Transcript Highlights:

• And that is really about small properties like ours.
• The spoke, and that is really about small properties like ours.
• We would prefer the option that is used in Nevada so that smaller properties join.
• In Nevada, smaller properties join with the larger properties and we're basically like a field operation
• Chris Teft here this morning on behalf of the American Property...

Bills: SB6061 , SB5844 , SB6079 , SB6137 , SB5831 , SB6031 , SB6178

Committee: Senate Business, Trade & Economic Development

Keywords: tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development, storage rental, tenancy agreements, tenant rights, landlord obligations, termination notice, insurance, wildfire prevention, policy nonrenewal, cancellation, risk management, sports wagering, sports betting, sports gambling, bookmaking, gambling regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• His personal property was stripped from him.
• According to the data analyzed by the Texas Tribune, in many Texas counties, 40-50% of property seizures
• This undermines due process and property rights.
• I filed my motion to restore property because all the charges were dismissed against my client.
• In 2007, Centurion, an innocence organization, accepted my case and purchased my property.

Bills: HB867 , HB1347 , HB1801 , HB1820 , HB2197 , HB2617 , HB3110 , HB3166 , HB3330 , HB4237 , HB4342 , HB4629 , HB4933 , HJR148

Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence

Keywords: criminal case dismissal, attorney discretion, law enforcement misconduct, judicial approval, evidence, judicial consent, transparency, healthcare, Medicare, insurance, elderly, retired, benefits, access, cost, criminal justice, case dismissal, prosecutorial discretion, law enforcement oversight, criminal procedure

Bills: HB867 , HB1347 , HB1801 , HB1820 , HB2197 , HB2617 , HB3110 , HB3166 , HB3330 , HB4237 , HB4342 , HB4629 , HB4933 , HJR148

Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence

Keywords: criminal case dismissal, attorney discretion, law enforcement misconduct, judicial approval, evidence, judicial consent, transparency, healthcare, Medicare, insurance, elderly, retired, benefits, access, cost, criminal justice, case dismissal, prosecutorial discretion, law enforcement oversight, criminal procedure

Transcript Highlights:

• It really codifies the existing interpretation of the rule that digital assets are not taxable property
• . ...taxable property.
• If y'all remember, we did a business personal property tax exemption at 40,000.
• you're a veteran and you're 100% disabled... ...you're 100% disabled, you're exempt from paying property
• However, when you purchase a home, they still calculate your property taxes and your debt to income ratio

Bills: SB282 , SB300 , HB72 , HB396 , SB282 , SB300 , HB72 , HB396

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund

Keywords: virtual currency, cryptocurrency, tax exemption, state tax law, digital assets, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, business incentives, economic impact, firefighter, license plate, fees, funds distribution, support programs, memorial, disabled veterans, property tax exemption, debt-to-income ratio, homestead, veterans affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> because they live in rental properties because they live in rental properties without<00:27:04.159
• ><c> properties</c><00:43:26.319><c> and</c> underutilized ized properties and underutilized ized properties
• </c><00:58:26.400><c> tax</c> simultaneously, but the um property tax simultaneously, but the um property
• Qualifying low-income property was expanded, and currently the remaining market value of class 1B property
• um class 4D property was session um class 4D property was expanded<01:06:03.599><c> to</c><01:06:03.839

Bills: HF1016 , HF2800 , HF156 , HF3051 , HF526 , HF2658 , HF2062 , HF2801

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: local government aid, Baldwin, taxation, base year formula, municipal funding, population aid, aid penalty forgiveness, Minnesota, city funding, appropriations, HF156, lawful gambling, veterans organizations, licensed veterans organization, Minnesota gambling law, gross profits, lawful purpose, real property repair, facility maintenance, capital assets

Transcript Highlights:

• Struggling with vacant homes, vacant apartment buildings, and not only are these hubs...
• Have property; a lot of the properties are left abandoned and left behind.
• and large tracts of property.
• all the available properties.
• And yes, we do know that there's a lot of property in San Antonio.

