Transcript Highlights:

• Does the mother get to stay there with the baby so that there is still that bond?
• Madam Chair, Representative Ferrari, there is no limitation on the mother's bonding with that child;
• bonding.
• CYFD does not prohibit bonding; we do bonding even when kids are in custody with CYFD.
• I share the concerns with bonding.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:33:19.519> on right area as far as on the bonding on right area as far as on the bonding
• <01:30:48.800> bonds<01:30:50.080> in levy used to support bond bonds in levy used
• to support bond bonds in certain<01:30:50.880> times<01:30:51.199> or<01:30:51.440>
• But but maybe bonds, I would imagine.
• We sent out bond for it and we were using proceeds again to pay that off.

Bills: HB0147, HB0127

Keywords: property tax, homeowner exemption, Wyoming, voter initiative, tax legislation, HB0127, recreation mill levy, recreational facilities, public recreation, mill levy, local tax, county commissioners, school district levy, voter approval, ballot measure, general election, tax referendum, special purpose tax, Wyoming taxation, W.S. 18-9-201

Transcript Highlights:

• I generally had to go in front of the judge and do the motion or the bond.
• here where it's just pretrial release, this no-contact order, sometimes it's given by the jail as bond
• And then, you know, do judge either say I'm gonna hold you a no bond or I'm going to, you know, give
• There is not a jail in this state who allows you to bond out and puts conditions on the jail.
• There is not a jail in this state who allows you to bond out and puts conditions on the jail.

Transcript Highlights:

• t have to bond the entire amount.
• t have to bond the entire amount.
• So if those bonds are callable, after 10 years we have the opportunity to look at those bonds and see
• bonds.
• Those bonds are callable.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard from the Personnel Appeals Board, which explained that it became an independent state agency after Senate Bill 487 and was presenting its first standalone operating budget. The board described its quasi-judicial role in hearing appeals from classified state employees over disciplinary actions such as warnings, suspensions, and terminations, and said it handles about 25 to 35 cases a year, with some cases lasting longer because of their complexity. Members also outlined the need for a chair and vice chair who are attorneys, the board’s current staffing and space needs, and its plan to move away from reliance on Administrative Services for office support and website functions. The board requested about $353,500 for fiscal year 2026, including startup costs, routine operating expenses, and two new part-time positions: a program director and a paralegal. Members said the budget reflects the new independent status, includes funding for only four board members rather than the authorized five, and is designed to avoid full-time staffing costs and benefits. Legislators asked about the cost per case, the board’s relationship to DAS, whether appeals must go through the board before court, and how often cases are appealed further. The board said appeals must first go through it, that court appeals are infrequent but have increased recently, and that the board’s process is intended to resolve disputes more quickly and less expensively than court litigation. Committee members also asked about the board’s caseload, outcomes, and staffing. The board said that in the prior year there were 22 cases, with four decisions overturned in favor of employees, nine dismissals, and nine settlements, and that many disputes are resolved before reaching the board through a multi-step internal process. A member noted the governor and council had recently approved a new board member and were expected to approve a fifth soon. The discussion ended with questions about the board’s website and records access, which members said would need to be moved from Administrative Services as part of the agency’s transition. The committee then moved to the New Hampshire Council on Developmental Disabilities. The executive director explained that the council is 100 percent federally funded under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act and develops a five-year plan to address the needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She said the council works with state agencies and advocacy organizations on quality-of-life issues, accessibility, voter rights training, and plain-language or easy-to-read materials, and that 60 percent of its membership must be individuals with disabilities or family members/guardians. She also described the council’s funding structure, including reimbursement to the state for operating costs, and noted that it currently has three full-time and three part-time positions, with no new positions requested but one full-time position being eliminated and replaced after a pandemic-era staffing change did not work out as planned.

