Transcript Highlights:

• Transit-oriented development is a transit use because any development we do on our own property increases
• So we partner with developers to build out development on our land.
• Despite ongoing efforts to develop affordable and mixed-income housing, developers still face regulatory
• These types of developments have multiple advantages.
• to encourage development of affordable housing.

Summary: The committee heard several housing-related bills. AB 2002 would clarify and extend the REAP 1.0 regional housing planning grant program, with the author and regional planning groups arguing it provides needed technical assistance for housing elements and RHNA compliance; the California Building Industry Association opposed unless amended over concerns about local constraints. The committee discussed accepted amendments on regulations, suballocation to subregions, and spending deadlines, and then passed the bill on a do pass as amended motion to Senate Appropriations. AB 1684 would prohibit HOAs from restricting homeowners’ ability to install or replace cooling systems, with supporters citing heat safety and opponents focusing on building integrity, electrical capacity, permits, and common-area placement; the committee adopted amendments on licensed electrical contractors, disclosure, and permit requirements, and passed the bill to Senate Judiciary. AB 1710 would extend SB 330-style vesting protections to state and regional agencies so housing projects are not subject to later regulatory changes, with supporters emphasizing predictability and opponents warning it could conflict with later state, regional, and federal requirements, especially for water and environmental rules; the bill was passed as amended to Senate Local Government. The committee also heard AB 2263, which would authorize the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority to provide employee housing on its land with a preference for VTA workers while keeping units open to the public and compliant with fair housing law. VTA said the bill would help employees facing long commutes and high housing costs, and the committee discussed financing through transit-oriented development partnerships and existing land holdings; the bill was passed as amended to Senate Appropriations. AB 2270 would require the state tax credit committee to account for rural realities when scoring farmworker housing projects for low-income housing tax credits; supporters said current amenity-based scoring disadvantages rural farmworker developments, and the bill was passed as amended to Senate Appropriations. Later, AB 2118 would refine AB 2011 by limiting local objective standards that can block mixed-use and affordable housing projects, with supporters saying cities still use loopholes to delay projects; the committee discussed possible state mandate reimbursement issues and passed the bill to Local Government. Finally, AB 2050 would require HOA reserve funding based on reserve studies, add notice and safeguards for reserve transfers, and phase in funding over six years; supporters argued it would prevent large special assessments and protect homeowners, while opponents said enforcement remains weak and the bill could still burden owners. The committee did not take a final recorded vote on AB 2050 in the portion provided, but members discussed the need for stronger enforcement and the balance between reserve funding and affordability.

Transcript Highlights:

• I call this meeting to order of the Economic and Rural Development Committee.
• Development by looking at other pieces of land.
• Are there economic development opportunities here?
• Development. Let's talk about some positive things.
• Roper over at the Economic Development.

Transcript Highlights:

• California is already a high-cost environment for data center development.
• Regardless, in the proposed development in the city of Palmdale, each developer had to conserve on-site
• save two Joshua trees per acre, regardless of the type of development.
• developers.
• Second, many regions of the state have developed economic development strategies as part of their California

