Transcript Highlights:

• Well, thank you, Chair Deuer, and thank you committee.
• Okay, well, that's the last one, Chair. Great.
• We'd like to tighten up that language as well.
• Well, thank you, Madam Chair, members of the committee.
• I’m very proud of them as well.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Most of the time, this works pretty well.
• Most of the time, this works pretty well.
• I'm all around for questions as well. Thank you so much.
• And the federal credit as well.
• Well, great. Thank you for that presentation.

Bills: HB1717 , HB1859

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: affordable housing, sales tax, housing programs, tax incentives, economic development, religious organizations, development, housing opportunities, land use

Transcript Highlights:

• So Houston Fire is pretty well funded, I think.
• It's always a balancing act between how well-funded the pension is and how well you're taking care of
• Well, we deal with the same types of people that come onto our school campuses.
• Our school district actually helps service the community as well.
• Well, I can only give you my opinion on your...

Bills: HB886 , HB1514 , HB2434 , HB2688 , HB2802 , HB3161 , HB3221 , HB4029 , HB4339 , HB4591 , HB4774 , HB4802 , HB4853 , HB5627 , SB1737

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Keywords: retirement, supplemental payment, benefits, Employees Retirement System, eligible annuitants, legislation, annuity, service credit, Employees Retirement System of Texas, employee benefits, pension reform, public retirement systems, municipality pensions, firefighters, police officers, retirement age, DROP program, actuarial studies, pension benefits, municipal retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm sure Representative Kraft, yes, now I recall you said that as well. I heard that as well.
• We want to bring people into our trains as well.
• Well, we need and deserve high-quality child care that's affordable.
• But we are all well aware of the financial realities ahead of us.
• So I'm here, but you're welcome to talk to me offline as well.

Bills: HF1367 , HF2732 , HF1897 , HF1424 , HF1383 , HF2728 , HF2863 , HF1685 , HF2929

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:40.360><c> you</c> balance of people to decide well you balance of people to decide well you
• —well, I don't need the promotion to Speaker. We'll just go with Chair.
• I appreciate that as well. You know, we've seen this bill before.
• </c><00:15:13.800><c> at</c> don't have the money right now well at don't have the money right now well
• </c><00:15:43.199><c> you</c><00:15:43.319><c> know</c> speak to that well you know speak to that well

Summary: The committee took up House File 289, authored by Representative Quam, and adopted a technical A1 amendment before moving the bill forward. Quam explained that the bill is intended to create a mechanism for frontline state employees, faculty, and management to identify waste, inefficiency, and possible savings in agency budgets, with a portion of any savings going back to the state budget and the remainder placed in a special fund for mission-related spending decided by a joint committee. He said the idea grew out of earlier faculty union discussions and that the bill had previously passed with bipartisan support, though it was underused when first enacted. Members generally praised the goal of empowering employees and improving efficiency, but several raised concerns about the bill’s practical operation and low historical use. Representative Jones asked why uptake had been limited and whether current conditions would improve participation; Quam responded that larger budgets and more employee engagement could make the program more useful now. Representative Freiberg and Representative Bonner both supported the concept but questioned whether employees would understand budget constraints and whether the structure might discourage managers from saving money intentionally. Quam argued that employee input would improve decisions, morale, and credibility, and could help justify needed investments. Representative Koznick asked how the bill interacted with the Odyssey Fund, and staff clarified that the two are separate accounts and do not directly affect each other. Representative Koznick also objected to comments he viewed as attacking the administration, and the chair reminded members not to impute motives. Representative Kosnik/Quam indicated openness to future improvements, but Representative Bonner said she was not ready to support the bill in its current form because of concerns about the approval process through MMB and the Legislative Audit Commission. Despite those reservations, the committee ultimately voted to send House File 289, as amended, to the General Register.

Transcript Highlights:

• . well. well.
• </c> might have an opinion on this as well. might have an opinion on this as well.
• His most famous statement was<00:57:12.240><c> well</c><00:57:12.560><c> Greg</c> was well Greg was well
• </c> responses as well. responses as well.
• </c> it on my wall as well. it on my wall as well.

Bills: HF4094 , HF3390 , HF3813 , HF3583 , HF3751 , HF4324 , HF4789 , HF3596 , HF4033 , HF4424 , HF4053

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: Crosby, local sales tax, bonding authority, community projects, voter approval, Owatonna, use tax, special law, community center, municipal finance, capital project, sales and use tax, local option tax, city tax, public facility, general election, bond referendum, debt limit, levy limit, Minnesota local government

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:22.360><c> I</c><00:09:22.440><c> can</c><00:09:22.800><c> totally</c> well I can totally well
• </c><00:21:21.760><c> as</c> issues with with Commerce as well as issues with with Commerce as well as
• </c><00:26:38.279><c> investigating</c> keeping us busy as well investigating keeping us busy as well
• Our staff is affected by this as well.
• </c><01:24:10.159><c> followup</c> evaluated there as well followup evaluated there as well followup

Bills: HF601 , HF271 , HF1101 , HF979

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• He did well. He took it well. Joseph, you did okay, too.
• Well, yeah.
• Senator: Well, they are if they're a ticket. Another Senator: Yes, I know. I was like, well, OK.
• Well, guess what?
• Well, there's actually...