Transcript Highlights:

• referendum in a vote which million Bond referendum in a vote which had<00:20:35.600> more<00:
• We borrow in the terms of airport revenue bonds, so they're not backed by general obligation bonds.
• , so it increases the cost of the bonds that we end up borrowing for.
• We borrow in the terms of airport revenue bonds, so they're not backed by general obligation bonds.
• , so it increases the cost of the bonds that we end up borrowing for.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is our annual 3.2 million bond servicing money coming out of the base.
• We have had two bond rating increases. We'd like to have one more.
• The bond rating people love that.
• It kind of is a cheap way to bond things without bonding.
• , as we take service fees out of the bonds we do as an administrative fee.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we secured $1.2 billion in our infrastructure with our bonding bill, the capital investments
• bonding bill, the capital investments. bonding bill, the capital investments.
• What you saw in the bonding bill and others were projects that had been looked at by our bonding team
• <00:23:18.840> They our bonding team on their tours.
• They our bonding team on their tours.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House Republican leaders in Minnesota gave a post-session recap focused on what they described as major accomplishments in a tied legislature. They highlighted passage of the Office of Inspector General bill to combat fraud, along with tax and fee relief measures including $125 million in property tax relief and $250 million in car tab reductions. They also pointed to funding for hospitals and uncompensated care, county IT modernization, school safety and mental health programs, public official safety at the Capitol and judicial branch, and a $1.2 billion bonding bill for infrastructure. Leaders repeatedly contrasted this session with the prior Democratic trifecta, arguing Republicans blocked new tax increases and helped make government more accountable and affordable. They said the OIG bill had been a top priority, had previously been blocked in the House, and was now signed into law. On health care, they said the final package included support for hospitals and denied that discussions about 340B involved pharmaceutical companies, saying offers on that issue were rejected by House Democrats. In response to questions, leaders said the tie forced public negotiation and that Minnesotans were the real winners because lawmakers worked together. They also defended the lack of final floor votes on gun-related proposals, saying those measures had been voted on multiple times in committee and on the floor but did not have the votes to pass. On transparency, they said the process was as open as possible and that bonding projects had been heard in committee and reviewed by the bonding team before inclusion.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> The clerk will read the bond initiatives and the committee assignment. >> Introductory House Bond
• Introductory House Bond Initiatives number 61, March 6th, 2026, referred to Appropriations.
• <00:02:49.400> initiatives >> The clerk will read the bond initiatives >> The
• >> Introductory House Bond Initiatives >> Introductory House Bond Initiatives number
• Introductory House Bond Appropriations.

Keywords: House streaming session for Friday, March 6, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House met on February 24, 2026, with 110 members initially present and later 126 present after additional quorum calls. The chamber handled routine introductions and referrals, including House bills 1629-1631 and Introductory House Bond Initiatives 60 and 61, and received Senate Bill 9 and Supplemental Budget Number One, both of which were read and referred to the appropriate committees. The supplemental budget was submitted as an amendment to the fiscal 2027 budget and referred to Appropriations. The House then took up third reading and final passage on several bills. House Bills 311 (public schools, individuals with disabilities, accessibility, and emergency planning), 359 (property tax credit for urban agricultural property alterations), 396 (residential child care programs and training), 430 (family child care providers and reserve component members), 735 (earned income tax credit assistance program implementation delay and study), and 851 (Maryland Statewide Independent Living Council legal status) all passed, with HB 396 receiving four negative votes and the others passing overwhelmingly or unanimously. House Bill 805, the Building Homes Act, also passed after brief floor questions about whether the tax credit would apply to nonprofits and what safeguards existed; the sponsor explained it was an enabling bill and that local governments could set their own requirements. The floor session included several personal and guest recognitions, including visitors in the gallery, a doctor of the day, a birthday recognition, Women in Construction Week, African Advocacy Day, District 16 night, and a foster youth shadow day announcement. Members also discussed the addition of children’s books in the lounge and thanked the pages for their work. Committee and subcommittee announcements followed, and the House recessed until Monday, March 9, at 8:00 p.m. legislative day February 25.

Transcript Highlights:

• . ...specifically levied for the purpose of capitalizing the Reclamation Fund or increased bonding to
• Representative Murphy, we're going to be hearing a road bonding bill coming up.
• I personally don’t believe this is in lieu of bonding.
• And I think we need strong bonding requirements in place because if there’s a significant downturn in
• I personally don’t believe this is in lieu of bonding.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of these other bond bonding agencies are footing the bill on that and I'm pretty sure they're not
• money when we go out for bonds.
• One of the great things that I think are debt management division and the bonds oversight division.
• lettings, I guess you'd say, when we are kind of the debt management bond oversight agency.
• That's every year, just for the support of the museum bond itself.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and the Fidelity Bond Program coverage limit is $300,000 per occurrence.
• Payment by the bond trust fund is also indicated when applicable.
• was paid in full, and two were governmental entities that are not covered by the bond program.
• On the bond trust fund, it's been used a number of times. Who pays for that trust fund?
• It's the bond trust fund that is a fidelity bond to help ensure if there's theft by employees of those

