Transcript Highlights:

• Montana, a small state, big geographic area, chose home rule.
• And very small activity on the homestead side for exemptions.
• And we do have a couple of very small counties that do that.
• So I represent two small counties.
• a small county could make a significant impact.

Summary: The Select Committee on Property Taxes met for an educational session focused on how Florida funds public schools and how property taxes are assessed and levied. Dr. Jim Zengali of the Department of Revenue explained the FEFP school funding formula, noting that it is built on weighted student counts, a base student allocation, and programmatic add-ons such as transportation, exceptional student education, school safety, and mental health. He said school funding is roughly split between state general revenue and local property taxes through required local effort, with additional discretionary and capital outlay millages contributing to total school funding. He also described the Department of Revenue’s role in certifying property rolls at fair market value and reviewing them for substantial compliance, including the so-called “nuclear option” if a roll is not approved. Members asked about trends in millage rates, county-by-county funding differences, the effect of growth and enrollment changes, and how property appraisals are reviewed. Zengali said aggregate millage for school funding has declined over the last decade while revenues have still increased, and he agreed to provide additional data on county trends, parcel strata, student growth, and enrollment impacts. He also clarified that school funding is equalized so students receive similar resources regardless of county wealth, and that federal funding plays only a small role in the FEFP. Amy Baker of the Joint Legislative Office of Economic and Demographic Research then discussed existing homestead benefits. She said about half of Florida’s parcels are homestead properties, most fall in the $250,000 to $500,000 value range, and many seniors without mortgages pay property taxes in lump sums rather than through escrow. Baker explained that Florida’s homestead tax burden is middle-of-the-pack nationally and that the main benefits are Save Our Homes and portability on the differential side, plus the $25,000 homestead exemption and related exemptions on the exemption side. She said these benefits reduce taxable value substantially, with homestead properties receiving a large share of the reductions, and noted that the committee requested follow-up data on exemption usage, portability timing, senior exemptions, and county-level patterns. The final presentation, by Lizette Kelly of the Department of Revenue, covered millage rates and the TRIM process. She reviewed the history of truth-in-millage notices, required taxpayer mailings, public hearing notices, and later changes that tied local millage resets to rollback and majority-vote rates. Kelly explained the difference between proposed and adopted millage, the rollback rate, and the majority-vote rate, and described how taxing authorities include counties, cities, special districts, and MSTUs. She also outlined how county taxable value is calculated from just value through assessment differentials and exemptions, and how certain exemptions, such as the additional senior exemption, apply only to the taxing authority that adopted them. No votes were taken during the meeting, but members requested several follow-up data reports for later discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Social media disproportionately small compared to their profits.
• It took our small team just a few days to implement GPC, and this is by design.
• It took our small team just a few days to implement GPC, and this is by design.
• It took our small team just a few days to implement GPC, and this is by design.
• I respectfully ask that you stand with small businesses and vote no on AB 566. Thank you.

Summary: The committee heard several privacy and consumer protection bills, with most of the discussion focused on AI and social media. AB 1405 would create a state registry for AI auditors and set basic transparency, ethics, and qualification standards for those auditors; supporters said it would build trust and provide a foundation for future AI oversight, while some members questioned whether government should define auditor qualifications instead of industry groups. The bill was moved out on a 5-1 vote to Appropriations, with the roll left open. AB 2, by Assemblymember Lowenthal, would impose enhanced financial penalties on large social media companies when their negligence causes harm to children and teens. Supporters, including a grieving parent and Common Sense Media, argued the bill would create accountability for harmful algorithms and design choices, while opponents from TechNet, EFF, CCIA, and CalChamber warned it was vague, could chill speech, invite censorship, and raise Section 230 and First Amendment concerns. Committee members debated private right of action versus public enforcement, possible shakedown lawsuits, and whether the bill should be narrowed; the bill passed 6-0 to Judiciary with the roll left open. AB 410 would expand California’s bot disclosure law so bots must identify themselves up front and truthfully if asked, rather than only prohibiting deceptive bots in limited commercial or election contexts. Supporters said the measure would help users, especially youth and vulnerable people, know when they are interacting with AI and reduce deception online; one privacy group withdrew opposition after amendments, and other industry groups said they were no longer opposed or had no formal position. The bill passed 9-1 to Appropriations with the roll left open. The committee also approved AB 1327, which lets consumers cancel home improvement contracts by email instead of only by mail and requires phone assistance for cancellations; the Contractor State License Board withdrew opposition after amendments, and the bill passed 11-0 to Judiciary with the roll left open.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kapp Roor from Minnesota's small cities. After him is Bostrom.
• I'm the executive director of the Minnesota Association of Small Cities.
• Kapp Roor from Minnesota's small cities. After him is Bostrom.
• I'm the executive director of the Minnesota Association of Small Cities.
• I'm the executive director of the Minnesota Association of Small Cities.

