Transcript Highlights:

• So Save Beckle is here to explain the levy interaction that you will see on the property tax levy sheet
• Basically we pay for the levy sheet.
• you turn to the uh property tax levy you turn to the uh property tax levy tracking<00:18:53.400>
• /c><00:20:13.520> levy.
• That is an equalized levy. Um, revenue. That is an equalized levy.

Bills: HF1049

Keywords: school library aid, education finance, school districts, charter schools, funding eligibility, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Senator Mills, here. >> Senator Neal, here. >> Senator Webb, here. >> Senator West, Senator Wheeler
• > Senator Maiden >> here, >> here, >> here, >> Senator<00:01:28.880> Mills
• >> Senator Mills >> Senator Mills >> here, >> here, >> here, >&
• Senator Mills. Hi. Senator Neal. Hi. Senator Webb. Senator West. Hi. Senator Wheeler. I.
• >> Senator<00:09:59.680> Mills. >> Senator Mills. >> Senator Mills.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 01:15 Member Comments 01:43 SB 29 Discussion 05:18 SB 29 Roll Call Vote 09:44 SB 49 Discussion 11:29 SB 49 Roll Call Vote 22:29, 958, all

Summary: The Kentucky Senate Natural Resources Committee held its first meeting of 2026, opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and several housekeeping reminders from the chair. The chair emphasized a 24-hour filing rule for amendments and other items, asked members to use “present” during roll call, and reminded members to route questions through the chair rather than cross-examining witnesses. The committee also welcomed a student guest, Madison Dus, and several interns, and noted that Senator Neal was attending the committee for the first time. The committee then heard Senate Bill 29 from Senator Greg Elkins, which would prohibit solid waste management facilities from being charged an assessment or fee by the county or solid waste district where the waste was generated. Supporters described the bill as a response to counties attempting to impose “designation fees” on waste generated locally, and said the measure would close a loophole and prevent a growing practice. After discussion about similar practices in other states and the value of waste as a commodity, the committee voted favorably to pass SB 29. The committee next considered Senate Bill 49, also by Senator Elkins, which would create a voluntary statewide program to increase awareness, education, and recycling of lithium and other rechargeable batteries. Testimony focused on the fire and explosion risks batteries pose in collection vehicles and landfills, the value of rare earth metals in batteries, and the need to keep them out of the waste stream. Members asked about whether larger batteries, such as those from electric vehicles or solar facilities, were covered under existing law; the sponsor said the bill was aimed at smaller consumer batteries and that larger batteries were likely already addressed under existing universal waste or hazardous waste rules. The committee also discussed how to promote the voluntary program through retailers, local governments, recyclers, and the Energy and Environment Cabinet. SB 49 was then approved favorably by committee vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• And let's be clear, the indications are clear that these puppies are coming from commercial puppy mill
• It's to address the puppy mill pipeline and with the amendments, I'm happy to support the bill.
• Ready when you are Thank you, Chair Flora I'm proud to present AB 519 another part of the the puppy mill
• As noted, brokers are acting as middlemen for puppy mills where animals often endure inhumane conditions
• In truth, they are often middlemen for puppy mills operating in states with weak oversight.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• levies ultimately become the final Levy levies ultimately become the final Levy uh<00:08:19.879>
• state general levy.
• The CI levy is about $717 million, and the seasonal rec levy is about $42 million.
• The CI levy is about $717 million, and the seasonal rec levy is about $42 million.
• district levy.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• county levies, the remaining school district levies, cities, township levies, and special taxing district
• levies.
• levies levies special taxing district levies all<00:10:05.160> rely<00:10:05.440> on<00
• We often talk about the state general levy as being one levy, but it is actually two separate levies:
• <00:14:35.480> but state general Levy as being one Levy but state general Levy as being one

