Bills: HB136 , HB137 , HB220 , HB213 , HB256 , HB136 , HB137 , HB220 , HB213 , HB256

Committee: House State Government

Keywords: Teacher's Retirement System, TRS, DROP, Deferred Retirement Option Plan, retirement benefits, teacher retirement, classroom teacher, Tier I, Tier II, public pension, pension reform, education employees, retirement system, sick leave, cost-of-living adjustment, COLA, beneficiary, lump-sum payout, rollover, service retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• And Anthony, what he had to endure for the period that he was with his dad, after his dad kidnapped him
• Code to clarify that a claim subject to arbitration is governed by the same statute of limitations period
• the treatment of claims between court and arbitration proceedings regarding applicable limitation periods
• by explicitly addressing these issues. providing that filing suit in court tolls the limitations period

Bills: HB4922 , HB4713 , HB4256 , HB872 , HB1571 , HB4266 , HB4559 , SB251 , SB441 , SB1719

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: healthcare liability, emergency medical care, standard of proof, negligence, legal reforms, Texas General Arbitration Act, arbitration, binding arbitration, statute of limitations, limitations period, tolling, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Section 16.073, alternative dispute resolution, ADR, civil procedure, lawsuit filing, court jurisdiction, Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence, procedural law

Transcript Highlights:

• deal, and they have a doctor's note, and the families, they've demonstrated the abuse over a long period
• The 60-day retention period is very affordable.
• deal, and they have a doctor's note, and the families, they've demonstrated the abuse over a long period
• The 60-day retention period is very affordable.
• period is very retention period is very affordable.<00:09:39.120><c> I</c><00:09:39.440><c> couldn't

Bills: HF1027 , HF2226 , HF1916 , HF1915 , HF1567 , HF1986

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: mortgage foreclosure, redemption, foreclosure surplus, sheriff's sale, junior lienholder, mortgagor, homeowner protections, loss mitigation, dual tracking, foreclosure redemption period, certificate of redemption, certificate of sale, sheriff, county recorder, registrar of titles, homeownership center, lien priority, real property, foreclosure by advertisement, surplus funds

Bills: HB 103 , HB 1256 , HB1587 , HB1632 , HB2027 , HB2525 , HJR88 , HJR138 , HB103

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: taxing unit, bond database, local government, transparency, civil penalty, education reform, funding allocation, school infrastructure, teacher recruitment, student achievement, tax exemption, water conservation, graywater systems, rainwater harvesting, ad valorem taxation, county commissioners, HB 1587, Texas sales tax holiday, back-to-school tax holiday, clothing tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• A 5-year payback is really pretty good for an investment of this size.
• The payback on this in my system is good. It's definitely worth the investment.
• So after that payback period, you continue to see the cost savings throughout the life of the system.
• The payback happens on what you save on your electric bill.
• So, I was just wondering how does that affect the payback? The payback, right?

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• They look at it if they come in, but they need to know how the payback period is going to be.
• If we don't get those, we have to then look at what does it do to the payback period of time, right?
• The payback period of time, right. And that's...
• What you just mentioned is payback through the state funds.
• That will take another period of time.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've been with the firm for 29 years now, working only on NFL stadiums in that time period.
• I've been with the firm for 29 years now, working only on NFL stadiums in that time period.

Bills: HF2730 , HF2257 , HF2768 , HF1932 , HF2437

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: local government debt, municipal bonds, county bonds, capital improvements, public financing, bond issuance, public hearing, notice period, bond guarantee, Minnesota Public Facilities Authority, volume cap, private activity bonds, housing finance, residential rental bonds, LIHTC, low-income housing tax credits, redevelopment, courthouse financing, jail financing, law enforcement center

Bills: SSB1146 , SSB1038 , SF169 , SSB1149 , SSB1144 , HSB206 , HF475 , HSB148 , HSB149 , HSB184 , HSB190 , HSB183

Committee: Joint Commerce

Keywords: dental care, prior authorization, insurance regulation, dental provider, overpayment recovery, abandoned vehicles, towing, vehicle storage, impoundment, reclamation period, notice requirements, lienholders, garagekeeper, private towing company, personal property in vehicle, vehicle title, vehicle disposal, demolisher, police authority, certified mail

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> projects our the uh project payback projects our the uh project payback timeline<00:16:18.199><c
• </c> period periodic less time between period periodic less time between maintenance<00:29:25.120><c>
• </c><00:31:34.519><c> right</c> how does that affect the Payback right how does that affect the Payback
• <00:31:43.480><c> on</c><00:31:43.600><c> a</c> payback on a payback on a system<00:31:46.000><c> um<
• </c><01:17:42.480><c> of</c> surges lack of cooling during periods of surges lack of cooling during periods

