Transcript Highlights:

• If you want to move on to the Housing Incentive Fund. Yep.
• So the next audit is North Dakota Housing Incentive Fund.
• Any questions on Housing Incentive Fund? Questions, committee? I don't see any, Mindy.
• Because one could argue, to a certain degree, that that incentive was taken away by having to require
• A combination of businesses that are working in North Dakota and businesses that want to relocate or

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So there's some incentives in the contract as well. I put TBD here.
• I'm hoping that they take advantage of the incentives.
• So there's some incentives in the contract as well. I put TBD here.
• I'm hoping that they take advantage of the incentives.
• Yeah, so there's an incentive. I'm assuming this is a financial incentive. Is that correct?

Summary: The committee met to hear an update from Washington State Ferries on capital projects and workforce issues, beginning with a briefing on the agency’s long-term fleet and terminal needs. WSF officials described the history of underinvestment after the late 1990s, the current fleet reduction from 25 to 21 vessels, and the need to keep older boats in service while moving toward a 26-vessel long-range fleet and hybrid-electric operations. They said the agency is transitioning to a new vessel procurement strategy, with Eastern Shipbuilding selected to build up to three 160-car hybrid-electric ferries, and outlined a schedule that includes contract execution, about a year of design work, steel cutting in fall 2026, and several years of construction. Members raised concerns about the higher cost of electrified vessels, the length of the schedule, the adequacy of liquidated damages and incentives, the risks of building in Florida and transporting vessels to Washington, and whether the contract sufficiently protects the state from cost overruns and design problems. The committee also received an update on the Wenatchee conversion, which officials said is days away from entering service as the first large hybrid-electric ferry conversion. WSF explained that the conversion combined required midlife preservation work with propulsion upgrades and battery installation, and that the project took longer and cost more than originally expected because it was a prototype with significant lessons learned. Officials said the Tacoma and Puyallup conversions would follow later, but those decisions were being delayed until after the World Cup to avoid service disruptions. Members asked about the cost-effectiveness of the conversion, the expected fuel and emissions reductions, and what happens to engine crews during long conversion periods; WSF said crews were embedded in the project and that the conversions should reduce diesel use substantially once terminal charging is available. The meeting then shifted to workforce development, with Siegel consultants reviewing their 2021 and 2024 studies of ferry staffing, overtime, recruitment, and workplace culture. They said the earlier problems stemmed from seasonal staffing practices, low winter hours, limited career progression, a narrow maritime recruiting pipeline, and a culture that made retention difficult. Since then, they reported major improvements: staffing has increased from about 1,500 to 1,900, turnover has fallen, captain and engineer shortages have eased, and recruitment has broadened beyond the traditional maritime pool, including more women and other underrepresented workers. They credited new programs such as guaranteed hours, paid pilotage, AB-to-mate pathways, and the “Turning of the Tide” culture campaign, while noting remaining issues with communication, HR access, accountability, and quality of life. Members generally acknowledged the progress but asked whether staffing levels are now sufficient and how interchangeable crews are across vessels and routes. Finally, terminal engineering staff began a presentation on capital terminal work, starting with the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal. They described the terminal’s age, low elevation, vulnerability to sea level rise and earthquakes, and the need for replacement piles, beams, and improved vehicle circulation. The agency said it has completed a planning and environmental linkage study, is moving into NEPA/state environmental review, and has been working with the community to balance the needs of Southworth and Vashon riders with neighborhood concerns in Fauntleroy. The preferred alternative is a larger offshore dock footprint that would improve capacity and reliability while reducing impacts to eelgrass habitat. The meeting ended before the terminal discussion was complete.

Transcript Highlights:

• The true source of all of this, or the incentive for it, is the benefit to the cartels.
• there and, and looks into them, a lot of times they'll leave a notice and they'll shut down and relocate
• As far as them going off routes, they're given incentives, and they're very well aware of what they're

Transcript Highlights:

• and they'll sell it at the original price, and that's where the true source of all of this or the incentive
• and inspects them, a lot of times they'll leave a notice, and they'll shut them down. ...down and relocate
• They know what's going on, as far as them going off routes; they’re given incentives... ...And they're

Bills: SB290, SB2949

Keywords: LP-gas, property owner notice, natural resources, gas installations, safety notification, motor fuel, fuel transport, fuel export, transloading, export fuel transloading facility, fuel terminal, terminal operator, comptroller, Texas Tax Code, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, TCEQ, Department of Public Safety, DPS, border security, ports of entry

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill resolves<00:04:47.440> that<00:04:47.759> by<00:04:47.919> relocating<
• 00:04:48.639> these<00:04:49.280> state resolves that by relocating these state resolves
• that by relocating these state prison-only<00:04:50.400> sections<00:04:51.120> into<00
• ,<00:47:31.040> saying, dangling a financial incentive, saying, dangling a financial incentive
• It also feels like reverse incentives.