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Tax Committee met to hear a House Research presentation from Jared Swanson on Minnesota’s property tax system. Before the presentation, the chair announced that the committee would put the governor’s budget on hold until the department could provide the information needed for a proper hearing. The committee then approved the prior meeting minutes without objection. Swanson gave an overview of how property taxes are structured and collected in Minnesota, explaining that the state uses a levy-based system in which local governments set levies and counties collect and distribute payments. He described the property tax cycle, the difference between referendum market value and net tax capacity, and how classification rates shift tax burdens among property types. He also outlined the state general property tax, noting it is split between commercial-industrial property and seasonal recreational property, and reviewed how Minnesota compares with other states, with residential taxes generally around the middle and commercial-industrial taxes relatively higher. The presentation also covered major property tax relief and aid programs. Swanson explained three broad relief mechanisms: shifting burdens through exclusions and classification rates, state-paid credits and refunds, and state aid to local governments or levy reductions. He discussed local government aid (LGA), township aid, and county program aid (CPA), including their funding levels, formulas, and general-purpose nature. Members asked why some cities receive no LGA and how the funds may be used; Swanson said cities with strong tax bases often receive zero aid and that the money generally can be used for the same purposes as property tax revenue. No votes were taken on the presentation itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:27:08.799> and<00:27:09.039> value<00:27:09.440> added attract new mills
• A recent example is the Huber OSB mill in Knoxubee County that will be online in the fall of '26.
• In the last five years, in fact, Mississippi has added 10 new mills or mill expansions to the state,
• fact, Mississippi has added 10 new mills fact, Mississippi has added 10 new mills or<00:30:39.360
• 40.720> state<00:30:41.360> with or mill expansions to the state with or mill expansions

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 20 January, 2026; 2:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: Mississippi State University officials testified in support of the university’s separately funded agricultural, forestry, and veterinary units, emphasizing their economic impact, research output, and need for continued state support. Keith Cobalt, vice president for the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine, said the division generates a $1.7 billion impact on Mississippi, but warned that state and local funding has not kept pace with federal dollars or inflation. He argued that global competition, especially from China and Brazil, is hurting row crop and forestry producers, and highlighted a Vision 2030 study finding about $10 billion in agricultural and forestry value leaves the state through value-added processing. He also raised concerns about rural depopulation and proposed rural innovation hubs to help retain population and jobs. Nick Frank, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, said state appropriations make up about 25% of the college’s operating budget and are needed to support salaries, staffing, and service capacity. He described the college’s education, diagnostic, and clinical missions, including disease surveillance and responses to threats such as avian influenza, screwworm, and equine herpes virus. Frank said the college is expanding facilities with $18 million in 2024 state funding for a new farm animal hospital and cattle handling facility, but still needs additional support for equine and small animal renovations. He also requested support for rural veterinary scholarships and said inflation and salary competition from other schools and private practice are making retention difficult. In response to committee questions, Frank said the college enrolls about 118 to 119 students per class, with roughly 54 to 55 in-state students and tuition of about $29,900 for in-state and $53,000 for out-of-state students. He clarified that the “vet assistants” program is a four-year bachelor’s degree in veterinary medical technology, not a certificate. He also explained that staffing growth has largely been in the hospitals to address clinical shortages and improve care. Dr. Westberger, dean of the College of Forest Resources and director of the Forest and Wildlife Research Center, said Mississippi’s forests support a $19 billion economic impact, 84,000 jobs, and a $4.5 billion payroll, while also providing environmental benefits. He said the college and research center are nationally recognized, including an NSF ranking placing Mississippi State 10th in natural resource conservation research expenditures for a small university. Westberger highlighted research on forest management, pest detection, mass timber, wildlife disease surveillance, and value-added bioproducts, including efforts to attract mills and manufacturing. He said Mississippi has added 10 mills or mill expansions in five years with more than $1.5 billion in investment and over 1,000 high-paying jobs, and noted the college is planning a new mass-timber annex to address capacity and showcase the material. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sitting with me today is former Senator Fred Mills, and I'll defer my time to Senator Mills so he can
• This would supersede, and this is what Senator Mills was talking about.
• Senator Boudreau, Senator Mills, two of my favorite people, I would say.
• Senator Mills, welcome back.
• Okay, we're on Senator Mills, T. Fred, my brother. Yes. Well, y'all famine and me.

Bills: HB387, HB673, HB947, HB975, HB1102, HB1228, HB1229, HCR66, SB102, SB165, SB280, SB291, SB326, SB521

Keywords: engineering, land surveying, construction, state fire marshal, plan review, security cameras, abandoned property, blighted structures, property management, digital assets, abandonment, custodian, escheatment, blockchain, cryptocurrency, unclaimed property, state treasurer, Department of Public Service, statutory entities, public administration

Transcript Highlights:

