Video & Transcript : 'curriculum development' :
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WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Evaluation & Accountability Program Jun 18th, 2025
Legislative Evaluation & Accountability Program
Transcript Highlights:
- coordinators of the omnibus operating, the capital, and the transportation budget-writing staff to develop
- We'll be working directly with the capital analysts throughout the summer in this development and be
- We're also updating the operating budget application to assist in the development of the carry-forward
- We're not expecting any major developments this interim.
- Initially set up under our executive program back when we were in the process of developing the automated
Summary:
The LEAP committee met on June 18, 2025, with introductions from members and staff, then received a clean audit report from the State Auditor covering 2020–2024. The audit reviewed accounts payable, general disbursements, theft-sensitive assets, and data backup/recovery, and found no findings. Staff also outlined the interim work plan, including a full rewrite of the capital budget application (Build Sum), updates to the transportation bond model and operating budget tools, website improvements, and continued research into secure, responsible AI use. Members asked about AI safeguards, keyword search improvements, and making the website more user-friendly, especially on mobile devices.
The committee approved the July 8, 2024 minutes after a quorum was reached. It then considered and unanimously approved several budget format changes: the Department of Corrections moved chemical dependency and sex offender treatment into its health care program and renamed Program 700 from “Offender Change” to “Reentry Services”; the Department of Revenue moved the AMP program into its tax analysis and technology support program; and the Department of Transportation changed a toll program title and added new sub-programs for State Route 509 and State Route 167 toll operations to reflect new facilities and more accurate reporting.
Kevin Feltis also provided staffing updates, noting the retirements of longtime LEAP staff, the hiring of three new associate consultants in October 2024, and an upcoming December 2025 retirement for Sherry Randage after decades of state service. The new staff members briefly introduced themselves and expressed enthusiasm for their work. The meeting ended with thanks to members and staff and adjournment after the committee completed its business.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Public School Capital Outlay Council May 14th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We've developed a plan of action, uh, presenting today for the full implementation of this report moving
- Um, project development is not, not, uh, not applicable.
- about that sometimes with, uh, like on item 3 it says for the Cuba Independent Schools that design development
- Not applicable, but yet we're in design development and we're 75% behind, um, I just.
- you're a, if it's the design award then then those like on the later ones, those that have a project development
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- results in reducing the persistent gaps that Native Hawaiians face in health, housing, uh, economic development
- results in reducing the persistent gaps that Native Hawaiians face in health, housing, uh, economic development
- Hawaiians face in health, housing, uh, Hawaiians face in health, housing, uh, economic<00:04:16.639><c> development
- </c><00:04:18.799><c> And</c> economic development and education.
- And economic development and education.
Committee:
Senate Hawaiian Affairs
Summary:
The Committee on Hawaiian Affairs met in decision-making sessions on March 18 and considered several House bills. On HB 576 HD2, the chair proposed an amendment clarifying that the bill would not apply to transfers of Hawaiian Homes lands under the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920, including lease conditions for 99-year terms; the committee adopted the recommendation to pass with amendments, with one no vote. On HB 606, the chair recommended passing the bill with amendments and a committee report requesting a $50 million appropriation; that recommendation was also adopted, again with one no vote. HB 1408 was recommended for indefinite deferral, and no discussion was recorded before adjournment.
In a later portion of the meeting, the committee heard testimony on HB 410, which was described by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs as its budget request. OHA testified in strong support, saying the measure would help advance its strategic plan, reduce disparities affecting Native Hawaiians in health, housing, economic development, and education, and improve transparency and data-driven oversight. The committee noted additional support and opposition testimony counts on other measures, including HB 871 and HB 1091, and then moved into decision-making.
The committee ultimately adopted the chair’s recommendations to pass HB 410 HD1 unamended, HB 871 HD1 unamended, and HB 1091 HD1 as is. Senator Ihara was noted as excused for part of the later voting. The meeting concluded with no further testimony or discussion and the committee adjourned.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
JLCAR Administrative Rules (04/17/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- This would not be affecting developers.
- ><c> be</c><01:06:35.680><c> affecting</c> developers.
- This would be affecting developers.
- Uh, so we do believe we met the legislative intent in developing these rules. Um, as Mr.
- And so the agency was able to develop a set of rules that they could use to allow this.
Summary:
The committee opened with housekeeping items, approved the minutes and consent agenda, and reminded the public that JLCAR’s role is limited to determining whether agency rules are within statutory authority, not to decide policy. Testimony was to be limited, and members noted that policy concerns should be addressed through the legislature rather than the committee process.
