Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we are going to hear the last of our three presentations on the proposed Governor agency budgets
• So, in the conversation, this is one of those bottom-up proposals that has come through conversations
• This proposal actually came from a legislative pilot that was passed in 2023. can Mr Carlson could you
• to advance reserves to mindat proposing to advance reserves to mindat for<00:53:54.960> for<00
• Are they aware of this proposal?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee met on January 29, 2025, to hear the Metropolitan Council’s presentation on the Governor’s proposed agency budget requests. The Council outlined three main budget items: authorization to advance funds to MnDOT to help coordinate a highway project with arterial bus rapid transit construction; a proposal to make free regular-route transit rides permanent for eligible Metro Mobility riders, after a successful pilot that produced nearly 75,000 rides; and a reduction in general fund support for rail operations, which the Council said it could absorb in the near term. The Council also noted it was seeking $15 million in the bonding bill for bus rapid transit, including support for the H Line, and described other capital requests for an infill/infiltration program and regional parks. Council leadership said the advance-funds proposal would let two projects move together more efficiently, reduce disruption, and potentially lower costs by avoiding repeated reconstruction and maintenance. On the Metro Mobility fare pilot, they said the lower fare increased rider freedom and spontaneity while saving state money because fixed-route service is cheaper than individual Metro Mobility trips. On the general fund reduction, they said the agency is expanding service, opening the Gold Line, B Line, and E Line, and can manage the cut because of its diversified revenue sources, though it could affect future expansion. Senator Nelson raised concerns about the proposal to expand the Right-of-Way Acquisition Loan Fund to include regional parks and trails, warning that the legislation should clearly avoid creating condemnation authority for park or trail projects, especially where they are adjacent to MnDOT projects. Council staff responded that the program would finance local acquisitions rather than give the Met Council condemnation power, and said they would take the concern under advisement and ensure the legislation is carefully drafted. Members also discussed federal funding uncertainty; Council officials said federal transit operating support is about $30 million and that a pause or cut could affect future capital projects and some existing awards, while the region’s diversified funding base would help cushion operations. No votes or formal actions were taken at the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The proposed amendment in Senate Bill 2232 would amend Section 1A of Chapter 164 of the General Laws
• So, sir, we don't have any finalized plans, but we have proposed plans to put something near 12 megawatts
• There is no finalized plan for a solar array now, but we have initial proposed plans that would work
• We're not proposing that here.
• We're proposing authorization and then just having it put into the system.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused broadly on solar policy and several related bills, especially S. 2269, S. 2270, H. 3520, H. 3521, and related measures on distributed energy resources, municipal solar caps, permitting reform, and tax credits. Testimony from the Air Force supported S. 2232, which would exempt federal military installations from renewable energy production caps and net metering limits to support energy resilience at bases like Hanscom. Most other witnesses argued that Massachusetts needs to speed up rooftop, municipal, and community solar deployment to address high electricity prices, federal tax credit rollbacks, grid reliability, and climate goals. A major theme was streamlining permitting through automated or “smart” solar permitting, including a statewide platform managed by DOER. Permit Power, SEIA, Vote Solar, 350 Mass, and others said current local permitting is fragmented and costly, and that instant permitting could reduce soft costs and speed installations. Several witnesses also urged changes to interconnection rules, including flexible interconnection, remote inspections, and faster utility approval timelines. Some speakers raised concerns about small towns lacking staff to meet short deadlines and suggested a state-hosted platform to reduce the burden on municipalities. Another major topic was lifting caps on solar deployment. Municipal officials from Lexington and Cambridge said the 10-megawatt municipal cap and regional caps are blocking shovel-ready projects and should be removed, including for behind-the-meter municipal solar and MBTA-community housing. Other witnesses described additional limits on project size, net metering, and residential tax credits, and called for making the state residential solar credit refundable and larger. Several speakers also supported virtual power plants, distributed energy resource targets, solar canopies, microgrids, and expanded access for affordable housing, tenants, and low- and moderate-income customers. No votes were taken. Committee members asked questions about permitting timelines, grid modernization, the rationale for caps, balcony solar, and interconnection delays, and witnesses said they would follow up with additional information where needed. The hearing ended with broad support from industry, municipal, environmental, and advocacy groups for advancing the solar and distributed energy bills, while some witnesses opposed provisions they viewed as overly restrictive, such as mandatory SMART participation for all solar projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bills, as proposed, are very practical and very beneficial to both employers as well as employees
• All right, thank you, sir, for your testimony under this proposed law.
• Instead of the proposed bills, we should be freezing the rising maximum weekly benefit, ending the 30
• A lot of times people come to oppose things; you're actually proposing other ideas and how to improve
• History shows that every proposal for equal protection meets opposition.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a hybrid public hearing with testimony on a wide range of labor, workforce, unemployment insurance, apprenticeship, disability services, farm labor, hospital staffing, and workplace harassment bills. Chairs Jake Oliveira and Paul McMurtry outlined hearing procedures, limited testimony to two minutes, and noted written testimony would be accepted after the hearing. Committee members and staff were introduced throughout the session as witnesses arrived in person or remotely. A major portion of the hearing focused on unemployment insurance legislation. Greater Boston Legal Services, the AFL-CIO, and Rep. Joan Meschino supported bills to adjust UI eligibility for workers with fluctuating schedules and to streamline waivers and write-offs for non-fault overpayments, arguing the current system unfairly denies benefits or burdens workers who were not at fault. They also backed bills calling for more oversight and resources for the Division of Unemployment Assistance, citing persistent delays in benefit payments. NFIB opposed the UI changes, warning that the trust fund is headed toward insolvency and arguing the bills would worsen the system’s finances. Rep. Meschino and committee members emphasized that the proposals were meant to protect good-faith claimants and did not apply to fraud. Another large set of bills addressed wages, workforce development, and working conditions. Testimony supported raising and modernizing direct care wages to address severe staffing shortages in human services and disability services, with advocates from the Massachusetts Developmental Disability Council, The Arc of Massachusetts, parents of adults with disabilities, and a direct care worker describing how low pay and turnover harm people needing support. The committee also heard support for apprenticeship-related bills from the AFL-CIO and the Carpenters, while Associated Builders and Contractors opposed mandatory apprenticeship ratios and urged changes to align them with licensing laws. Farm worker advocates supported a bill to raise farm labor standards, including minimum wage, paid breaks, and paid time off, while the Farm Bureau opposed parts of it beyond the minimum wage increase. The hearing also featured testimony on workplace harassment training, overtime protections, hospital mandatory overtime, suicide prevention signage on construction sites, and a proposal to update the Massachusetts Medical Society’s mission language from “citizens” to “people.” Labor groups, educators, and compliance trainers strongly supported mandatory annual sexual harassment training, saying it would improve workplace culture and reduce harm. SEIU 1199 supported extending the hospital nurse mandatory overtime ban to the broader hospital workforce. Witnesses on the suicide prevention bill described personal losses in construction and recovery work and urged posting 988 information on job sites. The committee took no votes during the hearing; witnesses repeatedly asked for favorable reports, and members asked follow-up questions on UI calculations, apprenticeship ratios, small-business impacts, and emergency exceptions for hospital staffing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately, quite frankly, we're a little disappointed in the lack of adequate arts funding in the proposal
• five years informed the development of the plan and how future work will be shaped by the plan's proposal
• And so we're already seeing artists proposing solutions on how we could adapt and be resilient to these
• And so we're already seeing artists proposing. is in our home.
• And so we're already seeing artists proposing solutions on how we could adapt and be resilient to these