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• A small number of districts across the state, and it is a very small number of districts, and we are
• number of districts across the a small number of districts across the state<00:32:52.840><c> and</c>
• </c><00:32:53.720><c> number</c><00:32:53.960><c> of</c> state and it is a very small number of state
• number of students in in really small number of students in in really<00:33:01.039><c> specific</c>
• Also, we need a voice vote on the sub. ...small number will follow all the same regulations that are

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 342, which would require all Kentucky students to complete a one-credit financial literacy course for graduation, with the credit able to count toward math, social studies, or an elective. Representative Meredith and student advocate Patrick Rovi argued the current financial literacy mandate is too weak without a credit requirement, citing low implementation across schools and the need for practical instruction in loans, credit, investing, and budgeting. Members generally supported the bill, while Representative Tipton raised concerns about adding credit requirements and limiting dual credit options, and Representative Willner questioned whether it would create an unfunded mandate. Supporters responded that the bill is designed to fit within existing graduation requirements and that free curriculum and professional development resources are available through groups like Next Generation Personal Finance. HB 342 passed the committee unanimously with an expression of opinion that it should pass. The committee next considered House Bill 661, a technical cleanup bill related to the previously enacted nine-passenger van option for school transportation. Representative Emily Callaway said the measure only adjusts regulations needed for KDE to implement the earlier law effectively. The bill passed without opposition. House Bill 208, sponsored by Representatives Josh Bray and James Tipton, would require school districts to adopt policies limiting cell phone use during the school day and, in the updated version, restrict social media access as well. Supporters said the bill is intended to improve student attention, reduce cyberbullying and mental health harms, and address concerns raised by school disruptions and social media use. Members asked about exemptions for students with medical needs, emergency access, and whether districts would need new software; sponsors said existing district technology and local discretion should handle those issues. The bill passed unanimously. The committee then began taking up House Bill 430, which would let certain small-transportation districts seek an exemption from the KDE requirement for four annual bus safety trainings, provided they adopt a local safety policy and submit it to KDE. A district superintendent testified that the current blanket requirement causes significant instructional disruption for districts with very limited daily transportation needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, I think also just a small.
• You have the small and mid-sized allotment, which is also completely flexible.
• But it is isolated for small and mid-sized schools.
• Pinojosa's point, is still a very... small percentage of our.
• Charter schools currently are not part of that small school. allotment, correct?

Committee: House Public Education

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:08:18.240><c> District</c> neighbors choose this small District neighbors choose this small District
• And I’m here to tell you our big story about a small town.
• It has a lot of small schools, and they wouldn't have these opportunities.
• After speaking with House Research, it is a small problem.
• After speaking with House Research, it is a small problem.

Bills: HF827 , HF1258 , HF2387 , HF2388 , HF2534 , HF2016

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Our classes are small.
• We keep small class sizes.
• We keep small class sizes.
• We keep small class sizes.
• We keep small class sizes.

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, we heard an average of 12 folks at a small-box retailer. We didn't believe that.
• So the small-box discount retailers, they already have an existing plan.
• So the small So. And so that's my concern. So let me ask you a question.
• So these small box discount retailers, they already have an existing plan.
• But we don't know that every one of those small-box retailers has a plan.

