Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Labor on a cooperative agreement that's been signed and executed by the U.S.
• Department of Labor on a cooperative agreement that's been signed and executed by the U.S.
• There's only been a couple of these cooperative agreements signed with the Department of Labor.
• There's only been a couple of these cooperative agreements signed with the Department of Labor.
• This is a one-time cooperative agreement that we're working on with the U.S. Department of Labor.

Summary: The committee approved the November 3 minutes and then received an extensive presentation from Arkansas education and workforce officials on how the LEARNS and ACCESS Acts are affecting career and technical education, concurrent enrollment, and postsecondary readiness. Officials said the state’s goal is for students to leave high school employed, enrolled, or enlisted, and reported increases in K-12 CTE enrollment from about 161,000 to 171,000 students and concurrent CTE enrollment from about 12,000 to 16,000. They also described the new success-ready pathways, merit and distinction designations, and how those measures tie into school accountability and graduation outcomes. The discussion then turned to scholarships and grants. Officials explained that ACCESS expanded concurrent credit support, increased funding per credit hour, and broadened eligibility for the Arkansas Academic Challenge and Governor’s Scholar programs by adding diploma-of-merit and diploma-of-distinction pathways. They said the Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship itself did not change, but the non-distinguished Governor’s Scholar award now includes diploma of distinction as an additional eligibility route. Members raised concerns about how these requirements apply to private school and homeschool students, and officials said the intent is to ensure those students can qualify if they meet the same standards, though some implementation details are still being worked out. Questions also focused on whether students who explore multiple pathways could be penalized in school letter grades; officials said the system allows multiple ways to earn credit, including AP, IB, concurrent credit, technical certificates, and apprenticeships. Officials also reviewed workforce scholarships and short-term training funding. They said the state is developing policy for the Workforce Challenge and related professional skills training to set an 80-hour minimum and tiered funding, and they discussed the new federal Workforce Pell rules, which they said are very narrow and will likely apply to only a small number of Arkansas programs unless providers repackage training into stackable, credit-bearing pathways. Members asked for lists of eliminated programs, apprenticeships, and data on scholarship recipients, and staff said they could provide those. The committee also heard from Cody Waites on a $35.8 million U.S. Department of Labor cooperative agreement for the American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund, which Arkansas will administer nationally. He said the grant will support advanced manufacturing apprenticeships, use a pay-for-performance model, and be distributed to sponsors after apprentices are employed for 90 days, with applications opening January 28 and the state expecting to keep administrative costs under 8-9%.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is then a PILOT agreement and a PILOT lease between the H.E.B. and the investor or developer, the
• What gets kind of locked in in that PILOT agreement is the percentage abatement.
• In the agreement with the homeowner, two things.
• One, there would be an agreement made up front around assumptions of the market and what the assumed
• So the agreement over the course of the 10 years, For both good and bad.

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee heard presentations on a range of housing finance, permitting, and affordability tools. Chattanooga described its affordable housing PILOT program, which uses a per-unit property tax abatement tied to the rent loss from providing affordable units, with a 15-year term and annual compliance monitoring. Committee members asked about the program’s structure, whether it had been used elsewhere, and who was participating; the presenter said the first mixed-income project would bring 278 units with 42 affordable units and that the model was attracting private market-rate developers. Shoreline then described its MFTE and inclusionary zoning approach, emphasizing that longer tax exemption periods and station-area zoning changes had helped spur development, with most current pipeline projects concentrated near light rail stations. The committee also heard from the Municipal Research Services Center and the Department of Commerce on tax increment financing, proportional impact fees, and permit timelines. Commerce explained that TIF can fund public improvements such as roads, utilities, broadband, and some affordable housing or child care facilities, while proportional impact fee guidance is intended to help jurisdictions charge fees more closely aligned with actual project impacts. On permit timelines, Commerce presented its first annual report under recent law changes, using 2024 as a baseline year and noting that reported timelines were generally longer than statutory goals; members asked about outliers, paper versus electronic processing, and whether back-and-forth between applicants and staff was driving delays. Commerce said it would follow up with more data, including on CHIP funding and permit reform practices. Several local governments then shared permitting process improvements. Auburn reported relatively short review cycles and described its move to fully electronic permitting, internal performance standards, and a stock plan program that speeds review for repeated home designs. Bellevue described an AI permitting pilot with a local startup to help with pre-application questions, document triage, and plan review, aiming to reduce incomplete applications and revision cycles. Seattle presented a pilot for accessory dwelling unit co-development in which a mission-driven partner would help homeowners split lots, finance, build, and manage ADUs, with the homeowner eventually buying out the partner and retaining ownership; committee members asked about rent setting, management fees, and default risk, and staff said they would follow up. The committee also heard brief overviews of community land trusts and limited equity cooperatives as permanent affordability models, with presenters urging continued state and local funding support and policy recognition for these approaches.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ledwell could act as a dealer agent for a franchise dealer they have an agreement with.
• There is an agreement between the various entities in the House bill.
• An area where there is not agreement relates to the markup of engines, transmissions, and batteries.
• An area where there is not agreement relates to the markup of engines, transmissions, and batteries.
• ...all at one time feel that y'all had some sort of agreement, and then what happened?

