Video & Transcript : 'capital assets' :
Page 37 of 500
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- I believe it's an asset for not only this generation but all future Oklahomans.
- Because at the end of the day, the TET trust fund Is a public asset of the state of Oklahomans.
- It's an asset for the entire state. We must ensure that we protect its long-term viability.
- Do you think state assets should have accountability to voters?
- It is an asset in perpetuity for future generations of Oklahomans. Thank you for the question.
Committee:
House Rules
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Investments and Pensions Oversight Oct 8th, 2025
Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Fund assets dropped by more than one-fourth.
- Interest rates, along with other asset classes, dropped significantly.
- Half their assets in the 2007-2008 decline was cataclysmic.
- and intellectual capital than almost anywhere else in the country.
- DARPA can invest directly $300 million of non-dilutive capital into the company.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:03:47.599><c> for</c> the largest state source of capital for the largest state source of capital
- Over the past five years, capital funds have paid for $227 million in capital improvements at public
- fund uh over the past five our Capital fund uh over the past five years<00:42:51.160><c> Capital</c>
- </c> million in uh Capital Improvements at million in uh Capital Improvements at public<00:42:57.280>
- </c> only gets 10% of the annual Capital only gets 10% of the annual Capital funding<00:48:21.480><c>
Bills:
HF2148 , HF2693 , HF2542 , HF1141 , HF1770 , HF1489 , HF1709 , HF244 , HF1266 , HF807 , HF2619 , HF1340
Committee:
House Capital Investment
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee Jun 17th, 2026
Banking and Financial Institutions
Transcript Highlights:
- capital to grow or survive difficult times.
- Just to be clear, this bill again does not restrict capital.
- It ensures that access to capital is... This bill, again, does not restrict capital.
- It ensures that access to capital is fair, transparent, and responsible.
- Maddie Hyatt, Capital Business Alliance. Thank you.
Committee:
Senate Banking and Financial Institutions
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Press Conference: DFL Leaders Speak on 2026 Bonding Priorities - 04/28/26
Transcript Highlights:
- [music] >> I am Senator Sandy Pappas, chair of the Capital Investment Committee.
- This historic building recently received asset preservation funding to renovate and expand.
- </c> building community assets. building community assets.
- Um, I would love it if we did a no-drama capital investment bill and got it done this year.
- bill</c><00:15:37.440><c> this</c> capital investment bonding bill this capital investment bonding bill
Summary:
Senate leaders and supporters held a press availability focused on passing a state capital investment, or bonding, bill this session. Chair Sandy Pappas said the state has received more than $7 billion in project requests and is pushing for a $1.4 billion bonding package to address infrastructure needs such as clean water, state parks and trails, college and university repairs, sewer capacity for housing growth, and other public facilities. She and other speakers stressed that delaying projects raises costs and that they do not expect a special session, making action before adjournment especially important.
Testimony from labor and legislative leaders emphasized the economic benefits of bonding. Anthony Wilkie of SMART Local 10 said public bonding projects create work hours for skilled trades and cited Fraser Hall at the University of Minnesota as an example of a project that employed union members. Senator Nick Frentz argued that bonding supports jobs, especially in greater Minnesota, and highlighted water infrastructure needs, including communities facing manganese contamination and high water rates if they must finance treatment plants alone. Senator Ann Johnson Stewart pointed to PFAS-related water treatment costs in Minnetonka Beach and said she would support higher education and water projects.
Majority Leader Erin Murphy said the Senate is working toward the $1.4 billion target, noting the state’s AAA bond rating and the need to keep borrowing costs low. She also said the recent Metro Surge period led to about 4,000 lost construction jobs, strengthening the case for a bill this year. In response to questions, Pappas said negotiations with Senator Housley and House leaders were underway but still early, with no final target set yet; she said staff are preparing project lists and language, and that some items, such as HCMC, may move separately. No formal vote was taken in the exchange, but the speakers expressed optimism about reaching a bipartisan agreement before session end.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm talking about the customers who would still be on the system because that overall capital cost of
- But because the city of DeKalb is not in DeKalb County, and because we have nearby assets, we tried to
- And more importantly, it would allow for us to make about $150,000 of much-needed capital investment
- water system, like an electric system, there's a couple of kinds, at least, of categorization of assets
- You have a capacity system like the pumps and the tower, and those are assets that are built to be able
Committee:
House Utilities
Summary:
The Utilities Committee met with a quorum and first took up House Bill 2807, with a substitute ending in .03C. Representative Herbert explained that the substitute was intended to match the Senate version, add battery energy storage to the renewable standard, clarify that the nuclear provision applies to new, not existing, nuclear generation, and create nuclear energy credits to help track generation for the PSC. Members asked about how the credits would work, whether they could involve out-of-state generation, and how the bill would affect Missouri jobs and in-state generation. The committee adopted the substitute and then voted the House Committee Substitute for HB 2807 do pass by a roll call vote of 18 ayes and 1 no.
