Transcript Highlights:

• With me today is my Solano County Treasurer-Tax Collector, Chuck Lomelli, and Lake County Tax Collector
• Patrick Sullivan, Treasurer-Tax Collector, Lake County.
• Patrick Sullivan, Treasurer Tax Collector, Lake County.
• And thank you Sullivan, Treasury Tax Collector, Lake County.
• There's also nuisance properties that cities have attempted to clean up post-wildfire, and this falls

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation held its first regular hearing of the 2025-26 session, adopted its proposed committee rules on a 5-0 vote, and reinstated a suspense file for bills with fiscal impacts over the committee threshold. The chair explained that only AB 418 would be eligible for an immediate vote, while several other measures would be held for suspense consideration because of budget constraints. AB 330 was pulled by the author. AB 418 by Wilson, which would create a clearer process and administrative remedy for county Chapter 8 tax sales, received support from county tax collectors and housing and taxpayer groups. Supporters said the bill would add transparency, due process, and a noticed public hearing for negotiated sales of tax-defaulted properties, while helping counties dispose of low-value or problematic properties more efficiently. The committee voted 6-0 to send AB 418 to Appropriations. Several other bills were heard and then referred to suspense: AB 27 by Chau, which would exclude Chiquita Canyon landfill relief payments from gross income and protect recipients’ eligibility for public benefits, drew strong support from affected residents and environmental advocates; AB 258 by Conley would increase funding for California fairs, with supporters emphasizing fairs’ emergency-response role; AB 397 by Gonzalez would expand the California Young Child Tax Credit into a broader child tax credit for older children; and AB 398 by Aaron would set a $300 minimum refundable Cal EITC benefit. The committee also heard AB 231 by Tye, which would offer a tax credit to microbusinesses that hire formerly incarcerated people, and it too was referred to suspense after supportive testimony from reentry and small-business advocates.

Transcript Highlights:

• Her husband and adult son in Lake Elmo.
• </c> stopped while jogging around the lake stopped while jogging around the lake and<00:57:30.880><c>
• I have pride in the capital city of St. Paul that is a sanctuary city.
• And it is a nightmare in Lake Street.
• </c> Democratun cities and counties. Democratun cities and counties.

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul and city of West St. Paul. Thank you. Representative Bakeberg, thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Chair, members of the committee, Aaron Nelson, High School Principal, Pequot Lakes.
• Chair, members of the committee, Aaron Nelson, High School Principal, Pequot Lakes.
• </c><01:14:12.360><c> where</c> which has happened to peat Lakes where which has happened to peat Lakes
• We have a number of students in Pequot Lakes.

Bills: HF984 , HF921 , HF922

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• and bill help align the operations of all types of soil districts to provide similar operations to cities
• special districts to purchase off of the state-negotiated contracts for goods and services, not just cities
• The bill authorizes FDLE to do background checks for special districts and employees, the same as cities
• aren't left paying the fixed costs of a fire district designed to serve the entire district, and a city
• the canal is owned by the South Florida Water Management District and the other side is owned by the Lake

Summary: The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee met and first took up CS/HB 973, a broad special districts bill focused heavily on soil and water conservation districts. The bill would dissolve 35 soil and water districts effective December 31, 2025, based on an OPAGA review that found widespread problems such as lack of revenue, inactive boards, poor notice practices, public records issues, and late financial reporting. It also would let special districts use state contracts, authorize FDLE background checks for district employees, preserve fire district taxing/service authority after annexation, extend liability protections for outdoor recreation on certain district lands, tighten eligibility for soil and water supervisors, and shift complaint review to the Commission on Ethics. Supporters argued the districts are often inactive, duplicative, and costly to review, while opponents said many districts provide local conservation, water quality, outreach, and volunteer services and should be given more time to remediate. Public testimony on HB 973 was mixed. Several soil and water district chairs and related advocates opposed the bill, saying their districts provide local conservation, flood, invasive species, education, and coordination services at little or no taxpayer cost, and that abolishing them would remove local representation and collaboration. The bill’s proponent, the Florida Association of Special Districts, supported the measure as a limited-government and accountability reform, arguing that districts with no revenue or contracts should not continue. Members debated whether the bill was relying on the OPAGA report while also eliminating future performance reviews, whether the Department of Agriculture could absorb the added responsibilities, and whether the districts should have been given more time to correct deficiencies. The committee ultimately voted the bill favorably, with one no vote from Representative Hinson. The committee then considered CS/HB 995, which applies to Monroe County and the Florida Keys. The bill would exempt Habitat for Humanity in the Keys from construction performance bond requirements for affordable housing, extend the Florida Keys land acquisition/set-aside authority in Florida Forever for 10 more years, and extend the hurricane evacuation time frame from 24 hours to 24.5 hours to allow up to 825 additional residential permit allocations, phased in over 10 years and directed largely toward vacant buildable lots and workforce housing. An amendment was adopted to codify the 825-unit allocation and the distribution framework. With no opposition offered on the bill, the committee reported HB 995 favorably by unanimous vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Vermillion um but kind of a cool um Lake Vermillion um but kind of a cool um Ode<00:47:16.880><c> to
• million Sudan underground mine as Lake million Sudan underground mine State<00:48:29.200><c> Park</c
• And that would be the DNR's plan under our current state park management plan for Lake Vermilion.
• </c> opportunities around all of Lake opportunities around all of Lake Vermillion<00:52:22.200><c> um
• </c><00:52:58.280><c> um</c> State Park and the rest of the lake um State Park and the rest of the lake

