Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, are there any amendments to the bill? There is. We have one amendment.
• Seeing none, are there any amendments to the bill? There is. We have one amendment.
• And that is the amendment.
• Seeing none, is there debate on the amendment? Members, debate on the amendment.
• Seeing none, the amendment is adopted. Members, we are back on the bill as amended.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on April 16, 2025, with one agenda item: PCB WMC-2502, the committee’s tax package. Chair Duggan presented the bill as a broad tax measure covering sales tax, tourist development taxes, ad valorem/VAB procedures, affordable housing property tax changes, tangible personal property, special assessments, fuel taxes, communication services taxes, corporate income tax updates, pari-mutuel/card room taxes, local incentives, and a redistribution of horse industry trust fund money. He also noted emergency rulemaking authority for the Department of Revenue and estimated a recurring state impact of $34.6 million in FY 2025-26. Members questioned several provisions, including the aviation fuel tax repeal, the delay of the natural gas fuel tax, the extension of the local communication services tax freeze, the charitable trust corporate income tax clarification, the reduction in card room taxes, and the affordable housing changes tied to the Live Local Act. Public testimony included support from airlines, UPS, child care management, and others, while the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association opposed the lifeguard/TDT change, the Florida Association of Counties and Florida League of Cities opposed the missing-middle exemption changes, and local government representatives raised concerns about revenue impacts and the loss of local opt-out authority. The committee also adopted Amendment 1 by Representative Rizzo, which limits certain special assessments on RV parks when based on square footage. During debate, members split on some provisions but generally supported the package, with comments focused on aviation competitiveness, preschool assessment relief, lifeguard funding, affordable housing, and the horse industry funding shift. Representative Duggan closed by emphasizing that the bill was only the beginning of the process and would continue through conference and floor consideration. The committee then voted 16-1 to report PCB WMC-2502 favorably, with Representative Alvarez voting no.

Transcript Highlights:

• So a lot of the amendment drafting, particularly for floor amendments, which used to be our primary responsibility
• as it relates to amendments, has been shifted to House Research since they've drafted all those amendments
• <00:23:35.279> in drafted all those amendments in drafted all those amendments in committee
• And we serve as the repository of the geographic boundary information.
• We also serve as the repository of the geographic boundary information.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met briefly to approve the January 16 minutes, then heard a series of informational presentations from legislative joint offices and commissions that fall under its jurisdiction. Michelle Urick of the Legislative Coordinating Commission explained the LCC’s governance structure, including its leadership-based membership and role overseeing joint offices such as the Legislative Auditor, Legislative Budget Office, Legislative Reference Library, Revisor of Statutes, and the LCC staff office itself. Christian Larson of the Legislative Budget Office described the office’s nonpartisan fiscal note work, local impact notes, and support for the Tax Expenditure Review Commission, noting the volume of requests it handles and that the office currently has 18 budgeted FTE. He also explained the LBO Oversight Commission’s role in setting standards and appointing the director. Elizabeth Lincoln of the Legislative Reference Library outlined the library’s services, including answering thousands of reference questions, maintaining state policy and legislative collections, archiving state documents, supporting the legislative website and search tools, and preserving House and Senate audio, video, and committee minutes. She also noted the library’s staffing levels and its move to the Capitol. In response to a question, she said copies of the book Minnesota Standoff were in constant circulation, that the title is out of print, and that the library had digitized it for use by legislators and staff. Ryan Inman, the Revisor of Statutes, described the office’s drafting, legal review, publication, IT, and other services. He said every bill introduced is reviewed by a Revisor attorney, the office publishes Laws of Minnesota, Minnesota Statutes, and Minnesota Rules, and it maintains the legislative drafting system now being replaced. He also discussed rule drafting for agencies, legal counsel, the claims subcommittee, court opinions reports, and the annual technical Revisor bill. Members asked about bill volume, amendment drafting, and the history of administrative rules review; Inman said the office is handling over 2,500 active bill requests and that a prior commission on administrative rules existed in the past. No votes were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So when you can achieve something, and sometimes it's across the boundary of the rate case, sometimes
• It's across the boundary of the rate case. Sometimes you can achieve something. You can look ahead.
• We're going to amend our pleading. That's a win that doesn't always get translated onto our side.

