Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Taffy apt and I live in Indian River County, Florida.
• The county I've never heard of a number that high the input.
• This bill focuses on the MS force like counties and cities.
• Chair, again, Juror Egregious Florida Association of counties.
• that could be heavily impacted when I'm looking at town like for a county like Liberty County that's

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the counties will also receive, or especially New Castle County, will receive some tax benefit
• , $39 million to Kent, and $19.5 million to Sussex County.
• It means 4% of the money allocated in the bonds going to Sussex County.
• for Sussex County is higher than 4%.
• projects are located in Sussex County.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• County, and Surry County, 82nd District.
• I serve as the county attorney in Surry County, and I am the local government representative on the council
• I serve as the county attorney in Surrey County, and I am the local government representative on the
• I am the countywide FOIA officer for Fairfax County government.
• We're already implementing updated training in Fairfax County.

Keywords: Freedom of Information Advisory Council, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I can share with you that in District 14, it includes one county, but not the whole county, so that county
• Under the proposed map before you, 48 counties are kept whole, and 19 are split.
• In some counties, they are split less under the proposed map, and in some counties, they are split more
• The fastest-growing county in Florida since 2020 is St.
• I don't want to talk about how it splits counties.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former member Mark Weissman and local officials Donna Lou Fiala and Eric C. Brecknitz, and the Pledge of Allegiance. Members approved the journal and adopted the Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report setting the calendar and debate times for the day. The chamber then took up House Bill 1D, establishing Florida’s congressional districts, as the main item on the special order calendar. During questioning and debate on HB 1D, sponsors and opponents focused heavily on the map’s process and legality. Supporters argued the plan was based on a viable legal theory, used the 2020 census data as required, and was within the Legislature’s discretion to consider mid-cycle redistricting. Opponents repeatedly argued the map was drawn by the governor’s office using partisan data, without meaningful legislative or public input, and that it violated the Fair Districts Amendment by favoring a party, splitting more counties and municipalities, and reducing compactness. Several members also raised concerns about taxpayer costs, the absence of a new census or court order, and the Legislature’s role versus the governor’s office. After structured debate, the House voted on final passage of HB 1D and passed it 83-28. A motion to recess for two hours to consider a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision failed. Following passage of the redistricting bill, the House adopted a motion to adjourn sine die, ending the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that includes Chinese Hospital from San Francisco County, Dameron Hospital, San Joaquin County
• Medical Center, Imperial County, Hayward Sisters in Alameda County, Imperial Valley, Imperial County
• Madera County, MLK Jr.
• Hospital in Los Angeles County, Palo Verde Hospital in Riverside County, Ridgecrest in Kern County, and
• County, Sonoma in Sonoma County, Tri-City in San Diego County, and Watsonville in Santa Cruz County.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have the honor and the privilege of representing the 30th Legislative District, South King County,
• John Lovick, proud to serve in the 44th District, Snohomish County. Glad to be here. Thank you.
• Brandy Donaghy, State Representative for the 44th Legislative District in Snohomish County.