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Arts held an informational hearing on California’s first sector-specific creative economy strategic plan, “California’s Future: Creative Strategies for Cultural Resilience, Economic Growth, and Global Leadership.” Chair Allen opened by framing the creative economy as a major state asset and urged support for arts funding in the May Revision, including California Humanities, museums, public media, cultural districts, LA28 arts programming, and AB 2319, which would create a $100 million post-production incentive. He also emphasized the need for next-step funding to implement the strategic plan and noted concerns about federal headwinds and declining creative-sector jobs. California Arts Council Director Danielle Brazel, Institute for the Future’s Rachel Hatch, CDE’s Allison Frenzel, and Workforce Development Board representative Michael Weoff described how the plan was developed through AB 127 and related legislation, a 30-plus-member work group, and an interagency process. They outlined the plan’s phased approach and six priority areas, including preparing the workforce, stabilizing businesses, increasing revenue through cultural tourism, leveraging state incentives, defining and tracking ROI, and building state capacity. Testimony highlighted workforce pipelines, apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, digital badging, and cross-agency coordination, with speakers stressing that the sector is shaped by AI, climate change, affordability, capital access, and social cohesion. A second panel of artists and advocates described on-the-ground implementation and the need for better data and support. Ricarlo Handy discussed the Handy Foundation’s apprenticeship pipeline into film and TV jobs and the difficulty of capturing freelance and 1099 creative work in state data. Joanna Reynolds described Arts for LA’s Creative Jobs Collective, which aims to create 10,000 living-wage creative jobs in Los Angeles County by 2030. Alejandro Gutierrez Chavez urged the state to embed artists in health, aging, behavioral health, and climate resilience systems, and Roxanne Messina Kaptur spoke about the need to treat arts careers as viable professions and expand residency and school-based artist programs. Senator Rubio, who joined the hearing later, shared her own background in teaching and the arts, supported arts education and small theaters, and raised concerns about AI, asking how schools and educators can adapt. In the final panel, Rebecca Ratzkin reported on 26 town halls across eight regions, where more than 1,100 people attended and generally affirmed the plan while asking for better access to information, new financial models, clearer definitions and data, and stronger networks. Julie Baker of California for the Arts and California Arts Advocates argued the plan is an urgent blueprint for a sector that generates $288 billion and more than 820,000 jobs, but remains below pre-pandemic employment levels and is losing market share. She and others called for funding, statewide definitions, better data collection, and cross-agency implementation, while committee members and witnesses repeatedly emphasized that the plan will require political will and resources to move from strategy to action.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then our position on the proposed ban.
• 00:10:02.480> on<00:10:02.640> the our our position on the our our position on the proposed
• proposed ban. proposed ban.
• c> in<00:13:19.680> House<00:13:19.880> File<00:13:20.160> 1857, uh the proposed
• bill in House File 1857, uh the proposed bill in House File 1857, it<00:13:22.000> does<00:13

