Video & Transcript Research : 'bonds'
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee Jun 3rd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Securitization allows for reduced costs to ratepayers because it provides a bond financing mechanism
- By comparison, long-term 30-year municipal bonds currently yielding about 5%.
- By comparison, long-term 30-year municipal bonds currently yielding about 5%.
- Substituting low-cost bonds for high-cost utility capital would eliminate unnecessary profits on these
- , you'd bring Fiona Ma over and ask her, what's the market for bonds today if we do this, right?
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy heard two bills focused on electricity affordability and utility costs. AB 745, by Assembly Member Irwin, would restructure the California Climate Credit by shifting it from lump-sum payments to direct reductions in volumetric electricity rates and moving the credit to the summer months when bills are highest. The author and UC Santa Barbara economist Dr. Kyle Meng argued this could significantly lower summer rates and better help households during extreme heat. Supporters, including UCS, NRDC, and some labor representatives, favored the concept, with some urging that the gas climate credit also be redirected. No opposition testimony was presented, and the bill passed 18-0 to the floor.
The committee then considered AB 825, also presented as an affordability package aimed at reducing electric bills by addressing wildfire mitigation costs, transmission financing, permitting delays, and a review of ratepayer-funded programs. The bill would authorize securitization for undergrounding expenses, remove the first $15 billion in undergrounding capital investments from the rate base for return purposes, create a public transmission financing program using Proposition 4 funds and IBank support, revive the California Power Authority as a public sponsor, and establish a task force to review energy efficiency and demand response programs. The author and witness Matt Friedman of The Utility Reform Network said the bill could save ratepayers billions over time through lower-cost public financing and securitization.
Testimony on AB 825 was mixed. Support came from several consumer and clean-energy groups, while utilities and labor raised concerns about the bill’s impact on utility financial stability, wildfire fund participation, liability, and whether the $15 billion securitization cap could discourage undergrounding. Some witnesses also objected to the task force’s potential effect on energy efficiency and demand response programs. Committee members discussed the need to balance affordability with utility creditworthiness and wildfire safety, and several asked for more analysis of market impacts and liability issues. Despite those concerns, AB 825 passed the committee 13-0 and was sent to the floor.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- But I can, you know, I can drive on the roads in Texas if I have a bond with the state that takes care
- For insurance, if we tweak that and just say, hey, or you can get a bond for the project.
- Bonding, generally in the past—and we've worked through bonds—is a very specific... ...project.
- process because a bond, typically, you've got to have a lot of input data.
- That has to be pushed back to Wednesday, and that generally doesn't work well with bonds.
Keywords:
HB 1818, Texas Insurance Code, Texas Department of Insurance, commissioner of insurance, health maintenance organization, HMO, insurer, utilization review, preauthorization, prior authorization, medical necessity review, health care services, medical care, insurance regulation, insurance examination, regulatory oversight, confidential records, public information exception, Chapter 843, Chapter 1301
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 2/19/25
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- a qualifying condition such as to bond a qualifying condition such as to bond with<00:32:32.240>
-
There's bonding leave, which is leave to bond with an individual's child during the first 12
-
There's bonding leave, which is leave to bond with an individual's child during the first 12
- draft of the of the paid leave bonding draft of the of the paid leave bonding application<00:51:
- I think we all understand that and— assurances uh uh bonding type of things assurances uh uh bonding
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:37:38.400>
by <00:37:38.560>supervisor bonds and cash bonds taken by supervisor - bonds and cash bonds taken by supervisor at<00:37:39.320>
night <00:37:40.120>and <00:37 - That's what I I was just on bonds. Okay.
- give bonds, and that was one of the things they wanted to clear up.
- <00:58:41.160>
out that, but then people were bonding out that, but then people were bonding
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- You do a lot of bonds, and bonds took a bath in 2022, long bonds in particular, because the federal funds
- And I always struggled with the bonding part, okay?
- It goes to paying off our bond obligations.
- It goes to paying off the bond obligation.
- So your last bond, your statute or the bond ends in—if we did in 2029, 2031?
Bills:
SB 1
Keywords:
campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards
Summary:
The committee heard budget presentations from the Legislative Budget Board and agency officials on several agencies, starting with the Texas Historical Commission. LBB described a large biennial reduction driven mainly by the removal of one-time funding and discussed capital projects, rider changes, and exceptional items including Presidio La Bahia and the National Museum of the Pacific War. Senators asked about heritage trails, courthouse grants, unexpended balance authority, and the status of historical-site funding. Historical Commission leadership emphasized preservation, courthouse restoration, heritage tourism, coordination with the Alamo and other Texas Revolution sites, and requested additional IT, staffing, and vehicle funding. No votes were taken.