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• is valid as well.
• as well.
• Well, Madam Chair, >> Senator Abeler. >> Well, thank you.
• Well, I'll just Well, then we'll &gt;&gt; Okay.
• Well, I'll just Well, then we'll just<02:28:22.800><c> vote.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, that has worked with the kiosk in the stadiums this year.
• Yeah, well, if your career or civil service, this applies to police departments as well, sir.
• So I think it's important that they're involved as well, so I appreciate that.
• Well, I have a feeling it might get put back on before this is all over.
• Well, we do anticipate that we would have...

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The House Committee on Appropriations met on March 30, 2026, and first approved House Bill 27, a constitutional amendment by Rep. McMakin that would let non-recurring state monies be used to pay down state retirement system unfunded accrued liabilities without being limited to the oldest debt. McMakin said the change would allow the state to choose the most actuarially beneficial debt to retire. The committee also favorably reported House Bill 755 by Chairman Turner, which creates indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity professional services contracting for design work tied to deferred maintenance projects, and House Bill 308 by Rep. Bayham, which requires cash acceptance at certain state-owned stadium facilities unless a cash-conversion kiosk is available. The committee then approved House Bill 311 by Rep. Kerner, which increases the dedication of insurance premium assessment revenue to the municipal fire and police civil service operating fund. Kerner said the Office of State Examiners now serves far more jurisdictions than when it was created and needs more funding to keep up with technology and workload. House Bill 417 by Rep. Zeringue was also reported favorably; it raises the cap on the hazardous waste site cleanup fund from $6 million to $8 million so DEQ can keep more dedicated revenue available for cleanup contracts instead of having excess amounts flow into the Environmental Trust Fund. Members questioned DEQ about the end of the Waste Tire Task Force and about how cleanup and tire-program stakeholder input would continue, but the bill itself was advanced. House Bill 980 by Rep. Zeringue, which would expand and alter the membership of the Fireman Supplemental Pay Board, was favorably reported after discussion about ensuring board members are tied to supplemental pay and about possible further changes on the floor. House Bill 575 by Rep. Carver, which gives youth in extended foster care priority to buy surplus state vehicles, was also approved after Carver described the transportation barriers facing former foster youth; an amendment that would have moved them from first to second priority was withdrawn after committee concern. The committee then favorably reported House Bill 290 to reauthorize the Department of Treasury through July 1, 2031, and House Bill 382, which shifts review of certain matters from an oversight committee to the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget to avoid a duplicative approval process. Several bills were adopted without objection, and the meeting adjourned after the final motions.

Transcript Highlights:

• “Well, you know what? That’s a different class.
• I fully believe renters pay property tax as well.” “I think that’s true as well.
• So I looked at two cents, and that put them well below.
• I think they're right around 30... ...and that put them well below.
• So two cents would have put them well below that.

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Summary: The Special Committee on Property Tax Reform met to hear public testimony on House Bill 3342 and House Bill 3354. HB 3342, sponsored by Rep. Matteson, would prevent tax levies adopted before January 1, 1975 from being applied to personal property tax, with the sponsor arguing that personal property taxation on motor vehicles and similar property was not part of earlier voter-approved levies. Members questioned how the bill would work in practice, whether it should instead remove vehicles from assessment entirely, and what property classes would be affected. The sponsor said he was focused on class four personal property, especially motor vehicles, but was open to refining the language. No one testified in support, opposition, or for information, and no vote was taken. The committee then heard HB 3354, sponsored by Chair Taylor, which would reduce the Blind Pension Fund levy from 3 cents to 0.0275. Taylor said the fund’s participant numbers are declining while reserves have grown, that the department agreed the lower rate would still be sufficient, and that he wanted to keep the fund lean while preserving a cushion. Members asked about how the levy is calculated, whether it fluctuates with assessments, and whether excess funds could be transferred to public education as contemplated by the constitution. There was also discussion about the bill’s decimal wording and a possible drafting amendment to clarify the rate. No witnesses testified in favor, opposition, or informationally, and the hearing on HB 3354 was concluded without a committee vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the process has worked very well.
• Well, there are certain rules under Missouri law that are sacrosanct, right?
• Well, she's out there still, maybe it is. Come on here, y'all.
• Well, she's out there still, maybe it is. Come on here. Y'all.
• Well, I understand. I understand. I understand.

