Transcript Highlights:

• Staff that they're hitting it out of the ballpark with recruiting and securing additional developments
• The Commission of Administration presented those funds at the...
• The Commission of Administration presented those funds at the JLCB on January 23rd.
• The Commission of Administration presented those funds at the JLCB on January 23rd.
• Voluntarily, our Public Service Commission participates in it with us.

Summary: The House Ways and Means Committee met on March 10, 2026, for a series of informational presentations rather than bill hearings. House Fiscal Division staff reviewed the state’s tax structure, the 2024 third special session tax reform package, and the Revenue Estimating Conference process. They explained the move to a 3% flat individual income tax, a 5.5% flat corporate income tax, the higher standard deduction and retirement-income exclusion, the repeal of several deductions and credits, the repeal of the corporate franchise tax, and the expansion of the sales tax base to certain digital goods. Staff also walked through tax exemption data, showing the size of exemptions relative to collections, and discussed forecasted revenue gaps in the out years, including the effect of the scheduled sales tax rate reduction and the return of transportation-related revenues to their prior dedication. Members asked about declining mineral revenues, digital sales tax collections, corporate collections, and the impact of tax credits and exemptions. Division of Administration and Legislative Fiscal Office staff said lower oil and gas prices, long-term production declines, and the timing of corporate payments were major factors in revenue trends, and that it will take at least another year or two of tax returns to fully understand the reform’s effects. They emphasized that corporate collections are still below the $600 million threshold that affects the state general fund and Revenue Stabilization Fund, though the forecast remains $900 million. The committee also discussed surplus and excess revenues, the distinction between discretionary and non-discretionary spending, and how current-year and prior-year balances are allocated under the constitution. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the relationship between Ways and Means and Appropriations. Chairman McFarland stressed that new fiscal-note bills can force cuts elsewhere if revenue is not available, and urged members to coordinate early with fiscal staff before advancing costly legislation. Members also asked how pending constitutional amendments on teacher pay and inventory tax might affect the budget; staff said the teacher stipend proposal is not currently funded in the executive budget and that the inventory tax proposal would mainly affect local governments and any reimbursements from the Revenue Stabilization Fund if approved. The committee then heard from Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bouchoux, who reported strong results from recent reforms, including $92 billion in capital investment, 37,000 new jobs, a record year of announcements, a top-10 corporate tax climate ranking, and a pipeline of 189 active projects representing nearly 42,000 potential jobs and $280 billion in potential investment. Members praised LED’s work and discussed the need to pair economic development with workforce training, infrastructure, and predictable tax policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• A report of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission pursuant to Section 69 of Chapter 23K of the General
• Massachusetts Gaming Commission pursuant to Section 69 of Chapter 23K of the General Laws submitting
• its December 2024 casino and sports wagering revenue report and, by the same commission, submitting its
• who replaced senior Max Cruz on an injury substitution, was able to score the game-winning goal, securing

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, briefly recessed several times, and noted receipt of Massachusetts Gaming Commission reports on December 2024 and January 2025 casino and sports wagering revenue, which were placed on file. The chamber also featured several ceremonial introductions, including Cohasset High School’s boys’ soccer team, recognized for winning the school’s first state championship, and a group of visitors from Northborough and Worcester welcomed by Senators Kennedy and Donaghue. The only substantive action taken was adoption of an order extending the previously established subcommittee under the temporary committee on rules so it could continue handling matters related to Chapter 250 of the Acts of 2024, with its membership unchanged. The Senate also adopted an order to adjourn and set the next meeting for Monday at 11:00 a.m. No roll call votes were recorded; both orders were adopted without objection, and the Senate adjourned accordingly.

Transcript Highlights:

• Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to military affairs commission.
• Bill 1618 relating to military affairs commission, recommends the bill be amended as follows.
• They are also required to pass security, medical, and background checks.
• Required to pass security, medical, and background checks.
• The Military Affairs and Border Security Committee will not be meeting Monday. Awesome.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, journal approval, guest introductions, and recognition of doctors and other visitors. The chamber then moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, considering a large number of bills on topics including public schools and curricula, transportation, health care, child welfare, municipal and county governance, homeowners’ associations, speech, and election-related matters. Several measures were retained on the calendar, while many others were advanced with committee or floor amendments. Among the more notable debates, senators discussed SB 1094, which would impose civil liability related to gender reassignment surgery on minors; supporters said it would compensate minors harmed by such procedures, while opponents argued it would discriminate against transgender youth, raise malpractice costs, and chill access to care. SB 1813, concerning the state hospital governing board and Maricopa County bed limits, drew concern about litigation and the need to expand capacity for people with serious mental illness, while supporters said the bill would remove a legal cap and allow more beds to be used. SB 1496 on Department of Child Safety procedures was amended to clarify representative payee requirements and received generally favorable comments, though some members raised concerns about child safety and DCS discretion. The Senate also advanced SCR 1004, a photo radar ballot referral, after an amendment requiring voter approval in jurisdictions that use photo radar; Senator Leach thanked the sponsor for the change. Other bills moved forward included measures on school firearm safety instruction, civics instruction, chiropractic claims, behavioral health prior authorization, psychiatric evaluations, DCS procedures, AHCCCS procurement contracting, county recorder and HOA-related issues, and legislative qualifications. The chamber adopted the Committee of the Whole reports and properly assigned the bills after each calendar was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• from Kirtland and Cannon to Holloman and White Sands are more than just pillars of our national security
• So, Madam Chair, members of the committee, as it applies to national security, the short answer is Yes
• The Military Base Planning Commission expects to approve that final rule, if not at their April meeting
• The other piece of that is that the commission has the opportunity to make some recommendations.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so first up, we have docket number 0201-2501, Rules of the Idaho Hop Growers Commission. Mr.
• We do the rulemaking on behalf of the commission.
• We do the rulemaking on behalf of the commission.
• The authorizing statute does outline all of the qualifications for the commission, the assessment and
• levy process, powers and duties of the commission, the rulemaking authority, and election of commission

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senators, is a concurrent resolution supporting the consolidation of the Soil and Water Conservation Commission
• And this resolution proposes statutory realignment with the Soil and Water Conservation Commission and
• And this resolution proposes statutory realignment with the Soil and Water Conservation Commission and
• You should also have a letter of support from the Soil and Water Conservation Commission signed by Director
• They also stabilize headwaters, feeding the Snake River Basin, shaping water security for downstream

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Will the members please rise for the invocation by Pastor Kyle McDonald, Capital Commission State Minister
• Senate Bill 30, Senator Elkins, an act relating to the Motor Vehicle Commission.
• Commission. Senate Bill 77, Senator Commission.
• </c> the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security and<00:59:47.760
• </c> the other members of the commission. the other members of the commission.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> single issue raised at the commission. single issue raised at the commission.
• , the commission, and the Department<00:26:28.720><c> of</c><00:26:28.880><c> Commerce.
• </c> of Commerce uh public utility commission of Commerce uh public utility commission feedback.<00:43
• Um, and it says Minnesota Premium Security Plan federal funding.
• </c><01:05:08.400><c> plan</c> says Minnesota premium security plan says Minnesota premium security plan

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• come</c> commission the study commission come commission the study commission come commission<03:32:
• commission commission study<03:43:47.120><c> there's</c><03:43:47.399><c> some</c><03:43:47.640><c>
• When I chaired the commission on public school infrastructure—that's Homeland Security, where Security
• So lastly, in looking at this commission, I have no loyalty to the commission, the makeup of the commission
• that's Homeland Security where<03:50:23.239><c> Security</c><03:50:24.040><c> Access</c> where Security

