input. AB 610 would require local governments to disclose housing constraints in their housing elements and limit new constraints after certification for three years unless disclosed; supporters said it would improve transparency and certainty, while opponents warned it could chill legitimate local policy choices and inclusionary housing requirements. Both AB 610 and AB 698, which would require analysis of the housing and property tax impacts of proposed transfer taxes, were moved out of committee on 7-0 votes after discussion and amendments. The committee also heard AB 1112, which would repeal an outdated Riverside County property tax provision affecting Rancho Mirage; the city argued it was the only qualifying no-low property tax city not receiving the standard minimum and sought equal treatment. After quorum was established, the bill was passed 6-0 with amendments and sent to Appropriations. AB 1021, heard later, would make it easier for school districts and other local education agencies to build employee housing, with the author citing teacher recruitment and retention problems and support from education stakeholders. Throughout the hearing, members and witnesses repeatedly emphasized the need to balance housing production, local fiscal tools, and infrastructure needs, and several authors accepted committee amendments and committed to continued negotiations with opponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our land and conservation easement acquisitions, a little over $2.3 million... ...land and conservation
• easement acquisitions, a little over $2.3 million, and then our regional projects going forward.
• We have 461,000 acres that we either own in fee or through conservation easements.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard budget presentations from the Northwest Florida, Suwannee River, St. Johns River, Southwest Florida, and South Florida water management districts for FY 2026-2027. Each district described its preliminary budget, major funding sources, staffing levels, and priorities within the four core missions of water supply, water quality, natural systems, and flood protection. Common themes included reduced budgets from the prior year due to completion of major projects, continued reliance on state appropriations and ad valorem revenue, rising construction and maintenance costs, and the need to maintain aging infrastructure while advancing alternative water supply, springs restoration, flood control, and land management projects. Committee members repeatedly asked how much of each district’s budget and personnel were devoted to the core missions, how maintenance and operating projections were developed, and how projects were selected. The districts generally said most spending was tied to core responsibilities, with administrative overhead relatively small, and explained that budgets are built through a mix of staff analysis, governing board direction, strategic basin planning, and cooperative funding with local, state, and federal partners. Several districts highlighted specific projects, including Water First North Florida, Black Creek, Taylor Creek Reservoir improvements, Crane Creek, Everglades restoration, and various springs and watershed projects. The districts also noted challenges from hurricanes, inflation, cybersecurity, and aging water control structures. South Florida Water Management District’s presentation focused on Everglades restoration and the large-scale infrastructure needed to move, store, and clean water in South Florida. The director said the district’s $1.05 billion preliminary budget is largely for flood control, water supply, ecosystem restoration, and maintenance of extensive canals, levees, pumps, and reservoirs, and emphasized that recent restoration investments are producing measurable water quality and salinity improvements. No votes were taken on the district budgets, and the committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our land and conservation easement acquisitions, a little over $2.3 million.
• We have 461,000 acres that we either own in fee or through conservation easements.
• We have 461,000 acres that we either own in fee or through conservation easements.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

Transcript Highlights:

• assessors in metropolitan counties to reduce the property valuations of properties in conservation easements
• c><00:09:30.399><c> subject</c><00:09:30.720><c> to</c><00:09:30.880><c> income</c> Conservation easements
• Cope, article 4. conservation easements. And that conservation easements.

Bills: HF9

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, this share goes on all—it doesn't matter if it's a vet exclusion, if it's a conservation easement
• 15:31.360><c> it's</c><00:15:31.480><c> a</c><00:15:31.639><c> conservation</c><00:15:32.279><c> easement
• </c><00:15:32.759><c> and</c><00:15:32.880><c> we</c> if it's a conservation easement and we if it's
• a conservation easement and we can<00:15:33.120><c> go</c><00:15:33.319><c> right</c><00:15:33.519><c

Transcript Highlights:

• What this bill does is effectively wipe away the whole doctrine of prescriptive easements, which started
• And what this bill does is effectively wipe away the whole doctrine of prescriptive easements, which

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Maybe 1156 weeks, solar use. easements.
• Due pass is amended to outline and clarify the solar use easement non-renewal process among other changes

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• There is an add of $300,000 for the Twin Co-Romax easement, $20 million added for the Community Reinvestment
• There is an add of $300,000 for the Twin Co-Romax easement, $20 million added for the Community Reinvestment
• Easement, $20 million added for the Community Reinvestment Fund, and $35 million for the Legislative