Committee: House Labor & Industrial Relations

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 408 by Senator Myers, a workers’ compensation overhaul creating an all-claims medical database, requiring electronic reporting and billing, and setting up confidentiality, rulemaking, and penalties. Senator Myers said the bill was meant to modernize a paper-based system, speed injured workers back to care and work, reduce disputes through a more predictable fee schedule, address outliers and abuse, and generate reliable data for future fee-schedule decisions. Representative Melarine then offered a large amendment package combining portions of House Bills 780 and 1101 into SB 408, adding preliminary-determination procedures, changes to benefit durations, fraud language, and a deadline for the department to establish a fee schedule if no agreement is reached. Supporters said the package would create a more complete reform; opponents argued the additions were rushed, not germane, and would harm injured workers, especially those without lawyers, by adding technical filing burdens and stricter fraud consequences. After debate, the committee adopted the amendment package, then adopted a follow-up amendment removing the word “potential” from a fines provision and deleting the fraud section, and finally reported SB 408 with amendments on a divided vote. Testimony on SB 408 was sharply split. Proponents, including Alton Ashy and Trey Mustian, argued the bill’s transparency and data-collection provisions were the most important part, that the system needs a modern fee schedule, and that the added reforms would help control costs and speed payment. Opponents, including Shannon Lindsay and another injured-worker advocate, said the original bill was a good compromise but the added provisions changed its character and would disadvantage pro se claimants, remove materiality from fraud law, and reduce benefits for seriously injured workers. Committee members also questioned the timeline for the database and fee schedule, the effect of historical data gaps, and whether the reforms would help employers and injured workers alike. The committee ultimately agreed the bill still contained its core goals of faster care, predictable fees, anti-abuse measures, and modernization. The committee then moved to House Bill 585 by Representative Chasson, a workplace-violence/safety measure for small-box discount retailers. Chasson explained that the bill had been narrowed to require retailers to submit an existing written workforce safety plan, or develop one if they do not already have one, with no penalties attached. The committee adopted a substitute bill incorporating prior amendments. Representative Glorioso noted continuing concerns about civil-liability implications and the duty to protect against third-party criminal acts, but the bill was advanced from committee after the substitute was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a cost that they've borne on the backs of small budgets.
• Especially my district has a multitude of small, hardscrabble towns where they've hosted detainees.
• So it's something that's really needed for, it is a small population, but it is.
• Again, I'm a small business owner in Maryvale.
• Okay, please hear our requests for a different location and keep all our small businesses in mind.