Bills: SB1113 , SB1117 , SB1206 , SB1460 , SB1802 , SB1906 , SB1917 , SB2340 , SB2455 , SB2680 , SB2690 , SB705 , SB748

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: SB 1113, converter's license, converter license, motor vehicle dealer, auto dealer, vehicle conversion, converted vehicles, direct sales, retail sales, trailer, semitrailer, manufactured trailer, chassis, manufacturer's statement of origin, MSO, Occupations Code, Transportation Code, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, dealer licensing, general distinguishing number

Summary: The committee took up pending business first and reported several bills favorably, including SB 2139, SB 2610, SB 1856, SB 2530, SB 2401, SB 2858, and SB 3016, with most of those measures moving out on committee substitutes and being sent to the local and uncontested calendar or to the full Senate. The committee also heard SB 1906 on expanding Chapter 342E consumer lending rates; supporters argued it would modernize Texas law and expand access to safe, regulated credit, while opponents from Texas Appleseed and AARP warned it would raise costs on already expensive loans and worsen debt burdens. SB 1906 was left pending after testimony. The committee also reconsidered and re-voted SB 1856 after a procedural issue, with the substitute ultimately adopted and the bill reported favorably. The committee then heard SB 1113, which would clarify that certain vehicle converters, including a Texarkana business, do not need an additional dealer license to sell converted vehicles. The bill’s supporters described a long-standing business model and said the new metal license plate rules had created problems, while the Texas Automobile Dealers Association opposed the bill in its current form and said it could be resolved through DMV action or narrower changes. DMV said it was still researching a possible administrative fix, and SB 1113 was left pending. The committee also heard SB 2680, a Public Information Act cleanup bill dealing with emergency deadlines, business-day exclusions, and litigation timing; broadcasters and other open-government advocates argued the issues were already addressed by prior law and court rulings, while the Attorney General’s office said the bill would help with catastrophe notices and timing conflicts. SB 2680 was left pending. Other bills heard included SB 1117, which would allow any Texas-licensed dentist to administer botulinum toxin neuromodulators for aesthetic purposes in the oral and maxillofacial region; the author and dental witnesses said it would clarify scope and improve access, and the bill was left pending. SB 2340 would clarify the Attorney General’s investigative authority over Texas corporations, including pre-suit depositions and sworn written questions; opponents raised due process and separation-of-powers concerns, and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard SB 705 and SB 748, both TDLR cleanup bills, and SB 1206, which would impose timelines and notice requirements on municipalities reviewing transmission projects; SB 1206 was supported by an electric cooperative and left pending. SB 1460, creating an ethics violation registry tied to licensing consequences, drew constitutional and due-process objections from several witnesses and was also left pending. After a recess, the committee heard SB 1802 on landlord duties to repair mobility assistance devices like elevators and ramps in rental housing, with the author describing prolonged outages affecting seniors; the bill was left pending. Finally, SB 2455, creating an Energy Waste Advisory Committee to coordinate efficiency and demand-response programs, drew support from energy-efficiency and environmental witnesses and was left pending, and SB 2690, targeting deceptive business-certification solicitations, was laid out and opened to testimony before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• It does contribute heavily towards the state's adequacy aid, and I am in agreement, and the education
• funding committee is in agreement, and the House Finance Committee is in agreement with the ruling of
• It does contribute heavily towards the state's adequacy aid, and I am in agreement, and the education
• funding committee is in agreement, and the House Finance Committee is in agreement with the ruling of
• funding committee is in agreement, and the House Finance Committee is in agreement with the ruling of

