Transcript Highlights:

• But for these rural communities, it's just been a real shot.
• But for these rural communities, it's just been a real shot.
• But, you know, a lot of rural communities, you'd kill for 35-year-old families to move into your community
• We are creating homes and strengthening communities.
• It's not the same size fits all in every community.

Summary: The Committee on Economic Development met in executive session and first approved House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2151 by a vote of 11-0. The substitute removed CPI language so the measure would not allow a year-over-year increase, and the committee then voted the bill do pass. The committee then heard House Bill 2474, which would add progressive design-build as another procurement option for municipalities and other local political subdivisions. The sponsor and supporters said it would give local governments more flexibility, speed, and cost control on major projects by allowing a collaborative, multi-stage process before final pricing is set; no one testified in opposition, and the hearing was closed without a vote. The committee next heard House Bill 2693, a port authority bill that the sponsor described as clarifying port authority creation, districts, operations, and partnerships while preserving limits on state liability. Testimony from Port KC and the Missouri Port Authority Association focused on public safety needs, including authority for port rangers with arrest powers in Kansas City’s port district, board appointment and removal provisions, and the need to keep ports competitive for development. Questions also touched on labor standards, housing authority funding, and whether the bill affected data centers; the hearing ended without opposition testimony. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1716, which would create a Department of Economic Development grant program for rural workforce housing through nonprofit regional partners. The sponsor and Northeast Missouri witnesses said the program is already working in northeast Missouri through a revolving fund, with homes built and sold at cost to help attract and retain workers such as teachers, nurses, and tradespeople; supporters from housing, business, utility, and economic development groups backed the bill, while one witness opposed government involvement in housing. Committee members questioned eligibility, nonprofit-only administration, local contractor use, affordability, and whether the program could crowd out private builders. The sponsor said an amendment would be needed before a vote, and the committee adjourned after the hearing without taking final action on HB 1716 or HB 2693.

Transcript Highlights:

• like what the economic for the community like what the economic outlook<00:29:58.200><c> is.
• as people moved rest of the community as people moved into<01:27:27.400><c> that</c><01:27:27.720><c
• And it's all about trying to make sure we're communicating.
• Uh so, actually, any communicating.
• </c><01:54:08.480><c> Foundation,</c> nonprofits, like Community Foundation, nonprofits, like Community

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Richard Nelson, President, Louisiana Community Technical Colleges.
• In addition to developments in technology, such as digital technology, cell phones, body cameras, things
• A toll should not be on this type of structure in a community.
• This disconnected our community.
• This disconnected our community, and it was devastating our economy with our mom-and-pops.

Bills: HB198, HB325, HB488, HB719, HB749, HB755, HB797, HB823, HB1028, HB1194, HB1222

Keywords: Medicaid, reimbursement, ambulatory surgical centers, gastroenterology, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, healthcare funding, Louisiana Department of Health, surgical procedures, TOPS-Tech, scholarship, education, eligibility, college credit, dual enrollment, state funding, HB 488, Belle Chasse Bridge, Belle Chasse Bridge Merit-Based Special Fund, Plaquemines Parish

Transcript Highlights:

• Rather, the counties along the lines are receiving payments under community benefit agreements and our
• The projects brought provide significant economic development to communities.
• We have the, the technology that is incredible and exploiting the oil and gas that we have right under
• Because the Partnership for Community Action has actually been developing a baby bonds program, as I
• I am a parent leader in my community in Albuquerque, and reducing the financial gap is important because

Transcript Highlights:

• Were sent back to their communities.
• </c><01:34:49.239><c> can</c> of good the nonprofit Community can of good the nonprofit Community can
• </c> tremendous impact in our communities tremendous impact in our communities providing<01:58:04.239
• </c> focused on social and communication focused on social and communication skills<02:14:15.360><c>
• </c><03:21:02.600><c> is</c> machines because that technology is machines because that technology is