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 26:56.800><c> mixed-use</c> to develop an exciting mixed-use to develop an exciting mixed-use development
• </c> our tax base 12% when developed. our tax base 12% when developed.
• </c> good incentive to get development there. good incentive to get development there.
• </c><00:59:04.080><c> And</c> Development Program. And Development Program.
• </c> Workforce Housing Development Program. Workforce Housing Development Program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• promote economic development.
• The Texas Water Development Board.
• We have the Texas Water Development Board, we develop a comprehensive data-driven state water plan every
• The legislature and the Texas Water Development Board were tasked with developing our first state flood
• developed.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Economic Development, the Urban Development Corporation, the Division of Alcohol and Beverage
• Business is best when it's free to create economic development.
• But there is good stuff going more broadly as it relates to economic development.
• But there is good stuff going more broadly as it relates to economic development.
• BUT THERE IS GOOD STUFF GOING MORE BROADLY AS IT RELATES TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The joint Economic Development budget subcommittee meeting opened with introductions, review of subcommittee rules, and identification of the agencies to be discussed, including the Department of Economic Development, Urban Development Corporation, Alcohol and Beverage Control, Cannabis Management, and the Gaming Commission. The chairs also outlined broad budget priorities, including support for innovation hotspots, incubators, minority- and women-owned businesses, biomedical research, centers of excellence, advanced technology, workforce development, and grants tied to tourism, cultural institutions, public safety equipment, and food retail subsidies. Most member comments focused on small business conditions and economic development policy. Senators Borrello and Chan emphasized that small businesses are the backbone of the economy and argued for reducing taxes, utility costs, fines, permits, and regulations; Chan suggested a possible one-year utility tax holiday. Assembly Member Slater similarly criticized New York’s tax and regulatory climate and promoted legislation to create a Department of Regulatory Review and Economic Growth. Assembly Member Buttenschon discussed one-house proposals such as changes to small business stock ownership rules and a hardship savings account, while Assembly Member Bendett said county infrastructure funding should be increased substantially. Several members highlighted sector-specific investments. Senator Addabbo and Assembly Member Woerner stressed the importance of racing and gaming, including addiction treatment and recovery, integrity in racing, and stronger drug testing. Assembly Member Otis pointed to science and technology initiatives such as Micron, Empire AI, quantum research at Stony Brook, and broadband/digital inclusion through ConnectALL. Assembly Member Cashman supported investment in the Cornell Center for Food and Agriculture, and Senator Hinchey praised tourism matching grants, restaurant and farm food donation tax credits, and incentives for heat pumps and clean energy retrofits. No formal votes were taken. The meeting ended with staff continuing consultations with members and the chairs concluding the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> it with the re renewable development it with the re renewable development account.<00:24:22.000>
• </c><00:52:36.160><c> to</c> thing, it it did require developers to thing, it it did require developers
• <01:03:47.200><c> every</c> development every development every year.<01:03:49.280><c> You</c><01:03:
• ><c> small</c><01:15:09.280><c> local</c> developers, many of them small local developers, many of them
• </c> megawatts of CSGS would be developed megawatts of CSGS would be developed each<01:17:35.280><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First up is engrossed second substitute Senate Bill 6026, concerning residential development in commercial
• a brief reminder, this bill would prohibit certain local governments from excluding residential development
• As a reminder, this bill allows development agreements with regional transit authorities to establish
• development standards that vary from otherwise applicable development regulations to accommodate transit
• This provides that the variations in development agreements between local governments and a regional

Summary: The Local Government Committee met for its final meeting of the session and considered six bills in executive session after a caucus break. The committee first took up Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 6026 on residential development in commercial and mixed-use zones. Members debated how to balance housing production with local control and walkable downtowns. The committee adopted a striking amendment that removed some exemptions, capped ground-floor commercial or mixed-use requirements at 40% of affected acreage, extended the compliance deadline to 18 months, and barred such requirements on publicly subsidized affordable housing projects. A proposed amendment to raise the population threshold from 30,000 to 40,000 was rejected. The bill was then reported out with a do pass recommendation on a 5-2 vote. The committee next considered Substitute Senate Bill 6309 on permitting tools for high-capacity transit projects, including development agreements with regional transit authorities. Two property-rights-related amendments were rejected or modified, and an ADA-related amendment was adopted to ensure accessibility requirements were not waived. The bill was reported out as amended. Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5374 on tribal representation in transportation planning also advanced after an amendment changed “consult” to “coordinate,” aligned county processes with the Growth Management Act, and added access to technical assistance; the bill passed out of committee with a do pass recommendation. Senate Bill 6132, allowing a narrow increase in indebtedness for select inland port districts to preserve federal funding eligibility, passed unanimously without amendment. The committee also approved Substitute Senate Bill 6076, which streamlines procurement rules for consumer-owned utilities on clean energy, storage, transmission, and distribution projects, with members noting broad support from utilities and labor. Finally, Substitute Senate Bill 5729, which limits local governments from charging applicants for certain third-party reviews already covered by staff review in affordable housing permitting, was reported out unanimously. The meeting ended with members thanking staff for their work during the session and adjourning the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pryor, the Regional Director of the Central Small Business Development Centers.
• Preet Alawalia with Small Business Development Center for NorCal.
• Good morning, Suyi Lee Alex of Sacramento Valley Small Business Development Center.
• It would, through the Office of Economic Development, GO-Biz, as it's referred to.
• not having electricity because of development reasons.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They also do economic development. They connect people with health care.
• So the money provides direct economic development to these villages.
• Libraries also support workforce development and local entrepreneurship.
• Libraries also help entrepreneurship and workforce development in other ways.
• In terms of economic development, we are very appreciative of the New Mexico Economic Development Department's

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This afternoon, we will be taking up items relating to housing, homelessness, and economic development
• Deputy Director in the Housing Development Finance Committee?
• I appreciate the reference to the analogy to the Community Development Block Grant Program.
• We're doing it to develop the housing itself.
• The city has power that the affordable housing developer doesn’t have.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you elaborate for the entertainment development dedicated fund account?
• How do we put an economic development overlay on it?
• In economic development, there's two things that seem to be kind of high.
• Are those all in development... So you have 38 vacant positions.
• It's huge for economic development for these areas.

