Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Print 6018, Senator Baskin, an act in relation to Authorizing the New York State Power Authority
• AUTHORIZING THE NEW YORK STATE POWER AUTHORITY TO RENAME THE ROBERT MOSES NIAGARA POWER PLANT TO THE
• issuance, the bond issuers of these bonds have the prerogative To decide under which laws they want
• They are selling bonds. Who owns those bonds? Who is investing with them?
• THEY ARE SELLING BONDS. WHO OWNS THOSE BONDS? WHO IS INVESTING WITH THEM?

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior day’s journal, and then processed a large number of motions to discharge bills from committees and substitute identical Senate or Assembly versions for third reading. The chamber also adopted the resolution calendar with exceptions and took up several resolutions and ceremonial recognitions, including a resolution mourning Hudson Talbott, a Dairy Month resolution highlighting New York’s dairy industry, and introductions honoring Niskayuna academic teams, Gabriella Scheer for receiving the Liberty Medal, the Hartstein family’s civic engagement, and Diana Cochran’s advocacy for safe firearm storage. The Senate then moved through the calendar and passed many bills on topics including insurance, public health, education, labor, social services, banking, local government, veterans, public service, consumer protection, criminal procedure, cannabis, parks, taxation, election law, and highway matters. Several members explained votes on notable measures: support for acupuncture insurance coverage, consumer protections for doorbell-camera data sharing, expanded protections in debt collection cases, trauma-informed procedures for sexual assault survivors, a Legionnaires’ disease awareness program, changes to mandatory minimum sentencing, and universal safe storage of firearms. A number of home rule and local authorization bills were also approved, including parkland alienation measures and local tax exemption authorizations. Most measures passed with broad bipartisan support, though some drew recorded opposition. Notable roll calls included the consumer debt uniformity bill, the mandatory minimum sentencing bill, the safe storage/firearms bill, and the public housing and public health measures, each with more divided votes. The chamber also accepted a lengthy Rules Committee report sending many additional bills directly to third reading, and then began the supplemental calendar, passing at least the first items before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section one of the bill authorizes the select board of a town to approve what are called revenue bonds
• Some are called GO bonds, or general obligation bonds.
• > bonds.
• <02:08:59.480> That's or general obligation bonds. That's or general obligation bonds.
• <02:09:47.760> bonds obligation bonds, these revenue bonds obligation bonds, these revenue

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House resumed consideration of H.606 on firearm procedures and first took up Section 3 and its effective dates. A member from Northfield spoke at length in support, arguing the provision is narrowly tailored, based on actual dangerousness rather than mental illness alone, and is more limited than federal law because it applies only to specific court findings and is temporary, with rights restorable upon recovery. The House then approved Section 3 and its effective dates, approved the remainder of the Judiciary Committee report, and ordered third reading. The chamber then moved through third readings and passed H.385 on remedies and protections for victims of coerced debt, H.556 on exceptions to the state minimum wage, H.559 on the parole board, H.723 on posting of land, and H.757 on manufactured homes and limited equity cooperatives. On H.814, relating to neurological rights and AI in health and human services, the House adopted an amendment offered by the member from Burlington that required the advisory council to include proposed definitions for neurotechnology, artificial intelligence, and related terms in its report; the House Health Care Committee reported the amendment favorable 11-0-0, and the bill then passed. H.816, regulating the use of artificial intelligence in the provision of mental health services, also passed, as did H.927, technical corrections for the 2026 session. The House then took up H.930 on chronic absenteeism. The committee member from Manchester described the bill as an AOE proposal responding to high post-pandemic absenteeism rates and their impact on learning, and outlined provisions adding definitions, updating compulsory attendance language, requiring a state model policy, strengthening notification and truancy procedures, and preserving existing penalties. The member said the Education Committee heard from a wide range of education and child welfare witnesses and passed the bill 11-0. After a brief clarification on the absences section, the House proceeded toward third reading of H.930.