Summary: The joint committee met with a quorum present and first received an overview of its jurisdiction and duties related to appointing the Florida Public Counsel. Staff explained the committee’s authority under joint rules and state law, noted that the current Public Counsel’s term expires February 28, 2025, and that applications for the next four-year term were open with a February 6, 2025 deadline. The committee then heard an extensive update from Public Counsel Walt Truerweiler on the Office of Public Counsel’s work representing utility ratepayers before the Public Service Commission and in appeals. Truerweiler described the office’s caseload and priorities, including electric, gas, water, and wastewater rate cases; storm recovery dockets; cost-recovery clauses; rulemakings; and customer service hearings. He emphasized that the office seeks to challenge unsupported or imprudent costs, find value for customers, and use expert analysis and customer testimony to shape outcomes. He highlighted recent and ongoing matters, including major Duke, TECO, Sunshine water/wastewater, and hurricane recovery proceedings, and said the office had fully litigated four of its last five rate cases, while also achieving a major settlement in Duke that reduced a requested increase and imposed cost controls on solar projects. Members praised the office’s work and asked about the benefits of settlements, staffing and compensation, and how the office decides when to fully intervene versus provide guidance or monitor a case. Truerweiler said settlements can create predictability, reduce uncertainty and expense, and produce tangible value for both customers and utilities. He also acknowledged recruitment challenges, including lower pay than comparable agencies and difficulty attracting attorneys who do not want in-person litigation work. The committee took no substantive action beyond receiving the presentations, and adjourned after a motion was adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please read the amendment. House Amendment 652343. And explain the amendment. Thank you, Mr.
• Please read the amendment. House Amendment 652343. And explain the amendment. Thank you, Mr.
• In House Amendment Barcode 696-291 as amended by the Senate Amendment Barcode 899-512.
• In House Amendment Barcode 69-291 as amended by the Senate Amendment Barcode 899-512.
• Show the amendment to the amendment adopted. Please read the next amendment to the amendment.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of recognitions for interns, staff, and guests. Members also honored retiring Senate staffer Susan Miller and recognized a veteran injured in combat. After routine announcements, the chamber moved to returning messages from the House and began taking up bills and amendments. The Senate concurred in House amendments and passed SB 118 on RV park assessments and SB 572 on ethics for public officers and employees, both by 38-0 votes. It then took up the elections bill, CS/CS/HB 991, which drew extensive debate. Supporters said it would strengthen election integrity by tightening citizenship verification and ID rules; opponents argued it would burden eligible voters, especially students, seniors, disabled voters, and others without the newly required documents. The bill passed 27-12. The chamber also passed the education package SB 182 after adopting a Senate amendment to the House amendment, and approved SB 474 on military affairs, SB 425 on historic cemeteries, HB 929 on local regulation of chickees, and HB 35/SB 1370 on habitual traffic offender designation, all with unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The Senate then considered SB 902/ HB 733, the Department of Health package. Members adopted an amendment and amendment-to-amendment that preserved most Senate provisions while modifying or removing several House additions, including some early steps and medical marijuana-related changes, and the bill passed 37-0. The chamber also began work on HB 905, the foreign influence bill, with a strike-all amendment offered to expand restrictions on foreign influence, sister-city agreements, linkage institutes, and related activities, but the debate on that measure was still underway when the transcript ended. Several other returning messages and bills were temporarily postponed, and the Senate recessed briefly before resuming business.

Transcript Highlights:

• The proposed amendment has passed.
• So I hope we can approve the amendment. So I hope we can approve the amendment.
• The proposed amendment has failed.
• Engrossed House Bill 1583, now with Senate amendments, a bill for an act to amend and reenact section
• Engrossed House Bill 1583, now with Senate amendments, a bill for an act to amend and reenact section

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, pledge, roll call, and a quorum present, then approved a motion to lay over House Bill 1525 for one legislative day. It also voted not to concur with House amendments on Senate Bills 2294, 2297, 2070, 4017, and 2262, appointing conference committees for each. The chamber then took up a series of House bill amendments and final-passage votes. On amendments, the Senate adopted changes to House Bill 1229 on fleeing law enforcement and driving-record transparency after debate over insurance impacts and public safety; House Bill 1510 on teacher retention, on-site child care, and licensure study language; House Bill 1160 to restrict student personal electronic devices during instructional time; House Bill 1429 to address drone harassment and stalking of animals; House Bill 1203 to harmonize medical marijuana provisions; House Bill 1600 to create a UND immigration clinic with reporting requirements; House Bill 1130 to broaden K-12 funding formula changes and reduce state fiscal impact; House Bill 1279 to modify the coal conversion tax exemption; House Bill 1442 to adjust membership and scope of a state task force; and House Bill 1464 to convert a maternal care services proposal into a study and remove the appropriation. The Senate rejected an amendment to House Bill 1022 concerning the Retirement and Investment Office bonus program, then passed the bill. It also passed House Bill 1234 on a $90 million transfer to reduce PERS liability, while rejecting a floor amendment to it. On final passage, the Senate passed House Bills 1008 (Public Service Commission budget), 1218 (temporary moratorium and study on economic analysis for drain projects), 1234 (PERS funding transfer), 1146 (PERS defined contribution cleanup and emergency clause), 1355 (expanded notice for administrative rulemaking), 1470 (Game and Fish fee changes and guide/outfitter updates), 1029 (Capital Grounds Planning Commission duties), 1017 (Game and Fish budget), 1374 (township supervisor open-meeting exemption for on-site inspections), and 1064 (NC-SARA membership and distance education regulation). It defeated House Bill 1583 on false political advertisements with civil-action language and House Bill 1393 on earned wage access provider regulation. The transcript ends as the Senate begins consideration of House Bill 1326 on self-defense and unlawful firearm possession by felons.

