Transcript Highlights:

• investigations and helped<00:13:56.959><c> strengthen</c><00:13:57.360><c> the</c><00:13:57.600><c> bond
• </c><00:13:57.839><c> between</c><00:13:58.240><c> state</c> helped strengthen the bond between state
• helped strengthen the bond between state and<00:13:58.959><c> local</c><00:13:59.279><c> public</c><
• They want to block financial managers from even considering environmental risks like flooding and wildfires
• They want to block financial managers from even considering environmental risks like flooding and wildfires

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• An act to amend the Local Finance Law in relation to bonds and notes of the city of Yonkers.
• Chairman, I know this is the 20th year of giving this special bonding authority to the city of Yonkers
• This is the 20th year of giving this special bonding authority to the city.
• I've even had cities that I represent run into a need to access special bonding authority because of
• An act to amend the Local Finance Law in relation to facilitating the marking of any issue of zero bonds

Committee: Senate Cities 2

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Cities 2 met for its first and last meeting of the 2026 session, with Chair Senator Ryan presiding and members Walczyk, Fahey, and Baskin present. The committee took up three bills. The first, S.8283-A, would require additional notice before a city discontinues drinking water fluoridation; it was moved, seconded, and approved unanimously. The second, S.8859, would extend by one year special bonding authority for the city of Yonkers. Senator Walczyk voiced concern about the repeated annual extensions and said he would vote no, arguing municipalities should address their finances without continued state assistance. The bill was then approved, with Walczyk recorded in opposition. The third bill, S.9839, would extend by one year provisions related to the city of Buffalo’s issuance of certain bonds or notes. It was moved and seconded, and approved, with Senator Walczyk again noting his earlier concerns. After the three bills were reported, the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Even as the state increases its contribution, we continue to see ISDs pass bonds that drive the local
• families continue to want to have more CTE programs available, and so much so that during the last bond
• but we hope that the state could meet some of those needs so that we don't have to rely solely on bonds
• purpose district that operates completely on federal property, we cannot levy taxes or go out for bonds
• But when you have that one entity that you're kind of weighing on, especially when you go off for bond

Committee: House Public Education

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:32:14.440><c> and</c> regarding General obligation bonds and regarding General obligation bonds
• </c> coming from um General obligation bonds coming from um General obligation bonds what's<01:32:22.080
• </c> fund to come out of a funds the bond fund to come out of a funds the bond funds<01:32:32.560><c>
• </c> me because um General obligation bonds me because um General obligation bonds are<01:33:21.840><
• </c> whereas General General obligation bonds whereas General General obligation bonds it's<01:33:48.920

