Transcript Highlights:

• take—is that you're, I'm betting, in a sense, on that future assessment to come in at a very high rate
• I just want to stand in support of this bill and very briefly review why solar is important to all rate
• And the other important factor is that it provides a hedge for the customers. against rate increases.
• And now, when the utility rates go up, my cost of power does not go up because I'm protected in the future

Bills: SB101, SB58, SB55

Keywords: SB 101, Health Care Delivery and Access Act, repeal of repeal, sunset repeal, delayed repeal, health care, healthcare, access to care, medical services, provider regulation, state health law, New Mexico, SB58, metropolitan redevelopment, redevelopment property, property tax exemption, payments in lieu of taxes, PILOT, municipal redevelopment, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• certified mail, it's usually every July, the United States Postal Service actually increases that rate
• , that base rate onto the department.
• So before January of 2024, certified mail base rate, I say base rate, because when you do certified,

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sarasota County School District represents consistently a rated schools in addition to the offerings
• within our counties rated schools are district also oversees FLDS course enrollments.
• I feel like introducing changes provides another whack a mole to our a rated district or rather increased
• My name is Linda rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• funding and redirect it to help out Minnesota nursing homes, disability services, bring up Medicaid rates
• 27.040> Medicaid disability services, bring up Medicaid disability services, bring up Medicaid rates
• :28.479> hospitals,<00:04:29.120> we<00:04:29.360> get<00:04:29.440> a rates
• for rural hospitals, we get a rates for rural hospitals, we get a dollar<00:04:29.919> for-dollar

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Specifically, the language in here is an area with low access to child care, high poverty rates, high
• unemployment rates, low home ownership rates, and low median household incomes.
• That work at the counties is not easy, and we know the burnout rates have been high. And so...

Bills: HF2436, HF2929

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, HF2929, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, food assistance, nutrition assistance, public benefits, eligibility determination, income eligibility, federal poverty guidelines, poverty level, county agency, Tribal agency, human services, children and families, benefits administration

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, granted, you're going to pay higher interest rates. But that... Easy to come by.
• Now, granted, you're going to pay higher interest rates, but that loan is very easy to come by.
• And I know in our community, they're seeing their rental rates go up pretty much annually, but their
• And I know in our community, they're seeing their rental rates go up pretty much annually, absolutely

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development considered a full agenda of transportation, economic development, housing, emergency services, and specialty license plate bills. Several measures were explained and advanced without opposition, including the Department of Transportation agency bill (CS/CS/SB 1662), a Purple Heart toll exemption bill (CS/SB 574), a Florida Highway Patrol specialty plate bill (CS/SB 824), a construction disruption assistance loan program for small businesses (CS/CS/SB 324), a manufactured housing assistance bill for local housing plans (CS/SB 1714), a foreign agents registration bill (CS/CS/SB 766), military academy specialty plates (CS/SB 1024), a Safe Coastal Wildlife specialty plate (CS/SB 1246), an emergency services warning-light bill (CS/SB 1644), the Florida Wildflower specialty plate (SB 1152), and a toll exemption bill for 100% disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients (CS/SB 532). The committee adopted amendments on several bills. On CS/CS/SB 1662, Senator Collins’ strike-all amendment made a range of DOT-related changes, including the Florida Transportation Academy, seaport and airport accountability provisions, and allowing cranes to move under special blanket permits at night. On CS/CS/SB 324, the committee adopted a delete-everything amendment and a further amendment removing liability language; the bill would create a revolving loan program for small businesses harmed by public works construction, with members raising concerns about eligibility, verification of losses, and public records issues for financial documents. On CS/SB 766, an amendment clarified definitions and aligned the bill with federal FARA standards, including a 20% beneficial ownership threshold. On CS/SB 532, an amendment added Purple Heart recipients to the toll exemption. Testimony and debate were generally supportive, with several outside witnesses appearing in favor of the bills, including Florida PBA, the Florida Manufactured Homeowners Federation, the Florida Manufactured Housing Association, the Center for Security Policy, and the Florida Wildflower Foundation. Members highlighted constituent impacts and policy concerns on a few measures, especially the construction disruption loan bill and the disabled veteran toll exemption, where some senators suggested narrowing the scope or adding protections. All bills considered were reported favorably, and senators later requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on selected tabs before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• HOPEFULLY WE ARE APPROACHING THIS RATE BY MAKING SURE WE ARE SERVING DISTRICTS THAT MAY HAVE THIS IMPLEMENTED
• INCLUDES THE ASSOCIATION WITH OTHER LEARNING COALITIONS AND A WHOLE HARMLESS PROVISION FOR REVERSE MEANT RATES
• HOPE OPERATING IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY TO CO-LOCATE IN ANY PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITY WITH THE UTILIZATION RATE
• TEACHERS AND STAFF ARE IN DAILY CONTACT WITH STUDENTS AT RISK OF BECOMING OR ART RATING BEING TRAFFICKED