• Ballet Ribbons in uh B Valley Ribbon Mills in Bali, PA, manufactured a 3D woven material, super strength
• Ballet Ribbons in uh B Valley<00:20:20.640> Ribbon<00:20:20.960> Mills<00:20:21.280>
• in<00:20:21.440> Bali,<00:20:21.840> PA, Valley Ribbon Mills in Bali, PA, Valley Ribbon
• Mills in Bali, PA, manufactured<00:20:22.880> a<00:20:23.120> 3D<00:20:24.000> woven
• I'm not going through the articles that we might levy against him.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, April 23, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The response was that Senator Mills was correct.
• thank you Mr chairman uh on the Mills thank you Mr chairman uh on the very<00:15:23.320> back
• Senator Mills explains his vote.
• <00:43:23.920> how<00:43:24.160> about Mills how about Mills how about I<00:43:25.920><
• Senator Haron, Senator Mills, hi. Senator Nemes, hi.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 132, a health care conscience-protection measure. Supporters said the bill would protect health care professionals from being forced to participate in procedures or services that violate sincerely held religious or ethical beliefs, while explicitly excluding emergency care. They argued it would help recruit and retain providers, preserve ethical integrity in medicine, and has worked in several other states. Supporters also emphasized that the bill is aimed at procedures or services, not at denying care based on who a patient is, and noted that the bill includes a civil cause of action to give it enforcement teeth. Several supporters described personal experiences. A nurse said lack of conscience protections affected her career choices and limited her path into women’s health. Dr. Warman said he had requested not to perform anesthesia for abortions and later chose non-narcotic pain management because he objected to heavy opioid prescribing, saying conscience protections allow professionals to practice responsibly. Senators asked about examples, the bill’s scope, whether it could be used to discriminate, and which states have similar laws; Mississippi, Florida, Montana, Ohio, South Carolina, and Arkansas were named. Questions also focused on the bill’s civil enforcement provisions and whether it could be used against patients based on identity or religion. Opponents warned the bill was overly broad and could allow refusals of care by a wide range of health workers, including clerks, ambulance drivers, pharmacists, nurses, and physicians. Dr. Karen Abrams said it could lead to denial of birth control, Plan B, blood transfusions, and other care, especially in rural areas with few alternatives, and could worsen Kentucky’s provider shortages. David Conway said the bill lacked patient protections, could increase delays and discrimination, and could prevent reassignment of objecting staff. The chair noted there were seven people signed up in opposition, limited testimony to two minutes each, and said the committee would return to the bill after hearing additional opposition and other pending bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• Another quite large levy is the operating capital levy.
• <01:31:46.840> this Levy is the operating Capital Levy this Levy is the operating Capital
• levy.
• levies involved in Any interest in those levies?
• <01:37:51.239> an to buy down the levy say the levy had an to buy down the levy say the levy

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Education Finance Committee met on January 21, 2025, for its first hearing of the session and began with organizational business. Members and staff introduced themselves, described their districts and backgrounds, and the chair reviewed committee procedures, including how to request bill hearings, amendment deadlines, and handout deadlines. The committee also heard introductions from nonpartisan and partisan staff, including House Research and House Fiscal Analysis personnel who will support the committee’s work this session. The main substantive item was an overview presentation on the state budget and education finance process. Staff explained how Minnesota’s general fund is forecast twice a year, how the committee should read the budget documents and aid/levy tracking sheets, and how the current biennium compares with the upcoming budget window. They described the November forecast, noted that the committee will later receive the February forecast, and outlined the committee’s role in reviewing K-12 state aid spending, school district revenue, and property tax impacts. Staff walked through the aid appropriation summary spreadsheet and explained its columns, including end-of-session spending, fiscal year 2024-25 actuals and estimates, and the 2026-27 and 2028-29 planning horizons. They emphasized that many education programs are forecast-driven and can change with enrollment and other data. The presentation also summarized the state’s overall revenue mix and spending priorities, noting that K-12 education is the largest general fund category and that state aid makes up the majority of school revenue. No bills were heard and no votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's the county, which is 75% chargeable, so there's one mill differential because you take the four
• The other is a school building fund, which are five mills spread throughout the school district.
• So when you combine 25% of the county for mill plus the five mills for county school, the school district
• mills, there are six constitutional mills across the state of Oklahoma.
• And what that does, though, is on the valuation of those constitutional mills.