Bills: HCR7 , HB1557 , HB1608 , HB2061 , HB2201 , HB2210 , HB2426 , HB2754 , HJR165 , HB2513 , HCR7

Committee: House S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: Veterans of Foreign Wars, veterans, commemoration, military service, recognition, September 29, waiver programs, toll roads, discount programs, transportation, affordable housing, land bank program, low-income households, Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation, HB 2061, Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 225, State Highway 242, Interstate Highway 69, Montgomery County

Transcript Highlights:

• Current law requires the sexual assault to have occurred on the property.
• victim presented the landlord with the appropriate documentation as provided. by section 92 of the property
• used as the standard to determine if a person gave someone the necessary... consent to use their property

Bills: HB47 , HB1552 , HB1686 , HB1953 , HB2151 , HB2355 , HB2582 , HB2697 , HB2895 , HB3073 , HB3418 , HB47

Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence

Keywords: sexual assault, victim rights, forensic examination, medical care, trauma-informed care, crime victims compensation, evidence retention, child sexual abuse material, child pornography, digital services, reporting requirements, children's protection, sex offender registration, indecent assault, educator-student relationship, criminal justice, legislation, crime victims, compensation fund, information disclosure

Transcript Highlights:

• We currently have eight vacant positions.
• </c> positions we currently have eight vacant positions we currently have eight vacant as<00:05:06.680
• It is, but for property-casualty it's 1.25%.
• It is, but for property-casualty it's 1.25%.
• </c><01:08:16.679><c> positions</c> looking for how many vacant positions looking for how many vacant

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Insurance Commissioner DJ Bettencourt on the New Hampshire Insurance Department budget. He said the department is self-funded through assessments on insurers based on New Hampshire premium volume, with about $8 billion in premiums written in the state and a department budget of roughly $15.5 million. He explained that the department has 88 authorized positions, eight vacancies, and that three full-time positions were unfunded after the governor’s requested 4% reduction exercise. He also said the department is trying to balance staffing needs with not overburdening carriers during a hard insurance market. A major topic was the department’s $2.6 million rebate to industry from the prior fiscal year, which Bettencourt described as a credit against the next assessment rather than a direct cash payment. Members questioned why that credit was not reflected as a reduction in the upcoming budget, and Bettencourt and staff explained that the budget assumes full staffing and full spending, with any year-end surplus returned to insurers. The commissioner said the department had added staff in recent years for succession planning and to preserve institutional expertise, and that the rebate reflects careful budgeting rather than excess spending. Members also asked about staffing changes by division, including positions unfunded in fraud, property and casualty examinations, life and health examinations, and tax. Bettencourt said fraud investigations remain strong and that the department can use outside contractors for examinations, with those costs billed to the company being examined. He also described the department’s examination process, including periodic financial exams and targeted market conduct reviews triggered by consumer complaints or trends. Additional questions covered OIT transfers, the department’s oversight of fully insured health coverage, the insurance premium tax and fines going to the general fund, and the department’s limited role in auto repair reimbursement disputes, where he said complaints have recently declined.

Transcript Highlights:

• As of January 9, there were 25 vacant positions.
• It's a part of state property.
• You have several hundred vacant positions.
• There's several aging buildings there on that property.
• Some of that stuff can come with it if it's movable property.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The committee heard FY27 budget presentations for the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, beginning with Public Safety Services. House Fiscal Division staff reviewed the department’s recommended budget of $645.9 million, including supplemental pay, State Police, Motor Vehicles, and the State Fire Marshal. Officials explained that the overall budget reflects a net decrease from FY26, driven largely by shifts in funding sources, removal of one-time statutory dedications, and adjustments tied to undercollections in fees and self-generated revenues. State Police was recommended at $459.7 million, OMV at $86.7 million, and the Fire Marshal at $41.1 million. Department leaders also described ongoing modernization efforts, staffing vacancies, and the use of efficiencies identified internally. Lieutenant Colonel Robert Burns and agency heads testified about State Police operations, including increased cadet graduations, improved Mardi Gras security, progress on APHIS and OMV modernization, and the new crime lab under construction. Members asked about undercollections, vacancies, the role of public tag agents, and whether the agency could expand counter-drone capabilities. Burns said the department has identified about $11 million in efficiencies, but warned that counter-drone work would require additional funding, citing a $4.5 million fiscal note for HB 940 and roughly $9 million more for a robust unit. OMV officials said staffing and retention remain difficult, but modernization should improve service and reduce lines; they also said the agency continues to rely on public tag agents and is working through reinstatement fee collection issues. The committee then reviewed the Department of Corrections FY27 budget, recommended at $902.3 million, with most funding from State General Fund and a large increase tied to higher incarceration costs, medical needs, overtime, and added capacity at Louisiana State Penitentiary. DOC officials said the department remains under pressure from vacancies, turnover, contraband, and medical costs, and that the budget includes funding to add 150 correctional officers at Angola and to house ICE detainees at Camp J. They also discussed criminal justice reinvestment savings, prison enterprises, and reentry programs funded through the Second Chance Act. Members asked about staffing, inmate deaths at Elaine Hunt, work-release pay, and whether the department is tracking the true long-term cost of incarceration. Officials said they are pursuing pay increases, recruitment, expanded training and reentry programs, and more data-driven workforce alignment, while acknowledging that many budget pressures remain unresolved.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're going to convert one of their vacant positions to cover this.
• And what happens is they go up for property tax sale.
• , blighted, undeveloped properties in New Orleans East.
• So it would address vacant properties.
• Y'all are just trying to get information on what's going on with the property that's been vacant and