Transcript Highlights:

• That will be separate with the climate bond.
• You are the authors of this bond, so make sure that the implementation plan reflects your intentions
• And has done for previous bonds.
• But know that this bond, we aim to be accountable. We want it to be the most accessible bond ever.
• It's only 7% of the bond. About 200 of it, as Ms.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• from the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee for... ...the authorization from the Legislative Joint
• My explanation of that motion will be: I don't believe that we could authorize— we don't need to authorize
• the mayor to do... ...could authorize, we don't need to authorize the mayor to do something.
• The bond and fine deposits were approximately $180,000 in 2022 and $409,000 in 2023.
• This finding has been referred to the prosecuting attorney and certified as the bond board.

Summary: The committee first heard updates on delinquent private water and sewer reports. For reports due as of December 31, 2012, staff said five additional 2024 reports had been received since the December meeting, bringing the total of released escrow funds to 17 and leaving 26 still escrowed. For reports delinquent as of December 31, 2023, two more reports were received, bringing 59 of the original 64 into compliance and leaving five outstanding. Both update reports were filed without objection. The committee then discussed Act 709 of 2021 and the town of Daisy’s repayment of street turnback funds. Staff said Daisy had made improper payments to a nonprofit, used restricted street funds for fire truck and fire department building costs, and had not adopted the required repayment ordinance or obtained approval for a reduced repayment percentage. Mayor Lisa Cogburn said the city council had not approved repayment because members disputed the amount, though she said the city had funds to pay. After questions from members and staff explaining the audit calculations, the committee adopted a motion requiring Daisy to repay 10% of unrestricted general fund revenues under the statute and to withhold turnback funds if the city fails to comply. The report was then filed. The committee reviewed numerous deferred and current audit findings from cities, counties, and water systems. Several local officials appeared and described corrective steps, including Harrison district court, Carroll County airport, Izard County treasurer, Alexander district court, Town of 56 officials, Bull Shoals, Lone Oak County, Beaver, Central City, Gravette, Ralston Water Department, Thornton Waterworks, Ozan, and Lee County. Findings included missing or inaccurate reconciliations, unsupported credit card charges, payroll and compensation issues, improper use of public funds, missing receipts, and budget overruns. Some matters were referred to the prosecuting attorney and Attorney General, including Bull Shoals and Lone Oak County, while others were filed or deferred as appropriate. The committee also deferred two private water and sewer reports for lack of proper responses, filed 19 reports with resolved findings, and filed 53 reports with no findings. Before adjourning, the committee set its next meeting for February 12, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Finance Authority Act, and we have about seven of our programs that are authorized through that act
• , we're a very good deal for your local school district bonds.
• Our war has skin in the game as much as the finance authority does.
• They could use, obviously, their general obligation bonding authority, which, again, through the Public
• The bonds are issued and sold by the State Board of Finance.

Transcript Highlights:

• in lieu of Proposes a surety bond in lieu of STRF.
• So if that's the case, insurance method, a surety bond...
• With respect to the surety bond piece, I know other states do often rely on a surety bond type of concept
• A surety bond would be the insurance premium, and the bond premium would be paid by the institution.
• Page 57 of the report also looks at the surety bond issue.