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We get our water from Beaver Lake; everybody's getting their water from Beaver Lake.
• And if the population keeps going in Carroll Boone, we get our water from Beaver Lake.
• They still own the land, but it wound up being in the city instead of the county.
• The city passed a moratorium, but that is expiring.
• I do know that every city or community that rejected a crypto mine or data center for whatever reason

Committee: All HOUSE RULES

Summary: The committee first considered House Resolution 1016, which would have allowed introduction of a bill by Representative Richmond addressing disclosure and restrictions for certain real-estate arrangements where buyers purchase interests in entities rather than direct ownership of property. Richmond said the measure was aimed at transparency, consumer protection, and preventing private tribunals or discriminatory practices, while several members questioned whether it would affect homeowners associations, hunting clubs, arbitration clauses, or duplicate existing law. After discussion, the committee voted down the resolution. House Resolution 1006, sponsored by Representative Schultz, proposed increasing the Homestead Tax Credit by $75, from $600 to $675, using a fund created by Amendment 79 and supported by sales tax revenue. Schultz argued the fund could support the increase now and that families needed relief amid high prices. The committee approved the resolution. The committee then heard House Resolution 1007, presented by Senator King and Representative Eaton, which sought to change how turnback funds are distributed to counties, with a focus on giving counties more predictable annual funding for roads, jails, water, sewer, public safety, and other infrastructure. Members raised concerns about taking $150 million off the top of sales tax revenue and about whether the bill should be handled through budget language instead; the resolution failed. House Resolution 1008, by Representative Wooten and Senator King, would have amended the LEARNS education program to reduce costs, limit or change eligibility, and add performance-based requirements and reporting for certain school-choice funding. Supporters said the program was financially unsustainable and needed accountability, while opponents argued the proposal would create larger problems and that the issue should be handled in the regular session. The resolution failed after a point of order prevented reading a supporting letter into the record. Finally, House Resolution 1009 and House Resolution 1013, both tied to Senator Bryant’s proposals on local control over crypto mines and data centers, were discussed together with testimony about water use, energy demand, and local opposition; both failed. House Resolution 1015, which would have amended the IDEA economic-development bill to remove eminent domain authority and address board accountability, also failed after members said more concerns remained to be worked out.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm from Bonney Lake in Pierce County.
• I'm from Bonnie Lake in Pierce County.
• I'm from Bonney Lake, and I am from Pierce County.
• Additionally, the six cities that go across two county lines and the one city that goes across three
• the city reaches into has already gone before them.

Bills: HB2210 , HB2123 , HB2206 , HB2281 , HB2411

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Keywords: local representation, fair elections, government accountability, voter rights, transparency, foreign nationals, elections, Washington state, voter participation, government oversight, voting rights, uniform standards, overseas voting, civilian voting, state legislation, tribal relations, government, state policy, sovereignty, federalism

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent the cities of Plymouth and Medicine Lake in the northwestern suburbs.
• I represent the cities of Plymouth and Medicine Lake in the northwestern suburbs.
• I represent the cities of Plymouth and Medicine Lake in the northwestern suburbs.
• I represent the cities of Plymouth and Medicine Lake in the northwestern suburbs.
• I represent the cities of Plymouth and Medicine Lake in the northwestern suburbs.