Summary: The committee first adopted prior minutes and then heard several standing committee audit reports. The executive committee report noted audit and special reports scheduled for the month, one outstanding committee-requested report, and a request to gather information on a possible special report for February. The city/county/local report covered delinquent private water and sewer audits, including reinstatement of turn-back funds for 17 entities, 59 of 64 delinquent 2023 entities filing reports, and action on the town of Daisy requiring repayment of misused street funds. The education report filed three higher education audit reports and deferred one Northwest Arkansas Community College report. The state agencies report filed four reports and deferred audits of the Department of Human Services and the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism for more information on corrective actions. The committee then received a special audit review of the Charles W. Donaldson Scholars Academy at UA Little Rock. Auditors said the program received $10 million in desegregation funding and a $50,000 grant, awarded $1.87 million in scholarships to 379 students, and saw 116 students graduate. The review found many scholarship eligibility exceptions, including awards above the maximum and to students who did not meet GPA, enrollment-hour, or full-time requirements, and numerous disbursement documentation and authorization problems. Committee members sharply questioned the program’s oversight, the role of former staff, the use of funds for travel and cultural activities, and whether any improper spending should be referred for criminal review. UALR representatives said the program was overseen as a sponsored program, that some controls were later strengthened, and that Philander Smith only verified enrollment rather than eligibility. The committee voted to table the report until the next meeting and asked staff to gather the federal court order and additional information. Finally, the committee reviewed the annual report on matters referred to prosecutors and the Attorney General for 2024. Staff said 164 matters were referred, with 28 criminal charges filed, 39 still under review, 3 dismissed, 5 pending in court, and 96 not charged; convictions in 20 cases led to fines, restitution, audit costs, and some bond trust fund payments. Prosecutor representatives explained that many referrals do not become criminal cases because of intent, timing, or other legal limits, and said they generally seek restitution even when charges are not filed. Members asked for more standardized reporting, including whether restitution was recovered and why cases were not prosecuted, and discussed possible training and a checklist for future reports. The committee then voted to file the report and adjourned, with the next meeting set for February 12-13.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> I think you focus on that that bond process and the performance on process, sometimes we see.
• But bonds, which by the very nature I structured procurement, would serve the same purpose.
• You know, when you when you have the big bonds and things that put it at a certain level performance,
• You know, when you talk about the risk associated with performance bonds and and and the big bond process
• approaching appropriate bonding amount.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, it has, uh, powers of, um, bond. It has powers of road and water.
• Muds never issue bonds to put in infrastructure.
• So all bonds are sold in reimbursement of what the developer has put in.
• Hayes County voters last year approved a $440 million road bond.
• In 2016, we had a $130 million road bond.

Transcript Highlights:

• And our first panel is the Climate Bond, Proposition 4 Expenditure Plan.
• Of this amount, Chapter 9 of the bond specified 850 million would be dedicated.
• And we reserve an allocation of 375,000 for statewide bond costs.
• Across all Proposition 4 bond allocations, a portion of statewide bond costs were reserved.
• Issue number one: DGS and the climate bond.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is reflected in the bond sale each year.
• So you can see there, and we talked about... ...in the bond sale each year.
• that bond sale, right?
• We spend money, and then the portion that is spent, we sell bonds, but guess what?
• You have to pay off the bonds to which it’s obligated.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held an informational hearing on the state capital outlay process, with Roger Husser and Matt Baker of the Division of Administration’s Office of Facilities Planning and Control (FPNC) presenting a detailed review of House Bill 2 and proposed improvements. They said FPNC administers about 54% of the bill, while other agencies administer the rest, and emphasized that the capital outlay program has improved significantly over the last few years, with project expenditures more than doubling due to better cash-flow management, staffing changes, and more efficient project administration. They also explained how the bill is structured by priorities, how the priority-one cash line of credit is capped and adjusted for construction inflation, and how the bill has grown into a much larger, longer-range plan than a true five-year program, especially on the non-state side. A major theme was that the bill contains too many dormant, legacy, and low-priority projects, which creates false expectations and ties up funding. Committee members pressed the presenters on culture change, third-party project management, staffing shortages, and the use of technology and statutory interpretation to speed projects without sacrificing compliance. Husser and Baker said they had reduced internal bureaucracy, used staff augmentation because of hiring difficulties, delegated smaller projects to agencies when appropriate, and improved cash-flow analysis so projects can move forward with less money up front. They also discussed overappropriations, dormant projects, and the need to reappropriate unused funds to projects that can actually spend them. The presenters offered several recommendations and considerations: limit the number and size of new projects, reduce scope creep, require more regular endorsement of long-running projects, consider caps on priority-five funding, impose time limits and reporting requirements on non-state grant projects, and possibly require non-state entities to escrow or otherwise demonstrate their match earlier. They also suggested bundling related projects together, expanding that approach beyond the current pilot, and improving transparency by showing full project funding history and the first year each project appeared in the bill. No votes were taken, and the meeting remained informational, with members generally supportive of the efficiency reforms while also raising concerns about false hope, dormant projects, and the need for clearer expectations and accountability.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um there's a number of tax bonds.
• Sections 66 through 68 set out the authority for the Metropolitan Council to issue bonds. Mr.
• of the bonds. the the bonds<00:54:23.040> are<00:54:23.200> backed<00:54:23.599> by
• We're not able to do the regional transit capital bonds. I'm just kidding. I think I misread that.
• We're not able to do the regional transit capital bonds. I'm just kidding. I think I misread that.

Bills: HF2438

Keywords: transportation finance, transportation policy, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Metropolitan Council, highway funding, trunk highway fund, county state-aid highway fund, municipal state-aid street fund, state aid roads, local roads, bridge funding, road construction, transit funding, passenger rail, freight rail, aviation, airport development, safe routes to school

Transcript Highlights:

• Phase two is part of the initiative that was in the bonding capacity.
• The estimate that is in the bonding bill is 155 million. These numbers. Mr.
• So this is for the bonding, not for the budget, or is it? Mr.
• Chair, Representative, no, this is not for the bonding.
• Projects that are identified for the bonding bill—is that in here? Mr.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So now is a little bit more as bonds.
• So, looking at maybe some bond sales to get into the infrastructure financing.
• <01:32:02.639> sales looking at maybe uh some uh bond sales looking at maybe uh some uh bond
• So, I'm saying, well, use your bond authorization. So, we're trying to get them to use their bonds.
• the existing bonds looking at some of the existing bonds out<01:33:24.320> there<01:33:25.199

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Act 279 working group met for an informational briefing with DHHL on its use of the $600 million appropriation and progress on the department’s implementation plan. The chair reviewed the working group’s oversight role, noting that it was created to monitor expenditures, project development, and progress toward reducing the Hawaiian Homes waitlist, and that the group must submit a progress report before the 2026 session and a final report before the 2027 session. DHHL said it had provided an updated booklet reflecting the Hawaiian Homes Commission’s February 2024 recommendations and a detailed accounting of encumbrances and project progress across the islands. DHHL highlighted several implementation themes: innovative financing and construction methods, land acquisitions and exchanges, technology, beneficiary services, and partnerships with counties and private entities. The department described a “project lease” model that gives beneficiaries access to a project rather than a specific lot, with options such as turnkey homes, owner-builder, self-help, or rent-to-purchase arrangements depending on financial qualification. Officials said this approach is intended to serve lower-income beneficiaries, expand access for people on the waitlist, and allow beneficiaries to receive support services such as financial literacy and down payment assistance. The department reported that roughly $511 million had been encumbered for infrastructure, about $152.8 million for acquisitions, financing, and beneficiary services, and about $36 million in other covered costs, with about $588.9 million encumbered as of December 31 and about $120 million expected to be spent by that date. Officials said the original implementation plan covered about 2,722 units, while the updated plan projects roughly 6,000 to 7,000 leases and 2,472 lots to be occupied. They also described phase-two needs for additional funding, including projects on Hawaiʻi, Maui, Kauaʻi, and Oʻahu, and said they would need continued legislative support, including possible bonding and private activity bond set-asides, to complete remaining projects. Members discussed the distinction between encumbered and spent funds, and DHHL explained that encumbrances reserve money for specific contracts while construction spending occurs over time through progress payments. The department also showcased examples of innovative projects, including a high-rise project in urban Honolulu financed through a mix of private activity bonds, tax credits, and state funds, and an acquisition-based project in Kapaʻa, Kauaʻi using multiple funding sources. DHHL emphasized partnerships with the City and County of Honolulu and Maui County, and said it is still assessing future projects to keep infrastructure costs manageable and ensure homes are safe and affordable for beneficiaries.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, they were editing the bonding bill like as they went.
• On bonding at least, you know, we get the public hearings on all of the different projects, but we have
• >> I mean, they were editing the bonding >> I mean, they were editing the bonding bill
• <00:14:10.520> packages when you look at those bonding packages when you look at those bonding
• at least, you know, we get >> On bonding at least, you know, we get the<00:14:48.520> public