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 362, which would give the Department of Education rulemaking authority over educator licensing and testing requirements, including professional education assessments. Representative Ladd argued the bill is meant to preserve New Hampshire’s higher standards for teacher preparation and to avoid lowering requirements for licensed educators, while also allowing flexibility for career and technical education (CTE) instructors who may have strong industry experience but not traditional classroom credentials. Members discussed whether the bill should preserve industry-recognized credentials and basic academic skills testing while exempting CTE teachers from content exams; DOE Director Steven Appy said an amendment would clarify that the bill applies to initial licenses, exempt CTE teachers from the content-testing requirement, and keep current administrative practice on basic skills and industry credentials in statute. The committee also noted that an executive session would be scheduled later, likely the following week, to act on the bills and amendment. The committee then took up House Bill 90, dealing with the definition of part-time teachers. Representative Ladd explained that the bill is intended to let university and community college faculty teach limited hours in high school concurrent enrollment settings, especially in subjects like math and STEM where some schools cannot find locally certified teachers with a master’s degree. He said the measure is designed to expand student access to college-level courses, not to replace fully certified teachers or reduce standards, and emphasized that the bill is limited to faculty employed or contracted by the University System of New Hampshire or the Community College System of New Hampshire, with criminal background checks and ethics/conduct rules still applying. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the discussion ended with the understanding that further action would come in executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> previous secretary of homeland security. previous secretary of homeland security.
• </c> shutdown of our homeland security shutdown of our homeland security operations<02:30:46.240><c>
• Security. Security.
• </c><02:49:47.920><c> officers</c> airports, the cyber security officers airports, the cyber security
• </c> Energy Regulatory Commission or FK. Energy Regulatory Commission or FK.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Gillamardo here, we're at an undisclosed location with the Florida gaming commission.
• I'm just going to say the gaming commission. We should get out of this damn thing.
• Housing stability is fundamental to employment, education, and family security.
• Because they're going to need to get commissioned appraisals under your bill.
• Because they're going to need to get commissioned appraisals under your bill. Representative Nix.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Lee County Judge John Carlin, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of FSU Police Officer Cody Popple for stopping the April campus shooter. The Speaker then outlined the final week of session, noting the House had passed 253 House bills and 149 Senate bills to date, but that the 2026-27 budget would not be completed this week. The chamber also adopted the Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report for the day. The House took up several Senate bills on special order, largely technical or open-government measures, and passed them with little or no opposition. These included SB 100, SB 104, and SB 102 on the Florida Statutes and revisor’s changes; SB 7006, SB 7014, SB 7002, SB 7012, SB 7024, SB 7016, SB 7026, SB 7008, SB 7000, and SB 7004, which extended or preserved various public-records and meeting exemptions for matters such as Public Service Commission proprietary information, social media investigations, military affairs, highway safety records, cybersecurity, emergency shelter contact information, conviction integrity units, and trade secrets. Most passed overwhelmingly, though SB 7006 drew 99-8, SB 7022 on public records for exam integrity passed 101-8 after questions about testing materials and scoring rubrics, and SB 7026 on trade secrets passed 106-3. The most substantive floor debate centered on SB 7040, which recreates the emergency preparedness and response trust fund in the Executive Office of the Governor. Rep. Eskamani offered an amendment to let the fund expire, arguing the money had become a “slush fund” and had been used for the Everglades detention facility rather than emergencies; several members supported her on fiscal and separation-of-powers grounds, while others said the fund is needed for rapid disaster response. The House rejected Eskamani’s amendment and then adopted a Griffiths strike-all amendment adding accountability measures, including spending limits, quarterly reporting, asset tracking, and a sunset/review provision. SB 7040 then passed 82-25. The chamber also passed CS/CS SB 302 on coastal resiliency, CS/CS SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits, CS SB 474 on military affairs, and SB 488 on Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, which prompted extended questions about vehicle registration requirements, license plate frames, and foreign passport/I-94 documentation; the bill was still under amendment and debate when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• They came from all across the state to join us and to celebrate the importance of secure and accessible
• and accessible elections for of secure and accessible elections for all<00:12:20.560><c> Wyoming</c>
• Also in this, we added the statement that the commission may promulgate rules to limit the number of
• </c><01:15:50.960><c> may</c> added the statement the commission may added the statement the commission
• Um there are times when bit more secure.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , physical security, fraud detection controls, or pending litigation.
• This bill would allow secrets as we're trying to secure funding.
• What project needs to diminish transparency in order to secure funding in the future?
• We're trying to protect people's security.” Security. “Keep secrets.
• We're trying to protect people's security. There are threats being made and we need this bill.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• least five work search actions each week and provide a weekly report to the Department of Economic Security
• The Department of Economic Security that details the work search actions for each week benefits are sought
• Richards with the Arizona Department of Economic Security. Good morning, Mr.
• Melanie Richards with the Arizona Department of Economic Security.
• I honestly don't understand why you're employed by the Department of Economic Security.