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 530, a bill to increase funding for New Hampshire’s Affordable Housing Fund. Representative Jessica Lontine, the sponsor, described the state’s housing crisis, citing high rents, low vacancy, and the lack of affordable units. She said the bill would double the annual transfer-tax deposit into the fund from $5 million to $10 million, and she later presented an amendment to hold the Education Trust Fund harmless by directing the housing-fund deposit from remaining revenue after that trust fund is funded. She also explained a prospective appropriation idea tied to a possible future sale of the Laconia State School property, with the goal of supporting community housing for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Much of the testimony focused on the shortage of accessible and supportive housing for people with disabilities and aging family caregivers. Lontine, Ben Saul of Visions for Creative Housing Solutions, Lori McIntosh of Our Place NH, and Maddie Mandelbaum all described the difficulty families face in planning for adult children with disabilities as parents age or die. They emphasized that many people need not only affordable housing but accessible, supportive settings, and they argued that state investment would help nonprofit providers build such housing and prevent homelessness or inappropriate institutional placement. Several witnesses also noted that existing projects rely on capital funding and that operating revenues are limited because residents often depend on SSI and Medicaid. Committee members asked questions about the fiscal impact of the bill and amendment, including whether the proposal would shift money from the general fund or education trust fund and whether the Finance Committee should have final say over spending priorities. Lontine said she understood those concerns but argued that housing should be prioritized. Housing Action New Hampshire’s Tom Duroza also testified in support of the bill, saying the state’s housing shortage is driving record prices and vacancy rates below 1%, and that the Affordable Housing Fund has leveraged more than $500 million in private investment and helped build thousands of rental homes. He said his organization supported the underlying bill but had not yet reviewed the amendment. No vote or final action was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We need to focus on community wildfire risk reduction.
• We need to focus on community wildfire risk reduction.
• Inundate their communities, realize all the leftover waste that's there.
• During drought, we need stored water to provide water to communities and the environment.
• We are missing opportunities that could be a win-win for our communities and the environment.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of natural resources and water bills, beginning without a quorum and then proceeding after quorum was established. AB 706, by Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry, would create a fund to support projects that use forest biomass from wildfire mitigation in environmentally beneficial ways. Supporters said it would help reduce wildfire risk, avoid open burning, improve air quality, and support energy reliability; opponents from environmental groups raised concerns about biomass impacts and sustainability. The bill passed the committee 5-0 and was sent to Energy, Utilities and Communications. The committee then took up AB 2026, also by Aguiar-Curry, which would streamline permitting for groundwater recharge and allow more flexible diversion permits during wet periods. Support came from local water agencies, counties, and water associations, which argued the bill would help capture flood flows, reduce costs, and improve groundwater sustainability. Opponents, including Defenders of Wildlife, salmon and environmental groups, and several irrigation districts, argued the bill could harm fish, public trust resources, and downstream users by allowing diversions based on broad wet-year criteria. Members discussed the bill at length, with some supportive of the recharge goals but urging more safeguards; it passed 4-0 and was sent to Environmental Quality. Other measures included AB 2216 to expand the Delta Conservancy’s service area to additional portions of several counties and add Lake County, which supporters said would improve habitat, climate resilience, and watershed-scale conservation; it passed 4-0 to Appropriations. AB 2075 would clarify fire-safety equipment requirements for land-clearing operations and make employers responsible for compliance; farm and cattle groups sought more flexibility for rangeland, and the bill passed 3-0 to Appropriations. AB 1960 would allow Cal Fire wildfire prevention grants to fund community-level home-hardening projects and was sent to Emergency Management. AB 1808, dealing with Western Joshua tree conservation and local permitting/fee issues, drew support after opposition groups withdrew concerns and passed 3-0 to Environmental Quality. The committee also heard AB 550 on incidental take permits for species not yet listed, aimed at reducing delays for clean energy projects, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the Technology and Innovation Office, as you know, is apologies, uh, members, we're on tab D, so
• Um, as you know, the Technology and Innovation, uh, division was created, uh, earlier this year in House
• Uh, we're calling it TO to have a nice pithy little name for it, Technology and Innovation Office.
• For example, uh, in FY 23, the EDD Office of Science and Technology operated only two grants, the SBIR
• Uh, the following year in FY 25, uh, we, uh, added the Quantum Technologies Award as well as funding

Transcript Highlights:

• We build our communities around us.
• </c> Workforce we build our communities Workforce we build our communities around<00:17:21.679><c> us
• </c><00:19:33.280><c> Through</c> reinvested into the community Through reinvested into the community
• and is the backbone of the technology and is the backbone of the military<00:25:15.000><c> Communications
• <00:39:16.480><c> and</c> technologically and technologically and diplomatically<00:39:18.839><c> and

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In my position as committee chairman, I make sure that we communicate with State Police and get their
• 00:13:07.600><c> a</c><00:13:07.760><c> withering</c> The speaker continues that states can use technologies
• to lessen the impact of these weather events, along with response and communication notifications.
• 00:13:27.000><c> uh</c><00:13:27.240><c> response</c><00:13:28.079><c> and</c><00:13:28.279><c> communication
• </c> with uh response and communication with uh response and communication notifications<00:13:30.800