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A colonoscopy has a 96 percent detection rate, stool-based tests have 87% accuracy, and the blood-based
• That payment will be decided by the lesser of these three items: either the local county rate that is
• set, 325% of Medicare/Medicaid rates, or the ambulance provider's billed charges.
• think the Medicare/Medicaid probably comes into effect in some cases, but each county has its own rates

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think, you know, what the Fed does as far as interest rates will have a lot to say about that.
• c><00:03:46.400> far<00:03:46.560> as<00:03:46.799> interest<00:03:47.040> rates
• <00:03:47.360> will<00:03:47.599> have does as far as interest rates will have does
• as far as interest rates will have a<00:03:47.920> lot<00:03:48.000> to<00:03:48.239><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The unemployment rate for military spouses is around 14 or 15 percent.
• I appreciate your commentary on the unemployment rate. and not at recession levels, but depression levels
• with you and the legislature in any and all efforts that reduce that 14 or 15 percent unemployment rate

Bills: HB102, HB300, SB2255, HB102, HB300

Keywords: military education, early registration, ROTC, corps of cadets, higher education, military academy, scholarship, military, Texas Armed Services, military spouses, occupational licensing, state agency, license requirements, reciprocity, training and education, debt obligation, voter information, ballot, elections, transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• for community power are 30% higher rates for community power are 30% higher than<02:44:04.880> um
• between the land differential tax rate between the land and<04:20:16.479> the<04:20:16.720>
• setting um portal system, the tax rate setting um portal to<04:28:12.720> update<04:28:13.120
• . rate. rate.
• HB 1380 purports to be a bill that would lower tax rates in some mysterious way by basing replacement

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The recidivism rate will go up.
• The recidivism rate will go up.
• The recidivism rate will go up.
• adverse effects on the recidivism rate adverse effects on the recidivism rate because<00:47:28.880
• I know those 29% recidivism rate.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When the first measurement was done, they were both rated A.
• Land Study Bureau's productivity rating, Land Study Bureau's productivity rating, which<00:28:51.919>
• <00:29:00.520> When<00:29:00.640> the are currently rated A and D.
• When the are currently rated A and D.
• But when the second was both rated A.

Bills: HB1700

Keywords: housing, expedited permits, disabilities, access, functional needs, local government, affordable housing, reporting requirements, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees heard several housing, land use, and infrastructure bills. HB 6019 HD2 on electric vehicle infrastructure and HB 1728 HD1 on rainwater catchment systems both drew limited testimony and were advanced. For HB 1728, the chairs said they would designate the Department of Health as the regulator and incorporate suggested technical amendments from plumbing and rainwater industry groups. Both measures were reported out with recommendations to pass, with HB 6019 passed unamended and HB 1728 passed with amendments. HB 1844, which would have required the Land Use Commission to reclassify lands designated for urban growth, drew significant opposition from the Hawaii Farm Bureau and Sierra Club, who argued it would bypass land-use review and threaten agricultural land, water planning, and long-term resilience. Grassroot Institute supported the bill, and the Land Use Commission said the bill raised concerns. After discussion, the chairs deferred the measure in one committee and later the recommendation to pass it with amendments was not adopted in the other committee. HB 1990 on penalties and liens for unresolved residential zoning violations was advanced with amendments. The chairs adopted Grassroot Institute’s suggested changes requiring any county sale of such property to be at no less than fair market value and requiring excess proceeds to be returned to the owner. HB 2424, which would allow county planning agencies to petition for temporary reclassification of certain agricultural lands to rural, also drew mixed testimony; the Land Use Commission raised due process concerns, and agriculture interests opposed it. One committee advanced it with amendments, but in the other committee the recommendation failed after members cited lack of county support. The later portion of the hearing began on HB 1738 and HB 1739. HB 1738 would expand county authority to amend district boundaries for housing on parcels over 15 acres; OHA, Sierra Club, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau opposed it, while Grassroot Institute supported it. HB 1739 would require transit-supportive densities in county TOD areas and limit local restrictions; DPP raised concerns about timing, permitting, and conflicts with existing TOD frameworks, while OPSD and Grassroot supported it. The transcript cuts off before final action on these later bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• The take rates are low.
• Our rates, our in consumer protections.
• Our rates, our rates<01:14:07.520> and<01:14:07.760> forms<01:14:08.080> are<01:
• The take rates are low.
• I guess I don't The take rates are low.