Committee: House Financial Institutions

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, we have a motion to send RS 33033 to the floor with a due pass.
• So we've added an emphasis in our educational leadership programs on literacy as well.
• And I think for us, as well, we've heard the call.
• My colleague says that 63% there as well.
• Visit an eighth-grade classroom that things aren't going well. That's horrible.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, well, that will be my close.
• I've toured it obviously as well, and as a former mayor, I query them a lot: Well, how are you dealing
• Well, good afternoon, Mr. Chair and Senate. Well, good afternoon, Mr. Chair and Senators.
• Well, thank you, Mr.
• Well, thank you, Mr.

Summary: The committee began without a quorum and first heard AB 748, which would create pre-approved housing plans for single-family homes and small multifamily projects under 10 units, with delayed implementation for smaller cities and counties. The author said the bill is modeled on the state’s ADU preapproval process and is intended to make housing approvals ministerial and faster. Support came from housing and business groups, while several cities opposed it. Senators raised concerns about local control and whether small or rural jurisdictions have the staff and infrastructure to implement the program, but the author emphasized that local agencies would still control the plans and land-use decisions. No vote was taken because there was no quorum. The committee then heard AB 1621, which would tighten timelines and accountability for post-entitlement permits, limit plan-check resubmittals, and restrict field changes unless needed for health and safety. The California Building Industry Association and many housing groups supported the bill, arguing that permitting delays raise costs and slow housing production. The League of California Cities, counties, and several local governments opposed it, saying the two-plan-check limit is too rigid and that the bill could create litigation risk and reduce local flexibility to ensure code compliance. Members debated the proper standard for additional review and whether the bill should allow exceptions for state mandates; the author said the bill was meant to stop endless back-and-forth while preserving health-and-safety exceptions. The bill was recommended for a due-pass motion to Appropriations when quorum is reached. AB 2748 was next, proposing a three-year delay in the new electric-vehicle readiness requirements for 100% affordable housing projects, keeping the older 40% standard during that period. The author and affordable housing advocates said the change would reduce costs and help scarce housing dollars go further, while opponents from environmental, transportation, and clean-energy groups argued the current code is already cost-effective and that the bill would create a double standard and reduce EV access for low-income residents. Senators discussed whether the bill should require additional EV-capable infrastructure if projects use the older standard, and several members said they supported the bill but urged continued work on amendments. The committee also heard AB 1732, which would expand CEQA streamlining to student housing projects at public universities and community colleges with long-range plans. The author and student housing advocates said campus housing shortages are driving student homelessness and that the bill would help projects move faster; some senators supported the concept but questioned the bill’s geographic limits and whether labor standards or rural-campus criteria might be too restrictive. The meeting also included AB 1738, which would require jurisdictions to offer virtual inspections for certain simple home inspections. Supporters said remote inspections save time and money and have been used safely in California, while one senator said she could not support virtual inspections for more complex items like roofs and solar work. No final votes were taken during the transcript, and several bills were held pending quorum or further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, that's partially because of the partial investment aspect.
• And I think Megafire pointed that out really well.
• And I think Megafire pointed that out really well.
• The local government—well, we asked that question already.
• Well, thank you for the question, Mr. Chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, that's partially because of the partial investment aspect.
• Well, again, good morning, Chair Bennett, members of the committee.
• And I'm very proud you have the home builders here in the room as well.
• And I think Megafire pointed that out really well.
• Well, thank you for the question, Mr. Chair.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation held an oversight hearing on home hardening and defensible space as wildfire mitigation strategies. The chair opened by stressing that California has reached a tipping point, with repeated community-scale wildfire losses, rising insurance costs, and growing utility wildfire mitigation expenses. The hearing was organized around four panels: what home hardening and defensible space are, community risk reduction and coordination, evaluation of current defensible space programs and proposed investments, and the future of home hardening and the California Wildfire Mitigation Program. The first panel featured IBHS, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, and local wildfire mitigation advocates. IBHS described wildfire spread through embers, flames, and radiant heat, emphasizing that structure separation, removing combustible materials within the first five feet of a home, and combining multiple mitigation measures significantly reduce loss. It highlighted its Wildfire Prepared Home and Wildfire Prepared Neighborhood standards, including an “essential” and “enhanced” level, and said California is ahead of other states but still needs scalable, standardized, and sustainably funded mitigation. The LAO outlined key policy questions for the Legislature, including the state’s role, intergovernmental coordination, cost-effectiveness, program design, measurement of success, long-term sustainability, and barriers to implementation. The chair and panelists discussed estimated costs, including roughly $15,000 for a basic retrofit and about $50,000 for more extensive ignition-resistant construction, and whether state funding should focus on the most cost-effective initial measures. The second panel focused on scaling adoption through local coordination, education, financing, and community-based programs. Megafire Action argued that home hardening is a market adoption problem and said the state should not try to pay for every home, but instead target high-leverage interventions across the “customer journey,” including education, financing, trusted certification, and neighborhood network effects. Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council described free home assessments, small retrofit grants, Firewise community support, and the importance of neighborhood-level action, local capacity, and cultural change. Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority described its locally funded model, grant program, public education efforts, and an Ember Ready program that helps residents navigate home hardening and Zone Zero compliance. The chair repeatedly emphasized the need for a coordinated statewide marketing campaign, stronger incentives, better insurance discounts, and more use of local, utility, federal, and private funding sources. The third and fourth panels addressed Cal Fire’s defensible space inspection program, the proposed defensible space financial assistance program, and broader state investments. Cal Fire said homes lacking compliant defensible space are far more likely to be damaged or destroyed and requested ongoing funding and staffing to stabilize inspections statewide; the LAO suggested the Legislature consider alternative funding sources such as GGRF or a reinstated SRA fee. Cal Fire and the State Fire Marshal explained that Zone Zero sets a minimum standard, local governments cannot go below it, and grant prioritization will favor jurisdictions that submit inspections. Cal Fire also said the new defensible space financial assistance program would focus on ember-resistant zone-zero work and, in the Southern California counties covered by the legislation, would assist about 3,125 homes at an estimated $8,000 per home. In the final panel, the State Fire Marshal described California’s layered strategy of parcel-level home hardening, defensible space, and neighborhood-scale mitigation, along with technical support, financial assistance, and incentives such as insurance discounts and builder marketing. The overall theme was that California must move from isolated efforts to a coordinated, science-based, and scalable statewide approach to reduce wildfire losses.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, well, and Mr.
• Well, Mr. Chair, Mr.
• both sides on it as well.
• Wow, without objection, well, we'll have, what we're out, well, we have bills tomorrow.
• Well, we have bills tomorrow.

