Transcript Highlights:

• making the following technical change: “Since the measure uses federal small business innovation research
• , these are separate awards and therefore should be changed to federal small business innovation research
• making the following technical change: “Since the measure uses federal small business innovation research
• </c><00:35:31.400><c> or</c><00:35:31.520><c> small</c> business innovation research or small business
• innovation research or small business<00:35:32.320><c> technology</c><00:35:33.040><c> transfer</c><

Committee: Senate Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures related to Hawaii’s film tax credits, timeshare registration, and a Hawaii Technology Development Corporation matching program. For HB 1939, witnesses from the Governor’s office, DBEDT, the Department of Taxation, the Attorney General’s office, film industry groups, neighborhood boards, and others discussed changes to film tax incentives, including local hire requirements, indigenous content, and possible bonus credits. Supporters said the bill would diversify the economy and strengthen local jobs, while DBEDT and others raised operational, fiscal, and legal concerns about administering the multiple bonus options, defining indigenous content, and tracking compliance. The committee noted strong support in testimony and moved the bill forward with a Senate draft, including an amended effective date and a change to apply the bill to costs incurred rather than taxable years. HB 1941, also relating to taxation and film incentives, drew mixed testimony focused on the interaction between physical production and post-production credits. DBEDT, the Honolulu Film Office, and the Hawaii Film Alliance said the bill’s structure could discourage productions, especially because many productions complete post-production elsewhere and because the measure would be difficult to administer and verify. They urged keeping physical production and post-production separate or addressing post-production through workforce development instead. After hearing the testimony, the chair deferred HB 1941 for further work rather than advancing it. The committee also heard HB 1946 on timeshare registration, which had support from industry representatives and DCCA. The bill was advanced with a Senate draft incorporating DCCA’s requested language providing that renewal applications are deemed approved after 30 days unless a deficiency letter is issued. Finally, HB 2545 on HTDC’s matching program for federal SBIR/STTR awards was advanced with a technical amendment clarifying that the federal awards are separate and should be referenced in the alternative. All three of those measures were adopted unanimously by the members present.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the grant programs under the purview of the Industrial Commission, including the oil and gas research
• EOR grant program, including eligibility criteria, and so additional policies in the oil and gas research
• And so the proposals that came in were of such a good nature that in the end the Oil and Gas Research
• Because the oil and gas research fund receives $17.5 million per biennium from oil and gas taxes, and
• I mean, I'm not criticizing the process now, but that's, I mean, we have this in other areas, research

Summary: The committee met as the Regulatory Division budget section and first reviewed the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency’s budget and program update. Legislative Council outlined the agency’s base budget and historical funding, and Housing Finance staff reported on homeownership lending, housing incentive fund (HIF) awards, and homeless grant spending. Agency officials said the five new FTEs approved last session are mostly filled, with one homeless program manager still open. They described strong demand for HIF, noting that September 2025 multifamily requests exceeded $73 million while only $25 million was available, and that single-family and homeless programs are also heavily subscribed. Members discussed the agency’s local loan servicing workload, interest-rate benefits, down payment assistance, and the need to coordinate housing discussions with Commerce and site-preparation efforts. The agency asked that HIF, single-family, and homeless funding be maintained or increased, and committee members emphasized accountability and statewide access for homeless prevention and rapid rehousing funds. The Department of Mineral Resources then presented its budget and agency initiatives. Staff reported that the department is on track financially, that most of the five new reclamation-related FTEs are hired, and that litigation costs tied to oil and gas matters are expected to continue appearing late in the biennium. The director reviewed ongoing modernization and organizational efforts, including the North Star IT project, succession planning, training, and rulemaking for oil and gas and critical minerals. Members asked about longer laterals, spacing, and production trends; the department said operators are increasingly drilling three-, four-, and even an initial five-mile lateral, which is helping keep North Dakota oil production relatively flat even as rig counts ease. The director also discussed oil price volatility tied to Middle East conflict, hedging practices among producers, gas capture remaining around 95%, and the likelihood that current production levels will stay near flat unless prices or geopolitical conditions change significantly. An update on the enhanced oil recovery grant program followed. The Industrial Commission’s grant administrator said the full $25 million appropriation was allocated in the fall to six projects, and because the oil and gas research fund also had carryover and biennial tax revenue, total awards reached about $45.1 million. The projects are expected to run two to four years, with meaningful results not likely until mid-2026 or later. Members questioned whether the public would have access to the research findings and how accountability would be maintained; staff said the grants are reimbursement-based, require regular status reports, and will culminate in public final reports. The committee also heard from the North Dakota Pipeline Authority, which updated members on natural gas transmission projects, especially WBI Energy’s proposed Bakken East pipeline. The authority said the project has advanced through a nonbinding and then binding open season, with WBI now securing survey permissions and moving through regulatory and landowner processes, while other related gas transmission projects near Minot and Epping are also in development.