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We have, in terms of the number of jobs, created about 16,000 in total over a period of time, and then
• They look at it if they come in, but they need to know how the payback period is going to be.
• If we don't get those, we have to then look at what does it do to the payback period of time, right?
• What you just mentioned is payback through the state funds.
• That will take another period of time.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 5 heard an update from the California High-Speed Rail Authority on its draft 2026 business plan and related budget proposals. The Authority reported continued Central Valley construction progress, including completion of 59 of 92 major structures, 80 of 119 miles of guideway under construction, 93% utility relocation completion, and plans to begin track laying and electrification soon. It said the revised goal remains completing the Merced-to-Bakersfield early operating segment by 2032-33, while also pursuing ancillary revenue opportunities, a private partner through a co-development procurement, and two budget change proposals to reappropriate $423 million for Link Union Station and $246 million in federal trust funds before they expire. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said it had no specific concerns with the budget change proposals but raised major concerns about the draft business plan and the project’s broader fiscal outlook. LAO said the plan appears incomplete in several respects, that funding is likely insufficient to complete the revised initial operating segment and would leave a larger gap for expansion beyond the Central Valley, and that borrowing costs, optimistic assumptions, and uncertainty around future greenhouse gas reduction fund revenues could worsen the outlook. LAO suggested the Legislature could wait for a finalized business plan and highlighted unresolved questions about the scope of the project, borrowing, public-private partnerships, and proposed statutory changes. Members focused on whether the project can be delivered on time and what financial obligations the state could face. Senators questioned the need for tax increment financing, value capture, and other legislative changes, with concerns about impacts on local governments and school districts. The Authority said utility relocation authority is its top legislative priority and that value capture is a longer-term tool that would not affect civil construction of Merced-to-Bakersfield, but could affect payback timing. It also said the state’s $1 billion annual cap-and-invest funding through 2045 is currently assumed to cover the Central Valley segment, while private partners could either finance against that state commitment or invest additional capital in other segments. Public testimony was mixed: building trades and labor groups supported the project and the Authority’s request, while local government and special district representatives opposed tax increment proposals and urged consent from affected agencies; environmental and rail advocates supported the project and urged action on utility relocation. No votes were taken, and the hearing adjourned after public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a little bit higher interest, just a little over 2%, has a shorter payback period at 5 years.
• </c><00:03:10.640><c> Uh</c><00:03:10.959><c> you</c><00:03:11.200><c> can</c> payback period at at 5
• Uh you can payback period at at 5 years.
• Chairman, uh, we have 166 million of those projects that are still in payback.
• We receive about 1.3 million in payback.

Committee: Joint Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Statutes also require Admin and Commerce to periodically review and revise the guidelines. to Energy
• </c> admin and commerce to periodically admin and commerce to periodically review<00:07:28.280><c> and
• What that means in plain terms, we translate that into a 12-year payback for measures.
• </c><00:52:45.880><c> um</c> January 1st this year those payback um January 1st this year those payback
• There's unknown payback.

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> a certain um from 20-year payback a certain um from 20-year payback provision.<00:08:02.240><c>
• Um, there is current law requires that energy performance contracts receive a payback within 20 years
• This would look at that payback window. Again, this is not something we typically deal with.
• This would look at that payback window. Again, this is not something we typically deal with.
• Um, is there no—this would eliminate any payback period for ESCOs? >> No, sir.

Committee: Joint Universities and Colleges

Transcript Highlights:

• It's to adjust the wording on page 2, line 18, before the period: insert, 'unless the park owner can
• Delete everything after the period on page three.
• </c><01:37:05.000><c> page</c> delete everything after the period page delete everything after the period
• It got brought to my attention that over the three-year period—I know one year was, I don’t have the
• It got brought to my attention that over the three-year period—I know one year was, I don’t have the

Bills: HF1143 , HF1548 , HF1340 , HF2549 , HF2559 , HF1673 , HF2740 , HF2507 , HF2461 , HF2381 , HF2695

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: education funding, unemployment aid, special education, Minnesota statutes, appropriations, housing, redevelopment, local government, trust funds, community development, HF1340, housing infrastructure bonds, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, MHFA, affordable housing, supportive housing, permanent housing, adaptive reuse, area median income, AMI