Bills: HB410 , HR310 , HR314 , HR316 , HR317 , HR321 , HR275 , HR276 , HR279 , HR282 , HR286 , HR289 , HR292 , HR295 , HR302 , HR319 , HR307 , HR273 , SCR59 , SCR61 , SCR62 , SCR68 , SCR69 , SCR70 , SCR54 , SCR55 , SCR64 , SCR75 , HCR32 , HB776 , HB42 , HB119 , HB159 , HB302 , HB1017 , HB1028 , SB217 , SB283 , HB953 , SB208 , HR74 , HB998 , HB901 , HR20 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HCR98 , HB284 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB603 , HB605 , HB614 , HB625 , HB646 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1191 , HB1240 , HB1255 , SB82 , SB89 , SB97 , SB123 , SB237 , HB36 , HB74 , HB75 , HB258 , HB259 , HB414 , HB459 , HB784 , HB848 , HB956 , HB1095 , HB1220 , HB1252 , SB469 , SB479

Keywords: oil and gas, orphan wells, inactive wells, shut-in wells, marginal wells, plugging and abandonment, well decommissioning, site remediation, site restoration, Oilfield Site Restoration, OSR program, financial security, bonding, taxpayer liability, public liability, offshore wells, onshore wells, coastal erosion, Department of Conservation and Energy, natural resources

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, Brian, but someone could have bought the property and redeveloped it in theory for some of those
• It's just the math problem, and it's sat vacant, boarded up for 20 years for a reason.
• It sat vacant for 20-plus years, just like the Hill Street School.
• The Miami Inspiration School sat vacant for 20-plus years, just like the Hill Street School.
• It's not going to renovate a decrepit 20-year-vacant school in the middle of Globe, Arizona.

Bills: HB2388 , HB2804 , HB2926

Committees: House Rural Economic Development , House House Rural Economic Development Committee of Reference

Keywords: HB2388, Arizona Commerce Authority, ACA, small modular reactor, SMR, nuclear energy, advanced nuclear, data center, data centers, economic development, study, appropriation, general fund, jobs, wages, tax revenue, broadband, infrastructure, secondary businesses, tertiary businesses

Transcript Highlights:

• And then I will be working on trying to fill, work with the governor's office to try to fill our vacant
• emphasis on it and maybe shine a little bit more of a spotlight on it so we can fill some of our vacant
• And these people, some of them, are single head-of-households with huge bills, property taxes...” “..
• .single head-of-households with huge bills, property taxes going up.
• I think we had a letter on the property tax increase, and it just seems to me that we need to kind of

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy

Summary: The Select Committee on Pension Policy Executive Committee approved the July minutes and received brief updates from legal and actuarial staff. Counsel for the Attorney General’s office said there was no litigation update, and the committee then heard from the Office of the State Actuary about the 2024 actuarial valuation and the upcoming ACFR figures, with emphasis that the funding and accounting reports use different methods and will not match exactly. Members discussed the strong funded status of the retirement systems, the effect of the higher assumed investment return and suspension of unfunded liability payments, and the need to understand implementation timing and IRS issues for any future merger or restatement proposals. A major portion of the meeting focused on the interim work plan and possible agenda items for October and November. Staff outlined planned topics including DRS benchmarking, updates on the left one study, Ice Miller’s response, possible participation by other agencies and the State Investment Board, the annual DRS and SIB updates, month-of-death, and a forward-looking session item. Members also discussed whether to add an ad hoc COLA item for PERS 1, TERS 1, and related plans, noting that no COLA was provided this year and expressing concern about inflation and purchasing power. The actuary said the prior fiscal note for the ad hoc COLA bill was about $200 million over 10 years, but that the estimate would likely decrease with the higher assumed return and declining eligible population. The committee approved the draft October agenda after agreeing to streamline some items, including turning the PFC update into an email correspondence item and possibly deferring the December excess compensation presentation depending on whether a December meeting is held. Staff also reported 10 new pieces of constituent correspondence, including messages about PERS 1 and TERS 1 COLAs, the merger bill, and the left one study. In other business, Jacob White of the left two board said his board would soon receive an informational briefing on overtime and excess compensation and would keep the committee informed about any month-of-death action. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• 50 property managers posting that fee.
• Just to clarify, you mentioned 150 property management firms.
• every property that they manage, just for clarity?
• These are not situations where the units are sitting vacant.
• So now I'm sitting down with a vacant unit.