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So<00:10:01.279> with<00:10:01.519> this<00:10:01.760> proposal,<00:10:02.320>
• > it<00:10:02.560> creates<00:10:02.880> a So with this proposal, it creates a So with
• this proposal, it creates a program<00:10:03.519> to<00:10:03.839> assist<00:10:04.160
• <00:38:51.839> for<00:38:52.079> ratification<00:38:52.800> and of proposing
• for ratification and of proposing for ratification and amendment<00:38:53.359> to<00:38:53.599

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Senate Message 04:45 Calendar/2nd Readings 05:20 Report of Committees 07:05 Orders of the Day 08:23 HB 214 08:33 HB 416 12:26 HB 281 16:20 HB 134 18:13 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 21:08 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 37:01 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 39:15 ConC/Rules Report 42:29 Floor Amendments 44:27 Correction to Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 46:14 Adjournment 46:40, 958, all

Summary: The House convened, heard an invocation focused on recovery from a recent storm, and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. A quorum was established with 94 members present, absent members were excused, and the rules were suspended to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications. The journal was approved, and the clerk reported a Senate message transmitting Senate Joint Resolution 23 for concurrence. The chamber then received second-reading reports on a wide range of bills covering pharmacist reimbursements, grooming a minor, local government liability, water fluoridation, solid waste, highway markings, fiduciary bonds, motor vehicle titles, hearing aid coverage, eating disorder coverage, public safety, pedestrians, cigar bars, backyard chickens, and county law libraries. Committee reports also advanced several bills, including measures on elections, local government, state-operated mental health facilities, prescription drugs, Alzheimer’s services, electric generating unit decommissioning costs, reemployment of retired police officers, and the Kentucky Communications Network Authority. Those favorable reports were treated as first readings and placed on the calendar. The House passed several bills unanimously by roll call, including House Bill 214 on a program to help disabled veterans obtain and install home wheelchair ramps, House Bill 416 on educator preparation and early assessments, House Bill 281 on streamlining food donations by churches and nonprofits for shelters and disaster victims, and House Bill 134 on sexual assault nurse examiners, creating a statewide coordinator, registry, and regional access plan. In each case, sponsors explained the bills and members voiced support; floor amendment 1 to House Bill 416 was adopted before passage. Clinchers were applied after passage of the bills. The House also adopted House Resolution 33 recognizing cancer patients, survivors, and families and designating January 29, 2026 as Suits and Sneakers Day, and adopted House Resolution 43 recognizing the economic and cultural partnership between Kentucky and Japan. Members offered additional citations honoring Newport Central Catholic High School and the YMCA, and the chamber observed a moment of silence for Boone County Sheriff Michael Helmig after a citation honoring his service and legacy. Announcements included committee meetings after adjournment, birthday wishes, and the introduction of numerous new bills and resolutions, including measures on kindergarten, bridges, revenue, retirement benefits, concealed deadly weapons, local taxes, motor vehicles, fiscal reporting, SNAP, families and children, vision testing, and a balanced budget amendment application.