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 10:56.160><c> obtaining</c><00:10:56.480><c> a</c><00:10:56.639><c> written</c><00:10:57.160><c> agreement
• </c> a first obtaining a written agreement a first obtaining a written agreement from<00:10:57.680><c
• proceeds will go to the mortgagee, and will add definitions of electronic delivery and mortgage agreement
• proceeds will go to the mortgagee, and will add definitions of electronic delivery and mortgage agreement
• recommendation is to pass as is. ...and will add definitions of electronic delivery and mortgage agreement

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection and Judiciary decision-making meeting on February 21, 2025, considered a long list of previously heard measures and generally recommended passage, often with amendments that delayed effective dates to July 1, 2050 or made technical clarifications. Among the measures acted on were bills relating to property, hotels, service disruptions, transportation, consumer protection, license plates, condominium disputes and fines, election fraud intimidation, vehicle inspection fines, restaurant reservation services, insurance claim checks, foreclosed home sales, labor relations court authority, public housing authority powers, community outreach boards, arson penalties, driving without a valid license, pet animals in vehicles, important agricultural lands, public records retention, transit-oriented development review, sex offender-related licensing actions, National Guard assault penalties, federal recognition timing, medical cannabis caregivers, cease-and-desist orders, and critical infrastructure information sharing. Several measures drew specific discussion or reservations. SB 1030 on election fraud intimidation was amended after consultation with the Attorney General to focus on unconcealed carry and add definitions. SB 5 on legislative vacancies was recommended to pass unamended, but the committee noted constitutional concerns and requested an Attorney General opinion. SB 95 on inspection fines was amended to set a $400 fine amount, though one member objected and the recommendation failed in at least one committee. SB 102 on third-party restaurant reservation services was amended to clarify who may sue and to allow contracted reservation services to distribute reservations on a restaurant’s behalf. SP 1022 on leaving pets in vehicles was amended to remove duplicative language because existing animal cruelty law already covered the conduct. SP 1451 on critical infrastructure information sharing was amended to tighten confidentiality language from “would reveal” to “could reveal” vulnerabilities. Most measures were adopted by the committees with little or no opposition, though several members noted reservations or objections on particular bills, including transportation, consumer protection, and inspection-fine measures. One bill, SB 1255 on records retention for government-function contractors, was deferred to a later meeting on February 26, 2025. Overall, the committees advanced most measures with amendments and recorded the recommendations for transmission to the next committee or chamber.

Transcript Highlights:

• Landlord-Tenant Act, or MHLTA, governs the legal rights, remedies, and obligations arising from any rental agreement
• FutureWise and WASAC have shaken hands on this agreement, which is to say that in rural counties you
• That was the nature of the agreement. So thank you for considering this bill. Thank you.
• And that was the nature of the agreement. So, thank you for considering this bill. Thank you.
• As you know, I worked at the City of Seattle for many years and watched and used the cooperative agreement