Transcript Highlights:

• I visited the ISO the other day and then was at Lawrence Research Center, where... ...research center
• continuously instead of encouraging them, and they can make more money and put their money into research
• They can make more money and put their money into research to refine their products to minimize carbon
• less regulation and we give, allow the refineries to make a greater profit, then they can do their research
• I'm here to speak on an issue that was not on the docket today: the Fusion Research and Development Innovation

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But research shows that this assumption is dangerously wrong.
• Further research shows that when fathers kill their children, ...in the United States.
• Further research shows that when fathers kill their children, domestic violence, coercive control, and
• This bill recognizes that the research already tells us abuse of a mother is a warning sign of danger
• But what this is, is right now our current statute, 12-2293, which I believe, as far as my research shows

Committee: House House Judiciary Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2931, which continues the Arizona Civil Rights Advisory Board for eight years. The sponsor and a Civil Rights Division representative testified that the board helps examine civil rights issues and supports transparency and justice. The bill received a due pass recommendation on a 5-3 vote. The committee then considered HB 2862, a strike-everything amendment creating a sentencing enhancement for crimes committed while wearing a mask to conceal identity, narrowed by amendment to Title 13 offenses. Opponents, including CAIR Arizona and the ACLU, argued it could burden religious expression and protest activity, while supporters said it targets criminal concealment and improves accountability. The committee adopted the striker and amendment and gave the bill as amended a due pass recommendation by a 7-2 vote. HB 4042 followed, requiring a potential father in a paternity action to serve the mother to avoid waiving certain rights and allowing failure to do so to support termination of the parent-child relationship. An adoption attorney said the change would close a loophole and align termination law with adoption statutes. The bill passed unanimously with a due pass recommendation. The committee also heard HB 4136, creating unlawful entry into a residence where a vulnerable adult lives as a felony, with an amendment removing immediate-arrest language and other provisions. The sponsor described a case involving repeated harassment of a vulnerable adult, while opponents said existing trespass, burglary, and aggravating-factor laws already cover the conduct. The amended bill received a due pass recommendation on a 6-3 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a researcher, I can tell you that everything that we know about preventing and ending homelessness
• As a researcher, I can tell you that everything that we know about preventing and ending homelessness
• And what the research shows, and Dr.
• Where can we still get the data that researchers like Dr.
• So we end up having, I think, a researcher referring to a researcher that independently contacted continuums

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is this, is this, is this, is this, Is this, is there some benefit in this bill to businesses for research
• Unfortunately, this bill excludes that part of research and experimentation.
• Those who claim the research and experimentation credit will not get the degree of benefit that everyone
• Those who claim the research and experimentation credit will not get the degree of benefit that everyone
• Allowing an immediate deduction for research and development costs is sound tax policy and until recently

Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee heard House Bill 559, which would conform Idaho tax law to portions of the federal “One Big Beautiful Bill,” including changes affecting individual tax cuts, senior deductions, overtime and tips, and business research and experimentation expensing. Representative Jeff Ehlers, the sponsor, argued the bill is primarily a tax cut for Idahoans, said the fiscal note of about $155 million was reasonable, and emphasized that the bill does not conform to bonus depreciation. He also said the bill spreads some corporate impacts over time and that the measure is about tax conformity rather than budgeting. Committee members questioned the sponsor closely about the research and experimentation provisions, the timing of deductions, and whether the bill would affect the current budget year or require cuts elsewhere. Ehlers said some business tax effects would “wash out” because of timing, that some taxpayers may have underpaid in anticipation of conformity, and that any budget decisions would be handled by JFAC rather than this committee. He also said interest and penalties would apply to underpayments like any other tax liability. During closing, he reiterated that the bill’s revenue impact was already reflected in the fiscal note and that the measure benefits individuals more than businesses overall. Public testimony was sharply divided. Supporters such as Ron Nate, Ken McClure, Mark Wynn, and Miguel Legoretta urged conformity for simplicity, filing clarity, and tax competitiveness, though some of them criticized the bill for not fully conforming on the business side or for eliminating the state R&D credit. Opponents, including seniors, taxpayers, disability advocates, mental health advocates, and faith-based speakers, argued the bill’s cost was uncertain, could worsen budget pressures, and could lead to cuts to Medicaid, education, and other services. After testimony and debate, Representative Monks moved HB 559 to the floor with a due pass recommendation; the motion was debated by several members, with concerns raised about uncertain fiscal impacts and possible service cuts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, no, the legislation hasn't been amended since it was enacted, and my research didn't find
• That would be part of the research.
• As you may know, there's a lot of research that is still needed, data that still needs to be collected
• Also, with that survey, there are potentially other research questions and areas we can target in the
• That research is really important because we need to know what levels of poverty we need to address.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• But I also want you to pay attention; if you have questions, we have a distinguished researcher from
• Roland Moore from the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation in Berkeley, and recognizing the
• My pronouns are they and he, and I'm with the Center for Applied Research Solutions.
• I'm a senior researcher at Loyola Marymount University.
• I'm also a health service and policy researcher.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I work at the American Institute for Economic Research, and we put in an amicus brief in support of the
• at the American Institute<00:29:04.159><c> for</c><00:29:04.399><c> Economic</c><00:29:04.880><c> Research
• /c><00:30:41.039><c> point</c><00:30:41.360><c> about</c><00:30:42.480><c> um</c> Uh, so there's research
• Um, what we also find here, so there's peer-reviewed research finding this. base because by doing so
• Um, I did my own research finding this nationwide that in metro areas where you had property tax capture