The first major item was Public Utilities Commission rule 25-215 concerning natural gas suppliers. Staff said the proposal had been postponed because the PUC appeared to lack authority to impose fines and penalties in this rule set, especially suspending or revoking registrations, and recommended either a conditional approval removing those provisions or a preliminary objection for lack of statutory authority. PUC counsel responded that the cited authority had been incorrect, that the Department of Energy now has most registration rulemaking authority, but argued the commission still has jurisdiction over mediation and dispute resolution and may still have authority over fines because natural gas suppliers are not expressly excluded from public-utility status. Committee members discussed the split between PUC and DOE authority and the possibility that the transition in authority had not been fully cleaned up in statute.
The committee then voted to grant a waiver of the time limit and postpone the item for another month so the agencies could work with counsel and clarify which parts of the rule could proceed. Members also urged that any needed legislative fix be brought forward quickly, noting that the Senate was not taking up non-germane amendments and suggesting the House as the likely venue for a cleanup bill.
The committee next took up Department of Energy EN900 and EN1000 rules. Staff said the EN900 net-metering rules had been postponed previously and that the main remaining issue was a retroactive requirement in EN909.03(b), which the agency agreed to revise so the language would apply only on or after the 2026 effective date of the chapter. The agency described the EN900 rules as implementing net metering authority transferred from the PUC and expanding the chapter to cover municipal group net metering and low- and moderate-income community solar projects. The EN1000 interconnection rules were described as implementing 2024 legislation requiring uniform procedures for distributed energy resources. The department said both sets of rules were developed through extensive stakeholder input and asked for approval subject to the oral amendment already discussed."}】【。json
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
EEP/TRN/AEN/TCA Joint Info Briefing - Wed Jun 25, 2025 @ 9:30 AM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We elected leadership, and development.
- How does that look oriented development.
- , make sure that we could densify residential development in those areas.
- I think they're commenting on these development proposals.
- I think we really develop proposals.
Summary:
The committees received an informational briefing from Hawaii DOT and related partners on the Navahine settlement and the department’s plan to meet its climate and transportation commitments. Speakers described the settlement as a first-of-its-kind agreement rooted in the state constitution, the public trust doctrine, and prior legislative findings and laws, including Act 131. They said the settlement is intended to formalize DOT’s work, establish milestones, and keep climate and transportation policy less dependent on changes in administration. The presentation emphasized that transportation is Hawaii’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and that the plan is aimed at meeting 2030 and 2045 clean energy goals.
DOT outlined several major implementation pieces: creation of a new Office of Energy Security and Community Outreach, formation of a youth council, and development of an emissions reduction plan that will be updated over time. The youth council reported on its membership, statewide representation, meetings, and work on charter, bylaws, and committees focused on policy and legislation, events and advocacy, and ground transportation. Youth members said they provided feedback on the energy security plan and discussed walk audits and safe routes to school. The department also described a new project-scoring tool to measure greenhouse gas impacts of every DOT project, which it said is intended to make Hawaii a national leader in evaluating transportation emissions.
A major topic was the settlement’s transportation network requirement, which speakers said compresses roughly 15 years of pedestrian, bicycle, and transit network work into five years and will require about $40 million to $50 million per year over the next five years. They said a GIS map is being developed to identify gaps and that the work will involve counties and other partners, with benefits for safety, connectivity, and emissions reduction. Other topics included clean fuel standards, electrification of ground transportation, sustainable aviation fuel, marine fuel transitions, cold ironing at ports, and the costs and availability challenges associated with those transitions. DOT also reported progress on EV charging infrastructure, including two completed sites and more planned, and said it is using a sustainability partner contract to maintain chargers and recover only electricity costs.
The briefing also highlighted carbon sequestration and fire mitigation work, including native tree planting. DOT said it has exceeded its minimum annual tree-planting commitment, with 3,000 trees planted in 2024 and 4,200 by mid-2025, and noted that the Legislature provided $15 million for fire mitigation that is being used for this work. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the informational briefing.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
EEP-TRN-AEN-TCA Informational Briefing 06-25-2025
Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We elected leadership, and development.
- How does that look in terms development.
- , make sure that we could densify residential development in those areas.
- Like they're commenting on these development proposals.