Summary: The committee heard several housing-related bills. Representative Connors testified on two notice-service bills: HB 2452, which would change manufactured/mobile home rent increase notices so they are served like other MHLTA notices rather than by certified mail, and HB 2664, which would remove certified-mail requirements for unlawful detainer and related notices. Connors said the current certified-mail rules are causing notices to go unclaimed and creating unnecessary costs for housing providers, while staff explained the bills would allow service by regular mail in the same manner as other notices. Public testimony on both bills was generally supportive, emphasizing reduced cost and better delivery, though one witness on HB 2452 urged allowing electronic notice options as well. The committee also heard SHB 2269, which clarifies that middle housing in limited areas of more intensive rural development may be served by either a public sewer system or a large on-site sewage system in rural counties, while non-rural counties would still require public sewer service. The sponsor and supporters said the bill resolves ambiguity created by prior legislation and gives county planners more flexibility; questions focused on what kinds of systems and uses would qualify. EHB 1687 was heard next and would expand the housing cooperation law to allow cities and counties to assist social housing public development authorities. Representative Reed and supporters said the bill would give Seattle and potentially other jurisdictions a tool to support permanently public, mixed-income housing with land, infrastructure, and other assistance. In executive session, the committee adopted a due-pass recommendation for EHB 1345 after Senator Gaynor withdrew an amendment that would have removed water-withdrawal and metering requirements for detached ADUs outside urban growth areas. The committee also adopted a striking amendment and moved ESHB 1500 and EHB 1501 forward, both with updated timelines and clarifications related to common-interest-community resale certificates and owner inquiries. Amendments to ESHB 1974 on land bank authorities were rejected, including proposals to remove private negotiation and tax preferences, and the bill was sent to Ways and Means. Finally, SHB 2288 on scissors stairs was advanced without amendment. Later, the committee heard HB 2304, which would expand the 2-10 warranty option to certain four-story stacked-flat condominium projects; testimony from builders, housing advocates, and the Office of Insurance Commissioner supported it as a way to reduce liability costs and increase condo supply. The committee also took testimony on EHB 1687 and HB 2664, and then closed the hearing on SHB 2452 after hearing support from housing providers for easing manufactured-home rent notice service requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any heartburn at all about the state of Missouri stepping in and stipulating an agreement between two
• And it's good for everybody, as Representative Brown had noted in the agreement between the investor
• and the contractor, It noted in the agreement between the investor and the contractor, it may hold true
• in the bill and understanding that there's a substitute soon to land, the terms that are in this agreement
• These are private agreements between sophisticated business parties.

Committee: House Economic Development

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AND SUFFICIENT TRANSFER AGREEMENTS WITH THE LEVEL ONE AND LEVEL TWO TRAUMA CENTERS AS WELL.
• SO THEY WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE THEIR INPATIENT STATUS FROM THE BED INVENTORY AND HAVE THE TRANSFER AGREEMENT
• STANDARDS AND ENSURE THE PRECEPTORS BY THE AGENCY STANDARDS OF CLINICAL PRECEPTORS ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT
• THE DEPARTMENT HAS EXECUTED AN AGREEMENT WITH THE FISCAL THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR AND INITIATED THE
• IT WAS A LOT OF THE TIME SPENT LAST YEAR WITH THEIR AGENCY GETTING THOSE AGREEMENTS IN PLACE. >> THANK

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• agreements agreements as<00:16:09.920><c> long</c><00:16:10.079><c> as</c><00:16:10.160><c> it</c><00
• And I think agreements are very important. Let me give you one last example.
• And I think agreements are very important. Let me give you one last example.
• And I think agreements are very important. Let me give you one last example.
• And I think agreements are very important. Let me give you one last example.