Committee: House Public Safety

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Public Safety Committee held a hearing on House Bill 433, which would appropriate $4 million for Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation re-entry services to connect offenders with community-based services. Director Tommy Johnson said the department supports the bill’s intent but noted the governor’s executive budget already includes $4 million for the same purpose and asked that the measure defer to that budget. Supporters, including the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, and the ACLU, backed the funding but urged that it be tied to a clear re-entry plan, performance measures, transparency, and regular reporting to the legislature. They emphasized that re-entry should begin at intake and involve community partnerships, housing, treatment, employment, and family reunification services. Committee members questioned the department about current re-entry services, pre-trial detainees, and how the new funds would be used. Johnson said the department’s current statewide re-entry budget is about $1.5 million to $1.7 million, separate from the larger Corrections Program Services Division budget for in-facility programs. He described the proposed $4 million as supporting a mix of services, including a pilot apprenticeship program, substance abuse treatment, navigator or warm-handoff services, and short-term transitional housing. He also said the department already tracks performance outcomes in its annual report and can provide a matrix showing the intake-to-discharge process, program contracts, and volunteer organizations. The discussion also covered pre-trial detainees, electronic monitoring, and mental health services. Johnson said the department has limited jurisdiction over pre-trial detainees but works with courts to seek supervised release when possible; he noted that many requests are denied, though electronic monitoring has improved release rates somewhat. On mental health, he said the jail is not an ideal therapeutic setting for people found unfit to proceed and suggested a secure community-based step-down facility run by the Department of Health for those needing care above what the jail can provide but below forensic-level treatment. No vote or final action on the bill was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we do a bonding bill, which we plan to do, we'll have to pay for the debt service.
• If we do<00:09:43.200><c> a</c><00:09:43.360><c> bonding</c><00:09:43.680><c> bill,</c><00:09:43.920>
• </c><00:16:10.240><c> There</c> of a bonding bill as we can get.
• There of a bonding bill as we can get.
• What we don't want is to be held hostage on the bonding bill, and we won't.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE BOND MAY BE WAIVED IF IT WOULD IMPOSE AN UNDUE BURDEN ON THE RESOURCES OF
• IF THEY DO THE WAIVER IS REVOKED AND THE BOND BECOMES DUE IMMEDIATELY.
• IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCE THE AMENDMENT PROHIBITS PETITIONS FROM BEING VALIDATED UNTIL THE BOND IS POSTED
• HOW MUCH MONEY DOES ONE OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS HAVE TO PUT DOWN TO GET $1 MILLION BOND?
• THE ESTIMATES HAVE BEEN ANYWHERE BETWEEN ONE PERCENT AND 10 PERCENT AS A TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE BOND.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We pray that the people of our state may be united in those bonds of cooperation and mutual confidence
• > people of our state may be united in people of our state may be united in those<00:11:28.160><c> bonds
• of cooperation and mutual those bonds of cooperation and mutual confidence<00:11:30.959><c> and</c><
• ,</c><00:32:54.880><c> so</c> Also, this money will be bonded, so Also, this money will be bonded, so
• :41:37.920><c> like</c> environmental measures and things like environmental measures and things like

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, East Kentucky has never rolled in the environmental cost into a base rate.
• </c><01:04:12.640><c> cost</c> never rolled in the environmental cost never rolled in the environmental
• </c> see a line item that says environmental see a line item that says environmental searchcharge<01:
• So all of the environmental regulation.
• There is a myriad of environmental rules.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:10 Approval of Minutes 00:01:19 Helping Power Kentucky's Growth (LG&E/KU) 00:01:39 Update from Kentucky's Electric Cooperatives 00:47:35, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes from the previous meeting, and then heard a presentation from LG&E and KU representatives Caroline Clark and John Bevington on economic development, energy demand, and the utility’s role in supporting Kentucky’s growth. Bevington described the company’s service territory, generation fleet, and recent economic development activity, including 76 projects supported in 2024, more than $2.8 billion in private investment, and over 3,000 new jobs. He emphasized that data centers are now the dominant driver in the pipeline, with 22 data center projects representing about 8.7 of the 9.7 gigawatts of potential demand, alongside other manufacturing and commercial projects. A major focus was how data centers choose sites and how utilities respond. Bevington explained that hyperscale data centers typically approach utilities first because they need transmission-level access, and that utilities then conduct internal analyses, estimate infrastructure needs, and require financial security before proceeding. He said the company is working through formal transmission studies and long-lead infrastructure planning, and noted that Kentucky’s sales tax exemption for data centers helped attract interest. He also outlined the economic benefits of data centers, citing an announced Louisville project of 525 megawatts and about $11 billion in investment, with an estimated $500 million in new tax revenue over 10 years, plus broader job and GDP impacts. Members asked about whether data centers could generate their own power, the reliability of the pipeline numbers given confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements, and cybersecurity concerns. Bevington said the company does not assume all pipeline projects will materialize in Kentucky and instead assigns probabilities to avoid overbuilding. He also said he was not the right person to address cybersecurity in detail but offered to return to a committee focused on IT or security. In response to questions about future supply, he said LG&E and KU are adding generation through a 120-megawatt solar facility in Mercer County, a 120-megawatt solar purchase in Marion County, and a 645-megawatt natural gas combined-cycle plant in Louisville, with PSC approval recently granted for additional generation and related system upgrades.