Summary: The committee first heard the FY27 executive budget review for Louisiana Economic Development (LED). House Fiscal outlined a $59.4 million LED budget, with major funding from state general fund, self-generated revenue, federal funds, and a marketing dedication, and explained reductions tied largely to the removal of one-time funding and carryforwards. The Secretary highlighted recent economic development results, including major capital investment announcements, job creation, the high-impact jobs program, Louisiana Fast Sites, and efforts to support existing businesses and small business growth. Members repeatedly asked for clearer public-facing materials on the tax and economic benefits of incentives, the use of the entertainment development fund, the structure of the high-impact jobs and Fast Sites programs, and how LED competes with other states. LED also discussed its Storyteller Initiative, regional project distribution, and the role of major events and film-related incentives. The committee then reviewed Louisiana Works’ FY27 budget of $352.7 million. Staff explained that the budget is driven mainly by federal funds and statutory dedications, with changes largely attributable to the One Door to Work Act and the transfer of workforce functions and positions into the department. The Secretary noted a planned $5 million move for the Louisiana STEM Council and a small request for elevator repairs, and members discussed the unemployment insurance trust fund’s improved balance, which lowered employer tax rates and increased benefits. Questions focused on workforce shortages, coordination with LCTCS and other training partners, the new Louisiana Talent Accelerator and workforce modernization efforts, the need for marketing to attract workers back to Louisiana, and remaining gaps in funding for rehabilitation services and disability employment programs. Finally, the committee took up the Department of Conservation and Energy’s FY27 budget of $201.3 million. Staff described decreases tied to the end of the Solar for All grant, lower orphan well spending as prior balances were drawn down, and reductions in some one-time funding and interagency transfers. The Secretary said the department’s reorganization is now largely complete and emphasized a focus on eliminating duplicative functions, strengthening enforcement and permitting, and using available funds more efficiently. Members questioned the reduction in orphan well funding, the impact of the Solar for All repeal, the use of settlement dollars, and the department’s plans for AI-assisted permitting and modernization of the Sunrise database. They also discussed ongoing work on seismic activity in Red River Parish, commercial fishermen’s claims for gear damaged by energy infrastructure, and efforts to improve financial security requirements for operators so future orphan well liabilities are better covered.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 365 by Gonzalez of El Paso relating to the authority of the Texas Water Development Board to provide
• agreements by municipality or county to local workforce Development Boards referred to the Committee
• on Trade Workforce and Economic Development.
• HB 415 by Govin Hawkins relating to a study on mold contamination and housing development supported by
• Board, the development of certain projects in economically distressed areas referred to the Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• As part of this economic development strategy, the authority has entered into a development agreement
• For their part, Omni is committing a minimum of $550 million in development costs.
• It's just the authority's taxes and the economic development district taxes, but yes.
• So it incentivizes the developer to bring the core development funds.
• That's on the developer, Omni Hotels and Resorts. That's correct. Okay, thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Summary: The committee first adopted the fiscal status statement and five-year baseline summary after a brief discussion about how the baseline percentages are calculated and why projected expenditures exceed revenues in later years, with staff explaining that inflation assumptions drive much of the increase. The Office of Facility Planning and Control then received approval for several items: adding eight higher education deferred maintenance projects, approving a $412,993 change order for LSU’s Jesse Coates Building project, reporting four smaller change orders for information, and combining two Hornbeck water projects into one expanded water plant/well and distribution plan. The committee also approved a two-year extension for UL Lafayette’s Banner ERP consulting contract and approved additional Water Sector Commission funding of $5.5 million for the Tensas Water District Association, with a $100,000 local commitment noted. The most extensive discussion centered on a proposed tax increment financing package for a new 1,000-room Omni headquarters hotel adjacent to the New Orleans Convention Center. Project representatives said the hotel would require about $550 million in private investment, with the authority contributing land and $80 million, and that the package would dedicate state and local tax increments for 45 years after opening. Senators and representatives questioned the structure, the length of the incentive, the expected return to the state, possible cannibalization of existing hotel tax revenue, and why the convention center would receive a 1% stream for so long. Several members said they wanted more information on projected annual revenues and the overall return before voting, and the committee deferred the item to the next month. Later, Louisiana Economic Development requested one-year extensions for two marketing-related contracts with Zender Communications and Graham Group, and the Department of Education sought an amendment to the Odyssey contract for the Louisiana Gator program. The education discussion focused on the per-student cost of $143.50, the use of current enrollment and appropriation levels to set the contract ceiling, the fact that startup costs were no longer included, and the need for continuity before the current contract expires June 30. Members asked for an RFP to be considered for future years and for more information on student outcomes and actual spending. The committee took no vote on the education item during the discussion, and the meeting adjourned after the final exchanges.