Transcript Highlights:

• We see using vacant or underused commercial property as an opportunity to build housing in areas...
• Or underused commercial property as an opportunity to build housing in areas where there's already a
• We become overly reliant on property tax revenues, which are capped at 1%.
• We're developing one such site in an urban area that's been vacant for over 20 years.
• a property tax exemption, and certifies that, at the time of sale, they intend to operate the property

Bills: SB6018 , SB6026 , SB6027 , SB6028 , SB5937 , SB5938

Committee: Senate Housing

Keywords: housing, finance, commission, state funding, affordable housing, residential development, zoning reform, mixed-use zoning, commercial zones, Growth Management Act, GMA, state preemption, local land use, development regulations, ground-floor retail, ground-floor commercial, permit waiver, waiver process, density, urban growth area

Transcript Highlights:

• And and then I think the property."
• surrounding the property.
• ,</c> building on that property, building on that property, that<00:12:37.839><c> building,</c><00:12
• There's value to that property. It's a very nice piece of property in a lot of ways.
• </c> there's there's value to that property there's there's value to that property is<00:34:28.960><c

Summary: The House Finance Division 3 work session opened on February 13, 2026, with the chair outlining the committee’s advisory role and the possible motions available under House Rule 45. The committee then took up House Bill 1569, concerning the Philbrook Center/state hospital campus property, and heard extensive testimony from Commissioner Charlie Arlinghouse. He explained that the property is currently one parcel and state law prevents subdivision unless a separate Senate bill, identified as SB 572, is enacted to fix the legal issue. He said HB 2 directed the sale of the property but did not address subdivision or marketing details, and he characterized the $5 million revenue estimate as speculative. He also said the state would first offer the property to the city or county, which he viewed as the most practical buyer and potential partner for any subdivision work. Members asked whether the building should be retained for transitional housing or sold, what would happen after July 1, 2026, and whether other vacant state buildings could absorb the current occupants. Arlinghouse said there are no firm plans for the building if it is not sold, and that HHS would remain until a sale occurs. He described the building as not especially historic or attractive and noted plumbing issues, while also acknowledging HHS’s view that it could serve as transitional housing. He said there is no reserve stock of office space, that the state already rents substantial office space in Concord, and that some nearby state buildings are either under renovation or only partially usable. He also said the Executive Council would have to approve any sale and that moving costs are usually not budgeted in advance, leaving the using agency to absorb them. Several members raised concerns about relying on asset sales to balance the budget, citing past examples where projected real estate revenue did not materialize on schedule. Arlinghouse agreed that one-time revenue should generally be used for one-time expenses, but said the state sometimes has legitimate reasons to sell assets and that such decisions depend on the state’s needs. He estimated the state rents roughly 100,000 square feet of office space in Concord at about $25 per square foot, and said he would provide a more exact figure later. In response to a question about whether the state should include a right of first refusal if the property is later resold, he said that idea had not been considered but could make sense, especially if the buyer is the city or county. No votes were taken during this portion of the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Title 47, ad valorem tax, extend eligibility for certain trusts for ad valorem tax exemption for property
• Title 47, ad valorem tax, extend eligibility for certain trusts for ad valorem tax exemption for property
• Civil Service Commission on the feasibility of creating a housing rental assistance program using vacant
• , state-owned property.
• , state-owned property.

Summary: The House met with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then took up introductions of several resolutions and bills. Resolutions introduced included measures to recognize Funeral Directors’ Day, commend the crew of Eve, recognize Crime Stoppers of Greater New Orleans, honor Nurse Practitioner Day, and express condolences for several deceased public figures and former members. Several resolutions were adopted immediately by suspension of the rules, including condolences resolutions and commendations for Bernardo de Gálvez, Codafield Day, Drew Brees, the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association, and support for continued National Guard operations at Camp Beauregard. The House also received multiple bills and committee reports. Introduced bills included appropriations measures to pay consent judgments, a property tax exemption bill for certain trusts involving property owners age 65 or older, a nursing medication administration bill, and a prisoner transfer notification bill referred to the Committee on Justice. Committee reports were read showing numerous House bills reported favorably or with amendments from Civil Law and Transportation. No floor votes on those bills were taken in the transcript, and many items were noted as lying over. During personal privilege remarks, members discussed PILOT (payments in lieu of taxes) data and transparency, with concerns about foregone revenue and local taxing authorities. The chamber also recognized visiting 7th grade students from Trinity Episcopal School and held a moment of silence honoring the life and legacy of Reverend Jesse Jackson. Announcements were made for upcoming committee meetings, an ethics training after adjournment, and a Bible study event. The House then agreed to adjourn until 2:00 p.m. the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• 1032, appropriation, independent correctional oversight office; SP 1033, local TPPs residential property
• monies investment, virtual currency; SB 1043, state agencies payments, cryptocurrency; SB 1044, property
• SB 1048, appropriation, juvenile services, Coconino County; SB 1049, spousal maintenance income property
• county measures standing; SP 1055, arrestees and lawful presence reporting; SB 1056, budget unit vacant
• county measures standing; SP 1055, arrestees and lawful presence reporting; SB 1056, budget unit vacant