- </c><01:41:28.239><c> in</c> influence new modes of development in influence new modes of development
Summary:
The joint informational briefing focused on the Hawaii Department of Transportation’s work under the Navah settlement, which was described as a first-of-its-kind climate agreement tied to the state’s constitutional public trust and clean-environment obligations. Speakers said the settlement was intended to accelerate progress toward Hawaii’s 2030 and 2045 clean energy goals, especially by addressing transportation, the state’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. They emphasized that the agreement formalizes milestones, reduces dependence on changing administrations, and includes a role for the legislature alongside the courts and executive branch.
DOT and Earthjustice representatives outlined the main settlement deliverables: creation of a new Office of Energy Security and Community Outreach, formation of a youth council, and development of an emissions reduction plan that will be updated over time. They also highlighted a new project-level greenhouse gas/VMT scoring tool, described as the first of its kind in the nation for DOT-wide use, to evaluate the climate impact of transportation projects. The presentation tied these efforts to prior legislative actions, including the state’s climate emergency declaration, net-zero/net-negative targets, and Act 131’s requirements for multimodal network planning and emissions reporting.
A substantial portion of the briefing was devoted to the youth council, which reported 20 members selected from 83 applicants, representation from across the islands, and work on bylaws, committees, and outreach. Youth members described feedback they gave on the energy security plan, a student leadership summit presentation, and future plans to meet with legislators and participate in the Climate Future Forum. DOT also said the settlement’s transportation strategies include clean fuels, electrification, aviation sustainable aviation fuel, marine shore power, and carbon sequestration, including expanded native tree planting and fire mitigation work.
No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the briefing. Members discussed implementation challenges, including cost and supply constraints for aviation and marine decarbonization, but DOT said industry stakeholders were not rejecting the goals, only raising affordability and timing concerns. Officials also noted that a GIS map for network gaps was in development and that the settlement’s pedestrian, bike, and transit connectivity requirement would compress roughly 15 years of work into five years, with an estimated annual commitment of $40 million to $50 million.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 01/30/25
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- The program was developed in the 1990s, over 30 years ago, and has more than 10,000 users.
- The program was developed in the 1990s, over 30 years ago, and has more than 10,000 users.
- The agency contracted with Management Analysis and Development, as I said.
- </c> information provided by mad to develop information provided by mad to develop our<01:09:54.560><
- </c> proposal de or the uh report development proposal de or the uh report development but<01:15:31.840
Committee:
Senate Health and Human Services
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 01/22/25
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:19:06.159><c> financial</c> our uh community development financial our uh community development
- </c> farmers to access equipment and develop farmers to access equipment and develop infrastructure<00
- </c><00:32:36.720><c> recommendations</c> group and develop recommendations group and develop recommendations
- </c><01:36:42.119><c> with</c> current strain is is uh developing with current strain is is uh developing
- The cats drinking the milk are dying, uh, developing neurologic signs.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy and Natural Resources (03/10/2026)
Energy and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- into a housing development.
- </c> development there and I want to sell it. development there and I want to sell it.
- </c><01:18:20.400><c> development.
- Rules were developed.
- Rules were developed. We moved ground. Rules were developed.
Committee:
Senate Energy and Natural Resources
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 108 May 2nd, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- As surrounding research and development.
- ><c> a</c> Research and development isn't a Research and development isn't a loophole.<03:06:17.520><
- Brooks. and development companies that are in and development companies that are in our<03:10:20.800>
- Just keep doing development communities.
- 54.479><c> where</c><03:15:54.720><c> you</c> research and development is where you research and development
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 5 on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor and Transportation May 7th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We are building a model that captures value from real estate development, energy generation, broadband
- And we have launched a procurement to bring in a private partner through a co-development agreement in
- So we are trying to do this within the state in a manner that the worker skill set that gets developed
- expecting to have these P3 investors on board by June 1st, and then they will take their time to develop
- their feasibility, financial... ...and then they will take their time to develop their feasibility,
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- Of course, it was developed in 1894 by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company.
- So the first picture is a Winchester model 1894 committee, and of course it was developed in 1894 by
- Of course, it was developed in 1894 by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company.
- It was developed in 1873, or adopted in 173. It was designed by some Colt engineers.
- Of course, it was developed in 1962. Hunters, it's a favorite of many hunters and target shooters.