Bills: HR1051, HR1048, SB2074, SJR39, SJR47, SB1983, SB444, SB1503, SB1561, SB592, SB1501, SB1946, SB1567, SB1833, SB2026, SB904, SB2178, SB1651, SB1558, SB1565, SB1553, SB1257, SB65, SB1749, SB1242, SB1642, SB640, SB667, SB1436, SB1484, SB1562, SB1794, SB1644, SB1533, SB933, SB1555

Keywords: livestock, judging, Oklahoma State University, championship, agriculture, military children, recognition, community support, military families, April 15, pharmacy benefits managers, reimbursement, healthcare, prescription drugs, cost regulation, property valuation, tax limit, homestead, income threshold, elderly

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Howell, Senator Maiden, Senator Maize Bledsoe, Senator McDaniel, Senator Meredith, Senator Mills
• Senator McDaniel, Senator<00:04:49.840> Meredith,<00:04:51.199> Senator<00:04:51.600> Mills
• ,<00:04:52.880> Senator Senator Meredith, Senator Mills, Senator Senator Meredith, Senator
• Mills, Senator Neil, Neil, Neil. >> Senator Neas, >> Senator Neas, >> Senator Neas, >> Senator Nun,

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum with 34 members present. Absent senators were excused and the journal from Wednesday, January 7, 2026 was approved as written. No committee reports, second-reading business, or floor amendments were taken up. The clerk reported a number of new measures, including Senate Bill 10 on limiting the governor’s pardon and commutation powers, Senate Bill 91 on standardizing real property tax bills, Senate Bill 92 on Medicaid coverage for palliative care, Senate Bill 93 on Medicaid expansion, Senate Bill 94 on motor vehicle dealers, Senate Bill 95 on school transportation with an emergency clause, and Senate Bill 96 on sickle cell disease. Several resolutions were also introduced, including memorial resolutions and measures honoring Donna Sue Baker and designating the Les Leatherman Memorial Bridge. Members also requested to be added as co-sponsors to several bills and resolutions. No substantive debate or votes on the merits of the bills occurred. The only action taken was the routine approval of the journal, the excusal of absent senators, and the filing of co-sponsorship requests. The Senate adjourned by motion until 9:00 a.m. on Friday, January 9, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• You're the largest hardwood mill in Texas? That's correct.
• How many miles does your mill take wood from?
• I know a lot of landowners that send hardwoods up to your timber mill.
• But to potentially lose the mill, I mean, we're talking about affecting private landowners that have,
• I would like to also point out that they're not just the biggest mill; they're the biggest employer in

Bills: HB1523, HB2109, HB2694, HB3525, HB3898, HB4646, HB5188, HB5219, HB5320, HB5651, HB5655, HB5659, HB5662, HB5672

Keywords: aquifer conservation, Class V injection well, environmental regulation, groundwater protection, municipal water supply, temporary prohibition, water management, reservoir construction, state water plan, Texas Water Code, environmental impact, Brazoria Drainage District, commissioners, elections, vacancies, resignation, HB 3525, North Texas Groundwater Conservation District, groundwater permit, permit amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Mills. Senator Nemes present. Senator Rawlings here. Vice Chair Richardson here.
• Senator Mills, aye. Senator Nemes, aye. Senator Rawlings, aye. Vice Chair Richardson, aye.
• Senator Mills, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Senator Berg, thank you for this bill.
• thank you Mr chairman cator Berg Mills thank you Mr chairman cator Berg thank<00:14:43.120> you
• <00:34:31.280> hi Senator Haron hi Senator Mills hi Senator Haron hi Senator Mills hi Senator

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 27, as amended by committee substitute, which would create a Kentucky Parkinson’s disease research registry. The sponsor said the substitute was developed with UK, U of L, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, and Parkinson’s in Motion to better define a movement disorder center, add Parkinson’s experts from both universities to the advisory committee, require automated reporting, and delay implementation until 2027. Testimony emphasized the need to track diagnoses and testing while protecting confidentiality and allowing people to opt out. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted unanimously to pass SB 27 with a favorable expression. The committee then heard Senate Bill 93, dealing with hearing aid coverage for children. A parent described the high cost of hearing aids for her son and the financial burden created by insurance limits, while a pediatric audiologist explained that early identification and treatment improve language outcomes and that families can spend about $30,000 on hearing aids from birth to age 18. The committee substitute removed adults from the bill and added an in-network requirement for pediatric audiologists, along with a replacement interval consistent with Medicaid guidelines and repair/loss coverage provisions. After questions about costs, replacement timing, and insurer practices, the committee voted unanimously to pass SB 93 with a favorable expression. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 153, a transparency and due-process bill concerning Medicaid prepayment review. The sponsor and witnesses from Addiction Recovery Care and Frontier Behavioral Health said prepayment reviews can be imposed with little notice or explanation, disrupt cash flow, and burden rural and smaller providers; they argued the bill would require clearer notice, reasons, and timelines without stopping legitimate reviews. Members asked about managed care organizations, contract issues, and whether the bill would conflict with existing agreements, and the sponsor said it would not. After discussion and an explanation of vote from Senator Douglas, the committee voted to pass SB 153 with a favorable expression.