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate VMAP Committee met with a quorum and heard several measures focused on public safety and emergency preparedness. Senate Bill 266, sponsored by Vice Chair Aaron Reed, would allow Kentucky State Police troopers to engage in secondary employment under a policy set by the commissioner. Reed argued the change would improve morale, recruitment, retention, and compensation opportunities. Senators Boswell, Nunn, and Higden asked about when the extra work would occur and whether the commissioner had been consulted; Reed said the policy would be left to KSP leadership and cited examples such as convention centers and events like the Derby. The bill passed unanimously and was sent to the floor. The committee then adopted a committee substitute for Senate Concurrent Resolution 67, which creates a task force to study disaster preparedness, mitigation, and related issues such as flooding, wind events, insurance, communications, and coordination among state and local agencies. The sponsor described recent severe weather and flooding across Kentucky and said the resolution was intended to help the state identify risks and best practices, save money, and save lives. Senators discussed whether the National Guard should be included, and the sponsor said they would not object to adding a representative. The resolution passed unanimously. House Bill 234, presented by Representative Wade Williams with the Kentucky Police Chiefs Association, would add airport police departments to the list of agencies eligible for grants funded through confiscated or abandoned firearms sold through the Kentucky State Police auction process. Williams said the grants support life-saving equipment such as tasers and bulletproof vests and that airport police had been inadvertently left off the eligibility list. Senators asked whether the change would reduce funding for other departments, and Williams said he did not expect a detrimental effect. The bill passed unanimously. The meeting concluded with an invitation to legislators to attend a National Guard briefing and aerial flight event, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• , Public Affairs and Development, from the current community college district.
• , Public Affairs and Development, from the current community college district.
• Community land trusts are one of the strongest tools we have to stop this.
• This mistake can cause irreparable harm to these communities.
• These communities need intervention in a 21st-century sense now.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• all Texans to get out, be active, enjoy our great state, and be present with our families and our communities
• than just a symbolic gesture, it's a call to action that can lead to increased park usage, stronger community
• These public servants play a key role in each of our communities. whether employed or volunteering undergo
• Crossing guards do all of this to ensure safety of the children and families in their community.
• With distractions such as technology plaguing our communities, it is easy. for accidents to occur, but

Bills: SB2232, SCR1, SCR6, SCR15, SCR27, SCR32

Keywords: Unplug Texas Day, digital detox, family activities, outdoor recreation, community engagement, crossing guard, school crossing guard, crosswalk safety, school safety, student pedestrian safety, traffic safety, elementary school, campus safety, pedestrian awareness, bicycle safety, traffic regulations, commemorative resolution, appreciation day, Texas Legislature, honorary designation

Transcript Highlights:

• all Texans to get out, be active, enjoy our great state, and be present with our families and our communities
• It's a call to action that can lead to increased park usage, stronger community connections, and better
• These public servants play a key role in each of our communities.
• Crossing guards do all of this to ensure safety of the children and families in their community.
• With distractions such as technology plaguing our communities, it is easy for accidents to occur, but

Transcript Highlights:

• power of U.S. technology companies.
• Our communities, partners, and state cannot wait for longer relief. Thank you.
• I actually work for Housing and Community Development with the State of California.
• Communities, families, and students of public goods.
• Communities, families, and students of public goods.

Summary: The joint informational hearing examined California’s taxation of multinational corporations, especially the Water’s Edge election versus worldwide combined reporting. Chairs opened by framing the issue as a review of whether current rules fairly and sufficiently tax foreign subsidiary income, given profit shifting concerns, budget pressures, and the long history since Water’s Edge was adopted in the 1980s. The first panel from the Legislative Analyst’s Office and Franchise Tax Board explained the mechanics of unitary taxation, apportionment, and the Water’s Edge election, and provided filing data showing Water’s Edge filers are a small share of returns but account for a large share of corporate tax liability. FTB witnesses said the agency already administers both methods and could handle a shift to mandatory worldwide reporting with education and outreach, though revenue estimates are difficult because foreign affiliate information is not directly available. Committee members asked about foreign government pushback, administrative burden, industries with more profit shifting, revenue uncertainty, and whether companies would leave California. LAO and FTB witnesses said pushback from foreign governments was plausible, but they did not expect major business flight because California’s tax is largely based on sales rather than physical presence. They also said worldwide reporting could reduce profit shifting but might increase revenue volatility and litigation risk. A second panel of academic and tax policy witnesses argued that Water’s Edge is a loophole that rewards aggressive tax planning, that worldwide combined reporting would better capture income tied to California, and that modern federal and international rules such as NCTI/GILTI, CAMT, and Pillar Two reduce compliance concerns and make a return to worldwide reporting more feasible. They also said California’s current system can create selection effects and may under-tax large multinationals. In the next panel, a California Budget and Policy Center witness urged eliminating the Water’s Edge election, calling it a costly loophole that benefits large global corporations over smaller domestic businesses and deprives the state of billions in revenue that could support health care and other services. A Silicon Valley Leadership Group witness gave historical context for why Water’s Edge was adopted and began outlining concerns about compliance, double taxation, and the risk of overreaching beyond income truly connected to California. No bill was voted on or advanced; the hearing was informational only, with members using the testimony to weigh the policy trade-offs and possible transition periods if the Legislature were to change the current rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• power of U.S. technology companies.
• The business community and the state governments had...
• Our communities, partners, and state cannot wait for longer relief. Thank you.
• I actually work for Housing and Community Development with the State of California.
• Communities, families, and students of public goods.