Committee:
Senate State Affairs
Summary:
The Senate State Affairs Committee met in a special session and introduced several measures focused largely on immigration enforcement and firearms policy. The committee introduced RS 33695, which would impose an excise tax on international money transfers and provide a tax credit for Idahoans; RS 33831, requiring local and county law enforcement to apply for and participate in ICE 287(g) agreements; RS 33832, the Refugee and Illegal Alien Accountability Act, which adds reporting and status-verification requirements and restrictions on unlawful harboring or transporting; and RS 33835, which would allow certain Idaho Department of Correction inmates with federal immigration detainers and final removal orders to be released to federal authorities before sentence completion, with an estimated state savings of $3.5 million. All of these RSs were moved to print without opposition.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 1430, which strengthens enforcement of Idaho’s firearms preemption law by creating penalties and a private cause of action against local governments that willfully violate state firearms statutes, while preserving existing authority for discharge ordinances and university rules. Support came from the NRA and the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance, and the bill’s sponsors emphasized notice and an opportunity to cure before litigation. The committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a do pass recommendation.
House Bill 894, concerning open meetings, was presented as clarifying that members of the public may record open meetings by audio, video, or photographs, with exceptions for executive sessions and certain correctional and parole settings. It was advanced to the floor unanimously. House Bill 932, an advisory vote measure asking Idahoans to choose a favorite firearm from a list of historically significant guns, drew extended discussion and humor from committee members and was also sent to the floor with a do pass recommendation. H.C.R. 36, a resolution honoring the Idaho National Guard and supporting modernization, including a transition from A-10s to F-16s and Army force-structure changes, was approved despite one member expressing reluctance about losing the A-10s.
Finally, the committee considered House Bill 888, which would shift procurement of information technology services to the Office of Information Technology Services and allow use of third-party brokers or existing procurement channels. Testimony from the bill’s supporters emphasized faster procurement, cost savings, and centralized oversight, while the Office of Information Technology Services testified neutral but raised concerns about workload, transparency, and the need for clearer selection and appeals procedures. After discussion about rulemaking and safeguards, the committee voted to send the bill to the floor with a do pass recommendation.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- But we have a development in our area called the Idaho Club that has approximately 400 home sites.
- In 2023, the Idaho Club underlying developers sold off the sewer part of their utilities. ...and some
- But we have a development in our area called the Idaho Club that has approximately 400 home sites.
- In 2023, the Idaho Club underlying developers sold off the sewer part of their utilities. ...part of
- In this case, about half of the development is still open ground.
Committee:
House State Affairs
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes from March 25 and reordered the agenda to hear House Bill 941 first. HB 941, presented by Speaker Moyle, would move the rules coordinator and related rule publication functions from the executive branch to the Legislative Services Office and eliminate the existing periodic review process for administrative rules. Supporters said the bill would restore legislative control over rules and ensure they match statutory authority; opponents raised separation-of-powers concerns and worried about giving one legislative employee too much power. After questions from several members, the committee voted on a due-pass motion, which failed 8-5.
The committee then reconsidered Senate Bill 1320, a code cleanup measure removing outdated language tied to a State Controller’s Office project fund that ended in 2023. With no testimony in opposition, the committee passed SB 1320 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. It next heard Senate Bill 1236, which repeals the Idaho Women’s Commission because it has been defunded and inactive for years. The sponsor described it as housekeeping, while several women’s advocacy groups and individual testifiers opposed the repeal, arguing the commission still has value in addressing women’s representation, pay, health care, and other issues. After debate, a motion to hold the bill failed 7-6, and the committee then approved SB 1236 for the floor on a 7-6 vote.
Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 1397, presented by Representative Sauter and Senator Woodward, which would bring certain private wastewater systems under Public Utilities Commission oversight if they have 100 or more connections. Supporters said some homeowners are trapped by private sewer monopolies, facing doubled rates and being unable to obtain building permits because systems lack capacity or will-serve letters. Opponents questioned whether the bill would interfere with private contracts, but supporters argued it would provide the same consumer protections already applied to other utility monopolies. The committee passed SB 1397 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation and then adjourned.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/26/2026 - House Artificial Intelligence & Innovation
Artificial Intelligence & Innovation
Transcript Highlights:
- If we're two decades into the AI development for breast cancer, that's the one you're going to look into
- The reason that we have a closed ecosystem when it comes to conversational AI is because we developed
- So, yeah, you're going to see tremendous developments in the next three years.
- Tremendous developments in the next three years. Mr. Chair, I know we don't have a lot of time.