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we can help you with removing the trees right up to your structure, but the research about how homes
• Given by a New Mexico forester after years and years of research, that a healthy forest was a forest
• There's research after research that shows how light pollution disrupts our circadian rhythm.
• There is not research that lighting solves crime.
• There's a lot of research showing well-controlled lighting is a better deterrent.

Committee: Senate Senate Conservation

Transcript Highlights:

• Then I get into research and development.
• Then I get into research and development.
• We talk about grant management as far as advancing the larger research initiative across Florida.
• Again, research and development, move along quickly.
• Now, it's on us and it's on the agencies to do that research early.

Summary: The subcommittee held its first meeting to examine Florida’s information technology governance, budgeting, cybersecurity, data management, and telecommunications operations. Chair Schneider and other members framed the panel as a new joint policy-and-budget forum focused on reducing jargon, improving accountability, and asking whether technology investments are feasible, aligned with state goals, cost-controlled, and secure. State Affairs Chairman Will Robinson and members emphasized that the committee should avoid buying “shiny new objects” without clear business cases and should focus on long-term value, cybersecurity, and operational efficiency. Florida Digital Service and Department of Management Services leaders provided an overview of the state IT enterprise. Secretary Pedro Allende described DMS as the state’s business, workforce, and technology service provider, while State CIO Warren Spanholz outlined Florida Digital Service’s four core areas: cybersecurity, project success, data interoperability, and enterprise architecture. Chief Data Officer Ed Ryan said the state data catalog is about 400,000 elements and roughly half of agencies are participating, and he described efforts to identify authoritative data sources and improve interoperability. Chief Information Security Officer Jeremy Rogers discussed the state cybersecurity operations center, enterprise risk management, incident response exercises, and a recurring $35 million cybersecurity resiliency budget. Chief Technology Officer Leo Schoonover described oversight of major IT projects over $10 million, updated project management standards, and a shift toward smaller phased implementations and more flexible methodologies to reduce delays and overruns. Other presenters covered telecommunications, data center operations, and cybersecurity workforce development. Director Denise Atkins said the Division of Telecommunications manages Suncom and MyFloridaNet, with nearly $336.9 million appropriated for fiscal year 2024-25, and is procuring the next network contract while emphasizing security controls and vendor flexibility. Tim Brown said the Northwest Regional Data Center operates on a chargeback basis, serves state and local customers, and returned surpluses to customers in recent years. Cyber Florida Director Ernie Ferraroso described training, workforce pipelines, K-12 outreach, a cyber range, and research programs aimed at building Florida’s cyber workforce and improving public-sector readiness. Members asked about budget setting, project delays, change orders, cybersecurity reporting, data catalog participation, interoperability, and expanding cybersecurity operations centers. Officials said chargeback rates are based on actual direct and indirect costs, project delays often stem from unclear scope and insufficient upfront planning, and cybersecurity success is measured by mean time to detect, respond, and recover. They also said the state is moving toward more modular project delivery, broader agency participation in shared cybersecurity services, and expanded CSOC locations within existing staff and budget where feasible.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Libby Miles, associate research analyst at the LSO Division of Research and Evaluation.
• research analyst at the LSO Division<01:04:31.800><c> of</c><01:04:31.920><c> Research</c><01:04:32.280
• </c> Division of Research and Evaluation. Division of Research and Evaluation.
• </c> Today, I'm here to present a research Today, I'm here to present a research memo<01:04:35.840><c
• </c><01:48:11.840><c> to</c> do go back and do some research to do go back and do some research to determine