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• license in New York City.
• The issue that exists between GRU, the city of Gainesville, and all the rate payers in the city of Alachua
• I mean, wouldn't the impact of this policy be that a city or a city or...
• The city of Fort Lauderdale has contacted me.
• There's quite a few cities who have plans, and the goals are really good.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opening prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions recognizing guests, interns, public safety officials, and a doctor of the day. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and took up several bills, with some measures temporarily postponed and others substituted with House companions before final passage. No committee reports, governor messages, or House messages were on the desk at the start of the regular order of business. The first major bill passed was CS/CS/HB 355 on health care patient protection, which requires hospitals with emergency departments to have evidence-based pediatric emergency care policies, training, pediatric equipment, a designated pediatric emergency care coordinator, and participation in the National Pediatric Readiness Assessment. Senators also passed CS/CS/HB 1113 on public records, clarifying confidentiality protections for victims and for law enforcement officers who become victims in the course of duty, though that bill drew questions about access to information in misconduct cases and received four no votes. The Senate then passed CS/CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity, creating a Florida Digital Service-administered program to help local governments obtain cybersecurity services and grants, with amendments shifting the grant-award deadline and rejecting House differences such as locating the program at USF and adding a sunset date. The chamber also passed CS/CS/HB 925 on clerks of court, allowing clerks to retain all revenue above Article V projections and revising related fee distributions, despite concerns from some senators and municipalities about revenue shifts. Additional bills passed included CS/CS/HB 679 modernizing trademark registration, and CS/CS/CS/HB 589 on septic system permits, which addresses long permit delays and clarifies liability if construction begins before a permit is issued. Several other bills were taken up, including elections legislation (SB 1334/HB 991) that generated extensive debate and multiple failed amendments on voter ID, citizenship verification, student and senior IDs, and implementation timing; the transcript ends while that bill is still under consideration, after the Senate adopted one amendment and rejected several others.

Transcript Highlights:

• The city of Fort Worth is involved in litigation against the EPA.
• of their drinking water, as well as Lake Worth.
• Fort Worth City Council terminated the agreement with Centegro.
• Council of the City of Fort Worth, and the Trinity River Authority.
• An entity, say the City of Fort Worth or another city, decides to treat biosolids to a certain classification

Bills: HB1341 , HB1674 , HB4028 , SB2321

Committee: House Environmental Regulation

Keywords: hydrogen sulfide, public health, environmental regulation, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, ground level concentrations, emissions limit, emissions limits, ground-level concentrations, air quality, PFAS, agriculture, environmental protection, health risks, criminal offense, chemical regulation, preproduction plastic, water quality, pollution control, industrial waste, emissions

Transcript Highlights:

• I live in Washington State, in Bellevue City specifically, for the last 16 years.
• New York City has that.
• Pennsylvania and other states and cities have also recognized it in some of it.
• And it would be really awesome if our diverse state and city recognizes this as a holiday.
• Lake Winatchee, most importantly, we assisted with operations up at Holdings, the area as a plain Lake

Summary: The committee heard six bills on January 27, 2026. Senate Bill 6084 would clarify the prohibition on voting more than once in an election, in response to a court ruling that interpreted “election” narrowly; the sponsor and Secretary of State’s office said the bill is meant to ensure a person votes only once in Washington or in one state and another on the same election date. Testimony was brief and supportive, and the hearing was closed with many people signed in pro and con but not testifying. Senate Bill 6044 would recognize Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas as a legislatively recognized day, and Senate Bill 5950 would add several non-legal holidays, including Sikh, Baha’i, Jewish, and Buddhist observances. Sponsors and supporters described the bills as a way to acknowledge minority faith traditions, promote inclusion, and help communities feel seen; testimony came from Jewish, Sikh, multi-faith, Hindu, Zoroastrian, and Buddhist representatives. The committee recorded substantial support for both measures, with no opposition testimony, and closed both hearings. Senate Bill 6046 would establish the Washington Division of Civil Air Patrol within the Military Department to better coordinate volunteer aviation support for disasters, search and rescue, cybersecurity, and other missions. The sponsor, Military Department, Civil Air Patrol, and veterans’ representatives said it would improve command and control and help the state use Civil Air Patrol more efficiently at no added cost. Senate Bill 5763 would create a grant program for local law enforcement aviation support units and expand wildfire-related aviation support to sheriff’s offices; sheriffs and police chiefs strongly supported it as a way to sustain helicopter-based search and rescue and disaster response, while DNR raised concerns about wildfire aviation standards, liability, and possible bill drafting issues. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5784, which would require agencies to collect and report more detailed demographic data under updated federal standards; the sponsor said better disaggregation is needed for accountability and to identify disparities, and the Office of Equity supported the policy while noting fiscal and privacy concerns and the need for possible amendments. The meeting ended after the final hearing, with no votes taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Funding is allocated to projects lakes.
• I think you need to get, you know, and then more people, um, you by stocking and the lakes.
• I think you need to get, you know, and then more people, um, you by stocking and the lakes.
• I think you need to get, you know, and then more people, um, you by stocking and the lakes.
• You know, and then more people, um, you by stocking and the lakes.