• We're also going to be working with Island County to assist with their hiring of their second county
• I took an opportunity to go visit Yakima County.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs met to hear updates from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the Washington Military Department, the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Commerce on federal and state impacts affecting veterans, military families, and military installations. JBLM’s garrison commander said the base remains focused on housing, child care, and spouse employment, but is facing workforce reductions tied to federal personnel actions, especially in air traffic control, 911 dispatch, and firefighting. He also said JBLM is preparing for increased mutual-aid needs during fire season, and that the Army Transformation Initiative could change unit composition at JBLM over time without a major overall population shift. He confirmed that the Lewis Army Museum is on a closure list, but said the building will remain in use for training and that the base is exploring partnerships to keep museum functions operating, possibly with volunteers or local partners. The Washington Military Department reported about 400 Guard members deployed on federal missions and described ongoing state missions in cybersecurity and firefighting. The department said the Army National Guard’s 81st Stryker Brigade will transition to a mobile combat team, with associated changes in equipment, manning, and end strength. It also warned that continuing resolutions are delaying funding, limiting new military construction starts, and increasing costs. The Washington Department of Veterans Affairs outlined a $3.2 million reduction from the governor’s budget and related cuts affecting internships, vacant positions, outreach travel, claims support contracts, counseling and wellness, veterans’ innovation assistance, and the military transition and readiness council staff position. WDVA said it is ending or scaling back several programs, including in-house nursing assistant training, the veteran farm at Ordean, Vet Corps due to AmeriCorps funding changes, and the tobacco cessation program, while noting that the legislature funded about $23.7 million in capital projects for veteran homes, cemeteries, and transitional housing. The Department of Commerce presented on the Defense Community Compatibility Account, which funds projects that reduce conflicts between military installations and nearby communities. The program currently has 10 projects across five legislative districts, including school and child care improvements, water wells, land acquisition, and a joint firefighting training center in Everett. The presenter said the main challenge is that DCCA projects often need non-state funding secured before they can compete, which can make it hard to leverage federal Defense Community Infrastructure Program dollars; he recommended more flexible state timing to help projects qualify for federal funding. In closing discussion, members raised possible future agenda items including child care near bases, veteran homelessness, suicide prevention, Navy Day, military family housing, and a possible Department of Licensing issue involving guard and reserve designations on driver’s licenses. No formal votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after members were invited to suggest topics for the October and December committee meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you as chairman, there was recently a case in Escambia County. >> Because this bill to be filed
• Thank you, Senator Lee for sponsoring this bill as we have currently 11 counties that have and will be
• We have Kerry James speaking for the bill, followed by the Leon County Undersheriff Ron Cave.
• There's a bunch of other examples in Hillsborough County, a 16 year-old sold to 17 year-olds.
• Colonel Chris ruled Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office speaking in favor. >> Thank you, Mr.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• John Kennedy with Rural County Representatives of California. Good afternoon.
• John Kennedy, with the Rural County Representatives of California.
• Good afternoon, Charles Delgado, California State Association of Counties, in support.
• Josh Gallagher, on behalf of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, in support.
• Charles Delgado, California State Association of Counties, in support.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This audit obviously focuses on San Diego County, but I believe that it is of importance.
• But SANDAG has really had a loss of public trust and confidence in San Diego County.
• But SANDAG has really had a loss of public trust and confidence in San Diego County.
• And so these are the questions that continue to linger in San Diego County.
• Testifying here in support of this audit request is San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• starting to see the ripple effect on current systems that we count on, a rise in property taxes, county
• starting to see the ripple effect on current systems that we count on, a rise in property taxes, county
• starting to see the ripple effect on current systems that we count on, a rise in property taxes, county
• and earlier this week Hennepin County and earlier this week Ramsey<00:14:23.640> County<00:14
• <00:15:09.720> as it's happening in Hennepin County as it's happening in Hennepin County as

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: A Senate DFL leader discussed the upcoming supplemental budget and said nearly half of it is being shaped by the federal budget bill passed last July, which he argued is driving hospital distress, higher county costs, and pressure on family budgets. He said the budget will focus on affordability, health care, and responding to federal actions, including an uncompensated care fund for hospitals in distress and possible one-time county technology upgrades to handle new Medicaid-related requirements. He estimated Senator Wiklund’s health and human services proposal includes about $50 million for those upgrades and said that item would likely be handled in an appropriation bill rather than a bonding bill. The leader also said bonding is a top priority this year and that public asset maintenance remains important, including projects tied to sports and civic facilities. On HCMC and broader hospital funding, he said he is confident the Legislature will act, but wants to address the hospital within the context of the statewide hospital delivery system. He also said the Senate has not yet taken a position on a proposed tax related to fraud restitution, but emphasized support for fraud prevention, an independent inspector general, and more resources for the Attorney General. School safety was another major topic. He said Senate Democrats plan to bring a comprehensive package to the floor that includes school safety funding, mental health care, and measures addressing weapons of war, and he expressed hope that some Republicans will support it. He said the Senate education finance bill already includes more school safety funding than the House GOP version, less funding for private school safety, and no weapons-of-war language, but that a broader package will come through the Finance Committee soon. He also said the Senate expects to take up a stand-alone building security package to cover ongoing screening and staffing costs, and he supported creating a special security response unit for threats against lawmakers. Other issues mentioned included support for banning NDAs for local governments, continued attention to public safety and accountability in response to federal immigration enforcement actions, and interest in a bill affecting Minneapolis sports-related taxes and PGA funding, though he said those proposals are still being worked on and may not pass this year.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, see the senator from Howard and An Arundel counties. Thank you.
