Transcript Highlights:

• This was a facility that was operating under various permits and polluted the area around this community
• in many instances, not the General Fund: the environmental license plate fee, the waste discharge permit

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee hearing focused on the governor’s May Revision, especially the proposed extension of the cap-and-trade program to 2045 as “cap-and-invest,” the related greenhouse gas reduction fund (GGRF) spending framework, and several trailer bill proposals. Department of Finance staff outlined budget solutions including a $1.5 billion annual General Fund-to-GGRF shift for Cal Fire that would grow to $1.9 billion by 2029-30, continued support for high-speed rail, climate bond implementation, and various environmental and water-related statutory changes. The administration also described proposals affecting the Delta Conveyance Project, water quality planning, groundwater bulletin timing, Exide cleanup funding, and other agency-specific items, though the chair repeatedly asked staff to keep the presentation high-level and save details for the next hearing. Members from both parties raised strong concerns about the cap-and-invest proposal, arguing that it could reduce or displace funding for transit, affordable housing, active transportation, wildfire prevention, zero-emission vehicles, and other previously committed programs. Several members questioned whether the administration was effectively shifting essential ongoing services like Cal Fire onto a temporary carbon market fund, how the General Fund backstop would work if auction revenues fall short, and whether the proposal would leave enough money for continuous appropriations and future awards. Members also criticized the inclusion of cap-and-invest reauthorization in the budget process and asked for clearer information on the impact to high-speed rail, transit, and other GGRF priorities. The Delta Conveyance Project and related trailer bill language drew significant opposition from members and public commenters, who argued the proposal would fast-track the project, weaken CEQA-related review, and authorize revenue bond financing without sufficient legislative oversight. Public testimony also included support for maintaining or expanding funding for transit, affordable housing, AB 617 community air protection, offshore wind infrastructure, and ignition interlock programs, while environmental and community groups opposed cuts to wildfire prevention, housing, and school climate-related programs. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, and the chair said the committee would continue the discussion and receive more detailed responses at the follow-up hearing on Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some people are going through permitting options.
• there's no economic benefit. ...that an investor's trying to make or that there's no activity, like permits

Bills: HB293, HB 1173, HB3753, HB4999, HB5696, SB2145, HB5689, HB5690, HB5694, HB5698, HB293

Keywords: HB 293, Texas housing tax credits, low-income housing, affordable housing, private activity bonds, PAB, qualified allocation plan, TDHCA, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, state representative objection, housing development approval, municipal notice, county commissioners court, extraterritorial jurisdiction, LIHTC, bond-financed housing, homelessness, housing services, Texas Department of Housing, municipal programs

Transcript Highlights:

• For emergency or expedited court proceedings, the bill also provides some flexibility to permit such
• substance of a junk science claim before denying relief, and that the Court of Criminal Appeals be permitted

Bills: HB115, HB 115, HB507, HB1765, HB1847, HB2046, HB2239, HB2328, HB2309, HB2417, HB2728, HB2794, HB3206, HB3566, HB3694, HB3744, HB4254, HB4697, HB4733, HB4915, HB5465, HB2813

Keywords: public funds, lobbying, political subdivision, government spending, transparency, HB 115, taxpayer-funded lobbying, local government lobbying, county association dues, municipal lobbying, lobbyist registration, Chapter 305, Government Code Section 556.0056, Local Government Code Section 89.002, county government, city government, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, state association of counties, sheriffs association

Transcript Highlights:

• administration to make a decision to give out information to teachers and other staffers at the school if permitted
• about a permitted about a juvenile who has not even been convicted.

Bills: HJR 99, HB 1399, HB 1400, HB 1094, HB 365, HB 1109, HB 647, HCR 35, SB 14, HB 12, HB 1522, HB 422, HB 675, HB 204, HB 748, HB 912, HJR 99, HB 1399, HB 1400, HB 1094, HB 365, HB 1109, HB 647, HCR 35, HCR 123, HCR 124, HR 57, HR 87, HR 111, HR 228, HR 230, HR 322, HR 624, HR 625, HR 626, HR 627, HR 628, HR 630, HR 631, HR 634, HR 635, HR 636, HR 637, HR 638, HR 639, HR 640, HR 645, HR 646, HR 648, HR 649, HR 651, HR 652, HR 653, HR 654, HR 664, HR 665, HR 668, HR 675, HR 676, HR 678, HR 679, HR 680, HR 683, HR 686, HR 688, HR 689, HR 694, HR 695, HR 697, HR 698, HR 699, HR 472, HR 622, HR 632, HR 633, HR 643, HR 655, HR 657, HR 660, HR 661, HR 662, HR 663, HR 667, HR 670, HR 674, HR 681, HR 682, HR 696

Keywords: animal feed, tax exemption, ad valorem taxation, retail, constitutional amendment, retail sale, tangible personal property, Texas tax code, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption, regulation, deceased transportation, HB 365