Transcript Highlights:

• The proposed Senate substitute reflects a significant investment in our educators, our students, and
• The Senate bill proposal only. ...allows for a $55 increase, which shows a slight misunderstanding in
• The Senate proposal aims to no longer incentivize... ...board-certified teachers.
• The proposed teacher retention allotment encourages educators to remain in the profession during high
• HB2's proposed expansion will allow up to 50% of educators to benefit from higher pay.

Bills: HB2

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When ABA proposes to integrate hemp into the cannabis supply chain, it is... not primarily relevant to
• The proposed hemp tax by positive will likely replace cannabis product taxation rather than augment and
• I also appreciate the committee's proposed amendments, which I am accepting today.
• Even with the proposed amendments, this bill does not thoroughly capture that goal.
• This proposal includes many of the recommendations made during the audits of the prior program, and the

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 1322 is needed for smaller communities to prepare when new developments are proposed.
• smaller cities need to have the extra time to see if they can serve the communities that are being proposed
• Just add in the word homestead exemption in the proposed district, and that's our request, sir.
• There are several other bills that are being proposed this legislative session.
• Specifically, bipartisan majorities of Texan voters support housing reforms proposed along the lines

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 158 proposes to eliminate cost sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations
• and as senators, we have to think about all of the intended and unintended consequences of these proposals
• But a lot of what's in the proposal is extremely problematic.
• The Appropriations Committees have completed developing their budget proposals.
• Bill 2500, the General Appropriations Act; Senate Proposed Bill 2, the implementing bill; additional

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and heard several member introductions and recognitions, including awareness resolutions and visiting groups in the galleries. The chamber then moved to special order bills. Senate Bill 88 on utility terrain vehicles passed 32-5 after debate over allowing local governments to opt in to street use of UTVs under safety restrictions; Senator Smith opposed it over safety concerns. Senate Bill 102 on exceptional student education passed 36-0, creating a workforce credential/badge program for students with autism or on modified curricula; supporters emphasized employment opportunities and safety training, while Senator Davis raised concerns about added costs to school districts. Senate Bill 106 on exploitation of vulnerable adults passed 37-0, allowing alternative service on scammers through the same apps used to contact victims. Senate Bill 130 on compensation for victims of wrongful incarceration passed 38-0, extending filing deadlines and removing restrictive barriers; supporters called it a long-overdue justice fix. Senate Bill 158 on diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations passed 38-0, eliminating cost sharing for follow-up breast tests in the state employee health plan to encourage early detection. The most contentious measure was Senate Bill 234 on criminal offenses against law enforcement officers. The bill sought to clarify that violent resistance to officers is not justified by claims about the legality of the detention and to add manslaughter of a law enforcement officer to offenses carrying life imprisonment without release. An amendment by Senator Jones to restore “in good faith” language failed, after debate centered on due process, racial profiling, and the role of juries and suppression motions. Several senators spoke in support of law enforcement but objected to the bill’s breadth and mandatory life penalty; Senator Leek ultimately postponed the bill temporarily rather than taking a final vote. Senate Bill 262 on trust code technical changes passed 36-0. Senate Bill 274 designating roads for Harris Rosen and Geraldine Thompson passed 38-0, followed by a successful co-sponsorship motion and remarks honoring Thompson’s legacy. Senate Bill 280 on candidate qualification passed 38-0, creating an enforcement mechanism for party-affiliation filing requirements. Senate Bill 296 on middle and high school start times passed 38-0, repealing the statewide start-time mandate and shifting implementation decisions to local districts while requiring public reporting and discussion. Senate Bill 356 designating January 27 as Holocaust Remembrance Day also passed unanimously, with senators emphasizing remembrance, anti-Semitism, and the educational value of the memorial and observance.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, if you're proposing an amendment to extend it to others, I just want to know if your intent is about
• Laws have led us to propose this legislation that extends the duration of emergency holds to 72 hours
• But currently, the law. is that they have to pose serious harm to the proposed patient or serious harm
• Van Zandt, wherein, as in Texas, a state court orders a proposed patient committed for safekeeping only
• The law is 48 hours, this proposal is 72, you suggest going back to 24.