Bills: SF15 , SSB1035 , SSB1083 , SSB1090 , SSB1084

Committee: Joint State Government

Keywords: real estate, broker license, salesperson license, licensing, license application form, Iowa Real Estate Commission, professional licensing, broker-to-salesperson, salesperson-to-broker, license effective date, license renewal, occupational licensing, real estate regulation, administrative procedure, Iowa lottery, lottery, lotto, on-line lotto, self-service kiosk, instant tickets

Transcript Highlights:

• <04:28:38.880><c> on</c><04:28:39.119><c> these</c> payback on these payback on these upgrades<04:28:
• You will never live to see your payback. Your grandchildren won't live to see that payback.”
• period looked bad.
• <05:14:07.920><c> period</c><05:14:08.280><c> looked</c><05:14:08.600><c> bad</c> payback period looked
• bad payback period looked bad so<05:14:09.958><c> it</c><05:14:10.040><c> was</c><05:14:10.200><c> a

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 216, which Representative Carol Maguire described as a fix to a workers’ compensation/retirement “glitch.” The bill would remove the current limit that only one year of workers’ compensation time can be credited as retirement service time. Maguire argued the limit is arbitrary and affects only a very small number of grievously injured workers, while committee members asked about the fiscal impact, available data, and whether the change could affect workers’ compensation rates or incentives. Mark Kavar of the New Hampshire Retirement System said Labor could not provide data on how many people exceed a year on weekly indemnity benefits, so the fiscal note used a conservative estimate that could be scaled down; he also explained that workers’ comp is not earnable compensation, which is why service credit stops after a year, and noted that many long-term cases move into disability retirement or lump-sum settlements. The committee closed the hearing, entered executive session, and voted ought to pass on HB 216 by a 13-0 roll call, sending it to consent and noting it would also go to Finance. The committee then acted on House Bill 85, adopting Amendment 0037 and then voting ought to pass as amended by another 13-0 roll call. The bill was described as allowing second-year respiratory therapy students to work under supervision using the skills they have already learned, with support from the Hospital Association and no opposition noted. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 267, the animal chiropractors bill. Members said the bill had been approved previously but was vetoed because of a defect; the problem has now been corrected, and the bill is intended to reduce delays caused by requiring veterinary referrals before chiropractors can treat animals. The committee voted ought to pass 13-0 and placed the bill on consent.

Transcript Highlights:

• The other point that was made about the payback period being three to four years is totally fallacious
• The payback period is a lot more. It's six to seven to eight years.
• And then very quickly, I just also want to point out that the numbers on payback periods are from the
• The payback periods are from the solar industry themselves. That's where I got the information.
• They are reporting under the new tariff, the net billing tariff, payback periods of as low as four to

Summary: The committee heard several energy and utilities bills, with testimony largely focused on wildfire mitigation, affordability, clean energy planning, and utility accountability. AB 706, by Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry, would create a fund to support projects that use forest biomass waste from wildfire mitigation and forest restoration; supporters said it would reduce open burning and emissions while providing reliable renewable power, and the bill later passed 13-0. AB 39, by Assembly Member Zbur, would require larger cities and counties to adopt electrification planning strategies for transportation and buildings; it drew broad support from clean energy, labor, environmental, and local government advocates and passed 9-0. AB 1167, by Assembly Member Berman, would restrict investor-owned utilities from charging ratepayers for lobbying, promotional advertising, and similar shareholder-benefit expenses; supporters framed it as an affordability and transparency measure, while utilities argued the bill was overly broad and already covered by existing rules. It passed 7-0, with some members not voting and the roll left open. The committee also considered AB 1417 on offshore wind community funding transparency, which was amended to remove new fees and instead require reporting on developer support for local and tribal community capacity-building; opposition was withdrawn and the bill passed 9-0. AB 367, by Assembly Member Bennett, would require water districts in high fire-risk areas of Ventura County to have backup power, full tanks during red flag warnings, and hardened facilities; water agencies opposed unless amended due to cost and liability concerns, but the bill passed 10-0. The consent calendar, including multiple additional measures, was approved 11-0. Other bills drew more divided testimony. AB 745 would allow securitization to finance utility undergrounding and prohibit a return on equity for undergrounding projects; supporters said it would lower ratepayer costs, while utilities warned it would effectively discourage undergrounding and could raise other rates. The bill passed 7-4 and was left on call. AB 1423 would apply reliability standards to publicly funded EV chargers installed before 2024; supporters said taxpayers should get functioning chargers, while charging-network representatives objected to retroactive requirements and possible conflicts with existing agreements. It passed 13-0. AB 388 would create a narrow exception to utility regulation to facilitate green hydrogen projects using private power lines; supporters said it would unlock low-cost renewable hydrogen and jobs, while utilities raised concerns about customer protections and grid planning. It passed 12-0. The committee also began hearing AB 825, which the author said would address the high cost of financing major transmission and generation buildout, but the transcript cuts off before the full presentation and action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• is a lot more fair, particularly for our members who make, uh, you know, less than $2,000 per pay period
• um and the the resources that period um and the the resources that will<00:05:37.600><c> be</c><00:05
• So is there any way that you can see amending this amendment to accommodate at least the payback, but
• So you're adding one just one more tier. ...so it may not be right away after the pay period.
• So is there any way that you can see amending this amendment to accommodate at least the payback, but