The committee then heard House Bills 3351 and 3371, sponsored by Representatives Koslow and Taylor, which would expand a prior, narrower water-district detachment proposal statewide. The bill would create a “specific demand customer” category for large water users whose quantity or quality needs may exceed a district’s capabilities, require a water district to respond within 60 days, and allow the customer to seek service elsewhere and pursue detachment if the district cannot or will not serve them. It also would prevent districts from taking on new encumbering federal debt to block detachment and would require gifts offered specifically to pay off such debt to be accepted and applied to that purpose. Sponsors said the measure was meant to stop “debt hoarding” and remove barriers to economic development while still allowing courts to review reasonableness and protect both districts and customers.
Members questioned the scope of the bill, including the use of “may exceed” in the definition, whether the restriction on new loans could create problems in emergency or repair situations, how reasonableness would be judged, and whether the proposal could affect existing ratepayers or apply to municipal systems. The sponsors said the intent was to address net-new customers and to leave ordinary financing available except for loans used to prevent detachment. In informational testimony, Missouri American Water described a separate but related problem involving USDA red tape delaying a partial sale of the city of DeKalb’s water system, saying the delay was preventing lower rates and needed capital investment for a small community. No votes were taken on HB 3351 or HB 3371 before the committee adjourned.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division I (01/29/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> projects that they oversee are capital projects that they oversee are capital projects<00:44:37.880
- </c><01:31:56.040><c> because</c> it's in bold and in all capitals because it's in bold and in all capitals
- We get a capital budget appropriation every year.
- capitalized with about $280 million um capitalized with about $280 million um several<04:58:46.360><c
- , specifically loan capital.
Summary:
The Department of Administrative Services presented an overview of its budget and operations, emphasizing that it is the lowest-spending agency in state government and that its general fund allocation has declined since 2019. Commissioner Arling House explained that DAS also handles back-office functions for several administratively attached boards, which has affected staffing and spending comparisons. He said the department’s current general fund spending is roughly split between retiree health and other operations, and that the presentation was based on adjusted authorized spending rather than the original budget figures.
A major portion of the meeting focused on retiree health benefits and the long-term effort to control costs. Deputy Commissioner Cassie Keane described how the state moved from a projected deficit in retiree health to savings through a series of changes, including higher premium contributions, co-pay adjustments, and shifting Medicare retirees into Medicare Advantage arrangements to capture federal reimbursement. She said the state has about 12,500 retirees and spouses on the plan, with roughly 10,906 Medicare retirees and 1,580 non-Medicare retirees, and that the savings have depended heavily on federal funding and procurement decisions. She also noted that Medicare retirees pay Part B premiums and that the state has grandfathered older retirees from some premium contributions.
Members asked about what the expenditures cover, why the state offers retiree health instead of simply giving retirees a payment to buy coverage themselves, and whether out-of-pocket costs changed under Medicare Advantage. Keane said the plan covers actual health claims or insurance premiums, that co-pays and maximum out-of-pocket limits remain in place, and that the state has no authority to change benefit details without legislative action. She explained that retiree health is a long-standing employee benefit that wraps around Medicare and is not collectively bargained in the usual sense, though its eligibility rules and cost-sharing have been tightened over time to better target the benefit to long-term state service.
The discussion also covered vendor performance problems. Keane said Anthem recently won the contract back from Aetna, but its pharmacy subsidiary, Caroline, caused serious service disruptions. DAS responded by withholding payments, assessing more than $2 million in performance guarantees, and hiring a third-party auditor to review the pharmacy processes. The current contract runs through the end of calendar year 2026, and officials said they are watching federal Medicare Advantage reimbursement changes closely because future savings are uncertain.
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- The same thing occurs with the Wyoming Venture Capital Program.
- What are the natural assets that you have?" What are the natural assets that you have?
- And then the third bill deals with the Venture Capital Fund.
- Those are the things that a business has as an asset, but it's not a hard asset.
- unless the asset is or will be owned by the applicant.