Committee: Senate Water, Land, Culture and the Arts

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard several gubernatorial nominations for confirmation, beginning with GM 788 for Karen Knudsen to the Hawaii Sister State and International Partnerships Commission. DBEDT strongly supported her nomination, describing her decades of Asia-Pacific and East-West Center experience. Senators asked about the new commission structure, confirming that the old committee was abolished and replaced by a five-voting-member commission with two governor appointees before the Senate, other ex officio and legislative appointees, and one OHA vacancy still pending. Knudsen said the commission would help review new sister-state and international partnership proposals, while existing relationships would remain in place. Members also discussed the commission’s lack of a separate budget and its use of DBEDT international relations funding. The committee then moved to GM 789 for Wesley Fong to the same commission; DBEDT supported him based on his military, legal, and international trade background. A concern was raised that he also served on the State Ethics Commission, and Fong stated he had resigned from that post effective the 20th of the month to avoid a conflict. Senators questioned his reasons for leaving ethics, and he explained that his term was ending and he wanted to continue public service in a role aligned with his background in international agreements, education, and Indo-Pacific relations. No votes were taken in the portion provided. The committee next considered GM 769 for Patrick Branco to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. The foundation and the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters both testified in strong support. Branco appeared by Zoom and said he was currently on temporary military orders on the East Coast, but had prior experience in public diplomacy as cultural attaché in Caracas and had worked on Fulbright and cultural exchange efforts. The committee then took up GM 770 for Makanani Salā to the same board. The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts supported her nomination, and Noe Wong-Wilson testified in person, citing Salā’s work at Windward Community College and her role in organizing the Best Fest festival, saying she would bring Hawaiian cultural perspective to the foundation. Salā said her county experience included arts, culture, and sister-city work, and that she would emphasize public-private partnerships and helping other agencies use the foundation’s expertise. Members briefly discussed FESTPAC and its rotating international location. Finally, the committee heard GM 767 for Miles Miyatso to the Land Use Commission. The Land Use Commission and the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters both supported the nomination, and Avalon Development Company was listed but did not appear on Zoom. The discussion in the provided transcript ended during this item, with no vote or final action shown for the nominations covered.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I don't know how they write them, but hopefully if this passes, we can, if they have an agreement
• However, we have many leaders across the state of Wyoming that have agreements with ICE.
• </c> Wyoming that have agreements with ICE. Wyoming that have agreements with ICE.
• ><c> other</c><00:16:28.880><c> federal</c> They have agreements with other federal They have agreements
• Chairman, I’m not going to move the bill unless there’s an agreement we have the amendments in.

Bills: HB0130 , HB0147

Committee: Senate Revenue

Keywords: Second Amendment, firearms, state rights, federal regulation, law enforcement, civil penalties, government liability, property tax, homeowner exemption, Wyoming, voter initiative, tax legislation, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We can perhaps find meaningful agreement on the inappropriateness of some of those elements.
• </c><01:08:57.279><c> on</c> can perhaps find meaningful agreement on can perhaps find meaningful agreement
• I believe this bill offers you yet another opportunity to find agreement—agreement that would tighten
• I believe this bill offers you yet another opportunity to find agreement—agreement that would tighten
• Agreement that would tighten loopholes currently exploited by violent offenders.

Bills: HF1567 , HF2809 , HF3380

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: public safety officer, peace officer, correctional officer, law enforcement, police privacy, officer safety, doxxing, personal information, data privacy, government data practices, private data, internet posting, online disclosure, residential address, phone number, email address, family member protection, child safety, school information, public records

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, with your agreement, we'll open this up for any comment.
• we get<00:54:12.079><c> to</c><00:54:12.240><c> a</c><00:54:12.400><c> full</c><00:54:12.640><c> agreement
• </c> get to a full agreement uh this month. get to a full agreement uh this month.
• </c><00:58:43.440><c> We</c><00:58:43.680><c> don't</c> agreements would look like.
• We don't agreements would look like.

Bills: HB0111 , HB0112 , HB0122

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: capital construction, state funding, Wyoming, major maintenance, community colleges, task force, legislative services, budget appropriation, unexpended funds, sunset clause, healthcare, rural health, transformation program, funding, incentives, training, access, perpetuity fund, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:28:00.000><c> Paul</c><00:28:00.480><c> uh</c> agreement works is that the St.
• Paul uh agreement works is that the St.
• </c><00:59:36.240><c> with</c> the house pursuant to agreements with the house pursuant to agreements
• </c> accordance with those agreements. accordance with those agreements.
• </c><01:00:37.119><c> with</c> the house pursuant to agreements with the house pursuant to agreements

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And even when they do, because the articulation agreements do not exist between the systems, or as we
• boards of the UC and the CSU to coordinate and collaborate together as they develop articulation agreements
• disciplines, political science and sociology, and, at the time of our audit, it could not reach agreement
• The agreements are executed through the CSU Transfer Planner.
• course articulation is one of the most difficult challenges before us, because it requires shared agreement