Transcript Highlights:

• purpose of downstream hydropower or mill purpose of downstream hydropower or mill purposes.<01:56
• were mill workers at the Hannidustin were mill workers at the Hannidustin wool<02:56:22.479> factory
• And they'll do the send it to the mill.
• <04:47:24.320> and uh send loads to a different mill and uh send loads to a different mill
• <04:47:34.240> and the wood and bringing it to a mill and the wood and bringing it to a mill

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They look at the real estate, they calculate the levy, and they adjust the levy, and then whatever that
• Bring the personal property into the valuation so that when we're calculating the levy, the levy is then
• applied to both the real... ...so that when we're calculating the levy, the levy is then applied to
• the levy to the valuation.
• Again, this is all political subdivisions that have a personal property or have a levy, a tax levy.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, I also want you to keep in mind, Walton County is running at one of the lowest mills in the entire
• Holmes County collected $9 million total at a 9.5 mill rate, so we're at the top of the thing.
• And I say all this to say there's not a one-size-fits-all, because I've got one who's got a low mill
• but a lot of cash, and I've got one with a high mill and no cash.
• Now, I also want you to keep in mind, Walton County is running at one of the lowest mills in the entire

Summary: The Select Committee on Property Taxes met for a listening session focused on a presentation by Amy Baker of the Joint Legislative Office of Economic and Demographic Research on local government revenues and expenditures. Baker reviewed statewide financial data for counties, municipalities, and independent special districts, using 2018-19 as a baseline year because it was stable and pre-COVID. She explained that counties rely heavily on taxes, with ad valorem taxes making up about 73% of county tax revenue and about 24% of total county revenues statewide, while municipalities rely more on charges for services and have a lower statewide ad valorem share of about 14.7%. She also noted wide variation across local governments, with some counties and cities highly dependent on property taxes and others using them minimally or not at all. Special districts were shown to be very different from counties and cities, with hospital-related revenues and expenditures dominating many of them, while water management districts were more reliant on ad valorem taxes and focused expenditures on the physical environment. Baker also summarized expenditure patterns: counties spent the largest share on public safety, while municipalities spent the largest share on general government services, followed by physical environment and public safety. She emphasized that local government structures vary widely and that the committee should study what characteristics are associated with greater property tax reliance. She said the next research steps would be to extend the analysis through later years, including the COVID and inflation period, and to examine institutional and legal factors that shape local fiscal structures. Members asked about unfunded mandates, fuel taxes, reserves, school taxes, millage rates, and how property taxes relate to specific services such as police and fire. Baker said the current analysis did not yet account for mandates or school taxes and that further work could examine links between revenues and expenditures, commercial versus residential tax burdens, and other factors. After the presentation, members reported back on local meetings with counties and municipalities. Several described large differences in millage rates, revenue mixes, and the impact of any property tax changes on fiscally constrained counties versus larger, wealthier ones. Concerns were raised about how local governments would replace lost revenue, especially for public safety and emergency response, and members discussed the need to consider both revenue replacement and ways to rein in spending. The co-chairs said the committee would continue gathering information, send members follow-up homework and requests for panel suggestions, and invite additional input from constituents, stakeholders, and local governments. The meeting ended with no votes or formal actions beyond adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:29:04.559> sheet mill as in grab me that six mill sheet mill as in grab me that six mill
• I don't know why we talk about mills. I don't know why we talk about<02:12:25.520> mills.
• Why can't we just talk about mills.
• So so yeah, the mill is the more Yeah.
• Google and Mills is a thing as in MLS Google and Mills is a thing as in MLS and<02:14:01.040> Ms.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Every other school levy, including facility levies and other general education levies, are spread on
• Every other school levy, including facility levies and other general education levies, are spread on
• Every other school levy, including facility levies and other general education levies, are spread on
• Every other school levy, including facility levies and other general education levies, are spread on
• Local optional levy, the equity levy, which we'll touch on later, and the transition levy.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• c> set the preliminary levies are getting set the preliminary levies are getting set usually<00:09
• When county tax levies are lower and local government levies are generally lower, well, that's going
• are lower and local government levies are lower and local government levies<00:14:03.959> are
• Levy increases there about complimentary Levy increases there and<00:51:09.559> that's<00:51:
• anything from a 5% to a 15% uh Levy anything from a 5% to a 15% uh Levy increase<00:52:48.160>

Keywords: 1183, house