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair members this bill provides a general permit authorization from DPD for distributed Wastewater Treatment
• The permit would require a high level of protection monitoring and performance currently in place for

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They also redefined recipient to mean patient, and it permits donations from individuals from out of
• It also permits in-state and out-of-state pharmacies experienced in managing donated prescription drugs

Transcript Highlights:

• It permits, but does not require, the day to be suitably observed in public schools, the Capitol, and
• It permits instruction to be delivered on the designated day on the harmful impacts of the Holocaust,

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 296, as amended by strike-all, on middle and high school start times. Senator Bradley explained that the amendment would repeal the statewide mandate for later start times and return scheduling decisions to local school boards, while still requiring districts to inform the community about the health, safety, and academic effects of sleep deprivation and to consider later start times when setting transportation schedules. Testimony and debate were largely in support, with several school district and education group representatives waiving in support, and members citing transportation, staffing, family logistics, and cost concerns under the existing mandate. The strike-all was adopted, and SB 296 was reported favorably by roll call vote, with Senators Berman, Osgood, and Chair Calatayud voting yes and Senator Gaetz voting no; other members were absent or not recorded in the excerpt. The committee then heard Senate Bill 356, which would designate January 27 as Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida. Senator Berman said the date matches the UN’s Holocaust Remembrance Day and would require the governor to annually proclaim it, while allowing public observance and instruction about the Holocaust’s harms and its impact on the Jewish community and humanity. There was no substantive opposition in the excerpt, and the bill was reported favorably by roll call vote with yes votes from Senators Berman, Gaetz, and Chair Calatayud. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 166 on administrative efficiency in public schools. Senator Simon described a broad deregulation package affecting student assessments, grade promotion, teacher evaluations, contracts and certification, school board operations, instructional materials timelines, internal audits, facilities planning, cost-per-student-station limits, emergency make-up days, federal fund timing, and VPK oversight. Testimony was mixed: school district and education organization representatives generally supported the flexibility, while some groups opposed or urged changes to the grade 4 promotion and graduation-related provisions, arguing they could weaken academic standards. After debate focused especially on third-grade promotion and testing requirements, the bill was reported favorably by roll call vote. At the end of the meeting, members recorded their votes on SB 296 and SB 356, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• PERMITTED INVESTMENTS IN WHICH WE ARE AUTHORIZED TO ENGAGE.
• GOVERNMENT CENSORSHIP LAWS BANNING RAINBOW FLAGS OR BLACK LIVES MATTER FLEX WILL PERMITTING THE DISPLAY

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's a finding relating to building permit fees. They're carrying too much. Yes.
• about the growth in the county, especially around I-4, I-95, and that they need to expand their permitting

Summary: The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee received a presentation from Auditor General staff on recurring findings from audits of district school boards, colleges, and universities. For school districts, the main issues discussed included missing or outdated safe-school officer training documentation, weak purchasing-card controls, vendor banking-change fraud risks, incomplete background screenings and disqualification-list procedures, missing website budget disclosures, excessive or untimely IT access, late deactivation of former employees’ access, missed emergency drill deadlines, inaccurate capital outlay and resiliency education records, weak tangible property inventories, adult education reporting errors, untimely bank reconciliations, and improper use of workforce development funds. The auditors said many of these issues are repeated from prior years and are summarized in their annual report on significant findings and financial trends. For universities and colleges, the auditors highlighted similar control weaknesses, including vendor information change controls, IT access issues, cash and investment reconciliation problems, purchasing and procurement deficiencies, personnel and compensation issues, and student fee compliance concerns. Specific examples included a UF consulting contract totaling about $6 million, FAU underreporting carry-forward balances by about $77 million, UCF’s payment loss of about $107,000 from an email scam tied to vendor changes, and a North Florida College unauthorized transfer involving a few hundred thousand dollars. The committee asked questions about the UF consulting work, the FAU carry-forward issue, and whether the listed findings meant every named entity had every issue; auditors clarified that the lists reflected entities with findings in those categories, not necessarily each specific problem. The committee then turned to enforcement for entities with long-standing uncorrected audit findings. Staff reported 144 entities with 197 findings repeated in three or more successive audit reports and recommended sending letters requesting updated corrective-action status, including for late-filed 2022-2023 reports where appropriate. The committee approved the staff recommendation and directed letters to be sent. The meeting ended with members emphasizing the importance of audit oversight and taxpayer accountability.