Bills: HB 1239, HB1990, HB1748, HB1749, HB2578, HB2986, HB1970, HB3163, HB2733, HB1922, HB 113, HB 1088, HB1938, HB3004, HB2637, HB2960, HB113

Keywords: public health, access to healthcare, insurance reforms, medical expenses, healthcare providers, mental health, protective custody, preliminary examination, detention period, emergency circumstances, emergency detention, legal framework, detention, healthcare, liability, landowners, nonagricultural land, trespassing, public safety, interpreters

Transcript Highlights:

• that they will gain some uh proposes that they will gain some sort<00:13:22.320> of<00:13:22.760
• So what the bill proposes is to set up a special revenue account that sets aside some of the money from
• so<00:15:48.880> what<00:15:49.040> the<00:15:49.160> bill<00:15:49.560> proposes
• to<00:15:50.839> set<00:15:51.120> up<00:15:51.880> a so what the bill proposes
• is to set up a so what the bill proposes is to set up a special<00:15:52.600> revenue<00:15:53.800

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• you'll report back to the subcommittee and make funding recommendations in preparation for our House proposed
• And then, briefly, just to talk about some of our proposals for the coming year: one is to improve our
• So we have a proposal related to that, to really buttress that in terms of... ...technology and personnel
• And we have a number of other proposals too.
• So yes, services have been fully restored, and yes, we have a legislative proposal related to preventing

Summary: The Health Care Budget Subcommittee met to organize the new term, take roll, and hear introductory presentations from the six agencies under its jurisdiction: the Agency for Health Care Administration, Agency for Persons with Disabilities, Department of Children and Families, Department of Elder Affairs, Department of Health, and Department of Veterans’ Affairs. The chair outlined the committee process, including assigning members to review agencies and make budget recommendations. Each agency head gave a high-level overview of their budget, staffing, major programs, and priorities, with recurring themes including Medicaid, long-term care, disability services, child welfare, mental health, aging services, public health, and veterans’ health care. Several agency leaders highlighted recent initiatives and funding priorities. AHCA emphasized Medicaid managed care, provider regulation, Hope Florida, hospital-at-home, and cancer-related efforts; APD discussed iBudget services, Hope Florida, a managed-care pilot, online applications, and forensic care costs; DCF focused on child protection, foster care, adult protective services, food/cash/medical assistance, mental health, and opioid treatment; Elder Affairs highlighted Alzheimer’s services, community-based senior care, guardianship, ombudsman services, and disaster outreach; DOH covered cancer innovation, maternal telehealth, cybersecurity, HIV/hepatitis/syphilis screening, and school nursing; and Veterans Affairs described benefits and health care access for veterans, long-term care, and federal reimbursement. Several speakers also raised concerns about rising costs, provider rates, disaster response, and access to services. The committee heard two public comments from disability advocates about Medicaid redeterminations affecting iBudget waiver recipients and provider payment delays. In response, AHCA and APD said they were coordinating on data sharing, early outreach, escalation processes, and efforts to reduce disenrollments and make recertification smoother. Members then asked questions about provider rates, opioid settlement spending, managed care quality measures, pediatric rare disease grants, group home transparency, senior outreach, ABA services moving into managed care, annual Medicaid recertification, veterans’ service utilization, waiting lists for elder services, and prevention spending. No formal votes were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Temporary Committee on Rules reports recommending proposed Senate rules to be adopted as permanent
• The Temporary Committee on Rules reports recommending proposed joint rules to be adopted as permanent
• or any other rules to the contrary, the report of the Temporary Committee on Rules recommending proposed

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate convened, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and then took up reports from the Temporary Committee on Rules. The chamber adopted orders placing Senate No. 14, proposing permanent Senate rules for the 2025-2026 session, and Senate No. 15, proposing permanent joint rules for the Senate and House, on the Orders of the Day for February 12, 2025, with amendments due electronically by February 10. In both cases, the rules were suspended to allow immediate consideration, and the orders were adopted without objection. The Senate also adopted an order to adjourn and reconvene on Monday at 11:00 a.m. Senator Keenan then offered a motion, joined by all members, that the Senate adjourn in memory of Francis Xavier Bellotti. The Senate heard a tribute recounting Bellotti’s military service, public career as lieutenant governor and attorney general, and his contributions to civil rights, environmental protection, and civic life. The motion to adjourn in Bellotti’s memory was adopted, and the Senate adjourned with a moment of silence in his honor. The chamber is set to meet again on Monday at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lou Hamid Red and the proposed House Bill 5048. Counsel will explain the bill.
• Lou Hamid Red and the proposed committee amendment. This bill references code 49-2-15a.
• And did you explain the proposed amendment by this committee?

