Video & Transcript : 'nonemitting generation' :
Page 293 of 500
VA
Transcript Highlights:
- Let them legislate not only today's headlines, but for tomorrow's generation.
- I don't know. discussions from our previous colleagues in the General Assembly.
- Speaker, you know, there are two ways that the General Assembly can raise taxes.
- Speaker, you know, there are two ways that the General Assembly can raise taxes.
- Speaker, you know, there are two ways that the General Assembly can raise taxes.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies Feb 23rd, 2026
Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies
Transcript Highlights:
- I am generally glad to see CARB prioritized affordability for everyday Californians where they could,
- The program is also projected to generate $56 billion to benefit utility ratepayers and $37 billion for
- This would cumulatively generate about an additional families, specifically over $860 million in net
- This would cumulatively generate about an additional spiking.
- Secondly, they're being overly generous with the industrial allocations.
Summary:
The committee heard an overview of CARB’s proposed amendments to California’s Cap-and-Invest program, implemented under AB 1207 and SB 840 after last year’s reauthorization through 2045. CARB said the draft rule changes are intended to support affordability, market certainty, and the state’s 2030 and 2045 climate targets, while also addressing offsets, utility allowance transfers, leakage protections for industry, and post-2030 allowance budgets. Members emphasized the importance of completing the rulemaking on schedule this spring so the changes can take effect by September 1, 2026.
A major focus was how allowances are allocated among electric utilities, natural gas utilities, industry, and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. CARB explained that the proposal transfers natural gas utility allowances to electric utilities over time to support electrification and ratepayer protection, while maintaining free allowances for industry to reduce leakage risk and preserve in-state manufacturing and refining. Several members and panelists questioned whether the proposed utility changes could raise rates, whether the transition from gas to electric credits should happen faster, and whether the industrial allocation changes reduce climate credit and GGRF revenues more than necessary. CARB and panelists said they were open to additional data and comments, and noted that the proposal is still in public comment.
The committee also discussed carbon capture, carbon removal, and refining. Members asked CARB to ensure that CCUS and CDR are clearly recognized as viable compliance pathways and to keep SB 905 rulemaking on track. On refining, members raised concerns about imported gasoline, leakage, and the need for better data on the carbon intensity of imported fuels; CARB said cap-and-invest applies to fuel suppliers at the rack, while life-cycle accounting issues are handled more through the Low Carbon Fuel Standard and related modeling. CARB said it is continuing technical work on those data tools.
In the second panel, the LAO, IEMAC, EDF, and SCAPA representatives generally agreed that the program faces real tradeoffs between affordability, ambition, and leakage protection. The LAO and IEMAC stressed that the Legislature should scrutinize how CARB divides the allowance “pie,” since more free allocations to utilities or industry mean less revenue for GGRF. EDF argued the program could be somewhat more ambitious in the near term without harming affordability, while SCAPA said the proposal would reduce allowances for publicly owned utilities and could undermine early decarbonization investments and ratepayer benefits. No votes were taken during the hearing.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- And I think that would have to be coming from the State General Fund.
- It is going through the general fund process this year.
- And the other question is: does the Attorney General want this?
- And to your point, Senator Alston, this isn't being brought by the Attorney General.
- As far as the Attorney General and the governor, they're being made aware of what's taken place.
Bills:
SB1071, SB1315, SB1317, SB1416, SB1493, SB1537, SB1542, SB1584, SB1626, SB1740, SB1751, SB1804, SCR1047, SCR1049
Keywords:
Arizona Rangers, statutory repeal, security, state law, regulatory changes, school safety, interoperable communications, law enforcement, emergency response, funding, reentry programs, criminal justice, grants, recidivism, attorney general, missing children, kidnapping, reporting requirements, child safety, training
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Oct 8th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- You did mention that 25% of the general population has a substance use disorder.
- A title, are you a general? And so now we have an associate HR generalist, right?
- Because the general salary schedule used to be numeric.
- We're hoping that this will streamline growth and consistency generally.
- With them generally.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Economic and Rural Development Aug 11th, 2025
Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Our strategy is to use the information that this simple device generates. generates and provides data
- These are little devices that do interesting work, generally solar-powered, inexpensive, and generate
- Brian has single-handedly generated a stream of employees from his boot camp.
- We actually use those courses to generate a course tutor, if you will, to help with...
- So if I think about AI and how it's affecting our general business, it's pretty incredible.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Radioactive and Hazardous Materials Jul 11th, 2025
Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- And we're talking about the San Juan Generating Station Remediation Study, correct? Yes.