• . counties. counties.
• Montgomery County KoreanAmerican Montgomery County KoreanAmerican Association,<00:05:15.600>
• Uh just County and Baltimore City.
• in person at Prince George's uh county in person at Prince George's uh county room,<00:14:12.560

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate convened with a quorum present and began the session with an invocation by Rabbi Ari Goldstein of Temple Beth Shalom, who urged senators to listen carefully, act with humility and integrity, and keep policy focused on real people and practical justice. His remarks were journalized without objection. The chamber also welcomed several guests, including a senior Girl Scout troop from Jefferson, family members of a senator, and visiting teachers, educators, and students from the College Board Foundation. The main floor action was a resolution recognizing Korean-American Day and honoring the Korean Society of Maryland and the broader Korean American community for their contributions to Maryland and the nation. The sponsor highlighted the community’s history since the first Korean immigrants arrived in North America in 1903 and named several Korean American leaders present in the gallery. The resolution was read in full and adopted unanimously, with applause and thanks extended to the guests. The Senate then handled first-reader bill introductions: Senate Bill 280, relating to state parks terminology in the Natural Resources/Education/Energy/Environment committees, and Senate Bill 281, the Metro Funding Modification Act of 2026, referred to Budget and Taxation. Leadership noted that the early weeks of session would be committee-heavy, with most bills going to standing committees rather than the floor. Committee chairs then gave scheduling updates, including truncated hearing formats due to bill volume, upcoming hearings on longevity, the AHEAD model and emergency department wait times, election law bills, controller briefings, and departmental hearings. The Senate adjourned without objection until Wednesday, January 21, for a 10:00 a.m. pro forma session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kanawha County has seen a little bit of a pullback.
• The average county over a three-year period, growth was, these are county commissions, 6.2% per year.
• Per capita-wise, you know, Tyler County is raising almost as much... That's pretty darn good.
• Also, some good news for Webster County because of a new pipeline that went through their county.
• I'd like to get county. I know a lot of census estimates are by county.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present and first approved the minutes from the January 15 morning meeting. The main agenda item was the Department of Revenue’s budget and revenue presentation from Secretary Eric Nelson, Deputy Secretary Peter Shirley, and Deputy Secretary Mark Mucco. Nelson said the state remains double-A rated with a positive outlook, the budget includes a 5% personal income tax reduction, and the 2027 general revenue estimate is $5.493 billion, up $170 million from the prior year. Shirley gave an economic overview, saying West Virginia is forecast to see continued but slowing employment growth, continued wage growth, gains in private education/health services and business services, declines in some sectors, improving labor force participation relative to the nation, and strong recent net in-migration. He also noted continued growth in natural gas production and a modest rebound in coal production, though coal faces longer-term demand pressure. Mucco reviewed revenue trends and said 2025 collections were about $5.5 billion, below the prior year but above estimate, with personal income tax and sales tax driving the surplus. He explained that the forecast incorporates the 5% PIT cut and annual conformity to the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including changes such as Section 179 expensing, bonus depreciation, R&D expensing, business interest deductions, and a new manufacturing facility expensing provision. He also discussed the effects of tax credits, severance tax volatility, declining tobacco revenues, and health care provider tax changes tied to federal Medicaid rules. He said road fund revenues are largely flat absent policy changes, and county commission revenues are growing faster than state revenues. Members asked about when new economic development projects like NewCore would appear in the projections, how much 20,000 new jobs would matter, whether the department had a calculator for job-growth impacts, the status of recent tax cuts, road fund growth, tobacco/vape taxation, and whether migration data could be broken down by county. The witnesses said major projects are not yet in the S&P-based forecast but would likely add jobs, wages, and tax revenue over time; they estimated 20,000 jobs would be a significant increase. They also said the state is unlikely to hit the current personal income tax trigger in the near term. No substantive votes were taken beyond approving the minutes, and the committee adjourned after a motion carried by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• HE THEN BECAME ONE OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE, COUNTY ENGINEER THE NEXT 25 YEARS.