Committee:
Joint Appropriations
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- But on top of that, you'd have to pay capital gains on it as well.
- in that you're charged a capital gains tax when you sell it if there is a gain.
- 29.599><c> capital</c><00:40:29.960><c> gain</c><00:40:30.319><c> tax</c> that you're charged a capital
- , to make money on these assets, to invest in these assets.
- </c> assets uh to make money on these assets assets uh to make money on these assets to<00:44:58.880>
Committee:
House Taxes
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee Jun 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- for some portion of these future capital investments.
- Given the massive scale of capital investment that's being forecasted, I think it makes sense to look
- There is not an unlimited amount of capital that can come to California.
- impacts. ...minimize future stranded asset costs.
- Water is our most important asset.
Summary:
The committee first heard SB 804, the Hydrogen Pipeline Safety Act, from Senator Arreguín. He said the bill would designate the State Fire Marshal as the safety regulator for intrastate hydrogen pipelines and require hydrogen-specific standards, while not mandating any pipeline construction or bypassing environmental review. Supporters included labor groups, utility employees, and the City of Burbank, while Air Products opposed unless amended, citing concerns about the bill’s specificity, fee structure, and the need for a hydrogen-specific rulemaking process. The committee discussed safety, fees, and regulatory certainty, and later passed SB 804 on a 9-0 vote to Emergency Management with commitment to take amendments.
The committee then took up SB 905 by Senator Becker, aimed at reducing electricity rates by changing utility incentives. The bill would tie part of executive compensation to keeping rates below inflation, require more performance metrics, and allow the CPUC to consider lower returns on equity for certain lower-risk investments and alternative financing options. Support came from consumer, environmental, agricultural, and large energy user groups, while Southern California Edison, CalChamber, PG&E, and utility labor groups raised concerns that the bill could reduce investment, create regulatory uncertainty, and raise borrowing costs. After extensive discussion about utility affordability, wildfire costs, and capital markets, the committee passed SB 905 on a 7-1 vote to Appropriations.
SB 913, also by Senator Becker, would create a clearer pathway for distributed energy resources such as batteries and smart thermostats to participate in the resource adequacy market and compete with utility-scale resources. Supporters said the bill would better use existing grid capacity, lower costs, and build on the state’s Demand Side Grid Support Program; PG&E opposed unless amended, saying the use case was not yet proven and was already being addressed in other rulemakings. After the committee accepted amendments, one opposition group moved to neutral and another said it might do so after reviewing the changes. The bill passed 8-0 to Appropriations and was placed on call.
Several other measures were heard and advanced, including SB 1196 on faster utility hookups for small energization projects such as ADUs and EV chargers, SB 931 reauthorizing the Diablo Canyon Essential Services Mitigation Fund through 2028, SB 1158 reducing the frequency of joint reliability assessments from quarterly to twice yearly, and SB 1245 directing further study of California’s gasoline market and potential use of non-CARBOB fuel during supply disruptions. SB 1196 and SB 931 both passed with broad support and no opposition after amendments, SB 1158 passed without testimony, and SB 1245 drew strong support from consumer and environmental advocates but opposition from fuel industry and business groups concerned about costs, confidentiality, and fuel standards.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee (2-25-25) - Upon Adjournment of both Chambers
Transcript Highlights:
- The Kentucky Communications Network Authority transmitted their quarterly report for capital projects
- Eastern Kentucky University reported various asset preservation project revisions for additional heating
- Eastern Kentucky University reported Eastern Kentucky University reported various<00:03:16.400><c> asset
- </c><00:03:16.840><c> preservation</c><00:03:17.519><c> project</c> various asset preservation project
- various asset preservation project revisions<00:03:18.440><c> for</c><00:03:18.640><c> additional</c
Summary:
The committee first handled informational reports on several bond and lease matters, including school district and board of education debt-service items, upcoming revenue bond issues in Henderson and Jessamine counties, and three advertised lease-space requests for state agencies. Members also reviewed prior lease transactions that had not been approved in November and December; the Finance and Administration Cabinet later canceled and rebid the Harlan County lease and moved ahead with the Perry County lease modification. Additional information items included a Kentucky Communications Network Authority quarterly capital projects report and Eastern Kentucky University asset preservation revisions.