Bills: HF3405, HF3413, HF3769, HF3768, HF3771, HF3465

Keywords: Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, BCA, Use of Force Investigations Unit, federal agents, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, Customs and Border Protection, CBP, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, USCIS, officer-involved death, use of force, law enforcement accountability, police oversight, independent investigation, criminal sexual conduct, sexual assault, peace officers

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from February 25, 2026, and then took up several Department of Corrections-related bills. House File 3768, as amended by the A1 amendment, would extend the DOC’s graduated licensing and enforcement tools to juvenile detention facilities and state-licensed halfway houses, allowing corrective action plans and conditional licenses instead of only revocation. Commissioner Paul Schnell and Dakota County Juvenile Services Center Deputy Director Matt Bower testified in support, saying the bill would improve consistency, stability, and accountability without changing jail licensing. Members asked about costs and sheriff input; the commissioner said the bill is cost-neutral and that sheriffs were informed but did not provide input. The committee adopted the amendment and recommended the bill to the general register. The committee then heard House File 3769, another DOC technical update bill, which would clarify tuberculosis screening procedures when incarcerated people refuse testing, allow mental health units at more than one facility and short-term stabilization at Oak Park Heights when clinically appropriate, and clarify the department’s substance use disorder treatment programs. Schnell said the changes were technical but important for effective operations. Members again asked about county costs and sheriff support, and the commissioner said the bill affects only DOC facilities and is cost-neutral. The committee approved the motion to re-refer the bill to the Health Finance and Policy Committee. The final major item was House File 3405, the chair’s bill, as amended by the A3 amendment. The amendment broadened the definition of federal agents, made the effective date retroactive, and removed a sexual assault investigation section to eliminate the fiscal note. The bill would require the BCA’s use-of-force unit to investigate deaths caused by federal agents in Minnesota, not just Minnesota peace officers. Chair Mohler argued the bill closes a loophole and ensures state-level, independent investigations; Dr. B.B. Newman testified in support, saying it preserves Minnesota’s investigative authority and public confidence. Deputy Superintendent Scott Mueller said the BCA already investigates deadly-force cases and has handled some federal-related cases, but he did not think the bill was necessary and recommended a no vote. Members debated whether the bill was needed given existing practice, with supporters saying the statute should clearly require state investigation and opponents questioning whether it would change anything. The committee adopted the amendment and continued discussion of the bill as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• And maybe a clarification on the relocation processes.
• Which specific relocation processes was this question referencing?
• So on relocation processes, maybe to say it this way, there were some departments since 2020 who have
• Telework is an incentive that attracts and retains quality state workers when wages have stagnated for

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 5 heard updates from the Secretary of State, EDD, the State Controller’s Office, CalHR, and DGS on a range of budget proposals and federal policy impacts. Secretary of State Shirley Weber opened with remarks about California’s election system, emphasizing its safety, transparency, high voter registration and vote-by-mail participation, and the office’s response to bomb threats and other election threats. Her staff then presented funding requests for the Cal-Access Replacement System (CARS) and Help America Vote Act/VoteCal activities, describing them as needed to modernize campaign finance and lobbying disclosure systems and maintain election security and voter services. A major portion of the hearing focused on federal election policy, especially the potential effects of a presidential executive order and the SAVE Act. Secretary of State staff said California would face significant, potentially unquantifiable costs if forced to comply, including new burdens on county recorders, county election offices, and the Secretary of State’s office, and warned of voter disenfranchisement, especially for students, seniors, disabled voters, military and overseas voters, rural residents, and people with limited transportation. Members and public commenters strongly opposed the federal proposals and argued California’s current system is functioning well. The committee also heard that federal HAVA funds were not expected to be at risk because the state draws them down into an interest-bearing account. EDD reported on paid family leave, explaining that recent delays were tied to a system transition and increased claim volume, and said it was simplifying applications and adding staff and automation. Public testimony supported expanding paid family leave to chosen family. EDD also said it is prepared for possible unemployment spikes, citing a recession plan, a command center, and recent hiring. The State Controller’s Office requested funding to continue the Fiscal migration project, which would move the state’s accounting book of record to the new system by July 1, 2026; Finance and LAO had no objections, and the committee expressed support for the project’s progress. CalHR presented a proposal for a statewide recruitment, outreach, and education paid media campaign under AB 1511, saying its current advertising budget is too small to reach diverse communities effectively. The final item addressed Governor Newsom’s executive order requiring a return to office on a four-day schedule. CalHR and DGS said they were working department-by-department to assess space, parking, transit, and other logistics, but had not completed a statewide cost analysis. Members and many public commenters criticized the order, arguing it was rushed, costly, harmful to telework benefits, and potentially disruptive to workers, especially those with disabilities, caregiving responsibilities, or long commutes. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do we relocate jobs? Recently, I've been thinking about the ideas that I've got about that.
• Are we going to relocate...? Are we going to relocate people to the jobs?
• There's no deadline to respond to job offers and no built-in incentive to require a person to attend