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> not just the ones in the Twin Cities not just the ones in the Twin Cities metro<00:08:36.080><c>
• Next we have Gina Cleave, superintendent for Lake Superior School District.
• I'm Gina Clive, superintendent of Lake Superior School District.
• female superintendent for Lake Superior School District.
• Louis County and all of Lake County, from the Lake Superior border to the Canadian border.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Ochenna Jones Conley from Missouri City as the Doctor of the Day.
• Tracy Vincent from the big city of Longview, Texas.
• City of Ingliside-on-the-Bay, Mayor Joe and Elman.
• City of Ingliside-on-the-Bay, Mayor Pro Tem and Nye.
• The city of Palmview has experienced.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm also a resident of the Star Lake neighborhood that recently got a light rail station that opened
• I'm also a resident of the Star Lake neighborhood that recently got a light rail station that opened
• I'm Councilmember Kelly Jang, and I'm here on behalf of the city of Issaquah in support of SB 6148.
• Kelly Jang continued: Our city is preparing for the arrival of light rail.
• Sound Transit's Enterprise Initiative and the City of Issaquah are working to figure out ways we can

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Second Substitute Senate Bill 5690, which would require WSDOT to improve coordination with utilities on fish barrier removal projects and utility relocations, provide advance notice when feasible, and seek to maximize federal funding for relocation costs. Staff described the bill’s background, including the federal culvert injunction and WSDOT’s fish barrier work, and noted fiscal impacts tied to grant monitoring and possible revenue changes. Senator McEwen said the bill was narrowed from a prior version to reduce fiscal concerns and cited a district example where poor coordination allegedly wasted public and ratepayer funds. Utility representatives from PUDs testified in support, emphasizing better communication, advance notice for budgeting, and access to federal funds; no opposition was presented on this bill before the public hearing was closed. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6148, which would extend the maximum term for regional transit authority bonds from 40 years to 75 years and remove eligibility for regional mobility grant funds if an RTA uses bonds longer than 40 years. Staff and committee fiscal discussion focused on how longer terms reduce annual debt service but increase total interest paid over time, with examples comparing 25-, 40-, 50-, and 75-year bonds. Supporters, including Sound Transit board members, local officials, labor, and transit advocates, argued the bill would give Sound Transit flexibility to manage inflation, preserve project schedules, and align financing with long-lived infrastructure and the federal TIFIA loan program. Opponents argued the bill would increase long-term costs, shift burdens to future generations, and is premature because Sound Transit is still revising its plan and already has substantial cash and bonding capacity. The hearing ended after questions about debt safeguards, refinancing, and how the proposed authority would interact with TIFIA loans.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill was first introduced in 2019. 2019 at the prompting of the Lino Lakes Police Chief, who also
• Also, the League of Minnesota Cities supports HF 286.
• I represent the city of White Bear Lake, and this is a top priority for my community.
• In fact, when it happened in White Bear Lake, the business owner was observed having full... ...of her
• This bill would also authorize the city to fundraise and expend funds for funerals.

Transcript Highlights:

• The City of St.
• The City of St.
• As the City of St.
• Chair, Sharon Hansen, City Administrator for the City of Marshall.
• Street, George Modular House housing in North Minneapolis, Red Lake Trading Post in Red Lake, and Climate

Bills: HF2048 , HF2360 , HF2006 , HF950 , HF912 , HF3140 , HF2931

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• The bar graph on each city—I'm looking at Bismarck Metro right now—the...
• Help them get access to businesses in the city.
• auditors in each of the region's major cities to get response.
• We'd love a Spirit Lake would sign on.
• Chair Davison, I do not know all of the reasons why Spirit Lake has not signed on.