Transcript Highlights:

• in lieu of Proposes a surety bond in lieu of STRF.
• With respect to the surety bond piece, I know other states do often rely on a surety bond type of concept
• Yeah, the merits of the assurity bond will be the insurance.
• The surety bond would be the insurance premium, and the bond premium would be paid by the institution
• Page 57 of the report also looks at the surety bond issue.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and the fidelity bond program coverage limit is $300,000 per occurrence.
• Payment by the bond trust fund is also indicated when applicable.
• Additionally, 11 claims are pending with the bond board.
• On the bond trust fund, it's been used a number of times. Who pays for that trust fund?
• It's the bond trust fund that is a fidelity bond to help ensure that if there's theft by employees of

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• districts and one Board of Education tax levy to pay debt service, reported upcoming general obligation bond
• They reported an upcoming revenue bond to finance new projects in Henderson County and Jessamine County
• The project was originally authorized at $7 million in bond funds in the 2022-2024 budget.
• The bonds will not be KHC or Commonwealth debt.
• The bonds will not be KHC or Commonwealth debt.

Keywords: 00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:30 Approval of Minutes 00:59 Information Items 03:34 Finance and Admin Cabinet 12:31 KY Infrastructure Authority 21:47 Office of Financial Mgmt 23:27 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled informational reports on several bond and lease matters, including school district and board of education debt-service items, upcoming revenue bond issues in Henderson and Jessamine counties, and three advertised lease-space requests for state agencies. Members also reviewed prior lease transactions that had not been approved in November and December; the Finance and Administration Cabinet later canceled and rebid the Harlan County lease and moved ahead with the Perry County lease modification. Additional information items included a Kentucky Communications Network Authority quarterly capital projects report and Eastern Kentucky University asset preservation revisions. The committee then heard from Deputy State Budget Director Janice Thomas on four action items. She reported a $2.85 million USDA-funded renovation at Kentucky State University’s Betty White Building, a $294,000 increase for the Kentucky School for the Deaf’s Middleton Hall renovation, and a $6.1 million restricted-funds scope increase for the KCTCS Science Building Expansion in Elizabethtown. Members asked about how often the statutory 15% increase authority is used for school dormitory and cottage projects and about the competitiveness of construction bids; Thomas said bids are typically competitive but recent estimates have been difficult because of higher material and equipment costs. The committee approved the three action items unanimously and also received a no-action report on a $3.918 million Corrections project to repair and replace the KCIW kitchen drain line. Next, the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority presented seven loans and grants, all of which the committee approved unanimously. The package included sewer and water projects for Frankfort, Sturgis, Scottsville, Morganfield, Western Pulaski County Water District, and Springfield, plus an emergency $5.487 million Kentucky Waters grant for Eddyville after a catastrophic sewer plant failure and weather-related emergency declarations. The projects covered wastewater interceptor and treatment upgrades, sewer collection rehabilitation, water transmission main installation, and planning/design work, with loan terms ranging from five to 30 years and interest rates from 0.5% to 2.25%. Finally, the committee considered a $38.4 million Kentucky Housing Corporation conduit issuance for a 322-unit multifamily rental project in Jefferson County. A member asked how the committee participates in the transaction, and staff explained that it is a conduit issuance and not state debt. The committee then moved to approve the issuance.