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• improvement has made to our systems through these programs by replacing problematic mains and services, relocating
• Are there any types of and, you know, incentives are discounts available for consumers and also where
• But there has been in the last few years, a huge uptick, especially with some of the legislative incentives
• phosphate deposits it our industries, not just yours that you're aware of waiting for government incentives

Transcript Highlights:

• first item is a technical adjustment to adjust rider 17, the amount of retained collect, or. excess incentive
• It's funding for relocation and reconfiguration of the audit offices in different areas. areas and so
• Item 3 is is a request for funding for the Governor's University Research Incentive Program.
• Item four is... additional funding for the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• credit, I have received $1.2 billion in state and local grants, and well over $100 million in tax incentives
• say the Department of Commerce went out of their way to ensure that we were eligible for the same incentives
• critical mass of silicon engineers in Sherman that this really became the place, in tandem with the incentives
• Investing over $600 million in infrastructure improvements to facilitate these developments, along with incentives
• the landscape is, but you're telling me there's development there already and you... ...have to relocate

Bills: SB1757, SB1758, SB1898, SB2050

Keywords: rock crushing, permits, air quality, environmental monitoring, aggregate production, seismicity, public meeting, land use, SB 1758, cement kiln, portland cement, aggregate production operation, aggregate quarry, semiconductor wafer manufacturing, chip fabrication, semiconductor plant, vibration, seismic disturbance, liability limitation, TCEQ

Transcript Highlights:

• And so what that changes are the incentives for people to cooperate with the police.
• now changes that to how we used to be 10 years ago, where lawyers are saying, look, there is no incentive
• You're only giving an incentive to take a misdemeanor into a felony.
• diversion, it dramatically changes, I think, both county court versus district court and just a lot of incentives
• VA uses to it can be anything, any destabilizing event, mention of guns and firearms, mention of relocations

Transcript Highlights:

• Academia's incentives are often not aligned with U.S. national security.
• And are there incentives for Beijing to play a productive role in trying to... to get to peace talks
• So, do we think there is any incentive for the PRC to help move?
• Plant in Costa Rica that had closed, relocated to China, but it is now back up and running in Costa Rica
• And the CHIPS portion of the CHIPS Act that involved incentives for allied nations to produce CHIPS nearshore

Transcript Highlights:

• What this bill would do is significantly increase the work incentives for all of these families.
• Under this bill, New Mexico would have the largest work incentive in the country.
• By increasing the value of earned dollars, the credit is an incentive to work and to also earn.
• Under this bill, New Mexico would all have the largest work incentive in the country.
• By increasing the value of earn dollars, the credit is an incentive to work and to also earn.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the industry is reacting based on the incentives given them by different governments, and so
• One way to address this is through incentive stacking, combining multiple financial incentives such as
• Benjamin Farkley: ...incentive stacking, combining multiple financial incentives such as federal tax
• Rickerson:** ...to have the incentive to build in this state.
• Incentive stacking combines multiple financial incentives, such as federal tax credits, energy saving

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It clarifies expectations and procedures for relocations, ownership changes, and business changes.
• ,<00:53:50.160> ownership<00:53:50.640> changes,<00:53:51.280> and for relocations
• , ownership changes, and for relocations, ownership changes, and business<00:53:51.840> changes.
• , which we've seen in a incentives, which we've seen in a variety<01:38:44.280> of<01:38:44.360
• program that helps a um work incentive program that helps people<01:59:55.400> on<01:59:55.600