Keywords: 994, senate, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Counsel will explain the bill, and the proposed committee amendment. Thank you.
• House Bill 5048, and the proposed committee amendment. This bill references code 49-2-15a.
• And did you explain the proposed amendment by this committee?

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you have a proposed adjournment time, Representative Jordan, for May 15th, or should we take those
• We are proposing House File 3556, Representative Aim, House File 3425, Representative Howard, House File
• We are proposing House File 3556, Representative Aim, House File 3425, Representative Howard, House File

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So let's discuss the proposed amendment. So let's discuss the proposed amendment.
• Let's go ahead and take a roll call vote on the proposed amendment. Chairman Headland.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Finance and Tax Committee met to consider Senate Bill 2397, which concerned an incentive for exploratory wells and related certification language. Representative Dockter explained that the latest version incorporated additional language requested by Nathan Anderson, clarifying that an operator seeking certification of a well as a development incentive well must demonstrate to the Industrial Commission that the well meets the criteria. He and other members argued the proposal would encourage investment in exploratory drilling, support new technology, and ultimately benefit state revenues. The committee adopted Amendment 01-005 after discussion and a roll call vote. Members then moved a due pass recommendation for Senate Bill 2397 as amended, and the motion passed 14-0. Several members briefly commented on the need to incentivize investment and the value of the industry to the state. At the close of the meeting, members noted that this was the committee’s final bill of the legislative session. The chair thanked members for their work on tax policy and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:22:12.640> as Department's uh budget proposal as Department's uh budget proposal as presented
• So we'll have a new proposal for that.
• So we'll have a new proposal for that.
• So we'll have a new proposal for that.
• So we'll have a new proposal for that.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard the Banking Department’s fiscal year 2026-2027 budget presentation from Commissioner Amelia Galeri. She described the department as a self-funded consumer protection regulator overseeing two main areas: the Banking Trust Division, which supervises state-chartered banks, credit unions, and trust companies, and the Consumer Credit Division, which oversees more than 7,000 licensees including mortgage and money transmitter businesses. She said the department’s budget is about 86% salaries and benefits, with 53 positions all filled, and explained that the agency funds itself through fees, fines, and end-of-year assessments on regulated entities. Galeri said the department is facing workload growth from several directions: continued growth in the trust industry, increased fintech supervision, and a new requirement to regularly examine auto dealers that take finance applications, which adds about 300 exams over two fiscal years. She said the department was directed to flat-fund its budget based on 2025 levels but was allowed to increase travel and training. To stay within that limit, she said the department reduced office space, went paperless, converted administrative and licensing positions into examiner positions, and expects to defund an embedded DOJ database administrator position once a new SharePoint system is fully implemented. Members asked about how the department’s revenue and assessments work, including whether fees were increasing and how much existing banks would pay. Galeri said fees are not being raised, most banks pay little or no fines, and assessments are based largely on asset size, with trust companies paying the bulk. She also explained that fines are set by statute, generally capped at $2,500 per violation for consumer credit entities, and said she would not recommend increasing that cap. The committee then voted to accept the Banking Department’s budget proposal as presented in HQ1, with a motion and second and no discussion. The transcript then moved to the Department of Energy budget. Commissioner Jared Chakin and Chief of Operations Lenny Radio discussed federal program funding, including LIHEAP fuel assistance and weatherization. They said the apparent drop in fuel assistance funding from FY 2024 actuals to the budgeted amount is due to the loss of ARPA and CARES Act supplemental funds, while weatherization remains a federally constrained program with a waiting list and limited flexibility. Members also asked about a proposed transfer from the renewable energy fund; staff said the transfer would still allow the department to carry out its statutory duties for the year, though the committee deferred deeper discussion until House Bill 2.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so the proposed solutions were rejected.
• The proposal here is that they can negotiate an agreement.
• I am the individual who proposed higher property taxes for people.
• So as part of our proposal, which was done I think it was in June of this year, we did put in our proposal
• . proposal. proposal.

Keywords: 1189, house, all