Transcript Highlights:

• sustained investments in LNG, including the conversions of our Orca-class vessels, now among the most environmentally
• They supported major environmental gains, enabled the development of critical fueling infrastructure
• The 2025 JLARC report notes that environmental targets were not fully met due to slower adoption across
• Expanding clean fuel infrastructure will not only help Washington meet its environmental goals, but also

Committee: Joint Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences

Summary: The Citizens Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences met on September 22, 2025, confirmed a quorum, and unanimously approved the August 6, 2025 meeting minutes. The main business of the meeting was public testimony on the 2025 tax preference reviews, with Commissioner Forsyth recusing himself for the first witness, Joey Halverson of Tote Maritime Alaska, who testified in support of the tax preference for natural gas as a transportation fuel. He argued that LNG has enabled major emissions reductions, supported infrastructure at the Port of Tacoma, and should continue to receive tax preferences to encourage further clean maritime fuel adoption. The second witness, Michelle Preston of Habitat for Humanity of Washington State, testified in support of the tax preference for low-income homeownership developers. She said the preference helps Habitat affiliates advance homeownership and sustain operations, but noted that reporting has been inconsistent across independent affiliates and that JLARC’s metrics may not fully capture the program’s benefits. Commissioners asked questions about affiliate accounting, the distinction between benefits to nonprofits versus homebuyers, and whether the reporting/renewal period should be shorter than the current seven years; Preston said the preference benefits the nonprofit developer, not the homebuyer, and suggested shorter renewal periods might improve compliance and awareness. JLARC staff then outlined the process for the commission’s upcoming comments on the 2025 tax preference reviews. Commissioners will receive a web-based comment form, with responses due September 30, the chair will compile consolidated comments, and those materials will be distributed for the October 21, 2025 meeting. The chair noted that only voting members will complete the comment forms, though individual members may also submit minority reports. The meeting ended with a reminder that written testimony could still be submitted to JLARC and that the next commission meeting is scheduled for October 21, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:36:50.800><c> regulations</c> and misguided environmental regulations and misguided environmental
• </c> review the page length of environmental review the page length of environmental impact<04:38:05.439
• :39:17.840><c> will</c> Council on Environmental Quality will Council on Environmental Quality will then
• </c><04:39:38.240><c> impact</c> deadlines for environmental impact deadlines for environmental impact
• </c><04:47:37.120><c> review</c> predictability on environmental review predictability on environmental

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill will ease pressure on general obligation bond capacity for major academic projects like the
• The bill will ease pressure on general obligation bond capacity for major academic projects like the
• And when she talked about the time frame on the geo bonds, so a geo bond is presented in the odd years
• So the GEO bond projects, from the time they're first proposed, is about a five-year time period.
• Institution Bond Act, property tax levies, federal or tribal support.

Bills: SB234 , SB210 , SB243 , SB244 , SM16 , HB8

Committee: Senate Senate Education

Keywords: foster children, school transportation, education funding, public education, child welfare, New Mexico Highlands University, soccer field, women's sports, infrastructure improvement, funding allocation, student athletes, appropriation, New Mexico State University, nutrition, travel support, funding, education, university support, financial assistance, parenting students

Transcript Highlights:

• just want you to acknowledge the importance of today and bringing everyone together over food and bonding
• </c><02:17:40.160><c> justice</c> being bad bad environmental justice being bad bad environmental justice
• And I think there are a lot of individuals who are already socially and environmentally conscious.
• And I think environmentally conscious.
• </c> already socially and environmentally already socially and environmentally conscious.<02:53:23.000

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh, I'm sorry, Davina Whittie with the Department of Environmental Quality.
• These are coming from Environmental Quality and from the Louisiana Department of Health. Okay.
• Oh, I'm sorry, Davina Whittie with the Department of Environmental Quality.
• Real quick, Nathan McBride, I'm the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality.
• So they needed scientific evaluation on the environmental damage.

Committee: House Natural Resources & Environment

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, these projects are often treated as separate environmental efforts, and that leads to fragmented
• Good afternoon, Alex Lumer, on behalf of the Native American Environmental Protection Coalition.
• So they get going on really on the property owners or environmental easement side.
• So this is really creating this high-level planning awareness. on the property owners or environmental
• The yearly limits are based on scientific data that incorporates a variety of environmental factors.