Transcript Highlights:

• By way of brief background, Switch is a developer of zero-emissions vessels.
• So what we shall watch out as developing policy.
• So in order to develop this program, we create a four-phase approach.
• So that is under development.
• We will need to develop budget needs to operationalize the program.

Bills: SB6352

Keywords: transportation, infrastructure, resources, funding, state law, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've scoped the work, and development was set to initiate this month, but it's currently pending.
• We put moratoriums in place on new development, or at least restricted new development, and then there
• We put moratoriums in place on new development, or at least restricted new development, and then there
• Of that 125,000 acre-feet, we have since that time developed 16,643 acre-feet of new use.
• We developed the recommended changes for that. We put those out for public comment.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But we put the onus on the developer.
• So if the developer comes in and has to take out trees, especially special trees that are indigenous
• So it wouldn't necessarily A tree bank to mitigate the removal of trees during development.
• Development is essential, and smart policy can help us balance the pressures of housing development with
• HB 2183, requiring counties to develop and implement heat response plans.

Summary: The House Local Government Committee held public hearings on four bills. HB 2174 would allow counties, cities, towns, or the Department of Transportation to designate accident risk zones on roads with repeated crashes, hold a public hearing, conduct engineering and traffic studies, increase enforcement, and use half of traffic fine revenue for safety improvements. The sponsor and local officials from Pasco and Colotis described serious crashes and fatalities on U.S. 12 and U.S. 395 and said the bill could provide a temporary safety tool while long-term fixes are pursued. Testifiers generally supported the concept but raised concerns about liability, implementation, youth penalties, and possible targeted enforcement, especially for motorcyclists; several suggested amendments and the committee discussed possible alignment with safe system practices. HB 2267 would direct the Department of Commerce to create a model urban forest management ordinance, update it every 10 years, provide guidance on tree retention and mitigation, and create a grant program for local governments that adopt or substantially adopt the model. Supporters from Washington Conservation Action, The Nature Conservancy, FutureWise, and the Puget Sound Partnership said trees are important for stormwater, heat reduction, air quality, public health, and climate resilience, and argued the bill could help balance housing growth with canopy protection. Opposition from the Building Industry Association of Washington and the Master Builders Association focused on the grant condition tied to adoption of the model ordinance, concerns that the bill would effectively mandate local policy, and worries that prioritizing tree retention could constrain housing production and increase legal risk. HB 2183 would require counties planning under the Growth Management Act to adopt extreme heat response plans by July 1, 2027, covering immediate response, long-term mitigation, protection of high-risk populations, tribal coordination, and public education. The sponsor and physicians from Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility cited the 2021 heat dome as a deadly disaster that overwhelmed emergency services and killed many people in their homes, arguing counties need coordinated planning for future heat events. Local public health officials supported the goal but asked for amendments to reduce duplication with existing emergency and mitigation plans and to clarify leadership roles; L&I requested that the bill reference existing worker-protection rules for outdoor workers. HB 1529 would let counties perform city roadway striping and paving work without counting it against city public works limits or bidding thresholds, if the county can do the work more cheaply or no bids are received. Supporters from Pasco and the Association of Counties said it would help cities use existing county equipment and crews more efficiently, while contractors and labor groups opposed it, warning about reduced competition, quality and oversight concerns, and the loss of prevailing-wage and small-business opportunities. No votes were taken on any of the bills, and the committee adjourned after the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:31:41.840><c> and</c><00:31:42.080><c> recommend</c> a working group to develop and recommend
• a working group to develop and recommend federal,<00:31:42.960><c> state,</c><00:31:43.200><c> and</
• A Kihei Mala Road is needed both for traffic and safety of the Kihei Mala development, as well as to
• A Kihei Mala Road is needed both for traffic and safety of the Kihei Mala development, as well as to
• A Kihei Mala Road is needed both for traffic and safety of the Kihei Mala development, as well as to