Summary: The joint Sunset Review Oversight Hearing focused on the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) and its reauthorization, operations, enforcement, fiscal condition, and student protections. Committee leaders and DCA officials praised the Bureau’s recent improvements in data systems, licensing, inspections, and enforcement, while noting the Bureau’s role has become more important as federal higher education oversight weakens. Bureau Chief Deborah Cochran said the agency has met its inspection mandate for the first time since the law was enacted, increased citations and disciplinary actions, reduced pending complaints, and used data tools to identify risk and monitor institutions more effectively. A major portion of the hearing centered on student harm, especially school closures, transcript access, predatory recruiting, and the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF). Members asked how the Bureau protects students when schools close, whether bad actors can reopen under new entities, and whether enforcement tools are strong enough. Cochran said the Bureau can cite, fine, place schools on probation, revoke licenses, and order refunds, but it is seeking new authority to deny approval to operators who previously closed schools improperly or failed to refund students. She also said the Bureau is tracking ownership data and is concerned about institutions targeting immigrant and visa students. On STRF, Cochran explained that the fund is currently healthy, assessments are at zero because the balance is above the statutory target, and the Bureau paid about 1,100 claims totaling roughly $17 million over the last four years. Several members questioned the fairness of the assessment structure and discussed alternatives such as surety bonds, but the Bureau said STRF is working well and no change is needed at this time. Fee increases and the Bureau’s structural deficit were another major topic. Cochran said the Bureau reduced costs by eliminating positions, streamlining inspections, improving data analysis, and shifting some student-relief costs to STRF, but that legislative action is still needed to address the deficit. She said the proposed fees were based on workload analyses and that application fees generally match service costs, while annual fees are designed to cover most of the Bureau’s revenue needs. Some members and stakeholders criticized the proposed increases as too high, especially for out-of-state registration and campus fees, while others argued the Bureau needs sufficient resources to regulate effectively. Public commenters from private schools, Northeastern University, San Joaquin Valley College/Carrington College, and TICAS generally supported the Bureau’s mission and reauthorization, but urged changes such as risk-based oversight, better transcript protections, stronger limits on repeated provisional approvals, and more targeted fee and STRF reforms. No votes were taken, and the hearing ended with no formal action beyond discussion and receipt of testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we are overseeing, as I said, Health Care Authority.
• So essentially, as you all know, TIF, Colonias, Water Trust, cash bonds.
• I appreciate the work that you all have done to fix the bonding capacity issue.
• So the remaining capacity of these sponge bonds is very difficult to determine.
• Like, why are we constantly giving that authority to ECECD too?

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: During the legislative meeting, House Bill 287 was discussed, which proposes the establishment of a permanent Health and Human Services Committee to oversee the state's $14.4 billion expenditure in this area. An amendment to the bill was adopted, which clarified funding and operational details. Public comments were solicited, but no one spoke in opposition. The committee ultimately voted, with some members expressing concerns about budget implications, but the motion to pass the bill as amended was made and seconded, with several members opposing it. House Bill 371 was also addressed, which focuses on creating an Acequia Infrastructure Fund to support land grant and Acequia communities. The bill aims to provide a financial mechanism for these communities to access funds for infrastructure projects without relying on capital outlay requests. The committee discussed the bill's implications, potential funding sources, and the need for further amendments regarding representation and oversight. A motion to pass the bill was made, with some opposition noted, particularly regarding the lack of specificity in the bill's provisions. Lastly, Senate Bill 143 was presented, which seeks to raise the caps on inspection fees under the Egg Grading Act, among other agricultural regulations. Supportive testimony was provided by representatives from agricultural organizations, emphasizing the need for updated fee structures. The committee engaged in discussions about the bill's implications for consumers and the agricultural sector, ultimately moving towards a vote to pass the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Local recreation grants appropriation bond issuance authorization. Welcome to Capital Investment.
• recommended 1 million in his bonding recommended 1 million in his bonding proposal,<00:01:32.480
• <00:06:47.280> bill as you assemble your bonding bill as you assemble your bonding bill to
• Program in '23. 3 million in geo bonds Program in '23. 3 million in geo bonds and<00:10:44.000><
• um and the and the bonding. um and the and the bonding.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But those were tacked on to the last housing bond before that bond we passed in 2018 that was funding
• That was a bond program at that time. So we did have some dollars flowing.
• They were bond dollars.
• Prior to 2020, our bond financing program was largely undersubscribed.
• , we've been oversubscribed on the bond side as well since 2020.