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then completed roll call, approved the prior journal, and welcomed several guest groups to the gallery, including CSG West and NCSL visitors, Tucson Electric Power/UniSource Native BRG members, Pascua Yaqui constituents, Marcos de Niza High School students, and guests from Payson. Members also observed a moment of silence for former Attorney General Mark Brnovich. Senator Hatathlie read a proclamation honoring the life and service of Amaya Curley, a Navajo woman and Navy veteran, and the chamber recessed for presentation of an Arizona state flag flown in her memory, with her family present. The President Pro Tem announced extended deadlines for opening Senate folders and for Senate bill intro set preparation, and the Senate received House messages regarding adjournment. The chamber voted to accede to the House request to adjourn after Thursday, January 15, 2026, until Tuesday, January 20, 2026. No substantive bill debate occurred; instead, the body moved a large number of measures to second reading, including election, education, health care, firearms, immigration-related reporting, cryptocurrency, transportation, and various memorial and appropriation bills. Committee and caucus announcements were made for Thursday, January 15, including Rules Committee and both party caucuses. The Senate then adopted a motion to adjourn until Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tokyo, Boyle Heights, and many of our downtowns, we see storefront after storefront boarded up and vacant
• Pop-up businesses are a proven, effective way to activate these vacant spaces and give small businesses
• 1679 provides a practical solution by creating a pathway for temporary commercial activations of vacant
• owners the ability to have a remote inspection. ...give homeowners and property owners the ability to
• It simply lets us be responsible reinvesting our own local future property tax growth while strictly

Committee: Senate Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• impossible to manage without assistance from state, local, and tribal officials who have access to property
• that the Bureau was seeking to learn about how the census would interact with those properties when
• that the Bureau was seeking to learn about how the census would interact with those properties when
• can help you identify whether those different housing units and GQs are likely to be occupied or vacant
• And if they are known to be vacant or believed to be vacant by the absence of administrative data and

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on the Census

Transcript Highlights:

• Some units are reoccupied quickly, but others may remain vacant for months or even years due to market
• conditions or ...quickly, but others may remain vacant for months or even years due to market conditions
• at least stabilize them, we have to make sure people are doing their job in maintaining their own property
• That can be funded in a way so we can make sure that properties are properly taken care of and don't
• Unfortunately, they don't have the ability either physically or financially to harden their homes and property

Summary: The Assembly Aging and Long-Term Care Committee met on April 21 and heard three bills. AB 1819 by Assemblymember Sanchez would require buildings serving 50 or more people to have an automated external defibrillator on site. Sanchez said the bill is intended to protect older adults and other community members by improving access to life-saving emergency equipment; supporters included recreation and park districts and respiratory care professionals. The committee members present voted in favor, and the bill was passed as amended and re-referred to Appropriations, with the roll held open for absent members. AB 1983 by Assemblymember Blanca Rubio would create an optional sequential repayment method for continuing care retirement communities, allowing entrance fee repayments to be made in the order residents leave rather than waiting for a specific unit to be reoccupied. Rubio and Erickson Senior Living argued the change would make repayments more predictable and equitable while preserving consumer protections. Support also came from LeadingAge California and the California Assisted Living Association. The committee approved the bill and sent it to Human Services, again holding the roll open for later votes. AB 2037 by Assemblymember Patterson would establish a pilot grant program to help seniors and people with disabilities harden their homes against wildfire risk, with Patterson describing it as a way to support property maintenance and reduce wildfire spread. The California Foundation for Independent Living Centers, AARP California, and local officials testified in support, and committee members accepted amendments to add another county to the pilot. The committee voted to pass the bill as amended and re-refer it to Appropriations. After the initial votes, add-on votes were recorded and the committee adjourned.