Transcript Highlights:

• Amendment by Zwiener. Explain the amendment. Harris for working with me on this amendment.
• I have a perfecting amendment. The following amendment the clerk will read. the amendment.
• Amendment by Toth. I recognize Mr. Toth to explain the amendment to the amendment.
• I move passage. following amendment the clerk will read the amendment Amendment by Luther.
• Speaker I do have a perfecting amendment the following amendment the clerk will read the amendment Amendment

Bills: HB14, HJR31, HB43, HB18, HB 106, HB36, HB26, HB149, HB 121, HB206, HB136, HB3114, HB2733, HB1732, HB3700, HB467, HB 1130, HB1846, HB1442, HB 1147, HB2176, HB2701, HB805, HB2890, HB 1154, HB1644, HB2118, HB1718, HB2488, HB2596, HB1971, HB2468, HB484, HB2578, HB3204, HB 1041, HB307, HB685, HB1710, HB538, HB2525, HB3125, HB2027, HB2894, HB3077, HB3684, HJR99, HB1399, HJR5, HB1330, HB2110, HJR2, HJR6, HB1587, HB14, HJR31, HB43, HB18, HB 106, HB36, HB26, HB149, HB 121, HB206, HB136, HB3114, HB2733, HB1732, HB3700, HB467, HB 1130, HB1846, HB1442, HB 1147, HB2176, HB2701, HB805, HB2890, HB 1154, HB1644, HB2118, HB1718, HB2488, HB2596, HB1971, HB2468, HB484, HB2578, HB3204, HB 1041, HB307, HB685, HB1710, HB538, HB2525, HB3125, HB2027, HB2894, HB3077, HB3684

Keywords: nuclear energy, advanced reactors, energy security, grant programs, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, farm products, tax exemption, ad valorem taxation, agriculture, Texas Constitution, livestock, producer, finance, young farmers, financial assistance, pest control, rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services

Transcript Highlights:

• The floor amendments system or Cap Central.
• HB 24 by or relating to procedures for changes to zoning regulations or district boundary referred to
• HCR 33 by Kane, urging Congress to propose and submit the states for ratification to the KEEP 9 Amendment
• 2035 refer to the committee on culture recreation and tourism HCR 35 Bora Dawes urging Congress to amend
• by Leo Wilson urging Congress to repose and send to the states for ratification a constitutional amendment

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair moves that House Bill 4229 without amendment, without amendment be reported favorably to the full
• Chair moves at HCR 55 with that amendment.
• Chair moves HCR 117 without amendment be reported favorably to the full House.
• Uh, legislation that we have on the books that need to be amended.
• Why the, why redo the location boundaries.

Transcript Highlights:

• Turns out Representative Falconer loves the Boundary Waters. I don't think that's the story.
• He is not lobbying on the issues of the Boundary Waters. He has cut ties with that.
• We have Boundary Waters advocates who carry bills that impact Boundary Waters.
• He works on federal issues for the Save the Boundary Waters. He does not work on state issues.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• amendments amendments of<01:31:58.080> this<01:31:58.320> bill<01:31:58.560> would<
• > amendments.
• or propose amendments. or propose amendments.
• I stand in support of the amendment. I stand in support of the amendment.
• The floor amendment has failed.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first group is a city or county who operates within the boundaries of an HFC.
• Some HFCs interpret state law to allow them to buy and own property outside of the boundaries of the
• Hearing no questions, the Chair moves that House Bill 198 without amendments be reported to the full
• Hearing no questions, Chair moves that House Bill 333 without amendments be reported to the full House
• The Chair Chairman: Chair moves that HCR 35 without amendments be reported to the full House with the