Summary: The joint informational hearing examined California’s taxation of multinational corporations, especially the state’s water’s-edge election versus worldwide combined reporting. The LAO and Franchise Tax Board explained the basic mechanics of unitary taxation, apportionment, and how water’s-edge generally excludes most foreign subsidiaries while worldwide reporting includes the full unitary group. FTB officials said water’s-edge filers are a small share of corporate filers but account for a large share of tax liability, and they described filing trends, industry mix, and the administrative steps needed to administer either system. Members and witnesses debated the policy trade-offs. Supporters of moving away from water’s-edge argued that it enables profit shifting, especially for large multinational and IP-heavy firms, and that eliminating it could raise significant revenue and improve fairness for smaller domestic businesses. They cited estimates of billions in potential revenue and said California already has the audit and reporting infrastructure to handle worldwide reporting, though some transition time would be needed. Opponents argued that worldwide reporting would tax foreign activity unrelated to California, create double taxation, increase compliance burdens and litigation, and could be difficult for foreign-based multinationals to document. They also warned that some of the revenue estimates are highly uncertain because foreign affiliate income is not directly observable. Committee members asked about foreign government pushback, the risk of companies leaving California, the effect on intellectual property shifting, and whether federal or Supreme Court action could block a change. Witnesses generally said major firms would be unlikely to leave because California taxes sales rather than physical presence, but some costs could be passed on to consumers. The panel also discussed alternatives such as conforming to federal international tax rules like NCTI/GILTI and adding anti-abuse rules. No vote or bill action was taken; the hearing was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• and communities that they haven't been in before, and communities are unprepared for this because we
• and communities that they haven't been in before, and communities are unprepared for this, because we
• I mean, there are certain communities like in Lake Tahoe that understand that you need to be... ...communities
• It was going to be $250 million ongoing for AB 617 communities, which are the communities most disadvantaged
• the greatest impact directly into the community.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we call it CHIP for short, the community health assessment, community health improvement plan.
• So we call it CHIP for short, the community health assessment, community health improvement plan.
• </c> your community health assessment. Yes. your community health assessment. Yes.
• </c> the health assessment um the community the health assessment um the community is<00:42:39.200><c
• health assessment, community community health assessment, community health<00:43:00.720><c> improvement

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Make America Healthy Again task force held its first meeting to set interim priorities rather than take formal action. Co-chairs and members said the group’s goal is to identify practical policy ideas to improve Kentucky’s poor health outcomes, with an emphasis on prevention, and to gather input from members and outside stakeholders. Roll was called, several members were present, and the co-chairs noted the meeting would be limited in length and would not include a lunch break. Members identified a wide range of possible focus areas, including childhood and adult obesity, nutrition in schools, food deserts, agriculture and support for local farms, health responsibility, physical activity, mental health, and provider education on nutrition. Several speakers stressed that Kentucky’s health care costs are rising unsustainably and that prevention is cheaper than treatment. Others emphasized that the task force should work with agencies, hospitals, universities, and experts, and should narrow its work to a few actionable areas rather than “chase every rabbit.” There was also discussion of food as medicine, improving the quality of food in schools and hospitals, and making healthier choices more accessible and affordable. Members referenced conversations already underway with industries, the Kentucky Department of Education, the Kentucky Hospital Association, and agricultural leaders. No votes or formal motions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided; the main action was the exchange of priorities and direction for future task force work.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> our central office and in community our central office and in community supervision<00:33:11.720
• </c> risk assessments for um Community risk assessments for um Community notification<00:34:07.840><c
• </c> invest in SEC security techn technology invest in SEC security techn technology Additionally<00:
• </c> over a 100,000 on super under Community over a 100,000 on super under Community Supervision<00:59
• </c> is that um the work around Community is that um the work around Community Supervision<01:00:13.760