- We're literally developing this as we go, and it's not like other policy that's a little bit more slow
Bills:
SB1786
Committee:
House Artificial Intelligence & Innovation
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Mar 11th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Washington House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- school districts, and the hospitals for the benefit of those communities; the renewable energy developers
- that will come from building these systems around Washington, as well as the jobs and economic development
- of legislation is a vote for clean energy, it's a vote for good jobs, it's a vote for economic development
- This is the first major industrial development that's happened in many of these rural communities that
- And it is major industrial development.
Keywords:
behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification
Summary:
The House convened with a quorum, offered the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer, approved the prior day’s minutes, and then recessed briefly for caucus. The chamber received several Senate messages, including concurrence on amendments and the signing of Engrossed Senate Bill 5068, before moving into third reading and final passage of multiple bills. Most of the floor debate centered on concurrence with Senate amendments and the policy effects of those changes.
Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1170 passed 55-38 and was described as reorganizing and clarifying how Climate Commitment Act auction revenues are distributed among state accounts; supporters said it would create a clearer budget process, while opponents objected to shifting funds away from transportation and capital uses and reducing tax relief. Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2251 passed 54-40 after debate over Climate Commitment Act account structure and operating-account allocations. Engrossed House Bill 2445 passed 66-29 on probate-related changes, with supporters citing clarifications and opponents saying it did not go far enough to limit outside involvement in probate matters.
The House also passed Substitute House Bill 2334 80-15, with little debate after Senate “perfecting” changes. Engrossed Third Substitute House Bill 1960 passed 86-9; supporters said it would replace an inconsistent property tax on wind, solar, and battery storage facilities with a stable excise tax to benefit rural communities, counties, and labor, while opponents focused on tax impacts and local burdens. Additional bills passed included Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1500 on HOA resale certificates (61-34), Second Substitute House Bill 1909 creating a Court Unification Task Force (57-38), Engrossed House Bill 2156 expanding Attorney General investigative authority over economic and financial crimes (54-41 on reconsideration), Substitute House Bill 2539 on inmate funds and related deductions (57-38), Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2548 on health care facility mergers and market oversight (55-41), Engrossed House Bill 2588 on local control for the Lummi ferry system (56-40), and Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2320 on gun violence prevention and 3D-printed firearms (58-38). The House also agreed not to concur in Senate amendments to Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1408 and retransmitted it to the Senate.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Feb 26th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Once diagnosed, all attempts at treatment stop, and we watch helplessly as the devastating stages develop
- but mighty ethos in providing leadership throughout the regional and statewide water community to develop
- and management programs, implementation of budget-based rates and advanced metering capabilities, development
- of an in-house pipeline replacement program, development of the latest water treatment technologies
- for PFOS, and implementation of workforce development programs within our local institutions of higher
Summary:
The Assembly convened after a quorum call, heard a prayer and pledge, and then moved through a largely ceremonial floor session with multiple guest introductions and recognitions. Members honored the retirement of long-serving committee secretary Marisa Lancaster, recognized Assemblymember Rubio’s parents on her mother’s 80th birthday, welcomed school and agency guests, and celebrated Crescenta Valley Water District’s 75th anniversary. The body also adopted several resolutions recognizing Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day and California FFA, with strong bipartisan support and co-author additions.
The main policy item was AJR 27, a resolution urging federal disaster aid for Los Angeles-area wildfire recovery, especially the Palisades and Eaton fires. Supporters from both parties emphasized the need for immediate, unconditional federal assistance for displaced residents, businesses, and communities still rebuilding, while some Republicans argued the state and local governments should move faster on permitting, recovery, and mitigation and criticized state spending priorities. After debate, the resolution was opened for co-authors and then adopted on a 68-0 roll call vote.
The Assembly also adopted ACR 133 on Girl Day by voice vote after 70 co-authors were added, ACR 138 honoring FFA with 73 co-authors and voice adoption, and ACR 136 on Engineers Week with 69 co-authors and unanimous consent on the consent calendar. The chamber then heard adjournment-in-memory tributes for Juan Antonio Pacheco and Paul L. McAiley, and adjourned until Monday, March 2, at 1 p.m.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Feb 26th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Once diagnosed, all attempts at treatment stop, and we watch helplessly as the devastating stages develop
- but mighty ethos in providing leadership throughout the regional and statewide water community to develop
- of an in-house pipeline replacement program, development of the latest water treatment technologies
- for PFOS, and implementation of workforce development programs within our local institutions of higher
- But again, it's a testament to the program and the development that they've been able to do through their
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Finance Jan 29th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- must allow a density bonus for property owned by religious organizations if 100% of the housing development
- must allow a density bonus for property owned by religious organizations if 100% of the housing development
- the substitute bill heard in committee had provisions for sales and use tax incentives for these developments
- by requiring the governmental entity to be a local jurisdiction, requiring the property owner to develop
- So, cautiously, let's keep looking at this, but of course let's let low-income housing be developed."