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House DFL leaders reflected on the end of session, saying the legislature accomplished major priorities despite a narrow partisan split and a tense political environment. They highlighted passage of a $705 million package to stabilize HCMC, anti-fraud measures, IT upgrades, property tax cuts, tab fee cuts, and a housing bill that included $40 million for rental assistance. They also said the session was unusually orderly and productive compared with recent years, and credited the power-sharing arrangement with reducing prolonged floor fights and encouraging more individual bills and conference committee work. At the same time, they emphasized several disappointments, especially the failure to pass meaningful gun violence prevention measures and legislation to curb ICE abuses or respond to Operation Metro Surge. Leaders argued Republicans blocked even modest gun safety proposals, including enhanced extreme risk protection orders, and said they would take those issues to voters in the next election. They also said the campaign message would focus on affordability, health care costs, hospital stability, gas and energy prices, and school safety. In response to questions, leaders defended the transparency of the session’s negotiations, saying the underlying ideas had been debated publicly for months even if final packages were released late. They also said the $40 million rental assistance funding was intended to help people affected by Operation Metro Surge, and argued that maintaining Minnesota’s road network requires adequate long-term funding even if the distribution of costs changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got some bond initiatives. Clerk will read the bond initiatives.
• Majority move so we consider the reading of the bond initiatives.
• Let's go with bond initiatives calendar 32.
• Senate Bill 448, Carroll County Senators: Carroll County Public Facilities Bond, favorable.
• The date of maturity of these bonds cannot exceed 30 years.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, February 27, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Maryland Senate met on Friday, February 27, with an invocation by Reverend Howard Travers and several guest introductions, including family members, defense organization leaders, a South Asian Herald editor, Eagleton Institute fellows, and physicians from Johns Hopkins. The chamber journalized the prayer, confirmed a quorum, and then moved into bill introductions, House messages, and committee reports. Several measures were advanced without objection, including Senate Bill 338 to extend a work group report deadline on transfer of retirement system member services, Senate Bill 448 authorizing Carroll County public facilities bonds up to $27 million, Senate Bill 453 clarifying that the Arabian horse race associated with Preakness can be run at Laurel Park, Senate Bill 614 allowing Dorchester County detention officers to join the correctional officers retirement system if the county opts in, and Senate Bill 724 making a technical emergency adjustment to cost-of-living calculations for retirees because October CPI data was unavailable during a government shutdown. Each of those bills received favorable committee reports and was ordered printed for third reading after no objections or amendments were offered. Two bills were postponed for later consideration: Senate Bill 538 on Baltimore City raffles tied to organizations affiliated with professional baseball and football teams was special ordered to Wednesday of the following week, and Senate Bill 108 on water resources and wetlands enforcement was special ordered to March 3 while members worked on possible amendments. Senate Bill 56 on the Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center and third-party data sharing was also special ordered to the following Wednesday because committee discussion was ongoing. House Bill 6 and House Bill 372 were received and referred to the appropriate standing committees. The Senate also took up Executive Nominations Committee Report No. 3 and, after no nominations were separated out, confirmed the executive nominations by a vote of 41 in the affirmative. Later, the chamber heard a personal privilege statement from a Montgomery County senator about Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald schools in Maryland, highlighting preservation efforts and an upcoming Scrabble tournament fundraiser at a Rosenwald school. The Senate then confirmed a quorum, and the Majority Leader moved that the Senate stand in recess until Monday, March 2 at 8:00 p.m., which was adopted without objection.