Committee: Senate Senate Government Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard SB 1036, which would tighten unemployment insurance eligibility by requiring five weekly work-search actions, weekly reporting, cross-checks against data sources for fraud or ineligibility, and employer reporting of refusals to return to work or accept suitable work. The sponsor argued the bill would reduce fraud and improve program integrity, while DES said it was neutral but warned of system-update costs, added workload, and more appeals; some members raised concerns about apprenticeship programs and administrative burden. The committee adopted a technical amendment and then recommended the bill do pass as amended on a 4-3 vote. Next, the committee considered SB 1054, a strike-everything amendment to make city and town emergency measures subject to referendum. Supporters, including Payson’s mayor, former mayor, and council members, said local governments had abused emergency clauses to push through tax increases and bond measures without voter input. The League of Arizona Cities and Towns opposed the measure, arguing it would undermine true emergency powers and slow city responses. The committee adopted the amendment and then recommended the bill do pass as amended on a 4-2 vote. The committee then heard SCR 1022, which would increase the House from 60 to 90 members beginning in 2033, with a later amendment delaying implementation to 2043. Senator Mesnard said the change would improve representation by reducing the number of constituents per member and nesting three House districts within each Senate district; some members and a public witness supported the idea, while others questioned cost, feasibility, and the effect on legislative power. The committee adopted the amendment and recommended the resolution do pass as amended on a 5-2 vote. Finally, the committee quickly passed SB 1271, barring municipalities from penalizing businesses based on the number of emergency calls or the value of stolen/damaged property, with exceptions for malicious or false calls, and SB 1437, requiring public records to be provided in the least expensive electronic format with fees limited to material costs. Both measures received unanimous or near-unanimous support after brief testimony, and the committee also began hearing SB 1439, a strike-everything amendment creating a Conservative Grassroots Network specialty plate, but the transcript cuts off before any action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Scarcella-Spanton moves to discharge from the Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military
• SENATOR SCARCELLA-SPANTON MOVES TO DISCHARGE FROM THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS HOMELAND SECURITY AND MILITARY
• SENATE PRINT 2011 SENATOR PARKER, AN ACT TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE THE AND PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
• It is developing information on Social Security disability and use of complementary therapies.
• IT IS DEVELOPING INFORMATION ON SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY AND USE OF COMPLEMENTARY THERAPYS.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the journal, and took up a series of motions to discharge identical Assembly bills to the Third Reading Calendar, along with committee reports and amendments. The chamber also received an introduction from Senator Gonzalez honoring Maria Raine and her advocacy for guardrails on AI chatbots after the death of her son, and later adopted a Rules Committee report sending several General Business Law bills directly to Third Reading. The resolution calendar was adopted with some exceptions, and the Senate recognized several previously adopted resolutions honoring individuals and observances, including Barnabas McHenry, Arthur Jones Jr., Floyd Todd Peterson III, the Lexington School for the Deaf, Tadeusz Kosciuszko, Apraxia Awareness Month, Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, Prevention Week, Physician Anesthesiologists Week, and Golf Day in New York. The Senate then considered and passed numerous bills, many on consumer protection and public policy topics. Measures included bills on General Business Law, Public Health Law, Correction Law, Environmental Conservation Law, Executive Law, Vehicle and Traffic Law, Public Officers Law, Not-for-Profit Corporation Law, Public Housing Law, Education Law, Labor Law, and Public Service Law. Several bills were laid aside, including a Public Health Law bill by Senator Fernandez and a Public Service Law bill by Senator Parker. The chamber also passed a concurrent constitutional resolution by Senator Stec proposing an amendment to Article 14. During floor debate, senators explained votes on several measures. Senator Ramos spoke in support of paid sick leave for domestic workers, describing the bill as a long-overdue labor protection for a workforce historically excluded from such rights. Senator Fernandez described her bill as the Manufacturer Disclosure and Transparency Act, aimed at requiring notice and public disclosure of certain pharmaceutical patent settlement agreements to improve transparency and competition in prescription drug pricing. Senator Ryan and Senator Martins supported a bill restricting hidden algorithmic price manipulation online, and Senator May supported a bill limiting excessive rental car fuel charges as part of a broader consumer protection package. The Senate also passed a memorial highway bill naming a portion of Route 19 in LeRoy for Lieutenant Gary A. Scott, with Senator Borrello explaining the veteran’s service and sacrifice.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Kim, who was Senate President at the time, commissioned a pin for members who have served in
• We could work on our food security issues.
• We could work on our food security issues.
• The elections commission or health care system or the welfare system.
• 44:14.480><c> care</c> elections commission or health care elections commission or health care system