Bills: HB21, HB211, HB223

Keywords: HB 21, Texas Tax Code, ad valorem tax, property tax, delinquent taxes, tax delinquency, penalty reduction, interest rate, split payment, installment payment, tax relief, county tax collector, taxing unit, property owner, tax collection, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax increase election, supermajority, 60 percent threshold

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 19 as an as an amendment. We have a house, we have an amendment for that.
• Kate, the amendment. OK, what the amendment does, Mr. Chairman, it tightens up.
• OK, that's the essence of the amendment. Questions on the amendment.
• Are you on the, I'm on the amendment. We're still on the amendment, right?
• Questions on the amendment. Seeing none can have a motion to adopt the amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this first phase of the census block boundary project is for the states to work with the local governments
• service myself has been indicated as such to work with the local governments to ensure that the block boundaries
• The first is a block boundary suggestion project, which is the current phase that we are issuing RFP.
• then once the actual Census is undertaken, and population data is acquired for each of these block boundaries

Bills: HB1

Keywords: feed bill, legislative appropriations, legislative branch, New Mexico Legislature, general fund, legislative council service, legislative finance committee, legislative education study committee, house chief clerk, senate chief clerk, per diem, mileage, session expenses, interim committees, district staff, capitol complex, capital outlay data system, legislative processing system, redistricting, census redistricting

Transcript Highlights:

• So, this first phase of the census block boundary project Is for the states to work with the local governments
• service Myself has been indicated as such to work with the local governments to ensure that the block boundaries
• The first is a Block Boundary Suggestion Project, which is the current phase that we are issuing RFP.
• then once the actual Census is undertaken, and population data is acquired for each of these block boundaries

Bills: HB1

Transcript Highlights:

• watersheds, landscapes, and communities adapted to fire through a mindset and culture shift, cross-boundary
• watersheds, landscapes, and communities adapted to fire through a mindset and culture shift, cross-boundary
• watersheds, landscapes, and communities adapted to fire through a mindset and culture shift, cross-boundary
• watersheds, landscapes, and communities adapted to fire through a mindset and culture shift, cross-boundary
• watersheds, landscapes, and communities adapted to fire through a mindset and culture shift, cross-boundary

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the January 28, 2026 journal, and received routine Senate Services reports on printed and enrolled measures. Committee reports were read, including Agriculture and Natural Resources recommending Senate Bill 10 to the Committee of the Whole with a favorable recommendation and consent-calendar placement, and Senate Joint Resolution 1 for final action by the Senate. The chamber also received a reappointment report for two members of the Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority. Senate Joint Resolution 006, concerning support for Coloradans navigating the U.S. immigration system and transparency in federal enforcement, was introduced and then laid over until Monday, February 2, 2026, on motion of the Majority Leader. The Senate also heard a tribute recognizing Rockmount Ranchwear Manufacturing Company for its 80th anniversary and legacy in Colorado, including remarks about its history, cultural influence, and family leadership, followed by applause and recognition of company representatives. Additional floor recognitions highlighted University Prep's Arapahoe Street campus, the Colorado Forest Health Council, and visiting students from Samberg Elementary and Littleton Public Schools. Announcements covered upcoming committee hearings, a legislative reception at the Buckhorn Exchange, and a Carter Science and Technology Policy Program breakfast event. The Senate then adjourned on motion until 9:00 a.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• amendment to the A1 amendment. amendment to the A1 amendment.
• It's a technical<01:36:12.360> amendment. technical amendment. technical amendment.
• Uh questions, debate,<01:36:30.800> amendments. debate, amendments. debate, amendments.
• Chair, I would offer the A5 amendment. amendment. amendment.
• So amendments.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, there's one amendment I can explain.
• one amendment I can explain please mr. chair the amendment in your name that dated February 2nd 2026
• And the amendment, please. Mr.
• There are some amendments that I would yield to, but... ...are some amendments that I would yield to,
• So I think staff, we're going to tweak that with an amendment, a committee amendment, because the purpose

Bills: HB2163, HB2256, HB2305, HB2367, HB2369, HB2669, HB2772, HB2916, HCM2007, HCR2004, HR2003

Keywords: lighting laws, construction equipment, farm equipment, vehicle safety, Arizona Revised Statutes, salvage vehicles, insurance claims, abandoned vehicles, salvage auction dealers, vehicle title, towing regulation, private towing carriers, vehicle impound, towing rates, preemption, law enforcement, neighborhood electric vehicles, alternative fuel, vehicle license tax, tax exemption