- The NMED portion of the required evaluation of the San Juan Generating Station under **SB 142**.
- Another is DP-308, 1327, which is the generating station in total.
- That's generally one that's in place that we're having to allow them to operate while we.
- The Attorney General because he said that in the past the Attorney General has had to intervene when
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Health Committee Jul 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And I’ll just share that I come to this topic from having had conversations with the generation above
- His medication is a generic that doesn't cost very much. He's not happy with the mail service.
- and years after those drugs do go generic.
- Vyvanse is now generic.
- Farxiga came out generic last year. Farxiga cost about $600. The generic is $150.
Summary:
The committee heard several health-related measures. SB 27 by Senator Umberg would revise and expand California’s CARE Court by limiting the expansion to people with bipolar I disorder with psychotic features, clarifying the definition of “clinically stabilized,” and narrowing the role of nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Supporters, including behavioral health officials and family members, said the bill would reduce dismissals and better serve people with severe illness; opponents warned the expansion would strain county staffing and housing resources and could undermine voluntary engagement. The bill passed on a do pass motion to the Committee on Public Safety.
SB 503 by Senator Weber Pierson would require AI tools used in health care facilities to be identified, monitored, and mitigated for bias when used in clinical decision-making or resource allocation. The author and supporters from Kaiser Permanente and the California Medical Association said the bill would help prevent discriminatory outcomes and improve trust and safety. The committee discussed the need to clarify developer and deployer responsibilities, and the bill passed as amended to Privacy and Consumer Protection.
SB 68 by Senator Menjivar would require restaurants to provide written allergen information for the top nine food allergens, with tiered flexibility for smaller establishments. The bill was supported by patients, families, nurses, and allergy organizations, who described severe reactions and the difficulty of relying on verbal disclosures alone. The California Restaurant Association opposed unless amended, seeking broader use of the national model food code and additional liability language. The bill passed as amended to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 403 by Senator Blakespear, which would remove the sunset from the End of Life Option Act; supporters described the law as a compassionate, well-functioning option for terminally ill patients, while faith-based groups opposed it. The bill passed to Judiciary. Later, SB 41 by Senator Wiener was introduced to rein in pharmacy benefit manager practices that steer patients to mail-order pharmacies and reimburse community pharmacies below cost; community pharmacists and several health organizations testified in support, describing pharmacy closures and patient access problems.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Radioactive and Hazardous Materials May 29th, 2025
Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- We are in the process of looking at the San Juan Generating Station.
- And they limit the impact to the general public.
- So you generally won't see us collect data about the impact of PFOS on human health, because, again,
- Generate the dollars that would address the issue, and I, and I understand the issue.
- And and generate a revenue stream that would then give us dollars to go address the legacy issue.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 04/03/25
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- For example, if you go into Facebook today, you can ask it to make an AI-generated picture of you with
- This is true for many generative AI programs that we're familiar with, but there are apps, platforms,
- </c><00:02:12.480><c> a</c><00:02:12.640><c> new</c> put that on that and generate a new put that on
- </c><00:16:20.880><c> AI</c> would say commercial uh AI generative AI would say commercial uh AI generative
- </c><00:20:33.760><c> the</c> platform or the app that generated the platform or the app that generated
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- They've been four generations of family members owning and running the enterprise.
- Rosen and the impact he has made on our community for many generations, and I'm...
- General Assembly designated here in Florida.
- The UN General Assembly designated January 27th because it marks the anniversary of the liberation of
- Amendments to the General Appropriations Bill must be balanced.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, pledge, and several member introductions and recognitions, including resolutions and visiting groups. The chamber then moved to a special order calendar and took up a series of bills, beginning with SB 88 on utility terrain vehicles, which would allow local governments to opt in to street use of UTVs under specified safety conditions; it passed 32-5 after debate over safety concerns. SB 102 on exceptional student education created a workforce credential/badge program for students with autism or on modified curricula; despite concerns about unfunded mandates, it passed 36-0. SB 106 on exploitation of vulnerable adults authorized alternative service methods for scammers through the apps they used to contact victims and passed 37-0. SB 130 expanded and eased procedures for compensation of victims of wrongful incarceration, including extending filing deadlines and removing restrictive bars; it passed 38-0. SB 158 eliminated cost sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast exams under the state employee health plan and passed 38-0.