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee held an oversight hearing on a state audit of California’s community college transfer process, with members and witnesses broadly agreeing that transfer pathways remain too complex and inconsistent. Opening remarks emphasized that community colleges serve a large, diverse, often first-generation and low-income student population, but only about one in five transfer-intending students move to a UC, CSU, or other university within four years. Members highlighted disparities by race, region, campus, and major, and pointed to the Associate Degree for Transfer, TAG, and Cal-GETC as helpful but incomplete tools because requirements still vary across campuses and systems. State Auditor’s Office staff said the audit found that while UC and CSU overall enroll substantial numbers of transfer students, individual campuses and high-demand programs often do not, especially in STEM fields. They described barriers including missing prerequisite courses, unclear information, limited counseling, and inconsistent articulation between campuses. The audit used a computer science example to show how different UC and CSU campuses require different courses for the same major. The audit issued 22 recommendations, with 10 fully implemented and four partially implemented; remaining work centers on articulation, counseling, data sharing, and better use of ASSIST. UC, CSU, and the Community Colleges each said they support transfer and are taking steps to improve it. UC cited a new public dashboard, data-sharing agreements, new transfer pathways, and an ADT pilot at UCLA, while saying campus capacity and program differences limit systemwide mandates. CSU pointed to its strategic plan goals, the Transfer Success Pathway program, direct admissions outreach, and efforts to expand ADT alignment and credit applicability, while acknowledging that many students never reach the application stage. Community Colleges emphasized that transfer reform is central to equity and baccalaureate access, and called for stronger common course numbering, broader ADT acceptance, and more student-centered articulation. Members pressed the systems on why more uniform requirements and better coordination have not been achieved, and on how to reduce barriers for placebound and working students.

Transcript Highlights:

• And even when they do, because the articulation agreements do not exist between the systems, or, as we
• governing boards of the UC and the CSU to coordinate and collaborate as they develop articulation agreements
• disciplines, political science and sociology, and, at the time of our audit, it could not reach agreement
• The agreements are executed through the CSU Transfer Planner.
• course articulation is one of the most difficult challenges before us, because it requires shared agreement

Summary: The committee held an oversight hearing on a state audit examining California’s community college transfer process and whether streamlining it could improve access to bachelor’s degrees. Opening remarks from legislators emphasized that California’s transfer system is central to equity and workforce development, but that only about one in five transfer-intending community college students complete a transfer within four years. Members highlighted disparities by race, region, campus, and major, and pointed to confusion created by differing requirements across the UC, CSU, and community college systems, including limits and inconsistencies in the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT), TAG, and major-specific prerequisites. State Auditor’s staff said the audit found that while UC and CSU systemwide enroll more transfer students than the Master Plan target, individual campuses and high-demand STEM programs often do not. The audit identified barriers including unclear and varying course requirements, limited counseling and education plans, insufficient counselor staffing at some campuses, and weak equity plans. It also found that many students never even apply because they do not accumulate enough units or cannot navigate the process. The auditor described examples where transfer students with strong preparation were denied at selective campuses and noted that articulation alignment across systems remains limited. Representatives from UC, CSU, and the Community Colleges responded that transfer remains a top priority and described ongoing reforms. UC cited a new public dashboard, data-sharing agreements, new transfer pathways, and an ADT pilot at UCLA, while saying campus-level capacity and program differences limit how much can be standardized from the system office. CSU said it admits more than 90% of eligible transfer applicants, is expanding transfer planning tools and direct outreach, and is implementing SB 640’s Transfer Success Pathway Program. Community Colleges said transfer reform must focus on clearer credit mobility, more consistent articulation, and broader ADT adoption. Members pressed the systems on inconsistent major requirements, the need for better coordination, and whether campuses are fully prioritizing transfer students; no votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• the process on the front end, where these conversations go easier, and there are more voluntary agreements
• the process on the front end, where these conversations go easier, and there are more voluntary agreements
• Going to happen unless an agreement is otherwise decided and signed by the landowner.
• One is, for example, on the three-foot removal thing, that if we can reach an agreement with a landowner
• So I appreciate the opportunity that we can reach an agreement in this language.