Committee: Joint Human Services Committee

Summary: The committee first approved the February 11, 2026 minutes and then received an update from the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency on the interagency council on homelessness and continuum of care funding. Testimony described rising homelessness tied to tight housing markets, low incomes, aging homelessness, barriers to rental assistance and public benefits, and limited shelter and case-management capacity. Members discussed the need for more affordable housing, continued one-time funding for the North Dakota Homeless Grant and Housing Incentive Fund, better coordination with Health and Human Services on economic assistance and human service zones, landlord engagement, recovery housing, and reentry housing. The committee also heard that federal continuum of care funding remains uncertain, with possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing and housing-first models; members asked for a future update on the impact if federal rules reduce the share available for permanent housing. The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described current screening and service delivery, including infant referrals, regional staff, short-term programs, and collaboration with vocational rehabilitation. He said the targeted screening system is working, recommended maintaining the current model, and noted ongoing challenges with staffing, public awareness, and accessible state websites and documents. Public testimony from a visually impaired resident and a deaf resident emphasized barriers such as CAPTCHAs, inaccessible PDFs, employment forms that screen out applicants based on driver’s license status, shortages of interpreters, and the need for video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training for users and agencies. Finally, the committee heard a final report on the study of child care provider licensing from HHS Early Childhood Director Kay Larson. The report summarized provider input and committee discussion on simplifying North Dakota’s child care licensing structure, reducing administrative burden, and balancing that with health and safety standards. Key topics included licensing categories, child care assistance eligibility, food program sponsorship, staff qualifications, training requirements, ratios and group size, age bands, and preschool exemptions. The committee’s recommendations included streamlining to three provider types plus a preschool designation, revising ratio and age-band rules, and carrying forward certain preschool outdoor-space exemptions. Larson noted that any changes would require statutory changes, rulemaking, and a transition period before new licensing rules could take effect.

Transcript Highlights:

• So when you look at page six ethics, we know the cities that apply.
• But from a city perspective, they're all different.
• So, Lake Malloy, right, that's a very, very old dam.
• But Rectone needs $30 million to get Lake Malloy. That is water storage.
• And maybe it's just because at the The city, we did it differently.

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• But we'll get started on White Lake.
• But we'll get started on White Lake.
• White Lake had a project.
• And White Lake is an important place.
• And White Lake is an important place.

Summary: The board met at the State Capitol and approved the agenda and prior minutes after brief motions and no public comment. Executive Director Michael Hare then gave a CPRA implementation update, describing a large portfolio of active projects and highlighting several that are under construction, nearing bid, or recently awarded, including Port Fourchon shoreline protection, Caernarvon marsh creation, Schooner Bayou saltwater barrier rehabilitation, Cain Bayou marsh creation, West Shore river reintroduction work, Morganza to the Gulf, Raccoon Island restoration, Chenier-O-Tig ridge restoration, Bayou Pigeon and Dismal Swamp boat launches, Grand Bayou marsh creation, Highway 1 terracing, and several National Coastal Resilience Fund projects. He also noted the annual plan public meetings had concluded, with comments accepted through February 17, 2026, and answered board questions about the Rockefeller shoreline project, saying CPRA and the Corps were working through geotechnical and environmental issues and trying to move it forward. The board then received a joint presentation from CPRA and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries on the White Lake Conservation Area and Management Plan. Speakers described White Lake as a 72,000-acre property in Vermilion Parish with major freshwater marsh, wildlife habitat, hunting and fishing opportunities, and aging infrastructure that currently operates on limited self-generated revenue. The plan, finalized in October 2025, focuses on habitat protection, maintaining wildlife, supporting revenue generation, expanding controlled public access, and strengthening partnerships. Proposed priorities include GIWW shoreline protection, Unit 2/Caddo levee stabilization, and north shoreline protection, with about $30 million secured for engineering and design and total costs estimated around $120 million to $130 million. Officials also discussed a possible lodge revitalization funded only with private dollars, broader landscape-level habitat management, conservation incentives for private landowners, and potential land acquisition for additional public access. Board members and agency leaders emphasized the importance of White Lake to waterfowl habitat and public recreation, and one member urged similar management attention for Sabine, Lacassine, and Cameron Prairie refuges. The final major presentation covered CPRA’s marsh creation design guidelines. Staff explained that marsh creation remains a major share of the coastal master plan and current project pipeline, and reviewed how projects are built using dredged sediment, containment dikes, and pipeline systems. They said the 2017 design guidelines were intended to standardize minimum design and construction practices, but are now being updated to reflect lessons learned, current survey standards, geotechnical practices, construction methods, and issues such as oil and gas infrastructure and land rights coordination. Board members asked about reducing unnecessary geotechnical costs, improving land-rights timing, considering unconfined marsh creation where appropriate, and accounting for why marsh areas are failing in the first place. Staff said they would consider those suggestions as part of the guideline update and then moved into a follow-up presentation on safety, access, and logistics for marine construction in the coastal zone.