The Senate then considered SB 234 on crimes against law enforcement officers, prompted by the killing of Officer Jason Raynor. The bill clarified that a person may not resist an officer with violence and added a mandatory life sentence for manslaughter of a law enforcement officer. A late amendment to restore “good faith” language failed, and after extensive debate over due process, racial profiling, and sentencing concerns, the bill was temporarily postponed rather than brought to a final vote. SB 262 on trust code technical changes passed 36-0. SB 274 designated portions of roads in Orlando as Harris Rosen Way and Geraldine Thompson Way; it passed 38-0 and then received 37 co-sponsors. SB 280 created an enforcement mechanism for candidate party-affiliation qualification requirements and passed 38-0. SB 296 repealed the statewide middle and high school start-time mandate and returned the issue to local districts with reporting requirements; it passed 38-0.
Later, SB 356 designated January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida, with the sponsor emphasizing anti-Semitism and the need for education and remembrance. The transcript also included additional ceremonial remarks and recognition of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity members in the gallery. Throughout the meeting, most measures advanced with unanimous or near-unanimous support, while SB 234 generated the most substantive disagreement and was set aside for later consideration.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-03-27 (9:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- They've been four generations of family members owning and running the enterprise.
- Rosen and the impact he has made on our community for many generations, and I'm...
- The UN General Assembly designated January 27th because it marks the anniversary of the liberation of
- Senate Proposed Bill 2500, the General Appropriations Act, Senate Proposed Bill 2, the implementing
- Amendments to the General Appropriations Bill must be balanced.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and several member introductions recognizing visiting groups and resolutions, including Blood Clot Awareness Month and Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week. The chamber then moved to a special order calendar and considered a series of bills, with most measures passing overwhelmingly after brief explanations and debate. Among the early bills, SB 88 on utility terrain vehicles passed 32-5, allowing local governments to opt in to limited street use of UTVs under specified safety rules; SB 102 on exceptional student education passed 36-0 to create a workforce credential program for students with autism or modified curricula; SB 106 on exploitation of vulnerable adults passed 37-0; SB 130 on compensation for wrongful incarceration passed 38-0 after expanding filing timelines and easing restrictions on compensation claims; and SB 158 on diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations passed 38-0 to eliminate cost sharing for follow-up breast imaging under the state employee health plan.
The most extended debate centered on SB 234, which sought to strengthen penalties and clarify the law regarding violent resistance to law enforcement officers and offenses against officers. Supporters argued the bill was needed after the Jason Raynor case to prevent defendants from using claims about an officer’s legal duty to justify violence, while opponents raised concerns about removing “good faith” language, potential impacts on Fourth Amendment protections, racial profiling, and the bill’s mandatory life sentence for manslaughter of an officer. A Jones amendment to restore “good faith” failed, and after further debate the sponsor temporarily postponed the bill without a final vote. The Senate also passed SB 262 on trust code technical changes (36-0), SB 274 designating roadways for Harris Rosen and Geraldine Thompson (38-0) and opening the board for 37 co-sponsors, SB 280 creating an enforcement mechanism for candidate party-affiliation qualifications (38-0), and SB 296 repealing the statewide middle and high school start-time mandate in favor of local decision-making and reporting requirements (38-0).
Later, SB 356 designated January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida, with supporters emphasizing the need to confront antisemitism and preserve Holocaust memory; the bill was introduced and debated, with the transcript ending during remarks by President Gaetz about the recent Holocaust memorial unveiling. Throughout the meeting, senators also used debate to highlight broader policy themes such as autism workforce inclusion, breast cancer screening, wrongful incarceration reform, school district flexibility, and honoring community leaders through road designations. The chamber’s actions were largely affirmative, with several unanimous votes and one notable postponed bill after substantial disagreement."}】}]}}```
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- So it would generate investment revenues, you would think?
- plaintiff that needs future medical would be going to generate some money, say 10, 15 years.
- The person that has insurance or money to pay is generally not the trafficker.
- So garnishment is generally some type of income, right?
- HB 646 limits the amount of general funds that may be appropriated in a fiscal year.
Summary:
The committee first heard Senate Bill 476, which would add clearer warning language for garnishees responding to interrogatories and create a limited procedure for a new trial when a garnishee can show it never held property or owed the debtor during the garnishment period. After brief questions about how garnishment works, the bill was reported favorably without objection. Senate Bill 260, a youth athletics coaches training bill, was then amended to remove language about the department using donated funds to purchase courses and was reported as amended.