Bills: HCR1 , HCR2 , SB2001 , SB2002 , SB2003 , SB2004 , SB2005 , SB2006 , SB2007 , SB2008 , SB2009 , SB2010 , SB2011 , SB2012 , SB2013 , SB2014 , SB2015 , SB2016 , SB2017 , SB2018 , SB2019 , SB2020 , SB2021 , SB2022 , SB2023 , SB2024 , SB2025 , SB2026 , SB2027 , SB2028 , SB2029 , SB2030 , SB2031 , SB2032 , SB2033 , SB2034 , SB2035 , SB2036 , SB2037 , SB2038 , SB2039 , SB2040 , SB2041 , SB2042 , SB2043 , SB2044 , SB2045 , SB2046 , SB2047 , SB2048 , SB2049 , SB2050 , SB2051 , SB2052 , SB2053 , SB2054 , SB2055 , SB2056 , SB2057 , SB2058 , SB2059 , SB2060 , SB2061 , SB2062 , SB2063 , SB2064 , SB2065 , SB2066 , SB2067 , SB2068 , SB2069 , SB2070 , SB2071 , SB2072 , SB2073 , SB2074 , SB2075 , SB2076 , SB2077 , SB2078 , SB2079 , SB2080 , SB2081 , SB2082 , SB2083 , SB2084 , SB2085 , SB2086 , SB2087 , SB2088 , SB2089 , SB2090 , SB2091 , SB2092 , SB2093 , SB2094 , SB2095 , SB2096 , SB2097 , SB2098 , SB2099 , SB2100

Keywords: recess, legislative session, Hawaii State Legislature, 2026, Governor address, joint session, legislature, Hawaii, state of the state, Banyan Drive, Waiakea peninsula, Makaokū, Hilo, Hawaii Island, HCDA, Hawaii Community Development Authority, community development district, redevelopment, urban renewal, blight

Transcript Highlights:

• It did require appointments from the governor's office and the Permanent School Fund Commission.
• Um, and to other members of the commission, thank you for the work.
• So I've been on this is my now sixth year on the commission.
• trust fund commissioned since I was<01:10:33.120><c> elected.
• </c><01:10:36.640><c> Um</c> now sixth year on the commission. Um now sixth year on the commission.

Bills: HF3900

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: permanent school fund, school endowment fund, Minnesota constitutional amendment, school aid, public school funding, State Board of Investment, investment income, distributable amount, school districts, property taxes, income taxes, voter approval, ballot question, constitutional amendment 2026, education finance, fund perpetuity, purchasing power, trust lands, swamp lands, internal improvement land fund

Transcript Highlights:

• McGregor and Representative Moran, as well as Emily Shea from the Commissioner of the Age Strong Commission
• McGregor and Representative Moran, as well as Emily Shea from the Commissioner of the Age Strong Commission
• According to the UMass Boston Index of Elder Income Security, Massachusetts has the highest rate of elder
• Good afternoon, state representatives, state senators, members of the commission. Thank you.
• Our seniors who have built and shaped our community deserve the dignity to age safely, securely, and