Summary: The committee met to hear and vote on a series of appropriations and transportation-related bills, beginning with SB 1550, which would fund a Queen Creek police pilot program focused on runaway youth prevention, at-risk youth protection, and anti-trafficking work. Supporters said the town and local facilities already contribute personnel and administrative support, while some members urged Queen Creek to add local matching funds. The bill received a due pass recommendation on a 7-2 vote. The committee then considered SB 1156 and SB 1157, both $20 million border-related reimbursement bills sponsored by Senator Rogers. SB 1156 would reimburse cities, towns, and counties for short-term detention hold costs for unauthorized non-citizens, and SB 1157 would reimburse local governments for supplemental fencing or bollard walls in high-crossing border areas. Both bills drew strong opposition from public commenters who described them as funding detention and border enforcement at the expense of other needs, while supporters framed them as backfilling local costs already incurred. SB 1156 passed 5-3, and SB 1157 passed 5-3. The committee also approved SB 1245, which would fund pavement replacement on Rodeo Road in Williams, and SB 1707, which would provide $5 million for AI-related border security at DPS. SB 1245 passed 6-3, with some members objecting that the state highway user revenue fund is underfunded and local contributions should be required. SB 1707 passed 6-4 after testimony split between supporters who favored using AI and surveillance tools for border security and opponents who said the bill was too vague, too expensive, or inappropriate given other state priorities. Later, the committee advanced SB 1273, funding pavement rehabilitation on Ogle Frontage Road between Bowie and San Simon, and SB 1811, which would clarify that school districts and charter schools may allow wireless device use in the case of an emergency rather than during an emergency. SB 1273 passed 6-4 amid debate over state versus local funding responsibility, and SB 1811 passed 8-1 after testimony that the change would give schools more flexibility and avoid practical problems during emergencies. The committee also heard SB 1088, a cybersecurity appropriation for DHS, and SB 1332, which would require ADOT to study light rail expansion in Maricopa County versus autonomous or semi-autonomous transit options. SB 1088 passed 6-4 despite concerns that the appropriation was vendor-driven and not requested by the department. SB 1332 drew extensive testimony from small business owners along Indian School Road who said light rail construction had harmed access and sales, while Phoenix/Valley Metro opposed the bill and questioned ADOT’s role; the discussion continued as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> camp or cooking fire shall be a small camp or cooking fire shall be a small fire<00:06:39.360><c
• in a small fire pit.
• Quickly consumed in a small fire pit.
• The only thing it says is large and small.
• It doesn't just say small. You're right.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then adopted the consent calendar without objection. On the regular calendar, it took up a Health and Human Services Medicaid rule on laboratory services. Committee members questioned why an expired rule was still needed and whether any fees, fines, or appeals had occurred during the lapse. DHHS staff said there were no fees or fines, the service remains in the state Medicaid plan, providers continued to be reimbursed under the billing manual, and there had been no known appeals. The committee then approved the rule. The next item was a Natural Resources rule package covering wood processing mills, wood concentration yards, forestry health, forest fire, and administrative fines. Representative Leon pulled the item from consent and objected to the rule’s repeated 5-inch diameter limit for burnable material, arguing that the statute authorizes permits for camp or cooking fires but does not clearly authorize a diameter limit, and that larger wood can be responsibly burned or otherwise managed in forested properties. DNCR’s forest protection chief responded that the 5-inch limit is intended to reduce smoldering and wildfire risk, align with DEES air rules defining brush as 5 inches or less, and keep backyard burning consistent with air-quality regulations. He said larger material can be handled through other permitting processes and that the rule is meant to educate the public and prevent unsafe burning. Members continued to debate whether the rule exceeded statutory authority and whether it was practical for landowners managing larger wooded parcels. One member suggested narrowing the 5-inch restriction in the category 4 permit language, while another noted the statute appears to speak in terms of small or large amounts of material rather than a specific diameter. The discussion ended without a final resolution in the excerpt, with the committee still considering possible amendments to the Natural Resources rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• So what we're doing with it is getting small things done, not big things. Next slide.
• So, a very, very small amount. Next slide please.
• There were less than 20 of those of more than 1300 local projects, so a very, very small amount.
• You can see at the bottom, in the column to the right, that capital outlay is providing a small amount
• If we're talking about a small, it's... 26 million right now and projected to be 50 million in 2029.

Transcript Highlights:

• These small businesses serve working parents. with small smaller and more personalized child care options
• So, this is a small change, it's consistent the way Texas has always done business.
• As again, it's a small change and I would appreciate your support of 921. Thank you.
• Of course, you know that this is, you know, a small business. incubator in essence.
• It's a small, small, we believe in the... grand scheme of things, percentage of the actors, but it's

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• I made a claim in small claims court. It took our small claims court 60 days to serve the person.
• Chair. claim in small claims court. It took our claim in small claims court.
• &gt;&gt; It's really small.
• where it's small world, it's small<04:40:40.000><c> business.
• </c> small businesses to manage and maintain. small businesses to manage and maintain.

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Transcript Highlights:

• ago, SB 684, the Starter Home Revitalization Act, created a streamlined ministerial pathway to build small-scale
• ago, SB 684, the Starter Home Revitalization Act, created a streamlined ministerial pathway to build small-scale
• and accountability for local compliance, updates subdivision standards to allow more flexibility for small-lot
• Thank you for passing all these laws that create pathways for small builders to build more housing.
• We also represent SBA, a small community organization that represents more than 600 small homeowners,

Committee: Senate Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• These are appropriate areas for small schools because these facilities already contemplate...
• Most of all, this is for community service, and it provides an atmosphere for small schools, which many
• There are some students who need that small school environment.
• Certain families want their students to go to these particular small schools, these environments for
• As Representative Aristide pointed out, small class size is attractive for many parents, and this bill