Committee: Joint Capital Improvement

Summary: The committee met to finalize the FY27 bond bill, beginning with a roll call and a detailed review of updated appropriation amounts. The Comptroller General walked through major changes across agencies, including additions for OMB, the Department of State, DNREC, Agriculture, Education, and Transportation, and explained the funding sources that would cover the total $1.256 billion package. Members then debated several large items, especially the $110 million appropriation for the Diamond State Port Corporation, the $35 million Legislative Hall addition, the $20 million Community Reinvestment Fund, and the $30 million land and building acquisition line. Questions focused on the port project’s costs, expected jobs, return on investment, and whether the state would face future commitments; Secretary of State Charney Patitofunded Chances and other officials testified that the port expansion would create construction and permanent jobs and support long-term economic growth, while some members remained skeptical and objected to the process and spending priorities. The committee also discussed school construction funding, with officials explaining that additional money would forward-fund projects already in the pipeline and help districts that had been turned down for certificates of necessity. Other items reviewed included funding for park improvements, marina acquisition, the Plummer Center demolition and transfer, the Pyle Center sewer project, the Site Readiness Fund, affordable housing, the Arts Endowment Fund, an unclaimed property task force, and various transportation and community transportation projects. Several members raised concerns about county distribution, minority-party involvement in negotiations, and the scale of certain appropriations, but the majority defended the package as statewide investment and economic development. The committee then voted on the Section 1 addendum and a series of new and replacement epilogue sections, including provisions for the port project, Legislative Hall minor capital improvements, land acquisition, affordable housing, the Community Reinvestment Fund, downtown development districts, the Rite Aid demolition, the Site Readiness Fund, school construction formula review, and enhanced school capital funding. Most motions carried, with a few recorded no votes or abstentions on the main addendum. The meeting concluded with a motion authorizing technical corrections by the Comptroller General’s office, followed by closing remarks thanking staff and members for their work and noting that this was likely the final bond committee meeting for some participants before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• opportunity and the privilege, I suppose, of selling future development rights through a conservation easement
• think, Senator Smith's question, would this open the door to allowing golf courses on conservation easements

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• And I mentioned the mass transit fund, and we also have the Turtle Bay conservation easement special
• So, 1.5 million to the Turtle Bay conservation easement fund... 11 million to the... taxes and trying
• /c><00:43:42.640><c> special</c><00:43:43.280><c> fund</c><00:43:44.280><c> the</c> conservation easement
• special fund the conservation easement special fund the Convention<00:43:45.280><c> Center</c><00:43
• so um 1.5 million to the Turtle Bay so um 1.5 million to the Turtle Bay conserv<00:43:57.400><c> easement

Summary: The joint hearing of the House Committees on Tourism and Water and Land was held on March 20, 2025, on SB 1396 SD3 HD1, which would raise transient accommodations tax revenues beginning in 2027, impose a $20 per-night tax on stays booked through loyalty or rewards points, and dedicate funds to DLNR for natural resource protection, management, and restoration. The Office of the Governor, DLNR, DBEDT, the Hawaii State Energy Office, Tax Department, Hawaiian Home Lands, HI-EMA, the Climate Advisory Team, Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, HCDA, the Hawaii Ocean Legislative Task Force, Resource Legacy Fund, KUA, and the Hawaii Tourism Authority all testified in support or with comments, generally emphasizing the need for dedicated funding for environmental stewardship, resilience, wildfire and climate preparedness, and community-based projects. Several supporters cited polling showing broad visitor willingness to pay additional fees to protect Hawaiʻi’s resources, and DLNR and the Attorney General noted the bill aligns with broader state land-management and fire-safety priorities. Opposition came from the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi and the Maui Chamber of Commerce, which argued the bill unnecessarily raises the TAT, places more burden on visitors and visitor-dependent businesses, and could harm Maui’s still-recovering economy. The Activities and Attractions Association of Hawaiʻi initially marked opposition but then said it had misunderstood the bill’s relationship to another measure and asked to resend testimony. Expedia Group did not oppose the TAT increase itself but raised operational concerns about the new tax on loyalty-point redemptions, calling it novel and difficult to administer. The American Hotel Lodging Association and Hawaiʻi Hotel Alliance were listed as having no comments present. Testifiers also suggested amendments, including dedicating the revenues to a special fund, ensuring community grants, and clarifying administrative provisions. One testifier urged the bill be used to fund hurricane shelters and stronger building standards, while another emphasized that the measure should support people and disaster resilience as well as environmental protection. During questions, members asked for the polling methodology and for a breakdown of current TAT allocations; staff indicated they could share the survey memo and began identifying existing statutory remittances. No vote or final committee action was taken during the excerpted portion of the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill likely violates the conservation easement, which puts all public access to this private forest
• The bill likely violates that conservation easement, which puts all public access to this private forest
• <c> conservation</c> input as required by the conservation input as required by the conservation easement
• between the state and land easement between the state and land owners<01:20:03.880><c> of</c><01:20:
• </c> violates that conservation easement violates that conservation easement which<01:20:08.960><c> puts