Committee: Senate Labor and Technology

Summary: The Committee on Labor and Technology heard several labor-related measures. SB 183 would allow arbitration to resolve disputes over state and county contributions to the EUTF benefits trust fund; labor groups supported it, and the committee advanced it with amendments. SB 185, concerning indebtedness to the state, drew support from unions and discussion with DAGS about tiered repayment options for lower-paid employees; DAGS said the system could be programmed to accommodate the bill, and the measure was also advanced with amendments. SB 458 would expand the definition of employer for wage-payment laws to include the state and counties when no comparable public-employee provision exists; HSTA testified in support, citing repeated delayed pay for teachers, while DAGS and county representatives raised operational concerns. The committee deferred SB 458 for further administrative work. SB 425, on qualified community rehabilitation programs and the aggregate contract cap, was advanced with technical amendments after UPW said employers were splitting contracts to exceed the statutory threshold. The committee also considered SB 1287, which would apply unfair and deceptive practices law to tipped food and beverage establishments and require tip-pool signage with wage-division contact information. The Attorney General’s office recommended a savings clause to avoid retroactive application issues, and the committee passed the bill with amendments. SB 1660 would require hospitality employers to adopt anti-harassment measures, training, panic buttons, and anti-retaliation protections; the Commission on the Status of Women and worker advocates supported it, while DLIR noted existing complaint systems and the need for rulemaking. The committee adopted amendments incorporating sexual assault hotline information, panic-button guidance, and employer flexibility on translation languages, then passed the bill with amendments. SB 631, relating to the Department of Human Resources Development, was deferred, with the chair noting a prior law already allows departments to screen and select applicants from initial pools.

Transcript Highlights:

• We’ve been doing that for many, many years, and, um, and we don’t ask for this kind of direct payback
• other investment that we do in nonprofits, in supporting institutions, we don’t ask for a direct payback
• Representative Hansen said that the bill already allows the commissioner to make exceptions to the payback
• c><00:19:56.640><c> for</c><00:19:56.960><c> circumstances</c><00:19:57.600><c> involving</c> the payback
• for circumstances involving the payback for circumstances involving extreme<00:19:58.760><c> hardship

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, that expiration date in Section 4 would pertain to the repayment period.
• That's an 11-year prepayment period, and that would be from... ...period.
• That's an 11-year prepayment period, and that would be from 2026 to 2037.
• That's the repayment period. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that clarification. Thank you.
• early payoff of the loan, and if there was a situation when they got to the end of the repayment period

Bills: HB1621 , HB1624 , HB1623 , HB1622 , HB1625 , HB1626 , HB1627 , HCR3038

Summary: The North Dakota House convened in special session with prayer, roll call, and a quorum present, then took up several rural health-related bills. Senate Bill 2401, as amended, required physicians to complete one hour of continuing education in nutrition and metabolic health each renewal cycle and also added language allowing criminal history background checks for the Board of Occupational Therapy Practice. Supporters emphasized the role of nutrition in reducing chronic disease, and the bill passed 92-0. The House then considered Senate Bill 2402, which expanded pharmacists’ limited prescriptive and therapeutic substitution authority for certain low-acuity conditions and clarified related lab-test and communication requirements. Members discussed examples such as motion sickness, cold sores, lice, hypoglycemia, COVID and flu testing, emergency access to medications and supplies, and limits excluding certain drug classes; the bill passed 91-1. Senate Bill 2403 created a temporary medical facility emergency operating loan option through the Bank of North Dakota for qualifying rural hospitals facing severe financial distress, with extensive debate over the targeted nature of the aid, anti-gifting concerns, repayment terms, and the hospital’s turnaround plan; it passed 80-12. Senate Bill 2404 appropriated funds for NDIT to address federal digital accessibility requirements and for the Public Service Commission’s litigation efforts related to transmission costs, with a backup loan authorization available if needed; it passed 92-0. At the close of the session, leaders thanked members and staff for their work on the rural health transformation package, a committee notified the Governor and the Senate that the House had completed its business, absent members were excused, and the House adjourned sine die.