House Bill 79, by Chairman Carter, would remove the damages cap for carbon capture release claims. Carter argued carbon capture should be treated like other industries and not receive special liability protection, and the committee reported the bill favorably without objection. The committee also took up Senate Bill 424, which clarifies that electronic service applies only to counsel of record representing a party, and Senate Bill 180, a constitutional amendment allowing a surviving spouse of a deceased disabled veteran to make a one-time transfer of an expanded property tax exemption to another qualifying homestead. SB 180 received a ballot-language amendment and a 6.88 report before being reported as amended.
The longest discussion centered on House Bill 1089, which creates “care accounts” for future medical damages in delictual actions. Supporters said the bill would ensure future medical awards are used for medical care, reduce abuse, and function like a restricted account with a card or similar payment mechanism; opponents raised concerns about the account being owned by the judgment debtor, possible reversion of unused funds to the wrong party, administrative confusion, and impacts on survivors of trafficking and sexual abuse who may need flexible, trauma-informed care outside standard billing codes. After extensive testimony and debate, the committee adopted an amendment set and reported the bill favorably by a 6-1 vote, with Representative Carter voting no.
Finally, House Bill 437 was heard and amended. The bill would prohibit expert witnesses from having a pecuniary interest in the outcome of the case, while still allowing inquiry into an expert’s prior testimony history. An amendment excluded criminal traffic and juvenile proceedings, and the committee continued discussion with testimony from supporters and opponents as the transcript ended.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- So it would generate investment revenues, you would think?
- plaintiff that needs future medical would be going to generate some money, say 10, 15 years.
- The person that has insurance or money to pay is generally not the trafficker.
- So garnishment is generally some type of income, right?
- H.B. 646 limits the amount of general funds that may be appropriated in a fiscal year.
Keywords:
carbon capture, damages, environmental liability, legal liability, site restoration, expert witness, expert testimony, witness fees, pecuniary interest, conflict of interest, civil procedure, evidence law, Louisiana evidence code, Louisiana civil litigation, expert report, discovery, pretrial disclosure, litigation transparency, settlement, damages award
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
04/16/2026 - Joint Legislative Audit Committee
Joint Legislative Audit Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- General Perry, you're recognized. Mr. Chairman. Mr. General Perry, you're recognized. Mr.
- I'm your Auditor General.
- General Perry, did Pinal County...
- I think the Auditor General was very professional.
- The Auditor General noted that The Auditor General noted that Maricopa County has spent roughly $500,000
Summary:
The Joint Legislative Audit Committee heard presentations on Arizona’s school safety interoperability communication systems, beginning with remarks from Senator Kevin Payne, who described the program as a response to school shootings and 911 overloads, and said the goal is to let schools trigger a panic-button alert that immediately shares video, floor plans, and location information with law enforcement and other responders. Several members echoed support for the concept, while also raising concerns about whether the systems are actually working as intended and whether school resource officers remain necessary or should be supplemented by technology.
Auditor General Lindsay Perry summarized the JLAC-directed special audit, explaining that the office reviewed whether fund expenditures were authorized, whether purchased systems met statutory requirements, and whether procurement followed applicable standards. She said the office had tested a sample of systems with vendors, schools, and law enforcement, and that some agencies had not provided requested follow-up information. Members questioned Pinal County’s lack of response and the status of its reports and payments, and committee leaders criticized the county sheriff’s claim that the committee had treated staff unfairly.
Representatives from Mutualink, Motorola Solutions, and Navigate 360 then defended their systems and described implementation challenges. Mutualink said its platform connects schools, dispatch, and responders across jurisdictions and claimed it can reduce response times, but acknowledged that implementation depends on training, infrastructure, and cooperation among schools and agencies. Motorola said it had deployed systems in Maricopa and Yuma counties and that some delays stemmed from school participation and procurement issues. Navigate 360 highlighted Cochise County as a success story, saying 60 of 69 schools were implemented and that the company had added maps, emergency management tools, and training support after audit findings. Members repeatedly pressed the vendors on statutory criteria, procurement practices, rural infrastructure, and why some counties or schools were not fully operational; the vendors generally said the biggest barriers were local readiness, training, and interagency coordination rather than the technology itself.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Commerce Apr 13th, 2026
Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- That's small solar storms that generate that same current at small volts per kilometer.
- That's small solar storms that generate that same current at small volts per kilometer.
- When I say independent power grid, that's as simple as like myself having a generator at the house.