Summary: The Assembly Subcommittee on State Administration held a budget hearing focused heavily on housing, homelessness, and related administrative proposals. HCD reported that California housing production has increased, with 2023 completions up 13% from 2022 and entitlement and construction timelines improving, while members and advocates criticized the Governor’s January budget for zeroing out or sharply reducing several housing programs. Public testimony urged funding for affordable housing production, preservation, youth housing, CalHome, LIHTC, HAP, and related programs, and several speakers argued the state should not pull back after recent progress. A major policy item was trailer bill language to allow HCD to access “excess equity” in existing affordable housing projects and recycle those funds into new or preserved housing. HCD and the LAO said the proposal could unlock tens or hundreds of millions of dollars, but members wanted guardrails and clearer statutory direction to ensure the funds stay within the intended housing purposes. The committee also discussed encampment resolution funding; HCD said the proposal would shift expenditure deadlines to the date of award rather than appropriation, while the LAO raised concerns about limited outcome data and urged the Legislature to use upcoming reporting before deciding on future funding. The hearing also covered HCD trailer bills to consolidate default reserve funds into a centralized continuously appropriated account and to clarify reporting requirements for early rounds of the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention program. HCD requested funding to implement chaptered legislation, including a new tribal housing program and reporting-related bills, and also sought extensions for certain reappropriations, including Homekey and REAP 2 deadlines. Public commenters and regional agencies supported flexibility for REAP 2 timing and other housing-related adjustments. Finally, the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency presented the Governor’s reorganization proposal to split the current agency into a Housing and Homelessness Agency and a Consumer Protection Agency. The administration said the change would improve focus, efficiency, and coordination, but the LAO and several members questioned whether it would truly save money or improve accountability, especially given the need for new leadership, possible staffing changes, and the fact that the plan had not yet been formally submitted for review. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• A bonding company could go out on a weekend and write over a million dollars' worth of bonds.
• Because judges can't get bond, can't forfeit bonds, and get that money.
• percentage bonds in the state.
• If you have a bail bonds license through a city bond, it sets it at a year.
• business, I had a $100,000 bond on that. business, I had a $100,000 bond on that.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Subdivision three, Madam Chair, is authorizing the city to issue bonds to finance the project listed
• Subdivision three, Madam Chair, is authorizing the city to issue bonds to finance the project listed
• Subdivision three, Madam Chair, is authorizing the city to issue bonds to finance the project listed
• Subdivision three, Madam Chair, is authorizing the city to issue bonds to finance the project listed
• the city to Chair is the the authorizing the city to issue<00:14:14.920> bonds<00:14:15.960><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• million and we are seeking state bonding million and we are seeking state bonding assistance<00:
• I'm the port authority manager from the Red Wing Port Authority.
• Paul Port Authority. The St. Paul Port Authority is an economic engine not only for the city of St.
• Paul Port Authority. The St. Paul Port Authority is an economic engine not only for the city of St.
• And Senator Friends for co-authoring a bipartisan bill to provide bonding for greater Minnesota transit

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So TFC is more of an authorization.
• Budget Board and we'll discuss the Bond Review Board.
• I'm the Executive Director of the Bond Review Board.
• Rob Latscha: There are no defaults in state bonds, Texas state bonds, no ma'am.
• Page 3, Item 1 is an overview of CPRIT's bond proceeds.

Transcript Highlights:

• The 40% requirement for bond money is to go towards disadvantaged families.
• So the requirement is applicable to the whole bond.
• Well then, from a bond overall bond perspective, that gives you some flexibility in other programs where
• It's just a bond, but of everything on the agenda, the bond is what I think you find the Assembly most
• Maximize the bond dollars.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh the Minnesota port authority.
• ,<00:02:40.760> you where you become a port authority, you where you become a port authority
• uh do have taxing authority. uh do have taxing authority.
• the author? the author?
• killed that project in the bonding bill. killed that project in the bonding bill.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 3453 by Bond, relating to the liability of nonprofit entities contracted with the Department of Family
• HB 3459 by Bond, relating to the distribution of state traffic fine revenues received by the Comptroller
• HB 3461 by Bond and Ellington, relating to memorial markers and designations on highways in the state
• HB 3482 by Tracks, relating to the authority of the Lower Colorado River Authority to issue permits on
• HB 3483 by Combs, relating to the authority of a special utility district to issue revenue bonds, referred

Summary: The House met briefly to read a large number of first-reading bills, joint resolutions, and concurrent resolutions and refer them to the appropriate committees. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including public health, education, criminal justice, taxation, transportation, water and natural resources, elections, housing, veterans issues, local government, and constitutional amendments. Several bills focused on school policy, health care regulation, property tax and sales tax changes, criminal penalties, and local or state agency authority. Among the notable items were proposals on name and sex changes on birth records, college admissions inquiries into criminal history, foster care contractor liability, school nutrition and assessment policy, election procedures, homestead and franchise tax exemptions, public retirement system reporting, and numerous transportation and infrastructure measures. The House also received resolutions designating local honors and observances, including Brownsville as the bicycling capital of the Rio Grande Valley, Port Aransas as the fishing capital of Texas, and Selena Quintanilla Perez Day. Some measures proposed constitutional amendments on legislative procedure, homestead taxation, and election-law enforcement authority. No debate or testimony occurred in this segment; the action was limited to first reading and referral. The session also referred several resolutions to the Local and Consent Calendars. At the end of the proceedings, the House adjourned without objection until 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so these funds, they're protected by surety bond. This is a way to protect consumers.
• Um, this bill provides 100% protection to the buyer through the surety bond.
• Surety bonds are one of the most serious and secure instruments in our financial system.
• In this case, the developers will pay the bonding company a fee or premium to issue the bond much like
• are taking the obligation to repay the bonding company for any losses incurred.