Bills: HF3604, HF2236, HF3709, HF3766, HF2400

Keywords: bulk fuel, nonoxygenated gasoline, environment, exemption criteria, transportation, HF2236, Minnesota commerce, obsolete language, statutory cleanup, retail installment contract, consumer credit, vehicle financing, auto loans, retail buyer, retail seller, delinquency charge, collection fee, attorney fees, assignment notice, payment receipt

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 26, after correcting the header date to Thursday, February 26. It then took up House File 36004, as amended by the author’s technical A1 amendment. Representative Van Binsbergen described the bill as a change to statute governing bulk delivery of nonoxygenated fuel, especially for boats and other watercraft, to allow direct delivery to vehicles rather than requiring transport of fuel in containers or removal of boats from the water. Members generally supported the concept, citing convenience for lake users, reduced travel and potential invasive species spread, and fewer spill risks, but the chair said the bill would be laid over pending additional clarification from the State Fire Marshal’s Office and other agencies. House File 2236 was then introduced as a vehicle bill for possible future omnibus use and laid over without testimony or opposition. The committee also heard House File 3709, which would allow Minnesota banks and credit unions to offer custodial accounts for digital assets such as cryptocurrency. The authors framed the bill as a consumer-protection and competitiveness measure that would let local institutions keep pace with customer demand and prevent Minnesotans from relying on out-of-state or offshore providers. Testimony from the Department of Commerce and credit union representatives supported the bill, saying it would level the playing field, keep digital assets under Minnesota oversight, and help local institutions remain relevant; one witness said significant liquidity had been leaving local communities for outside exchanges. Questions from members focused on whether the accounts would be NCUA-insured, how the bill related to unclaimed property, and whether the policy goal was consumer protection or simply preserving bank relevance. Several members expressed support but also cautioned about crypto volatility, scams, and the need to avoid turning credit unions into exchanges. The discussion ended without a final vote in the excerpt, with the bill still under committee consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• This vacancy rate didn't grow overnight.
• It was a 10- or 12-year constant uptick in the vacancy rate.
• /c><00:26:35.919> It<00:26:36.159> was<00:26:36.240> a<00:26:36.559> a rate
• It was a a rate didn't grow overnight.
• And so, we're not in the vacancy rate.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on several personnel and employment bills. SB 2119 would require the state or counties to reimburse public officers and employees for approved work-related travel costs within 30 days; testifiers from the State Procurement Office, UPW, HGA, the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly, and others supported the measure, citing delayed reimbursements. SB 3131 would update state position titles by changing “private secretary” to “executive assistant” and “secretary” to “administrative assistant” where applicable, and it drew support from DEED and comments from the State Librarian. SB 3069 would permanently exempt a limited number of specialized positions in DAGS Public Works and the Comptroller’s office from civil service; DAGS, HCDA, and DEED supported it, while UPW opposed it. Committee members questioned whether the exemption should be narrower and whether the positions should be consultants or actual employees, and DAGS said the roles were narrowly tailored, highly specialized, and intended to help manage complex projects such as Aloha Stadium, the convention center, and other major redevelopment work. The committee then heard SB 3180, which would repeal the limit on temporary employment in a single position for two 89-day terms. Testimony included support from the Procurement Office, DOE, DHRD, the State Librarian in opposition, UPW written comments, HGA, the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii, and others. Discussion focused on whether the bill was needed to address abuse of repeated 89-day hires and whether it would affect recruitment and career pathways. Finally, SB 2137 would allow departments, divisions, and agencies to assume hiring and recruitment functions from DHRD under certain conditions. DHRD opposed the bill, saying existing law already allows delegation and that agency-level recruitment often lacks the expertise and staffing to do the work; UHPA supported it, and UPW submitted written support. In questioning, DHRD said it had reduced backlog and was now current on screening, while also offering programs like Operation Hire Hawaii for faster agency-led recruitment.