Committee: House Special Committee on Rural Issues

Summary: The Special Committee on Rural Issues heard House Bill 3375, sponsored by Rep. Koslow, a broad eminent domain reform measure aimed at protecting landowners, especially farmers and ranchers. The bill would create protections for beginning farmers and ranchers, require 15 days’ notice before surveyors enter property, extend the response period in eminent domain cases from 10 days to 60 days, bar eminent domain for wind and solar facilities, require land restoration and maintenance after construction, increase compensation to 125% of fair market value in certain cases, add tax-liability compensation, change treatment of heritage and blight-related compensation, and allow attorney’s fees when a landowner wins a higher award than the condemning authority offered. Members raised concerns about the bill’s scope, its effect on energy development, and several drafting and implementation issues, including surveyor access, maintenance standards, and whether the bill could create conflicts with existing attorney-fee provisions. The sponsor said he was open to changes and noted that an HCS would address some drafting errors and feedback. Testimony in support came from the Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, a landowner/banker, and attorney Brent Hayden, who argued that landowners are often pressured into quick, low offers and should be treated as partners rather than obstacles. Supporters said the bill would improve transparency, due process, compensation, and restoration standards, and that it would not stop infrastructure development. Hayden described current eminent domain practice as giving landowners little leverage over route selection or restoration and said the bill would create needed discipline for condemning authorities. Several supporters also defended the wind-and-solar restriction as a response to the amount of land those projects can require and to concerns about using eminent domain for generation projects. Opposition came from the Missouri Energy Development Association, municipal utilities, and MoDOT. Opponents said they agreed some reforms may be reasonable but warned the bill, as written, could increase costs, delay projects, and create litigation risk that would ultimately be passed on to customers and taxpayers. MoDOT said the fiscal impact could be substantial, potentially doubling annual right-of-way spending. Utility representatives also cautioned that the bill could conflict with existing attorney-fee rules and should be aligned with compromise language from other legislation. The hearing ended without a vote or committee action, with the sponsor and witnesses indicating further negotiations and possible revisions were expected.

Transcript Highlights:

• about their financials, their standing with the secretary, they'll have to enter into a formal grant agreement
• ><00:21:12.400><c> a</c><00:21:12.480><c> formal</c><00:21:12.920><c> grant</c><00:21:13.240><c> agreement
• </c> enter into a a formal grant agreement enter into a a formal grant agreement with<00:21:13.880><c
• ><00:21:33.160><c> a</c><00:21:33.320><c> formal</c><00:21:33.680><c> grant</c><00:21:33.920><c> agreement
• </c><00:21:34.280><c> with</c> enter into a formal grant agreement with enter into a formal grant agreement

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• talking about this year's budget, but to the deficit question, Finance is projecting, are you in agreement
• And then my understanding, before my time, there was also an agreement on this non-resident replacement
• Before my time, there was also an agreement on this non-resident replacement idea, which is: we'll give
• Before our my time, there was also an agreement on this non-resident replacement idea, which is we'll
• Obviously, there are some agreements with employees that require increases.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• made and respecting those agreements as an aside, there was never an agreement on clear and convincing
• There was never an agreement on bill versus pay.
• So that's what the agreement was.
• The agreement was that it would be the actuary recommendation or the PCF advisory board.
• Negotiations were represented as representing the agreements of the working group.

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• signed the agreement due to the commission issue.
• signed the agreement due to the commission issue.
• </c><00:30:30.960><c> also</c><00:30:31.200><c> he</c><00:30:31.360><c> was</c> agreement with them,
• but also he was agreement with them, but also he was never<00:30:31.679><c> informed</c><00:30:32.159
• never signed the agreement due to the<00:30:37.440><c> commission</c><00:30:37.760><c> issue.

Committee: House Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection

Keywords: 958, all