- Wasn't the brass at the Louisiana National Guard, maybe the general, the general would know and make
- Are we talking about the ones that are next to the generation plants at the uplift stations?
Summary:
The committee began by deferring six bills en bloc, then took up House Bill 1103, which would exempt certain industrial facility construction or improvement projects—especially aerospace-related facilities—from some local permitting requirements. Supporters said the goal was to reduce red tape and help Louisiana compete with states like Texas and Florida for aerospace investment, while members raised concerns about safety, home rule authority, and whether fewer permits could reduce oversight. The bill was reported favorably.
Members then heard extensive testimony on House Bill 1212, which would require utilities to assess large electric transformers for vulnerability to electromagnetic threats and report findings to GOSEP, with a public version of the report. The sponsor and a retired Marine officer argued the bill was a limited “scoping” measure to identify vulnerabilities to solar storms or EMP attacks and estimate hardening costs; they said the current federal standard is too low and that protection technology exists. Committee members and utility representatives questioned whether the bill duplicated existing federal/NERC requirements, whether the information could create security risks if disclosed, whether the PSC had already studied the issue, and whether the costs would be passed to ratepayers. The PSC said it had previously opened a docket and studied EMP/physical security issues but never issued a final recommendation. After discussion, the sponsor agreed to defer the bill, and the committee deferred HB 1212.
The committee then reported several technical or narrower bills favorably: House Bill 241 updated bank records disclosure citations and replaced a reference to the defunct Office of Thrift Supervision with the CFPB; House Bill 1091 shifted local fire departments to direct reporting into the federal emergency response system; and House Bill 1027 extended existing liability protection for real estate agents to licensed appraisers regarding smoke and carbon monoxide detector compliance in one- and two-family homes. Finally, House Bill 1096, dealing with electrical cooperative bylaws and board authority versus member approval, was introduced with testimony from cooperative representatives explaining it was intended to restore member control or allow cooperatives to opt out of the 2012 change that had expanded board authority. The transcript cuts off before final action on HB 1096.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Business consideration of the general calendar. The Senate is at the 14th order.
- This is an issue, this lack of housing opportunities for the next generation.
- Generation Z Kids.
- Generation Z, it has been said, is the first generation ever to be less intelligent.
- Each generation up to this point has been smarter than the other.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum present, approved the journal, and moved through routine orders, including committee reports and messages from the House. Several bills and resolutions were introduced, referred to committees, or advanced on the calendar. The Senate then resolved into the Committee of the Whole to consider a series of House bills, adopting amendments to measures including House Bills 629, 678, 522, 810, 684, 561, and 860, and reporting them back as amended without recommendation. The committee also reported progress on House Bills 613, 526, 670, and 549, which retained their place on the calendar.
On third reading, the Senate passed Senate Bill 1294 on newborn hearing screenings after sponsor testimony emphasized early intervention, support from audiologists and deaf/hard-of-hearing advocates, and no fiscal impact. The chamber also passed Senate Bills 1353 and 1354, both housing bills expanding state standards for twin homes, duplexes, and accessory dwelling units in cities over 10,000; supporters framed them as property-rights and affordability measures, while opponents argued they weakened local control, increased infrastructure and parking burdens, and could benefit investors more than families. Senate Bill 1389, providing liability protection for property owners who allow polling places on their premises, passed unanimously after discussion about balancing voter access with premises liability.
The Senate also passed Senate Bill 1391, a technical fix preserving surveyors’ lawful entry authority for property and right-of-way work, and House Bill 727, which revises video voyeurism/extortion provisions to address AI-generated or threatened dissemination of intimate images and adds enhanced penalties when minors are involved. Finally, the Senate passed House Bill 542, the “Stop the Harms from Addictive Social Media Act,” after extensive debate over whether it protects children from addictive platform features or improperly shifts responsibility and creates surveillance and enforcement problems; the bill’s supporters argued it targets harmful platform design and parental control, while opponents raised concerns about legacy accounts, privacy, enforceability, and state overreach. Several roll-call votes were taken, with most measures passing by substantial margins, including unanimous passage of Senate Bill 1389 and 35-0 passage of House Bill 727.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Business consideration of the general calendar. The Senate is at the 14th order.
- This is an issue, this lack of housing opportunities for the next generation.
- Generation Z...
- Generation Z, it has been said, is the first generation ever to be less intelligent.
- Each generation up to this point has been smarter than the other.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Twenty Eight - Thursday, February 26
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- An engineer and electrician by trade, Freeman became the man at General Electric.