Committee: Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're currently working to update that research, and I can only tease it for now, but the numbers are
• ><c> Policy</c><00:18:29.440><c> Action</c> own research at Northstar Policy Action own research at Northstar
• We try to differentiate Minnesota in our research.
• We try to differentiate Minnesota in our research.
• </c> litigation, and research organization. litigation, and research organization.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our research has shown that municipalities are using a wide range of options in their meetings: remote
• It's about research, coordination, and accountability.
• The Boston Fed study is valuable research.
• H. 4351 creates the operational backbone to turn research into policy action.
• It builds infrastructure, as has been spoken of: research and genealogical services that courts have

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills related to open meeting law, municipal meetings, town meetings, and remote participation. Senator Rausch supported S. 2205 and S. 2206, and House companion H. 3382, saying they would make remote participation in public bodies permanent and streamline open meeting law and public records complaint processes to reduce burdens on local officials. Committee members and the senator discussed concerns about complaints being weaponized, the role of the Attorney General, and whether public testimony should be presumed allowed unless a chair limits it with justification. The senator said the bills do not change public records fees and are meant to improve process and transparency. A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 3342 and S. 2197, which would modernize municipal meetings, town meetings, and local elections by allowing permanent remote or hybrid participation. Supporters included Wayland officials, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, MAPC, MACC, and others, who argued that hybrid and remote options increase participation, help parents, caregivers, people with disabilities, and residents with travel or work constraints, and have worked well during the pandemic-era extensions. Municipal officials emphasized that a mandate would be costly and difficult for smaller communities because of staffing, technology, room design, cybersecurity, and uneven internet access, especially in western Massachusetts. Committee members asked about equal access, funding, and whether local discretion should remain; the chair said the committee wants a permanent solution beyond emergency rules but must balance access with local capacity. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3328, which would allow remote participation to count toward quorum for statewide appointed bodies such as commissions on women and LGBTQ issues. Supporters argued this would improve regional equity and make it easier for people outside Greater Boston to serve, while committee members noted it is a separate issue from municipal meetings and may be easier to address than broader local-government changes. Another bill, H. 4351, was supported by Rep. Brandy Fluker Reed, who described it as creating an Office of Freedmen Affairs to address longstanding racial wealth disparities affecting descendants of enslaved Americans. The hearing also included testimony on H. 3299 from Common Cause and MASSPIRG in favor of guaranteed hybrid access for public meetings with public participation components, with advocates saying it would improve transparency, accessibility, and civic engagement.

Transcript Highlights:

• And $9.6 million for Red Tide Research.
• for citrus screening and research.
• Agriculture research and funding specifically in the Department of Agriculture includes $175.3 million
• for citrus screening and research.
• Representative, we put $15 million toward coral reef restoration and research in this year's budget.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Senator Donnell C. Childers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Officer Antonio Richardson as law enforcement officer of the day. A quorum was announced, the journal was approved, and the Speaker said the chamber would take up 11 budget conference reports, with debate and final votes on each report. The first report considered was HB 7031E, the tax package, followed by HB 501E, the state budget appropriations bill. On HB 7031E, Chair Duggan explained that the conference report included a range of tax reductions and tax-related changes, including sales tax holidays, property tax and homestead-related provisions, reductions in certain taxes and fees, and new exemptions or administrative clarifications. He said the package also added items such as sales tax relief for certain university construction projects, a tennis admissions exemption, and changes to agricultural property tax treatment, and that the amendment reduced state and local tax revenues by $272.2 million. Members questioned the bill about the child care tax credit reduction from three years to one, the homestead exemption provision for certain diplomats and foreign service personnel, the absence of gas tax relief and combined reporting, and the inclusion of firearm accessories and tennis tickets in sales tax holidays. After structured debate, the House adopted the conference report and passed HB 7031E by a vote of 88-11. The House then began the conference report on HB 501E, the $114.5 billion budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, which was described as below the prior year’s spending level and leaving more than $14 billion in reserves. Subcommittee chairs outlined major allocations across education, higher education, IT, health care, transportation and economic development, justice, state administration, and agriculture/natural resources. Highlights included increased FEFP funding and veteran teacher raises, full funding for Bright Futures, major IT modernization projects, Medicaid and behavioral health funding, transportation and local infrastructure spending, correctional and law enforcement investments, fire station and emergency response funding, and large environmental and water-quality appropriations. Members asked detailed questions about school voucher fraud oversight, scholarship funding, teacher raises, preeminence funding, ADAP changes, SNAP data tools and error rates, Medicaid rate changes, prison wastewater monitoring, and other budget items, but the transcript ends during the budget questions before final action on HB 501E is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• A 501(c)(3) nonprofit that develops research and policy to put the American people first.
• we can spend $16,000 to $18,000 while my daughter was in public school, I know because I did the research
• I know because I did the research.
• Making policy arguments or presenting research on the benefits of school choice and education freedom
• We have discussed partnering with LSU's research department to conduct a more rigorous fiscal impact