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Does the bill, or is there any existing protections around if the tenant needs to be relocated, who covers
• sure it's like does the bill or is there any existing protections around if the tenant needs to be relocated
• opportunities, including expanded revenue sources, streamlined processes for adopting zoning, and incentives
• progressive zoning in the Commonwealth when it comes to housing inventory creation and affordable housing incentives

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing heard testimony on several housing bills, with much of the discussion focused on seasonal communities and funding for year-round housing in places like Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Cape Cod, and the Berkshires. Speakers supported bills including H. 4410/S. 966 and related seasonal communities legislation, which would allow local option real estate transfer fees and expand tools for towns to preserve and create affordable housing. Testimony emphasized severe housing shortages, high home prices, workforce displacement, and impacts on public safety, schools, health care, and local businesses. Many witnesses said the transfer fee would provide a sustainable local revenue stream, citing prior land bank models on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard as proof the approach can work. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3989 regarding seasonal community designation, with supporters arguing that towns should be included automatically or through a simpler opt-in process, and on H. 4568 to expand the Family Self-Sufficiency Program, which would broaden access to a federal voucher-based savings and self-sufficiency model. Senator Edwards testified in support of a bill to create training for municipal board members, describing it as a toolkit to improve informed local decision-making. Senator O’Connor testified for a bed bug bill, saying it would create clearer landlord and tenant notification and treatment requirements and provide needed legal guidance after his family’s experience with an infestation. Senator Lovely also testified for the Homeworks program, which provides transportation so homeless children in motels and shelters can attend after-school activities. The committee further heard testimony on a bill to fund housing in seasonal communities through a transfer fee and on a companion measure to expand the seasonal communities toolkit, with repeated calls for favorable reports. Witnesses from public safety, health care, housing nonprofits, schools, and local government described staffing shortages and housing insecurity as urgent problems. Later, the committee took testimony on H. 1559/S. 102 to maintain stable housing for families with pets, with animal welfare groups supporting protections against eviction, breed discrimination, and excessive pet rent. They said housing-related pet surrenders are a major driver of shelter intake. The hearing also included testimony on H. 1498 to limit criminalization of homelessness, which would restrict citations, fines, and related consequences for outdoor camping tied solely to homelessness.

Transcript Highlights:

• The workforce capitalization incentive grants, and I will tell you, there is a funding model related
• I won't go over all of these, but I will tell you that the nursing education, CAPE incentives, those
• So the next three—nursing education, student success, CAPE incentives—all have performance funding models
• He is going to now relocate and live in Florida. His parents are fine with it.
• He's moving, you know, he is going to now relocate, live in Florida. His parents are fine with it.

Summary: The committee held its first meeting of the session and received an overview of the Higher Education Appropriations budget from staff director Tim Elwell. He explained the committee’s broad jurisdiction over universities, state colleges, district workforce programs, vocational rehabilitation, blind services, student financial aid, private colleges, and the Board of Governors, and reviewed key budget concepts such as local funds, funds per FTE, performance funding, and the distinction between the total appropriation and the recurring base budget. He noted that higher education is funded largely through state and local sources, with substantial flexibility compared with other state budgets, and that the base budget is heavily weighted toward lump-sum allocations to the public systems. The committee then heard a presentation from the University of South Florida’s Florida Center for Cybersecurity (Cyber Florida), led by retired Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie and USF representative Mark Walsh. They described Cyber Florida as a statewide cybersecurity platform created by the Legislature in 2014 to support education, research, workforce development, public policy, and community engagement. McKenzie emphasized the growing cyber threat environment, Florida’s leadership role, and several funded initiatives, including K-12 outreach, workforce training, a cyber range for county governments, critical infrastructure assessments, grant development, and public conferences and outreach. Members asked about public cyber awareness, the lack of a national cyber defense strategy, school district participation in Cyber Launch, and which counties are most at risk; McKenzie said smaller counties with limited cybersecurity staffing are generally more vulnerable and offered to provide follow-up information. Finally, the committee heard from the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities at the University of Central Florida, led by Dr. Drew Andrews, along with program and parent representatives from participating institutions. Andrews explained the center’s role in coordinating Florida’s postsecondary comprehensive transition programs for students with intellectual disabilities, supporting program development, distributing grants and scholarships, and monitoring outcomes. He reported that the state now has 33 approved programs at 35 institutions, including universities, state colleges, and technical colleges, and that scholarship and grant funding has grown significantly. He said student retention is about 88 percent, many graduates are employed, and median hourly earnings have increased over time. A representative from Southeastern University described how the center’s support helped build and sustain SEU Link, including a new third-year employment-focused option for students.