Summary:
House Finance heard briefings on several tax and housing-related bills, including HB 1717 on a local sales and use tax remittance program for affordable housing, HB 1859 on expanding density bonuses for housing on religious organization property, HB 1960 on a renewable energy excise tax, HB 2133 on making a senior citizen center property tax exemption permanent, HB 2135 on extending a disabled veterans housing sales tax preference, HB 2140 on tax treatment for land transferred to government entities, HB 2442 on a broad package of local tax and levy changes, and HB 2559 on a local option short-term rental tax for affordable housing. Staff also described multiple proposed substitutes and amendments, many of them technical or aimed at shifting administrative duties, changing tax credits, or requiring voter approval.
In executive session, the committee adopted a substitute for HB 1717 and reported it out unanimously with a due pass recommendation. HB 1859 was also reported out with a due pass recommendation after members discussed added flexibility for affordable housing on faith-owned land. For HB 1960, the committee adopted amendments clarifying tax administration and JLARC review, rejected an amendment that would have adjusted property tax levies to offset shifts, and then advanced the bill on an 11-4 vote. HB 2133 and HB 2135 both received technical amendments and were reported out unanimously, with members emphasizing the value of permanent or extended tax preferences for senior centers and disabled veterans.
The committee then advanced HB 2140, which narrows tax consequences when land is transferred to a governmental entity and is used for current-use purposes, with members describing it as a fix for unintended burdens on landowners and farmers. HB 2442, a large local government finance package, drew the most debate; amendments to make new taxes credits against state taxes and to require voter approval were rejected, and the bill passed 9-6. HB 2559, which would allow a local option excise tax on short-term rentals to fund affordable housing, also saw rejected amendments on state tax credits, local control, and voter approval before passing 9-6. Throughout, supporters framed the bills as tools for local governments and affordable housing, while opponents argued they would increase taxes and should require direct voter approval or state offsets.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Environment and Natural Resources Jan 20th, 2026
Environment and Natural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- It has economic development in it.
- It has economic development in it.
- And I think there's a lot of money being spent around the state to develop those.
- I want to make it... more economic development than they had in the past.
- They've developed the rule.
Committee:
Senate Environment and Natural Resources
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Cabo Verdean Cultural Center Jan 13th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- part of this and looking forward to moving it forward and hopefully making strides in economic development
- John Cruz, a developer who has built most of our community up in the Black community and comes from the
- part of this and looking forward to moving it forward and hopefully making strides in economic development
- John Cruz, a developer who has built most of our community up in the black community and comes from the
- governance, higher education, language preservation, community organizing and advocacy, economic development
Summary:
The commission met to continue work on planning a Cape Verdean Cultural Center in Massachusetts, with a focus on finalizing membership and preparing for a feasibility study. After roll call and introductions, members reviewed and unanimously approved the November 25 minutes. The chair described the commission’s mandate, including monthly meetings, cultural institution visits, listening sessions, and hiring a consultant to conduct the feasibility study. Members also discussed the historical importance of the project in light of Cape Verde’s 50th anniversary of independence and the 250th anniversary of the United States.
A major portion of the meeting was devoted to a draft nomination criteria document for expanding the commission. The criteria emphasized geographic, generational, gender, and sector diversity, along with needed expertise in areas such as arts and cultural programming, history, museum work, architecture, fundraising, nonprofit governance, higher education, language preservation, community organizing, economic development, legal issues, and communications. Members highlighted several organizations and institutions as important designees, including Bridgewater State’s Pedro Pires Institute, Mili Mila, the Schooner Ernestina Morrissey Advisory Board, and the New Bedford Whaling Museum. The criteria document was amended to explicitly include Cape Cod, and then approved unanimously.
The commission then reviewed a slate of 16 additional nominees to fill the remaining seats, discussing gaps in legal expertise, Taunton representation, and other regional needs. Members noted that some nominees could also support a separate Cape Verdean associations body rather than serve on the commission itself. After discussion, the body approved forming a three-member nominating committee consisting of the chair, Commissioner Monica Vega, and Commissioner Manny Lopes to narrow the list and report back. Commissioners also agreed to schedule another meeting later in the month to vote on final appointments, and the meeting adjourned after those action steps were set.