Transcript Highlights:

• permitted or under construction<00:35:12.079> um<00:35:12.520> those<00:35:12.920>
• and permitted practicing for wind<01:10:05.199> projects<01:10:06.159> the<01:10:06.320
• <01:21:11.400> by<01:21:11.560> the<01:21:11.719> federal be be permitted by
• federal government would permit federal government would permit something<01:21:21.320> that<
• review if projects thorough permitting review if projects are<01:32:00.320> determined<01:32:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When the legislature dictates which symbols are permitted and which are forbidden, it is authorizing
• Student clubs may not be permitted to display flags at club meetings or in school displays.
• Student clubs may<00:45:43.359> not<00:45:43.520> be<00:45:43.760> permitted<00:
• Director's decisions, such as permits and so on, those can be appealed.
• <01:49:31.440> and Director's decisions such as permits and Director's decisions such as permits

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This<00:32:46.240> would<00:32:46.360> permit,<00:32:46.680> for<00:32:46.800>
• > example,<00:32:47.240> a<00:32:47.280> group This would permit, for example, a group
• This would permit, for example, a group of<00:32:47.680> students<00:32:48.440> attending<
• We were shocked to learn that we would need a permit, one that would add cost and license and permit
• The kicker is, for my city and for many other cities in Minnesota, not every city has a local permit

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But I think that would come down to a local decision if someone applies for a building permit and to
• The section was repealed in order to permit investments in gas-fired plants that are less efficient at
• The section was repealed in order to permit investments in gas-fired plants that are less efficient on
• repealed<01:36:33.360> in<01:36:33.679> order<01:36:33.840> to<01:36:34.080> permit
• <01:36:34.639> permit repealed in order to permit permit repealed in order to permit permit

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee began a work session on House Bill 1600, concerning access to the centralized voter registration database on election days. Secretary of State David Scanlan testified that the state already has a new statewide voter registration system connected to town clerks and supervisors of the checklist, and that the bill was probably unnecessary but acceptable if the legislature wanted it. He raised concern about language that could require direct electronic access in every polling place, noting that some polling locations lack reliable internet or cell service and that municipalities can change polling locations, which could make a rigid requirement expensive and impractical. Members discussed whether the bill should be clarified to allow direct or indirect access, including use of a phone-based workaround, and the secretary said that would address his concern. The committee then voted on HB 1600. Representative Maguire moved ought to pass with an amendment adding “direct or indirect access” on page one, line seven, and the motion was seconded. The amendment was adopted 9-0 by voice vote, and the committee then voted 9-0 to OTP the bill. The chair stated that HB 1600 would be placed on consent. The committee next took up House Bill 1197F FN, a technical correction to insurance laws. Members noted it had already passed the House with amendment and that the fiscal note was effectively indeterminate but would not affect the general fund because the insurance agency is self-funded. The committee voted 9-0 to OTP the bill; the chair said consent calendar placement would be decided by the full committee. Finally, the committee opened a work session on House Bill 11:30 FN regarding judicial performance evaluations. Representative Lynn, the bill’s sponsor, argued that the fiscal note overstated the immediate cost and said the judicial branch could likely manage through the current biennium while implementing the new system. He also supported making judges’ names public and said the bill’s anonymity provisions were aimed at protecting the identities of questionnaire respondents, not the judges being evaluated. Members asked about public disclosure, internal access to evaluation materials, and the removal of language allowing the governor and executive council to receive evaluations on request; discussion continued on those points, but no final vote on HB 11:30 FN was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't want us to permit, regulate, or tax pushing everyone out of Minnesota.
• reform at the state is on permitting reform at the state is really<00:51:06.800> critical<00:
• My amendment in short would just clarify what we think is already permitted in this bill.
• <01:41:30.239> But<01:41:30.400> in<01:41:30.639> the permitted in this bill
• But in the permitted in this bill.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But as long as it is legal, then we would permit that activity.
• 10:19.280> as<02:10:19.440> I'm<02:10:19.920> as<02:10:20.000> I does permit
• that as far as I'm as I does permit that as far as I'm as I understand<02:10:20.480> our<02:10
• 02:10:28.159> federal<02:10:28.480> law<02:10:28.880> would<02:10:29.119> permit
• That on to what federal law would permit a state to do, and maybe provide better guidance to where

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Stable Token Study Commission held its first regular meeting, welcomed all remaining appointed members, and completed brief introductions from legislators and agency designees. The chair outlined the commission’s plan to use the first part of the enabling legislation as a “level-setting” discussion, focusing this meeting on the basics of blockchain, the current landscape for stablecoins and tokenized real-world assets, and leaving blockchain-based trust for a later meeting. No votes were taken. The main presentation came from Deanna Bario Zales of the Global Blockchain Business Council, who described stablecoins as increasingly converging toward fiat-backed or asset-backed models, with algorithmic designs viewed more cautiously. She said stablecoins are being used for payments, remittances, DeFi activity, cross-border transfers, retail use in high-inflation markets, and treasury functions, while noting risks such as peg instability, reserve transparency, counterparty and network risk, and possible capital flight from weaker banking systems. She cited growth in supply, wallet activity, and transfer volume, and said U.S.-pegged stablecoins dominate the market, with USDT and USDC leading. Zales also discussed tokenized real-world assets, describing them as digital representations of physical assets that can enable fractional ownership, liquidity, and faster settlement. She said the market is growing quickly, with institutional participation from firms such as BlackRock and Franklin Templeton, and projected continued expansion. She closed with an overview of regulatory developments, emphasizing the new U.S. stablecoin framework under the Genius Act, the proposed Clarity Act, OCC guidance, and similar regimes in the EU, UK, UAE, Singapore, Japan, and elsewhere, all of which she said are shaping compliance requirements and market development.