• I'VE LIVED IN HERNANDO COUNTY SINCE 2000.
• AUGUSTINE WHERE I GOT MY MASTERS DEGREE AND MOVED TO HERNANDO COUNTY.
• WHAT I'D LIKE TO DO, MY BACKGROUND CURRENTLY IS I AM A COUNTY COMMISSIONER IN HERNANDO COUNTY.
• AND I SEE THE NEEDS OF OUR COUNTY MOVING FORWARD.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ADDITIONALLY THE BILL PROVIDES FISCALLY CONSTRAINED COUNTIES ARE NOT TO BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE MATCHING
• THE BILL EXPANDS THE LIST OF COUNTIES THAT THEY ESTABLISH A FORENSIC HOSPITAL DIVERSION PILOT PROGRAM
• BY ADDING HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY TO THE WEST.
• TRISTAN MURPHY WAS ONE OF THEM AND HE FELL THROUGH THE CRACKS IN MY COUNTY.
• SINCE THAT TIME MYSELF, JUDGE WISEMAN OUT OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY BEGAN WORKING ON THE LANGUAGE FOR THIS

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Warren, who serves Bucks County, have some special guests in the gallery today.
• Representative Marcell has Joshua Morris from Bucks County in the gallery today.
• Representative Fleming in Dauphin County has Kaylee Cowan shadowing him today.
• Representative Fleming in Dolphin County has Kaylee Cowan shadowing him today.
• state through the same system to build a new county facility.

Keywords: Scheduler, 973, house, all

Summary: The House convened, approved a prior journal, confirmed a quorum, and received several bill referrals and calendar motions before moving into caucus and committee announcements. Members also welcomed a number of guests and student visitors to the chamber. After recess, the House resumed with committee reports from Appropriations and Rules, agreeing to re-reported bills including House Bills 1006, 106, 2014, 2037, 2460, 2512, 2559, 2644, 733, 2455, 2499, and 2529. The chamber adopted two resolutions: House Resolution 462 designating May 17, 2026, as World Neurofibromatosis Awareness Day, and House Resolution 553 designating May 19, 2026, as Pontian Greek Genocide Remembrance Day. Both sponsors spoke in support, with the NF resolution emphasizing awareness, diagnosis, and research, and the Pontian Greek resolution focusing on remembrance of historical persecution and ethnic violence. The House also passed several bills on final consideration, including House Bill 2014 on opportunities for minors in emergency service organizations, House Bill 2037 on cryptocurrency-related ethics restrictions, House Bill 2512 on rideshare pricing protections, House Bill 2644 on legislative authorization for capital bridge projects, and House Bill 2559 on state property conveyances. Amendments were considered on several measures. On House Bill 2359, which prohibits government agencies from entering nondisclosure agreements related to data centers, one amendment requiring hyperscale data centers to pay their own energy costs failed on a 101-101 tie, another amendment making the bill effective immediately was adopted, and a third amendment protecting trade secrets failed. On House Bill 779 regarding abusive towing practices, an agreed-to amendment was adopted. House Bill 733 modernizing marriage ceremony law, Senate Bill 1294 on penalties for unlicensed commercial driving schools, and Senate Bill 1259 clarifying parole record privilege and access were agreed to, and House Bill 2499 concerning the State Workers Insurance Fund and Investment Authority was also advanced. The House then recommitted several bills to Appropriations, removed others from the tabled calendar, and adjourned until June 30, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have a young lady shadowing me today from Nelson County, Mallerie Eden.