The committee then heard from Deputy State Budget Director Janice Thomas on four action items. She reported a $2.85 million USDA-funded renovation at Kentucky State University’s Betty White Building, a $294,000 increase for the Kentucky School for the Deaf’s Middleton Hall renovation, and a $6.1 million restricted-funds scope increase for the KCTCS Science Building Expansion in Elizabethtown. Members asked about how often the statutory 15% increase authority is used for school dormitory and cottage projects and about the competitiveness of construction bids; Thomas said bids are typically competitive but recent estimates have been difficult because of higher material and equipment costs. The committee approved the three action items unanimously and also received a no-action report on a $3.918 million Corrections project to repair and replace the KCIW kitchen drain line.
Next, the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority presented seven loans and grants, all of which the committee approved unanimously. The package included sewer and water projects for Frankfort, Sturgis, Scottsville, Morganfield, Western Pulaski County Water District, and Springfield, plus an emergency $5.487 million Kentucky Waters grant for Eddyville after a catastrophic sewer plant failure and weather-related emergency declarations. The projects covered wastewater interceptor and treatment upgrades, sewer collection rehabilitation, water transmission main installation, and planning/design work, with loan terms ranging from five to 30 years and interest rates from 0.5% to 2.25%.
Finally, the committee considered a $38.4 million Kentucky Housing Corporation conduit issuance for a 322-unit multifamily rental project in Jefferson County. A member asked how the committee participates in the transaction, and staff explained that it is a conduit issuance and not state debt. The committee then moved to approve the issuance.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Appropriations - S/C on Article III Feb 27th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Article III
Transcript Highlights:
- One way we've done that is with a very significant capital campaign.
- And should the legislature consider capital funding this session?
- Issue 2 details debt service costs for capital projects at the type.
- There's just only so many assets across the nation, you know.
- It's just, those assets weren't working.
Committee:
House Appropriations - S/C on Article III
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- The Maple Grove Community Center really is a regional asset.
- This kind of training facility is an important recruitment and retention asset.
- This kind of training facility is an important recruitment and retention asset.
- This kind of training facility is an important recruitment and retention asset.
- </c> that sales tax would be used for Capital that sales tax would be used for Capital Improvements<00
Committee:
House Taxes
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee Mar 18th, 2026
Banking and Financial Institutions
Transcript Highlights:
- To serve the capital needs of these firms, investment funds and business development companies have originated
- Among our 600-plus members are approximately 250 asset managers who collectively extend hundreds of billions
- Asset managers operating through multiple affiliated lending vehicles must complete duplicative licensing
- Consequently, the administrative burden for both asset managers and the DFPI would be lightened, while
- in California's commercial lending markets, SB 972 would substantially increase the amount of loan capital
Committee:
Senate Banking and Financial Institutions
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Banking and Financial Institutions met on SB 972 and a consent calendar item, initially without a quorum. SB 972 was presented by Senator Grayson as a bill to modernize the California Financing Law for non-bank lenders by creating a streamlined umbrella licensing process for SEC-registered investment advisers and their advised lending vehicles. The sponsor, LSTA, testified in support, saying the current process creates duplicative licensing, long delays, and reduced access to capital for California companies, while the bill would preserve DFPI oversight and increase fee revenue. No one testified in opposition.
After quorum was established, the committee voted 4-0 to move SB 972 forward, with the motion later recorded as a due pass to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The committee also took up the consent calendar, which was adopted after additional members arrived, with a final recorded vote of 6-0. The committee then adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee Mar 18th, 2026
Banking and Financial Institutions
Transcript Highlights:
- To serve the capital needs of these firms, investment funds and business development companies have originated
- Among our 600-plus members are approximately 250 asset managers who collectively extend hundreds of billions
- Asset managers operating through multiple affiliated lending vehicles must complete duplicative licensing
- Consequently, the administrative burden for both asset managers and the DFPI would be lightened, while
- in California's commercial lending markets, SB 972 would substantially increase the amount of loan capital
Committee:
Senate Banking and Financial Institutions
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Jan 14th, 2026
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- "As these aviation assets increase in power and technological advancement, so do the costs to maintain
- And to a certain degree, I would say that the amount of use of our aviation assets has increased because
- Assets has increased because of the immigration enforcement element.
- This will give us the ability to consolidate, properly maintain, issue, and recover all of those assets
- This is essentially our capacity capital program and capital maintenance program.
Bills:
S0048
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development heard the Governor’s proposed FY 2026-27 budget for the TED silo and presentations from Commerce, Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Military Affairs, the State Guard, State, Transportation, and Emergency Management. The Governor’s office outlined a $117.4 billion overall budget, including $18.3 billion for TED agencies, with major allocations for FDOT, Commerce, emergency management, tourism, military affairs, and state operations. Agency heads emphasized priorities such as housing and disaster recovery, workforce and rural infrastructure, law enforcement recruitment, defense support, tourism marketing, aerospace and spaceport investment, election audits, historic preservation, road and bridge maintenance, aviation safety, and emergency preparedness systems.