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Transportation and Culture heard a series of resolutions covering cultural preservation, civic education, dark-sky protection, Taiwan relations, aviation safety reporting, waterborne cargo subsidies, and Maui transportation planning. Testimony on the Hawaii Theatre resolutions (SCR 131/SR 110) came from the Hawaii Theatre Center in support, with a question about whether acquisition funding was in the current budget; the witness said he was not aware of any such funding. The state archivist strongly supported SCR 169/SR 138 on expanding public outreach and civic engagement, and a student testifier supported the measure while urging stronger language to include Indigenous culture and closer work with Native communities. On STR 12/SR 8 recognizing International Dark Sky Week, testimony emphasized light pollution’s effects on birds, marine life, human health, and astronomy, and suggested stronger lighting ordinances and possible dark-sky reserve efforts. STR 31/SR 17 on Taiwan received support from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, while STR 180/SR 150 on aviation safety reporting drew support from Blue Hawaiian Helicopters but opposition from the Department of Transportation, which said much of the requested information falls under FAA jurisdiction and would be voluntary at the state level. STR 150 on waterborne cargo subsidies was supported by DOT, Young Brothers, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association, with DOT asking that the working group be smaller to speed a report to the 2026 session. STR 37/SR 21 and STR 38/SR 22 on Kihei road planning drew support from the Kihei Community Association, which described severe congestion and safety concerns in South Maui. In decision-making, the committee advanced SCR 131/SR 110 on the Hawaii Theatre as introduced. SCR 169/SR 138 was advanced with amendments to address comments about Indigenous culture. STR 12/SR 8 on International Dark Sky Week was deferred for further discussion until the following Tuesday. STR 31/SR 17 on Taiwan was advanced with technical, non-substantive amendments. STR 180/SR 150 and STR 150 were both deferred to the same later decision-making date to allow further work on possible amendments and jurisdictional issues. STR 37/SR 21 was passed as introduced, and STR 38/SR 22 was passed with technical, non-substantive amendments. In each vote taken, the measures were adopted without recorded opposition from the members present.

Transcript Highlights:

• Not for economic development.
• Paige Carter, I serve as the Chief Business Development Officer at Louisiana Economic Development.
• And I don't see that this is economic development at all.
• We do want economic development. But what is economic development?
• What I'm reading is that economic development, the properly aligned economic development strategy, should

Summary: The House Natural Resources Committee met on House Bill 7 by Speaker Pro Tem Johnson, the Louisiana Landowners Protection Act, which would remove eminent domain authority for carbon capture and geological sequestration projects. After housekeeping and roll call, the committee adopted a set of technical amendments that cleaned up definitions, removed a stray statutory reference, and changed “commissioner” to “secretary.” The author then gave an extended presentation arguing the bill was needed to align Louisiana law with the state constitution’s property-rights protections and recent court rulings, and to ensure carbon capture projects proceed only through voluntary agreements rather than forced takings. Several members questioned the author and supportive witnesses about whether the bill would stop carbon capture, affect oil and gas pipelines, or disrupt investment. The author and supporters said it would not stop projects, only prevent taking land without consent, and argued that landowners—especially small and rural owners—should not face the threat of expropriation. Supportive testimony also emphasized family land, inheritance, and constitutional limits on takings. Some members raised concerns about changing the rules after prior legislative action and about the economic importance of carbon capture, but the author responded that the legislature had made a mistake in 2020 and should correct it now. Opposition testimony came from representatives of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, the Louisiana Chemistry Association, and attorneys who handle right-of-way matters. They argued that eminent domain is a rare last resort, that existing law and the Landowner Bill of Rights already protect owners, and that the Constitution’s provisions for private-entity expropriation are different from the provisions discussed by the bill’s supporters. They warned that removing the tool for carbon capture would chill investment, threaten jobs and revenue, and could spill over into other energy infrastructure. The committee did not reach a final vote on the bill in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• A developer might generate $1.5 million in profit in a single year, but that development might have been
• past few years in development to support its members.
• Cultural resource review does not have to stop development.
• This bill requires Commerce to develop a statewide economic development and competitiveness strategic
• I'm Mary Fisher from the Institute for Family Development.

Bills: SB6346, SB6347, SB6147, SB6246, SB5940, SB5882, SB6223, SJR8206, SB5762, SB5828

Keywords: millionaires tax, wealth tax, income tax, state revenue, tax reform, Washington estate tax, estate tax, inheritance tax, death tax, probate, decedent, gross estate, taxable estate, exclusion amount, tax rate, estate planning, heirs, beneficiaries, RCW 83.100, Department of Revenue