Transcript Highlights:

• revenue bonds issued by the Economic Development Authority beginning July 1, 2026.
• The revenue bonds issued by the Economic Development Authority beginning July 1, 2026, effective through
• Center prior to the issuance of the bonds authorized by the new provisions. ...for the State Culture
• Center prior to the issuance of the bonds authorized by the new provisions.
• And finally, it gives permissive rulemaking authority to the Economic Development Authority for these

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met with a quorum present and first approved the minutes from the prior meeting. It then reconsidered Committee Substitute for House Bill 5212, noting that an Education Committee amendment had been inadvertently omitted the day before; the vice chairman withdrew the prior motion to report the bill, and the committee returned to the bill with the technical Education Committee amendments pending. The transcript then moved through a long agenda of bills and supplemental appropriations, with the committee generally hearing brief explanations from counsel, occasional member questions, and then voting to adopt amendments and report measures to the full Senate. Among the substantive policy bills, the committee advanced House Bill 4007 on the Industrial Access Road Fund, allowing an additional possible $3 million transfer in a fiscal year, expanding eligible uses, and increasing county/municipal spending limits; House Bill 4765, which raises salaries for state police, teachers, and school service personnel and, via a strike-and-insert amendment, creates a market pay enhancement tied to county and regional income data; House Bill 5162, recodifying tax lien sale procedures and clarifying ownership and government-property tax treatment; House Bill 5382, extending the Neighborhood Investment Tax Credit Program to July 1, 2031; House Bill 5685, authorizing up to $150 million in revenue bonds backed by excess lottery funds for State Culture Center improvements; House Joint Resolution 42, placing a constitutional amendment on the ballot to raise the homestead exemption from $20,000 to $40,000; House Bill 4010, creating an airport hangar grant program and fund; House Bill 4404, increasing from $500 to $5,000 the amount volunteer fire departments may spend on training and fire prevention materials; House Bill 4592, requiring standardized campus safety mapping data for higher education institutions; House Bill 4784, extending and making retroactive a qualified opportunity zone business tax modification; and House Bill 5088, increasing retirement benefits for Division of Natural Resources police officers, with a one-time $4.25 million cash injection. The committee also reported several supplemental appropriations and originating bills, including Senate Bill 842 for the Spay Neuter Assistance Fund, Senate Bill 846 for Culture and History capital repairs, Senate Bill 872 for Natural Resources capital repairs (reduced to $10 million in committee substitute), Senate Bill 876 for Department of Health facilities, Senate Originating Bills 1 through 5 covering Culture and History, road funds, corrections IT and services, tobacco education, and the Adjutant General’s armory board transfer, respectively. Most items were adopted by voice vote; House Bill 4765’s strike-and-insert amendment was adopted after a division vote of 10-6. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• obligation bonds. obligation bonds.
• more largely driven by the authorities more largely driven by the authorities than<00:13:29.920>
• You know, and I think some TIF projects are more author-led by the authority of the municipality, and
• <00:31:58.920> after<00:31:59.200> a Um, the bonds are defeased after a Um, the bonds
• And in that time period, authorities will often amend their TIF plan to increase authorized costs to

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• authority would the agency then have? authority would the agency then have?
• This is an authority to issue transportation infrastructure bonds for FY 2028 and 2032.
• bonds for FY 2028 and 2032. bonds for FY 2028 and 2032.
• The authority for the state treasurer to issue these bonds would not go into effect until FY 2028, to
• bond fund is only um is a single bond bond fund is only um is a single bond fund<02:09:14.000>

Keywords: 927, senate, all