Members asked several questions about the use and effectiveness of funding. Visit Florida officials said the public-private match is essential and that they exceeded the required match last year. Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles discussed trooper pay, vehicle replacement, aviation support, and transparency tools such as vehicle camera systems, with senators praising the department’s recruitment efforts. Military Affairs and the State Guard described readiness, recruiting, facility construction, and support for domestic missions, including hurricane response and perimeter security at the Everglades detention site; questions focused on deployment tempo, staffing, and costs. The Department of State explained funding for automated election audits, a conservation lab, and historic preservation, and said its arts grant changes were intended to standardize scoring rather than cut programs. Transportation highlighted a $15.4 billion total budget, major work program funding, safety initiatives, seaport and aviation investments, and the elimination of Florida Rail Enterprise funding due to reduced documentary stamp revenues.
The committee also heard and passed CS/SB 48 by Senator Gates, which requires local governments to allow accessory dwelling units on a voluntary basis, while preserving local authority over setbacks, construction, and permitting. An amendment removed reusable tenant screening reports and clarified that conforming ADUs are allowed by right without separate hearings. The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and several industry and business groups supported the bill, citing the need for long-term rental housing for workers. After debate, the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably by roll call vote.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Commerce May 20th, 2026
Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- They could remove capital gains, state capital gains on any sales of gold and silver.
- It ensures that when a Louisiana resident's digital asset account goes dormant, the state holds the asset
- And digital assets, does that include money? No.
- And digital assets, does that include money? No.
- So currently, I guess Louisiana has been receiving these digital assets, I guess, unclaimed digital assets
Summary:
The committee took up several House measures. HCR 66, as amended, asked Louisiana Economic Development and the Governor’s Office of Rural Development to study rural parish assets, infrastructure, workforce, and development opportunities, and it was moved forward without objection. HB 387, a clarification to allow the fire marshal’s office to review architectural and engineering plans equally, also passed favorably without objection. HB 1223, which would have LED promote Louisiana’s clinical trial capacity and adjust internal review board processes, was amended and moved favorably. HB 950, aimed at helping older adults recognize and avoid fraud through materials and resources from the Office of Elderly Affairs, was reported favorably. HB 975, a routine measure to recreate the Public Service Commission, was also reported favorably. HB 1186, which would create a more uniform statewide building code and licensing system for inspectors, was amended and moved favorably. HB 1222, described as a Grocery Initiative Act to let LED identify ways to address food deserts and food insecurity, was introduced near the end of the meeting.
The most extensive debate centered on HB 617, a consumer transparency bill requiring mandatory fees to be included in upfront pricing. The author said the bill was intended to curb hidden fees and help consumers compare prices, with examples such as hotel resort fees and automatic restaurant service charges. Supporters argued it would improve transparency, while opponents from grocery, restaurant, hotel, housing, retail, and business groups said the bill was too broad, vague about terms like “total price,” unclear on enforcement and penalties, and could create compliance burdens and litigation risk, especially for small businesses. Housing advocates opposed the bill’s housing carve-out, arguing it could weaken renters’ ability to bring unfair-practice claims. Senator Morris moved to defer HB 617, and the committee agreed without objection.
The committee also heard lengthy testimony on HB 797, which would create a Bayou Gold certification for certain transactional gold vendors that meet state-defined standards such as segregation, insurance, and nearby storage. The sponsor said the goal was to give consumers confidence and encourage vendors to keep gold closer to Louisiana, while critics argued the program would amount to a state endorsement of private companies, create misleading consumer impressions, and expose the state to confusion or liability. The bill drew opposition from the Sound Money Defense League and others, but the committee ultimately reported HB 797 favorably, with the understanding it still had to go to Finance. HB 1228, a hearing-aid cleanup bill updating definitions, contracts, testing periods, and licensing rules, was also moved favorably without objection.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Commerce May 20th, 2026
Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- They could remove capital gains, state capital gains on any sales of gold and silver.
- It ensures that when a Louisiana resident's digital asset account goes dormant, the state holds the asset
- And digital assets, does that include money? No.
- And digital assets, does that include money? No.