Committee: House Education & Employment Committee

Summary: The House Education Employment Committee heard seven bills and reported each favorably. HB 129 on Florida Virtual School would remove a priority system, confirm access for all Florida students and eligible military dependents overseas, clarify teacher retirement status, allow local schools to administer required exams, and authorize direct-support organizations; it passed unanimously after brief questions about audit-related updates and waitlists. HB 423 on student elopement, sponsored by Rep. Eskamani and Rep. Tramont, would require schools to establish safety teams and prevention plans for students who may leave supervised areas; testimony from autism advocates emphasized drowning and other safety risks, and the bill passed 16-0 with strong bipartisan support. The committee also approved CS for CS HB 753 on school counselors, which removes certain certification barriers while keeping the master’s degree requirement and sets evaluation criteria based on state counseling standards. Supporters said the bill would help address counselor shortages and align evaluations with the profession’s actual duties. CS HB 1253 on coach support for student-athletes, as amended, allows coaches to use personal funds up to a capped amount for student needs with written parental consent; members raised concerns about liability, fairness, and the need for clear guardrails, but the bill passed 15-0. CS HB 833 on private school facilities would make small private schools of 100 students or fewer a permitted use in commercial and mixed-use zoning districts and allow use of existing buildings if fire and code standards are met; supporters said it would reduce local barriers while preserving safety, and it passed 15-0. PCS for CS HB 1325 would update the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund by clarifying matching contributions, allowing expansion or modernization of existing space but not new construction, and streamlining awards; it passed unanimously with broad college and health system support. Finally, CS HB 1437 on conversion charter schools would create clearer dispute-resolution options for facility maintenance issues and, via amendment, allow capital outlay funds for repairs if the charter assumes full responsibility; after debate over whether the amendment was premature, the bill passed 13-3. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's an apprenticeship program so that small rural areas through their boards can adopt some new stuff
• able to get creative with how they address the deferred maintenance in addition to the money, the small
• Treasure Valley that has more students than most of our counties and then we have very small districts
• But the point being made is that the small districts received that, you know, proportional funding from
• But the point being made is that the small districts received that proportional funding from 521, but

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Small? Yes. Vice Chair Sotomayor? Yes. Chair McQueen? Yes.
• Continuing House Energy Day in front of the House Energy Committee, we have Reverend Small.
• And Reverend Small, could you read the 233 number? Thank you. So, Mr.
• Okay, so we will adopt the amendment and Representative Small, back to you on the amended bill.
• Representative Small, do you have anything you'd like to add before we go to the committee.

Committee: House House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Separate us from our small selves. Expand our horizons so that we can do your work today.
• Getting that support there and having the individuals in our small town, right in the store, who are
• So these truly are our small elevator businesses, and they would really appreciate this help from our
• And if you do one more thing, I keep talking about small business, but I will tell you right now, one
• It has to recognize that small businesses are different.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's a very small population of the undocumented population.
• Just that small population? We don't get it for anything else.
• So we're talking about a relatively small subset.
• They are basic operating infrastructure for the modern small business.
• We ask that AB 122 be amended to include real small business protections, a small business exemption,

Committee: Senate Budget and Fiscal Review

Transcript Highlights:

• What's considered a small contract?
• When you talk about small contracts, did you answer how much are you talking about small contracts in
• Even if you have small companies that they can do some subwork, try to find Even if you have small companies
• In our area, the city of the village of Loraville, city of Generet, very small communities, very small
• And the Bayou Pioneer looks like a small paper.

Bills: HB248 , HB249 , HB997 , HB1052 , HB1193 , SB1 , SB161 , SB218 , SB220 , SB289 , SB435

Committee: House House and Governmental Affairs

Keywords: Compensation Commission, elected officials, salary evaluation, government accountability, Louisiana legislature, compensation, independent commission, salary adjustment, consumer price index, official journal, public notices, government transparency, local government, municipal website, school board notices, parish council, police jury, special districts, levee district, drainage district