Committee: Senate Natural Resources and Water

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Environmental remediation and law enforcement.
• Our organization supports the enhanced enforcement, environmental, and other requirements for hemp, and
• I'm part of the executive team at Youth Forward, and I'm here on behalf of 98 youth and environmental
• I'm here today to urge you to prioritize funding... ...of 98 youth and environmental organizations.
• We also need funds for environmental repair.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of bills, with most measures drawing support from industry, professional, local government, and advocacy witnesses, and several receiving committee amendments before moving forward. AB 8 on hemp and cannabis drew the most extensive debate: supporters said it would close loopholes around intoxicating hemp products, strengthen enforcement, and bring THC products into the regulated cannabis supply chain; opponents, including small cannabis farmers and environmental groups, warned it could undermine Proposition 64’s closed-loop system, harm California cultivators, and reduce tax revenues for youth, environmental, and law enforcement programs. The author said the bill was intended to protect consumers and children and to work further with stakeholders. AB 476 on copper theft was presented as a public safety and infrastructure bill to tighten reporting, documentation, and penalties for scrap metal theft; supporters from cities, utilities, broadband, and recycling-related groups described major losses and outages from copper theft, and the remaining opposition moved to neutral after amendments, with the bill advancing with committee support. The committee also heard AB 985, which would allow nationally certified anesthesiologist assistants to practice under direct supervision of licensed anesthesiologists to address anesthesia workforce shortages. Supporters, including the California Society of Anesthesiologists, medical groups, students, and patients, said it would expand access and bring California in line with other states; nurse anesthesiology groups expressed concerns and sought further clarification, but there was no formal opposition at the hearing. AB 506, aimed at online pet sales, would void contracts that fail to disclose an animal’s origin or veterinary records or that require non-refundable deposits; animal welfare groups said it would curb puppy mill pipelines and deceptive online sales, and there was no opposition. AB 876, on certified registered nurse anesthetists, generated the sharpest health care policy dispute: supporters said it would codify existing practice and clarify CRNA duties, while physicians and medical associations argued it would expand scope too far and reduce patient safety. After a roll call, AB 876 passed the committee 9-0, as amended, to Appropriations. Other bills advanced with broad support after amendments. AB 432, the Menopause Equity Act, would require continuing medical education on menopause-related care for certain physicians; the author and medical experts said the bill addresses widespread gaps in menopause treatment and research, while CMA and ACOG opposed the mandate as an inappropriate CME requirement, though they agreed the underlying problem is real. The bill passed on call, as amended, to Health. AB 759 would allow eligible architectural candidates to use the title “architect in training” to encourage completion of licensure and improve diversity in the profession; it passed unanimously, as amended, to Appropriations. AB 967 would create an optional expedited licensure fee for out-of-state physicians to reduce delays in bringing doctors into California’s workforce; supporters said it would help address shortages and improve patient access, and the bill was presented with support from medical stakeholders.

Transcript Highlights:

• Environmental Stoneworks is an affiliate of a building material conglomerate called Cornerstone Building
• Environmental<00:23:59.840><c> stoneworks</c><00:24:00.400><c> is</c><00:24:00.559><c> an</c><00:24:00.720
• ><c> affiliate</c> Environmental stoneworks is an affiliate Environmental stoneworks is an affiliate
• Yeah, I just want to make it clear that anything I say today will not affect any of my bonding projects

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bonds and the bond interest are paid out of the budget, correct? Well, INS, yes. Mm-hmm.
• It's interesting you say voter-approved bonds.
• Charter schools are included because bonds are included.
• Okay. ...Same thing with revenue bonds.
• That's not from bonds; that's out of the general funds.

Bills: HB26 , HB73 , SB 14 , HB46

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: HB26, law enforcement contracts, sheriff, constable, county commissioners court, commissioners court, private security, special law enforcement district, property owners association, POA, municipal utility district, school district, junior college district, local government, contract policing, supplemental police services, large counties, population over 3.3 million, Texas Local Government Code, Harris County