Transcript Highlights:

• current rate current rate uh<01:52:10.560> the<01:52:10.719> legislature<01:52:11.199
• and at the million at the lower rate and at the higher<01:52:15.760> rate<01:52:16.080> of2%
• higher rate of2% higher rate of2% 12<01:52:18.239> cents<01:52:18.560> per<01:52:18.800
• And so that is why we provided an additional appropriation to address that need. rates are charged.
• So if the state rates are charged.

Bills: HB676

Keywords: HB676, Hawaii correctional facilities, youth correctional facilities, adult correctional facilities, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Office of Youth Services, inmate phone calls, prison phone calls, jail phone calls, free prison calls, free communication services, incarcerated persons, prison reform, reentry, family visitation, recidivism, video visitation, electronic messaging, commissions, ancillary fees

Summary: The committee heard three public safety bills. HB 2235 would appropriate $1.3 million for the Military Affairs and Community Relations Office to strengthen coordination on military and defense issues. Supporters, including the Hawaii National Guard and DBEDT’s military relations office, said the office helps Hawaiʻi understand federal contracting, USA Jobs, and military-related economic impacts. One member questioned why the state should fund a DoD-related office while Hawaiʻi remains under-reimbursed on impact aid; supporters responded that the office serves Hawaiʻi communities and helps prepare residents for federal jobs. The chair said she intended to recommend the bill pass with a HD1, a blank appropriation to be filled in the committee report, technical amendments, a defective effective date, and updated office title language. HB 2263 would expand Hawaiʻi family leave law to cover qualifying military exigencies. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, DBEDT’s military relations office, and the Hawaii National Guard supported the measure, saying military families often face short-notice deployments, relocations, briefings, and urgent family arrangements that require time away from work, and that aligning state law with federal standards would provide clarity and consistency. The chair said she would recommend passage with a HD1, a defective effective date, and technical amendments. HB 2291 would clarify that certain National Guard Youth and Educational Programs employees are excluded from collective bargaining, rename the program, and codify its Hawaiian name. The Hawaii National Guard said it was a housekeeping bill with no appropriation, but requested an amendment to align the bill with updated authorities and program references; the chair asked for proposed language before the later decision-making. She said she would recommend passage with a defective date and the requested amendment if provided, and then recessed the hearing until 11:30 a.m. for decision-making on all three bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• have reduced the cost of actual world requirements by doing in-house anything that's 5% or less on a rate
• He then said they are still rated number one in the country.
• And<00:45:24.880> y'all<00:45:25.119> are<00:45:25.280> still<00:45:25.440> rated
• number one in >> And y'all are still rated number one in the<00:45:26.560> country.
• Materials are going up, rates are going up.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 210; 22 January, 2026: 1:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: The meeting began with a budget presentation from the insurance commissioner’s office. The commissioner said most of the request was for personnel costs, including an increase above LBO and two additional IT positions tied to a possible conversion to a state-based system and cybersecurity needs. The office also discussed travel costs, contractual expenses, vehicle replacement, and hurricane mitigation funds, noting that some funds are in trust accounts and require legislative authority to spend. The commissioner also briefed members on possible policy changes affecting the ACA exchange and a proposed low-cost plan for the high-risk pool, warning that if coverage options are not developed, more people could shift into uncompensated care. Members asked about the budget request, the IT positions, and a constituent question about propane meter regulation, which the commissioner said falls under the Department of Agriculture and Commerce, though his office sometimes checks related issues informally. The committee then moved to the State Fire Academy hearing. The academy director described a workforce stabilization proposal focused on retaining and recruiting fire instructors, citing competition from local fire departments that pay more, a shrinking applicant pool, and a growing number of retirement-eligible staff. He said the academy’s instructors are being recruited away by municipalities, that recent applicant pools have produced very few qualified candidates, and that the academy may soon have to cut advanced courses if staffing does not improve. He referenced a State Personnel Board review that supported the need for compensation changes and said the academy is trying to remain competitive while continuing to train firefighters, hazmat responders, EMS personnel, and fire officers statewide. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken in the portion provided. Members mainly asked questions, requested written follow-up on some budget items, and indicated they would work with the agencies later in the session if pending bills or funding needs changed.