Transcript Highlights:

• But not included in the list is prohibiting permitting a child to ingest fentanyl.
• But not included in the list is prohibiting permitting a child to ingest fentanyl.
• Uh, as I look at this, I'm just my first blush on this is knowingly causing or permitting a child or
• the list is prohibiting permitting a child to ingest fentanyl.
• Uh, as I look at this, I'm just my first blush on this is knowingly causing or permitting a child or

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• yesterday what really bothers me is when the MPCA came up and says we got to start over on this permitting
• It's going to take two strong bipartisan members to join this and fight for getting the permitting thing
• that should be an permitting that should be an embarrassment<01:28:18.320> to<01:28:18.400>
• <01:28:45.440> thing<01:28:45.800> handled getting the permitting thing handled getting
• the permitting thing handled through<01:28:46.360> the<01:28:46.480> article<01:28:46.800

Bills: HF3023, HF3078, HF107, HF2171, HF3079, HF689, HF1316

Keywords: unemployment benefits, iron ore mining, economic support, workforce development, Minnesota, unemployment insurance, deferred resignation, employment, worker rights, benefits eligibility, Ellsworth Independent School District, ISD 514, school construction, school renovation, sales tax exemption, use tax refund, construction materials, HVAC replacement, boiler replacement, window replacement

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota has higher-than-average commercial and industrial electric prices and a challenging permitting
• Minnesota has higher-than-average commercial and industrial electric prices and a challenging permitting
• Minnesota has higher-than-average commercial and industrial electric prices and a challenging permitting
• Minnesota has higher-than-average commercial and industrial electric prices and a challenging permitting
• for an advanced nuclear project permit for an advanced nuclear project and<01:15:25.920> then

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Permitting times and higher costs resulting from redundant studies and protracted reviews to confirm
• This bill would disrupt the transition, resulting in permitting delays as the department juggles new
• This bill would disrupt the transition, resulting in permitting delays as the department juggles new
• DES permitting is a cakewalk compared to a federal habitat conservation plan.
• cakewalk<05:13:13.440> compared Dees permitting is a cakewalk compared Dees permitting is

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was the chair of a permitted interaction group that was put together for that purpose.
• Our commissioners, two of whom on Hawaiʻi Island serve on my permitted interaction group, participated
• Next, Department of Planning and Permitting, City and County of Honolulu, comments.
• <01:53:45.239> C<01:53:45.639> County planning and permitting C County planning and
• permitting C County Honolulu<01:53:46.599> comments<01:53:47.159> next<01:53:47.440>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard three House bills related to the Department of Hawaiian Homelands. HB 606 would extend the Act 279 special fund to June 30, 2028, continue deposits and appropriations to help eliminate the DHHL waitlist, and require a strategic plan and annual reporting. DHHL strongly supported the measure, saying most of the initial $600 million had been used and that the need remains large, with more than 29,000 people on the waitlist. Public testimony also supported the bill, emphasizing its importance to Native Hawaiian families and concerns about Hawaiians leaving the islands because of housing costs. A member noted the bill is a priority and that the committee will keep working on how to fund another $600 million. HB 1086 would exempt DHHL homestead lot and housing development from general excise and use taxes. DHHL supported the bill, saying any tax savings would reduce the eventual cost of housing for low-income beneficiaries. The Department of Taxation said it could administer the measure and noted it is already being implemented under the governor’s emergency proclamation, with a proposed effective date of January 1, 2026. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered technical comments and urged the committee to weigh existing benefits already received by DHHL beneficiaries. HB 1307 would appropriate funds for DHHL water well development and geothermal exploration on Hawaiian homelands. DHHL said the bill is a follow-up to prior study funding and would support slim-hole drilling, site evaluation, and consultant work to identify viable geothermal resources, especially on Hawaiʻi Island. Several testifiers opposed the bill, arguing there had been inadequate beneficiary consultation, raising environmental, cultural, and safety concerns, and objecting to using $20 million for geothermal rather than housing. In response to committee questions, DHHL staff explained that the goal is to gather information for a future public-private partnership to develop geothermal electricity, and that a Chapter 343 environmental review would be required later in the process. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.