- So currently, I guess Louisiana has been receiving these digital assets, I guess, unclaimed digital assets
Summary:
The Senate Commerce Committee met on April 20, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then heard a series of bills and resolutions. It first advanced H. CR 66, which directs Louisiana Economic Development, working with the Governor’s Office of Rural Development, to study rural parish economic assets, infrastructure, workforce, and development opportunities. The committee also moved HB 387, a clarification allowing the fire marshal to review architectural and engineering plans equally, and HB 1223, which seeks to promote clinical trials in Louisiana by having LED market the state’s research capacity and by adjusting internal review board procedures. HB 1228, a cleanup bill for hearing aid dealers that updates definitions, contracts, testing periods, licensing, and related requirements, was also reported favorably, as was HB 950, which would create an elderly consumer perception program through the Office of Elderly Affairs to help seniors recognize scams and fraud.
The committee spent the most time on HB 617, a broad “hidden fees” consumer transparency bill. The author and supporters said it would require mandatory fees to be included in upfront pricing so consumers can make informed choices, while opponents from grocery, restaurant, hotel, housing, retail, and business groups argued the bill was vague, overly broad, and likely to create compliance burdens and litigation risk. Housing advocates objected to the bill’s housing exemption, warning it could weaken renters’ ability to bring claims over undisclosed fees. After extensive debate over variable pricing, sales taxes, enforcement, and the scope of the bill, Senator Morris moved to defer HB 617, and the committee agreed without objection.
The committee also heard HB 797, which would create a “Bayou Gold” certification program for certain gold vendors and transactional gold products. The sponsor said the program would encourage vendors to keep gold insured, segregated, and closer to Louisiana consumers, with the Treasury administering the certification through participant fees. Several senators and an outside witness raised concerns that the state seal could be mistaken for an endorsement, could create liability or consumer confusion, and would favor a narrow set of vendors. Despite opposition, the committee reported HB 797 favorably, with members noting it still had to go to Finance. Later, the committee advanced HB 1186, which would create a more uniform statewide building code and licensing system for inspectors, add disciplinary authority, and impose a small permit fee to support the program, and HB 1222, which would let LED develop a grocery initiative to address food deserts and food insecurity. The meeting concluded with the committee hearing HB 1256 on abandoned digital assets, which would require dormant digital assets to be held in original form for three years so owners can reclaim them.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-STATE AGENCIES Feb 12th, 2026
LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-STATE AGENCIES
Transcript Highlights:
- And the third finding: while performing an observation of assets from a current capital asset listing
- presented for observation had no identifying tag number and/or serial number documented on the AIS fixed asset
- discovered having been transferred to marketing redistribution; however, the item remained on the fixed asset
- During our review of asset acquisitions, deletions, and observation, we also noted the following: two
- items were not capitalized at the correct amount; one item that was still on hand was removed from AIS
Summary:
The committee met with prayer and approved the January minutes, then heard a series of Arkansas Legislative Audit reports. Reports with findings were presented for the Department of Human Services, Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, Department of Corrections, and Department of Veterans Affairs, along with a special report on law enforcement racial profiling policy compliance. Several reports without findings were also filed without objection.
For DHS, auditors reported apparent thefts involving false benefit claims in disaster nutrition assistance and Medicaid, a nearly $610,000 altered warrant cashed by a California auto body shop, and multiple asset-control issues, including missing equipment, inventory discrepancies, and improper sales tax paid on exempt vehicle purchases. Members questioned DHS about the warrant fraud and whether other agencies or California officials had been notified. For Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, auditors cited missing museum receipts and problems with change funds at Daisy State Park and War Memorial Stadium; department officials said they are considering cashless payment options and provided an update on the museum loss investigation.
For Corrections, auditors reported unauthorized personal fuel-card purchases totaling about $4,500 and a delayed disaster recovery test for critical IT systems. Department officials said staffing has been increased for fuel-card oversight and that a full production disaster recovery test is scheduled soon. For Veterans Affairs, auditors found improper pay for employees who were not working, duplicate vendor payment, and numerous overtime approvals that were not properly authorized; the department said it has tightened overtime approval procedures. The special report said only 203 of 383 law enforcement agencies had responded regarding racial profiling policies, and the Attorney General had notified the remaining agencies that they were not in compliance. The committee requested a list of nonresponding agencies and adjourned, with the next meeting scheduled for March 12.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 03/03/25
Jobs and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- loan capital for small businesses.
- loan capital for small businesses.
- loan capital for small businesses.
- loan capital for small businesses.
- loan capital for small businesses.
Committee:
Senate Jobs and Economic Development