Transcript Highlights:

• The district's voter approval tax rate.
• SB1023 by Betancourt, relating to the calculation of certain ad valorem tax rates.
• This just allows voters to access the underlying data from which a tax rate was set.
• We have the lowest rate of coverage here in our state, the lowest rate and the lowest number.
• Hunger, with a food insecurity rate of 16.4%, affecting nearly 5 million Texans.

Bills: HJR144, HJR218, HB40, HB 101, HB 112, HB146, HB168, HB214, HB413, HB1523, HB493, HB521, HB594, HB557, HB305, HB549, HB854, HB 1057, HB 1052, HB842, HB3174, HB3311, HB2486, HB3196, HB824, HB 1039, HB2529, HB2713, HB4936, HB4995, HB4830, HB4864, HB5219, HB5263, HB5154, HB2674, HB5525, HB5623, HB2545, HB2587, HB2625, HB5520, HB5436, HB4926, HB1573, HB5165, HB4811, HB5081, HB4755, HB3179, HB4310, HB4611, HB2159, HB4626, HB3637, HB3153, HB3066, HB2786, HB2966, HB638, HB640, HB876, HB497, HB5539, HB4809, HB5308, HB4687, HB4070, HB4421, HB4412, HB3284, HB3369, HB3420, HB3449, HB4098, HB4281, HB4120, HB4504, HB4370, HB 1106, HB2370, HB2404, HB3863, HB2407, HB2253, HB2273, HB2040, HB1586, HB3788, HB3993, HB4690, HB4309, HB4696, HB2308, HB 1142, HB1533, HB1621, HB2242, HB2012, HB2193, HB2442, HB2464, HB2348, HB2313, HB2289, HB1942, HB2011, HB1629, HB2993, HB3592, HB3824, HB4076, HB4535, HB4623, HB4773, HB 1091, HB5115, HB5515, HB3372, HB5659, HCR118, HB 1233, HB2239, HB2379, HB2863, HB3368, HB3787, HB3815, HB3898, HB4023, HB4285, HB4329, HB4331, HB4429, HB4646, HB4904, HB5200, HB5320, HB5651, HB5662, HB5668, HB5670, HB5672, HB5674, HB5676, HB5679, HB5688, HCR108

Keywords: regional mobility, transportation authority, local law, constitutional amendment, public projects, Texas energy fund, energy efficiency, retail electric customers, electric generating facilities, business court, civil procedure, litigation, jurisdiction, arbitration, Texas State Guard, task force, professionalization, state missions, critical infrastructure, science park district

Transcript Highlights:

• That gets factored into the rate, and that is back to our electric bills.
• factored into the rate um and that's<01:38:52.760> back<01:38:52.880> to<01:38:52.960>
• Another thought that we had was water rates, but not every farmer is on municipal water rates, so they
• but not every farmer uh is on rates but not every farmer uh is on Municipal<01:55:34.719> Water
• Municipal Water rates so they wouldn't Municipal Water rates so they wouldn't be<01:55:36.159>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a reason why our error rate in EBT cards is almost three times the federal requirement.
• We have a 15 percent error rate. That's huge. That's huge.
• States of America, the most wealthy country in the world, that we have a lower vaccine acceptance rate
• And as a matter of fact, many countries that have a much higher vaccine acceptance rate than ours have
• a lower autism rate than what we do in the United States.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several introductions, then devoted most of the first part of the meeting to a farewell-style recognition of Senator Joe Gruters. Senators from both parties offered extended remarks praising his loyalty, political instincts, family involvement, and work as a legislator and as incoming Republican National Committee chair. Gruters responded with remarks about his background, including overcoming a childhood speech impediment, his service in the Legislature, and major policy efforts he highlighted such as alimony reform and the undergrounding of utilities. A ceremonial gift was presented to him recognizing his work on a 2019 public-safety/immigration bill, and the Senate adopted a motion to spread his remarks upon the journal before recessing briefly. After the recess, the Senate returned to regular business. No committee reports, governor’s messages, House messages, or reconsideration matters were reported. The chamber then moved to third reading and temporarily postponed CS/CS/CS/SB 354, relating to blue ribbon projects. The next bill, CS/CS/SB 1758, relating to public assistance, was taken up, and Senator Gaetz explained that it contained five reforms to the public assistance system previously discussed by the Senate. Debate was about to continue when the transcript ended.