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't cite research in bills. I didn't think we did.
• But I'd like for a little bit of research on that.
• But I'd like for a little bit of research on that.
• But I'd like for a little bit of research on that.
• But I'd like for a little bit of research on that.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• how we populate resolution to research how we populate areas<00:40:27.120><c> with</c><00:40:27.320>
• Did a little quick research.
• Whereas people with profound autism are frequently excluded from research and support programs because
• The research concluded that the percentage of 8-year-old children with profound autism among those with
• The research concluded that the percentage of 8-year-old children with profound autism among those with

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum, approved the prior journal, and excused absent members. The chamber received second readings of several bills and resolutions, including measures on ad valorem taxes, planning and zoning, tax-dollar restrictions, provisional medical licensing, Medicaid oversight, environmental regulations, municipal financial reporting, nuclear workforce development, and county law libraries. Committee reports advanced bills on economic development, education, judiciary, and veterans/public protection, and the body also received a list of newly filed bills and resolutions covering topics such as rural revitalization, athletics, SNAP eligibility, diaper tax exemption, domestic violence, middle school math, pedestrian bridges, constitutional amendments, education, and several honorary resolutions. The Senate then took up House Bill 314, which would reorganize the Kentucky Communications Network Authority (Kentucky Wired) by moving it under the Commonwealth Office of Technology, restructuring its board, and adding members representing cities and counties. Supporters said the bill was an administrative change, not a funding measure, intended to focus the network on students, teachers, and public users while awaiting an audit. Critics argued the project has been a costly taxpayer burden and called for stronger oversight. The bill passed final passage 32-6. The chamber also passed Senate Bill 157, which aligns Kentucky law with federal mortgage rules so that certain rate buy-down payments do not count against borrower fee caps, with supporters saying it would help housing affordability and reduce costs for borrowers. Senate Bill 214 also passed unanimously; it allows the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to accept non-federal funding for grants without routing those funds through the Department of Finance. The Senate later adopted several resolutions, including Senate Resolution 61 recognizing Links Incorporated Day, Senate Resolution 114 commemorating the 80th Southern Legislative Conference, and Senate Resolution 118 honoring Joseph H. Mattingly Jr. Additional remarks highlighted a Black History Celebration event and a lengthy floor speech criticizing the Kentucky Hospital Association’s reserves and urging investigation, followed by consideration of Senate Resolution 55 on Profound Autism Day in Kentucky.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 6 works to strengthen the Kentucky All-Star system to ensure it is driven by research-based
• the Kentucky All-Stars program to become outcomes-driven and based on the highest quality academic research
• House Bill 6 works to strengthen the Kentucky All-Star system to ensure it is driven by research-based
• House Bill 6 works to strengthen the Kentucky All-Star system to ensure it is driven by research-based
• the Kentucky All-Stars program to become outcomes-driven and based on the highest quality academic research

Keywords: Convene 00:00 Senate Message 04:26 Report of Committees 05:13 Orders of the Day/ HB 6 06:22 HB 480 14:13 HB 562 17:55 HB 136 25:53 HB 257 29:47 HB 490 35:54 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 40:30 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 52:44 Recess for ConC/Rules Meeting 53:49 ConC/Rules Report 57:12 Floor Amendments 58:49 Adjournment 58:59, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Research consistently shows that a perceived risk of arrest reduces buying behavior.
• Research consistently shows that a perceived risk of arrest, sexual exploitation.
• And by the John Jay College, Elizabeth Jeglic, Ph.D., has done a lot of research.
• I would also, Elizabeth Jeglick, Ph.D., her research on grooming is excellent.
• Look into that, research that.

Committee: House Children and Families

Keywords: 959, house, all