- An engineer and electrician by trade, Freeman became the man at General Electric.
- He always fought for the younger generation and for marginalized people of St. Louis.
- That would prohibit the ability of the General Assembly to increase...
- revenue, about a third of our general revenue, we are now—this language is going to prohibit the General
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Feb 25th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I am very proud to be third generation in my country. Seriously.
- I am very proud to be third generation in Miami, Florida.
- And so, in short, I'm a big booster of the SUS generally and Florida Polytech specifically.
- , and I hope continues to live for generations.
- We have an increasingly strong general education curriculum, and we have free speech.
Summary:
The committee on Higher Education Appropriations heard and favorably reported two bills: SB 1570, which revives the former Project Leo program to help locate missing persons with special needs through voluntary tracking devices and coordination with sheriff’s offices, and CS/SB 1376, which creates a grant program to support genetic counseling education in response to a statewide shortage of genetic counselors. Both bills drew supportive comments, with the genetic counseling bill also receiving public support from a university representative.
The committee then took up a large slate of confirmations. It first approved a block of reappointments to various university and college boards of trustees, including institutions such as UWF, Broward College, Chipola College, FIU, Pasco-Hernando, Polk State, St. Petersburg College, Valencia, FAMU, FAU, UCF, FSU, New College, UNF, USF, and Broward College. It then heard from numerous new appointees and some requested reappointments, many of whom emphasized workforce training, nursing, military and veteran support, dual enrollment, and local economic development as priorities for their institutions.
Several nominees highlighted their personal ties to the schools and communities they would serve, including appointees to Pensacola State, Polk State, St. Petersburg College, UNF, UWF, FIU, the College of the Florida Keys, Valencia College, and Chipola College. Committee members repeatedly asked about nursing NCLEX pass rates, workforce alignment, and institutional growth. One reappointment, Thomas Zachary Smith to the UWF board, was pulled from the block for separate questioning about his past public comments and his role in Project 2025; he said he would serve in his personal capacity and treat all students equally. The committee also separately heard from a Florida Poly reappointment, I. Shapiro, who was questioned about prior remarks regarding race and Supreme Court nominations, and from a New College reappointment, Mark Bowerlaine, who described campus improvements and enrollment growth. The meeting ended amid ongoing confirmation processing and separate votes on the remaining nominees.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Property Tax Reform Feb 10th, 2026
Special Committee on Property Tax Reform
Transcript Highlights:
- We need to just redo Hancock as a general principle to make that work.
- We need to just redo Hancock as a general principle to make that work.
- November election or to the general election can be quite costly.
- Now, listen, general comment here, all right?
- And what happens in California is that's turned over from generation to generation.
Summary:
The committee heard extensive testimony on House Bill 2651, a broad property tax reform bill sponsored by Representative Burns. Burns said the bill is intended to close perceived loopholes in the Hancock Amendment, including moving tax-related elections to November, eliminating the new-construction exclusion, allowing multiple subclass rates, and preventing counties from opting out of multiple levies. Supporters argued the bill would better protect homeowners from large tax increases, while opponents and several members raised concerns about the loss of local control, the impact on growing communities, and whether the proposal was revenue neutral. No vote was taken; the bill remained in public testimony.
The committee then heard House Bill 2944, which would change Missouri’s senior homestead property tax relief so eligible seniors would only have to apply once instead of annually. Representative Billington said the current yearly paperwork burdens older residents on fixed incomes and can contribute to them losing their homes. Some members supported simplifying the process, but others and the Missouri Association of Counties opposed the bill as written, arguing annual recertification helps ensure only eligible taxpayers receive the credit and that counties need a way to verify continued eligibility. Questions also focused on how to handle deaths, moves, and possible recapture of improperly granted credits. No action was taken.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1786/2060, a joint short-term rental property tax classification proposal from Representatives Brown and Vernetti. The sponsors argued that single-family homes used as short-term rentals should remain classified as residential, not commercial, and said some assessors have reclassified them in a way that sharply raises taxes. They cited case law and IRS treatment to support their position and said the bill would protect homeowners and local tourism economies. The Missouri Hotel Lodging Association opposed the measure, saying short-term rentals used as a business should be taxed accordingly, while the Missouri Realtors supported it. Testimony highlighted concerns about local control, the effect on housing availability, and whether short-term rentals should be treated differently based on frequency of use. No vote was taken on this bill either.