Transcript Highlights:

• If A school district receives either foundation aid or salary incentive aid or receives neither foundation
• aid nor salary incentive aid pursuant to section 18.
• and there's always extenuating factors, but do you feel like there's some ways to link financial incentive
• where we pay more money to school districts who have more struggling students, and so there's an incentive
• But now, I think we should be attaching financial incentives to schools who not Only are excelling, but

Bills: SJR47, SB1491, SB1579, SB1806, SB1552, SB483, SB63, SB137, SB346, SB514, SB1344, SB1360, SB1380, SB1437, SB1189, SB1217, SB1221, SB1262, SB1272, SB1325, SB1339, SB201

Keywords: voter ID, elections, constitutional amendment, Oklahoma, proof of identity, presidential electors, vacancies, oath of office, political party, property tax, valuation increase, taxpayer rights, homestead, protest process, foster care, adoption assistance, transitioning youth, Department of Human Services, voluntary services, county home rule charter

Transcript Highlights:

• coming in, or, for example, when projects are being held up and need to take advantage of federal incentives
• And one wonders if, after the first swiping incident, Blondie could have been relocated instead of having
• The first swiping incident, if Blondie could have been relocated instead of having to be euthanized.
• So we do relocate a lot of wildlife, but again, So we do relocate a lot of wildlife, but again, with

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard an extensive discussion on the Governor’s proposal to eliminate vacant positions across several environmental and natural resources departments, including Fish and Wildlife, Parks, the Coastal Commission/BCDC, DPR, DTSC, CalRecycle, and the State Water Resources Control Board. The Legislative Analyst’s Office explained that the JLBC had already not concurred with 650 of roughly 1,000 positions under review, citing concerns that many of the vacancies support core functions such as law enforcement, permitting, public safety, sea-level rise planning, and implementation of recently enacted laws. The Department of Finance defended the vacancy reduction exercise as a way to capture savings from a statewide pool of about 40,000 vacancies, arguing that departments need flexibility to manage operations and that some vacancies are used to cover operating costs or hard-to-fill roles. Several department representatives testified that the cuts would reduce capacity and could slow permitting or enforcement, though they said they would try to reclassify positions and prioritize the highest-need work. No vote was taken and all items were held open for a future hearing. Members focused heavily on the practical effects of the cuts. Senators questioned whether vacant positions should be treated as a budget savings tool, whether special-fund positions should be eliminated when they do not affect the General Fund, and whether long-vacant positions should simply be removed if they have not been filled for years. Fish and Wildlife and Parks described impacts to permitting, wildlife conflict response, and law enforcement; Parks said its academy can train only about 50 rangers a year, leaving many vacancies even after the proposed reductions. The Coastal Commission said the affected positions support SB 272 sea-level rise planning with local governments. DPR said the proposed cuts would affect multiple branches involved in pesticide registration, enforcement, and safety review, while DTSC said it was still hiring from a large 2022 reform package and had reduced its vacancy rate from about 30 percent to 15 percent before the drill. The State Water Board said its proposed reductions would be spread across programs and could lead to slower permitting and backlogs, though it would protect drinking water functions as much as possible. The committee then moved to a State Water Resources Control Board overview and a new budget proposal tied to the U.S. Supreme Court’s Sackett decision. Chair Esquivel described the board’s responsibilities for water quality, water rights, drinking water, and financial assistance, and said the board is updating the Bay-Delta Plan while also pursuing voluntary agreements and broader water-rights administration. He said federal workforce reductions and the Sackett ruling have increased pressure on state programs. The board requested $2.6 million and 12 permanent positions from the Waste Discharge Permit Fund to address permitting and enforcement gaps created by the narrowing of federal Clean Water Act jurisdiction. The LAO said the request met its high bar for new proposals because it was supported by the board’s data and would help maintain water-quality protections, though it noted that state processes are less efficient than the federal framework they are now partially replacing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Until that changes, no incentive package, no market solutions will suffice.
• care, which is something every individual who's seeking to expand or grow a business or choose to relocate
• And that means higher costs of doing business, lower competitiveness, and reduced incentives to locate
• caps and lowering insurance costs to bring us more into line with our neighboring states, provide incentives

Keywords: 996, all