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hearing on bills related to senior and disability property tax relief, with a focus on helping older adults and people with disabilities remain in their homes. Testimony supported H. 3968, which would make certain senior and disability property tax exemptions permanent so eligible residents would not have to refile annually, and H. 3198, which would expand the senior circuit breaker tax credit by indexing income and credit limits to cost of living and raising the home valuation cap from $1.1 million to $1.5 million. Representative Scanlan also testified in favor of several additional bills, including a local option motor vehicle excise tax exemption for low-income seniors and veterans, a local property tax cap for low-income seniors, an expanded senior property tax exemption, and a senior property tax deferral program designed to be revenue neutral over time. Witnesses from the City of Boston, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, and the Massachusetts Association of Assessing Officers generally supported local-option property tax relief measures and said they would help seniors age in place while giving municipalities flexibility. Committee members raised concerns about possible abuse or fraud if exemptions became permanent, and about how assessors would verify continued eligibility without annual reapplication. Supporters responded that eligibility could still be tied to real estate transactions and other documentation, and that the current annual filing requirement causes many eligible seniors to miss out on benefits. Mass Senior Action Council members testified that many seniors are struggling with rising property taxes, insurance, and other costs, and urged broader reforms such as freezing assessed values, improving outreach, strengthening the work-off program, and allowing more flexible payment or deferral options. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded after testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Raymond Contreras with Lighthouse Public Affairs on behalf of the San Diego Housing Commission, SPUR,
• This effort directly advances the Inland Empire Caucus goal of securing its fair share of state investment
• This bill also strengthens ballot security by making it a felony to unlawfully remove voted ballots from
• Abundant Housing Los Angeles, Fieldstead, and San Diego Housing Commission support. Thank you.
• Abundant Housing Los Angeles, Fieldstead, and San Diego Housing Commission support. Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on May 13, 2026, and began by taking up a large consent calendar, moving a first group of bills to the floor consent calendar and a second group by due pass. The committee then heard and advanced a series of measures covering housing, public safety, health care, education, and local government issues. Among the bills discussed were AB 2641 on a sales tax exemption for pawnbroker redemptions, AB 2525 on a narrow Surplus Lands Act exemption for Mission Bay Park, AB 1732 and AB 2433 on student housing and the Affordable Homes Bonus Law, AB 2055 on boating safety and enforcement, AB 1579 on children’s crisis residential services, AB 2139 on a Surplus Lands Act amendment for an Inland Empire soccer project, AB 2041 on EMS reporting, AB 1973 on reproductive health scope for advanced practice clinicians, AB 1929 on health plan investment disclosures, AB 2700 on utility rates and wildfire victim compensation, AB 1809 on school job order contracting, SB 73 on election security, AB 2418 on commercial building permit timelines, AB 1970 on step therapy limits for serious mental illness and substance use treatment, AB 2361 on peer-to-peer vehicle-sharing liability, AB 1976 on bike and pedestrian project approvals, AB 2110 on tax increment financing for workforce housing, and AB 2146 on supportive housing documentation and vacancy rules. Testimony was generally supportive for the measures heard. Authors and sponsors emphasized consumer fairness, housing production, public safety, access to care, and administrative streamlining. Supporters included local governments, housing advocates, school districts, law enforcement groups, health care organizations, and affected individuals. AB 2700 drew especially extensive public testimony from wildfire survivors and local officials who urged stronger compensation for victims of PG&E-caused fires and relief from high utility costs. AB 2034 and AB 1790 were raised during public comment on bills not heard in committee, with several industry groups opposing AB 2034 and both supporters and opponents speaking on AB 1790’s Waters Edge issue. Most bills were reported out of committee on due pass motions, with several noted as amended or with members not voting on particular roll calls. The committee also read and approved a lengthy suspense calendar, then opened public comment on bills not presented that day before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill provides the county commission place the State Auditor on notice and then requires the commission
• The bill provides the county commission place the State Auditor on notice and then requires the commission
• $11,645,266 from the unappropriated balance of general revenue surplus to the Department of Homeland Security
• $11,645,266 from the unappropriated balance of general revenue surplus to the Department of Homeland Security

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present and first approved the minutes from the prior meeting. It then reconsidered Committee Substitute for House Bill 5212, noting that an Education Committee amendment had been inadvertently omitted the day before; the vice chairman withdrew the prior motion to report the bill, and the committee returned to the bill with the technical Education Committee amendments pending. The transcript then moved through a long agenda of bills and supplemental appropriations, with the committee generally hearing brief explanations from counsel, occasional member questions, and then voting to adopt amendments and report measures to the full Senate. Among the substantive policy bills, the committee advanced House Bill 4007 on the Industrial Access Road Fund, allowing an additional possible $3 million transfer in a fiscal year, expanding eligible uses, and increasing county/municipal spending limits; House Bill 4765, which raises salaries for state police, teachers, and school service personnel and, via a strike-and-insert amendment, creates a market pay enhancement tied to county and regional income data; House Bill 5162, recodifying tax lien sale procedures and clarifying ownership and government-property tax treatment; House Bill 5382, extending the Neighborhood Investment Tax Credit Program to July 1, 2031; House Bill 5685, authorizing up to $150 million in revenue bonds backed by excess lottery funds for State Culture Center improvements; House Joint Resolution 42, placing a constitutional amendment on the ballot to raise the homestead exemption from $20,000 to $40,000; House Bill 4010, creating an airport hangar grant program and fund; House Bill 4404, increasing from $500 to $5,000 the amount volunteer fire departments may spend on training and fire prevention materials; House Bill 4592, requiring standardized campus safety mapping data for higher education institutions; House Bill 4784, extending and making retroactive a qualified opportunity zone business tax modification; and House Bill 5088, increasing retirement benefits for Division of Natural Resources police officers, with a one-time $4.25 million cash injection. The committee also reported several supplemental appropriations and originating bills, including Senate Bill 842 for the Spay Neuter Assistance Fund, Senate Bill 846 for Culture and History capital repairs, Senate Bill 872 for Natural Resources capital repairs (reduced to $10 million in committee substitute), Senate Bill 876 for Department of Health facilities, Senate Originating Bills 1 through 5 covering Culture and History, road funds, corrections IT and services, tobacco education, and the Adjutant General’s armory board transfer, respectively. Most items were adopted by voice vote; House Bill 4765’s strike-and-insert amendment was adopted after a division vote of 10-6. The committee then adjourned.