• Um, if passed, this bill will help us as we continue to modernize how Jefferson County handles titles
• I think this is a very, very important bill and it changes the way we do things at the county clerk's
• I think this is a very, very important bill and it changes the way we do things at the county clerk's
• So, u know a lot county clerk's office.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and took up Senate Bill 110, relating to motor vehicles. The bill is part of a broader effort to modernize county clerk operations and move motor vehicle titling to an electronic system. The sponsor explained that the measure would keep titles in an electronic database, allow online lien releases, electronic notices and payments, and simplify certain estate and ownership issues. A committee substitute was adopted that removed a now-unneeded provision about a signature register for farm bureau farm vehicles. Members asked about the bill’s length, the treatment of all-terrain vehicles and street-legal special purpose vehicles, and whether the measure changed fees or conflicted with prior legislation. The sponsor said the bill did not alter the earlier street-legal special purpose vehicle statute, that printed titles would carry a $6 fee, and that some fee-setting authority for the Transportation Cabinet was included by administrative regulation. He also noted that a floor amendment would likely be offered to align the bill with the Transportation Cabinet’s system and add language for consumer lenders. Supportive comments were offered about the bill’s benefits for Jefferson County and the broader modernization effort. After discussion, the committee voted to report Senate Bill 110 favorably with the committee substitute attached. The roll call showed the bill passed the committee, and the chair thanked the sponsor and staff before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:01:41.280> where to 24 months to exempt counties where to 24 months to exempt counties
• <00:08:07.120> Uh governments uh cities and counties.
• Uh governments uh cities and counties.
• It was vetted through the county commission, the DA's office, and through the director.
• <00:16:24.880> commission want to thank the county commission want to thank the county commission

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They create issues for voters, campaigns, as well as county registers.
• signature curing. forms produced by the Secretary of State's office or by the county registrar.
• Los Angeles County Office of Education Support. Thank you.
• We're hearing here today, and as a former county elections official doing voter outreach to our high
• Having a real impact in those counties to not become self-help counties.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• requesting the Office of the Governor, State Building Code Council, building departments of each county
• , mayors of each county, and chairs of the Senate and House of Representatives Standing Committees on
• , mayors of each county, and chairs of the Senate and House of Representatives Standing Committees on
• , county, county, mayors<00:10:45.680> of<00:10:46.160> sorry,<00:10:46.560> building
• , each county, mayors of each county, each county, mayors of each county, chairs<00:10:49.279>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Housing heard two resolutions. STR 48 SD 1 called for a comprehensive strategy to adopt updated building codes, with testimony listed from several groups but no one appeared to testify. The committee later deferred the measure, noting it was very similar to House Concurrent Resolution 67 House Draft 1. The committee then took up STR 6D1, which urges the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to develop a plan to produce enough housing to meet state demand. HHFDC testified that the resolution misstated the scope of low-income housing tax credit units and emphasized that the state’s housing need is much larger than previously cited, with a recent study showing about 33,000 units needed for households at or below 60% AMI statewide. HHFDC supported planning but said any plan must be realistic and account for private land constraints. A member raised concerns about rising leasehold costs and affordability for homeowners, and HHFDC responded that rental affordability can be maintained more readily than for-sale housing. The committee adopted HHFDC’s proposed amendments to STR 6D1, including deleting a clause about overbuilding, revising the shortage figures, and adding language referencing Senate Bill 26 and the affordable housing land inventory task force. The committee also amended the resolution to focus on density and timing of development for projects identified by that task force. The measure passed with amendments, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, our mud is located on the west side of, uh, Harris County, Texas.
• Um, I'm also a, uh, resident of Fort Bend County and the vice president of Fort Bend County about 35,
• I live in Kaufman County and I'm a member of the board of directors of Kaufman County Freshwater Supply
• My district and all districts in Rockwall and Kaufman counties.
• City-based muds are different than county-based muds, right?