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The low-income people in my community have the same means as the low-income people in your community.
• </c> about when when we go in our community about when when we go in our community so<00:13:30.120><c
• </c><00:18:39.120><c> who</c> citizens in all of our communities who citizens in all of our communities
• </c> changing nature of communication changing nature of communication Services<00:26:53.840><c> I</c
• </c> investment in Broadband communication investment in Broadband communication networks<00:28:22.159

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, we're number one in the country, $29.8 million to support the community school grant program that
• The community school grant program is really very, very important in helping wraparound services for
• the community.
• the community.
• And the communities will be safer because of this. Thank you.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met for Budget Day and heard presentations on the Senate’s proposed 2025-2026 budget, SPB 25-200, totaling $117.4 billion. Chair Hooper said the plan reduces overall spending from the prior year, keeps strong reserves, includes a 4% pay raise for state employees, maintains employee health care contributions, and makes major investments in water quality, transportation, and education infrastructure. Committee chairs then summarized their budget silos, including K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and agriculture/environment/general government. Members asked questions mainly about school funding, AP and dual enrollment support, voucher and scholarship impacts, and the My Safe Florida Home program. The committee adopted a large consent package of amendments and then approved three late-file amendments: funding virtual college tours for high school students, funding the FSU Sunshine Genetics program, and providing money for the Port of Fernandina customs facility. The committee then voted to report SPB 2500, the General Appropriations Bill, as a committee bill. It also favorably reported SPB 2502 (implementing bill), SPB 2504 (state employees placeholder), SB 7022 (Florida Retirement System contribution rates and DROP changes), CS/SB 1320 (recreating the Resilient Florida Trust Fund), SPB 2506 (gaming compact revenue distributions, including water projects and rural lands), SPB 2508 (29 new judgeships), SB 7014 (ending the court mediation and arbitration trust fund), SPB 2510 (K-12 conforming bill), SPB 2512 (higher education conforming bill), and SPB 2514 (health and human services conforming bill). The committee also took up several policy bills. It approved SB 7028 on cancer research, creating grant parameters, reporting requirements, a five-year pediatric cancer research incubator, and the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute VisionGen Initiative. It approved CS/CS/SB 170 on nursing home quality, adding resident satisfaction surveys, medical director standards, safety culture reviews, electronic health record requirements, financial reporting penalties, and a study of best practices. It approved CS/CS/SB 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, which expands mental health diversion options, adds Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, expands grant uses, and creates a behavioral health data repository. It also approved SB 114 creating the Florida Center for Excellence in Insurance and Risk Management at FSU and moving the public hurricane loss model there. The committee then began considering SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response, including a late-file amendment, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, we're number one in the country, $29.8 million to support the community school grant program that
• The community school grant program is really very, very important in helping wraparound services for
• So you believe that they are being covered for having to support the entire community, even if all the
• , by staying in the community.
• And the communities will be safer because of this. Thank you.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee heard presentations on the Senate’s proposed 2025-2026 budget, SPB 25-200, totaling $117.4 billion. Chair Hooper and committee chairs highlighted major spending priorities including a 4% raise for state employees, continued health insurance contributions, investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and workforce development, along with reductions tied to long-vacant positions. Education funding was a major focus, with increases for K-12 public schools and scholarships, higher education workforce programs, nursing initiatives, tutoring, and university performance funding. Health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/economic development, and agriculture/environment budgets were also outlined, including Medicaid, mental health, corrections staffing, affordable housing, beach restoration, citrus recovery, and water projects. Members then questioned several budget choices, especially K-12 funding. Senators Polsky and Smith raised concerns that the Senate’s AP and dual enrollment funding changes could disadvantage public schools, while Burgess argued the budget preserves the money in the FEFP and gives districts more flexibility rather than reducing support. Questions also addressed voucher availability, school stabilization funding, and the My Safe Florida Home program. The committee adopted 171 consent amendments and three late-file amendments, then approved SPB 2500 as a committee bill. It also favorably reported implementing and conforming bills for state employees, retirement, natural resources, judgeships, K-12 education, higher education, and health and human services, along with SB 7022 on Florida Retirement System contribution rates and elected-officer DROP options, CS/SB 1320 on the Resilient Florida Trust Fund, SB 7014 ending the Mediation and Arbitration Trust Fund, SB 7028 on cancer research, CS/CS/SB 170 on nursing home quality and oversight, CS/SB 168 on mental health diversion and behavioral health data, SB 114 creating an insurance and risk management research center at FSU, and SB 180 on emergency preparedness and post-storm recovery. Most bills were reported favorably with little or no opposition, though SB 180 drew discussion about local-government authority after storms and the need to balance recovery speed with local safety and planning concerns.