Summary: The committee first took up HB 2669, which would limit railroad train length to 8,500 feet on main and branch lines in Arizona. The sponsor and several supporters, including a Santa Cruz County fire captain and a BNSF engineer, argued that very long trains create public safety risks by blocking crossings, delaying EMS and fire response, and increasing the consequences of derailments involving hazardous materials. Union Pacific’s witness opposed the bill, saying train length does not cause derailments, that railroads already track crossings and train movement, and that shorter trains would increase congestion and delays. Members debated safety concerns versus interstate commerce and constitutional issues, then advanced the bill on a do-pass recommendation by roll call vote. The committee then considered HB 2369, as amended, which requires certain photo-enforcement citations to be signed by the presiding judge and allows electronic signatures. The sponsor said the bill was prompted by a Mesa issue involving about 40,000 citations that bore the wrong judge’s signature after a judge left the bench. A Mesa representative and a Paradise Valley court director testified that their photo-radar citations already include a judge’s signature, though the practice varies by court. Members discussed whether the requirement should apply only to photo enforcement, whether a designee should be allowed if a judge is unavailable, and whether the bill should be clarified further. The Martinez amendment was adopted, and the bill was returned with a do-pass recommendation. HB 2256, a technical cleanup measure for salvage auction dealers, was then approved. The bill allows a salvage auction dealer to obtain title to a vehicle abandoned after an insurance claim is denied or unpaid, and sets notice and title-release procedures; the amendment refined how an insurance company may request actions regarding a salvage vehicle and payment of storage fees. A CoPart representative said the change would streamline handling of total-loss vehicles when coverage is denied or the owner cannot be located. The committee adopted the amendment and gave the bill a do-pass recommendation. The committee also approved HCM 2007, which urges renaming sections of State Route 69 to honor veterans from five wars, after members discussed adding World War I to the memorial. HB 2772, which would place a pre-hospital medical care directive indicator on driver licenses or ID cards, generated extensive discussion about DNR/advance directive language, first-responder liability, good Samaritan protections, and whether the designation should be handled through a hospital-style advance directive instead. The sponsor said he was willing to work on amendments and broader stakeholder input, and the committee recessed and then held the bill for later consideration. Separately, HCR 2004, which would prohibit photo enforcement systems such as speed and red-light cameras if approved by voters, was heard with strong opposition from Scottsdale Police, who said photo enforcement reduces collisions and serious injuries and should remain a local decision; supporters argued the systems raise due process concerns and do not stop dangerous driving. The transcript ends during that debate, before a final committee action on the resolution.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so once this passes, we'll have to work with the city council and the mayor to get the boundaries
• <00:04:54.880> to<00:04:55.120> get<00:04:55.680> the<00:04:55.919> boundaries
• <00:04:56.479> that<00:04:56.639> you the mayor to get the boundaries that you the
• mayor to get the boundaries that you prefer<00:04:57.680> uh<00:04:57.840> for<00:04:58.000
• McCart<00:05:45.520> defined<00:05:46.080> as "What is Tim McCart defined as boundaries

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• important that we really take a hard look at that, especially right now with the threats to the Boundary
• the<00:03:32.879> threats<00:03:33.280> to<00:03:33.440> the<00:03:33.599> Boundary
• <00:03:34.080> Waters<00:03:34.640> and the threats to the Boundary Waters and the
• threats to the Boundary Waters and other<00:03:35.599> areas<00:03:36.080> throughout<00

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The transcript is an interview with Shelley Buck, a newly elected Minnesota House member for District 47A, who introduced herself as Dakota, a member of the Prairie Island Indian Community, and president of a nonprofit working to restore land at Owámni/St. Anthony Falls. She said her prior 12 years on tribal council, including six as president, motivated her to run because she wants to help people and bring that same kind of service to her new district. Buck said constituents in her district emphasized affordability, especially housing and health care, along with environmental protection, clean water, PFAS concerns, gun safety, and the impact of the current ICE occupation. She described herself as a champion for working families and the environment, citing her own working-class, single-parent upbringing and the importance of postsecondary education and state support programs. On policy priorities, Buck said she wants to focus first on the ICE occupation issue, while also addressing affordability, health care, housing, and environmental protection. She framed her environmental views through a Dakota worldview that treats plants, animals, land, and water as relatives and stressed protecting the Boundary Waters and other natural areas.

Transcript Highlights:

• the state government and this administration has done since 2019, respecting tribes, both their boundaries
• respecting tribes, um both<00:06:02.120> their both their both their um<00:06:03.560> boundaries
• , um boundaries, um boundaries, their<00:06:05.400> understanding<00:06:05.960> their

Keywords: 1187, senate, all