Committees: House Government , House House Government Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, but we went to speak to it as well.
• </c><00:03:46.160><c> as</c> that cities brought forward as well as that cities brought forward as well
• </c> Senate with a 2/3 supermajority as well. Senate with a 2/3 supermajority as well.
• Um, I will continue to do that as well.
• Uh, well, thank you, Chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:45:36.480><c> Well,</c> positions are direct care. Well, positions are direct care.
• </c> well, what what is this legal aid for? well, what what is this legal aid for?
• Well, thank you very much. We we place. Well, thank you very much.
• Well, thank you. Is there any &gt;&gt; All right. Well, thank you.
• . well. well.

Summary: The committee first approved the May 12 minutes, then deferred item 285 on the routine personal service contract green list for Western Kentucky University to the July 2026 meeting. It also noted that several deferred university contracts had been withdrawn by the institutions, and then approved the remaining agenda items without objection, including personal service contracts, amendments, memoranda of agreement, Kentucky Entertainment incentive agreements, deferred items, and corrections, except for items pulled for further review. The main pulled item was a Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts contract supporting Fayette District Court’s juvenile treatment court through Fayette County Public Schools. Court officials explained that the program, created under Supreme Court rules in 2022, serves court-connected juveniles with mental health and related needs, operates at the courthouse, and uses a school-employed program manager funded through a pass-through arrangement with Fayette County Public Schools and the Urban County Government. They said the program has had over 100 referrals, accepted about half, and had at least 25 successful graduates, with 11 high school graduates among participants. Members asked about who pays for drug screens, family involvement, and what counts as successful completion; the officials said the Urban County Government’s Division of Youth Services pays for drug screens and services, and that parents must participate in classes and support services. The committee then approved the contract review, with some members explaining their votes in support and one member emphasizing the committee’s role in reviewing contracts in the public interest. The committee also reviewed two Auditor of Public Accounts contracts. The auditor’s representative said contract 11, with Vantage Point Solutions, will examine the Kentucky Communications Network Authority/Kentucky Wired network for $700,000, well below the $1.5 million appropriated, and that a report is expected before the 2027 regular session. Contract 12 funds a special examination of investment managers used by Kentucky’s retirement systems, prompted by a Legislative Oversight and Investigations request to assess whether investments tied to ESG factors are consistent with fiduciary duties; the representative said the retirement systems have been cooperative and that findings are expected on a similar timeline, with some flexibility built into the deadline. After questions about the Texas litigation referenced in the explanation, the committee approved both auditor contracts without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, I &gt;&gt; Uh, well, yes.
• It is well established.
• This is a well-established program.
• This is a well-established program.
• </c><00:43:28.400><c> as</c> a contract as well as um um as well as a contract as well as um um as well

Bills: HF3611 , HF3659 , HF3909

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: taxation, income tax, damage awards, sexual harassment, abuse claims, immigration enforcement, taxpayers, file income tax return, Minnesota-source income, tax regulations, detention facilities, gross revenues, private prisons, Minnesota law