The committee then reviewed the Pension Review Board and the Employees Retirement System. The Pension Review Board’s budget was largely unchanged aside from IT maintenance and salary adjustments, with an exceptional item for additional IT enhancements. Members discussed the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System’s funding dispute and the need for a workable restoration plan. ERS presented a much larger budget, including funding for the retirement system, the group benefits plan, and the legacy payment intended to reduce unfunded liability. Senators focused heavily on pension investment returns, benchmark comparisons, and rising health-care costs, especially pharmacy spending driven by GLP-1 drugs; ERS said the plan covers about 540,000 lives and that premiums would rise 8% while benefits remain unchanged. ERS also said it had no exceptional items, and committee members requested more detailed benchmark information.
The committee also heard from the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. TESSORS reported an unfunded liability, an infinite amortization period, and requested additional state support, staffing, and IT funding, including a statutory change to allow a higher contribution level; the agency warned that without more funding it may have to cut benefits. CEPRIT’s presentation covered its bond-funded cancer research and prevention portfolio, revenue-sharing from funded projects, and a request to increase salary limits for its CEO and chief scientific officer. Senators questioned CEPRIT’s accomplishments and return on investment, while CEPRIT cited screening, prevention, and research outcomes, including tens of thousands of detected cancers and precursors and hundreds of thousands of first-time screenings. The meeting ended after these presentations and questions, with no recorded committee action or vote.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
Senate Chamber Jan 20th, 2026 at 04:07 pm
New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- appointment of New Mexico Compact Commissioners, requiring the public posting of Interstate Commission bonds
- of a bill bearing Legislative Council Service Drafting Number 232625, a bill providing additional bonding
- Selection and priorities financed by bonds in its annual budget request, increasing the other than buses
- An act relating to the financing of highway projects, providing additional bonding authority to the State
- Department of Transportation to include a report on highway project selection and priorities financed by bonds
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, so we agreed to put that additional money from the TIP bond fund over into paving section.
- money<00:04:43.840>
from <00:04:44.000>the <00:04:44.080>tip <00:04:44.280>bond - ><00:04:44.600>
fund <00:04:45.280>over <00:04:45.560>into money from the tip bond - fund over into money from the tip bond fund over into um um um paving<00:04:47.480>
section. - move projects ahead sooner if we used bonding and also compare the costs and the cost of that money
Summary:
The House took up the Committee of Conference report on House Bill 944, the fiscal year 2027 transportation program and related transportation law changes. The Speaker first suspended the rules to consider the report immediately. A member from Swanton then outlined the conference committee’s main agreements, saying the House Transportation Committee was pleased with the result.
The report’s major provisions included a mileage-based user fee for battery electric vehicles beginning January 1, 2027, at 1.4 cents per mile, with multiple payment options and a directive for the Agency of Transportation to return with recommendations on eventually adding plug-in hybrid vehicles. The member also highlighted shifting $1.7 million from town highway aid to state paving, an additional $300,000 from the general fund for volunteer driver and mobility programs, a recommendation to study bonding as a way to advance transportation projects, consumer-protection style rules for EV charging price transparency, and changes to dates related to the Caledonia airport sale. The member noted the conference committee accepted the Senate’s position on making obsolete Connecticut River log-drive rules obsolete.
After brief remarks, the House voted on the conference report. The chair called for a voice vote, the ayes appeared to have it, and the report of the committee of conference was adopted. The House then noted that additional Senate bills might come over later and recessed until 4:00 p.m.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
GVO DEFER, GVO-WTL, GVO-AEN Public Hearings 02-11-2025
Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- non-binding advisory referendum questions only on proposals concerning issuance of general obligation bonds
- and then results of the advisory referendum, and the legislature must consider them when authorizing bond
- to the electorate the obligation bonds to the electorate the chief<00:02:06.840>
election <00: - 02:16.760>
them <00:02:16.920>when <00:02:17.120>authorizing <00:02:17.680>Bond - consider them when authorizing Bond consider them when authorizing Bond issuance<00:02:18.879>
Summary:
The committee reconvened for decision-making on measures previously heard on February 6, 2025. Senate Bill 1513 was deferred indefinitely based on the testimony and issues raised. Senate Bill 786 was also deferred indefinitely and set aside for interim work on a proposed SD1 that could address the concerns discussed and incorporate ongoing federal changes. Senate Bill 1031 was amended and advanced as a Senate WAP 1; the amended version would allow the legislature to adopt non-binding advisory referendum questions only for general obligation bond proposals, require 30 days’ notice, require the legislature to consider the results, and require a written explanation if the final legislative action opposes the majority vote. The committee also set a far-future effective date and noted that any further review should examine opposition concerns and the fiscal, administrative, and legal implications of the proposal. The measure passed on a yes vote from the vice chair and supporting members, with one member excused.
In the joint Government Operations and Water and Land hearing, Senate Bill 411, relating to capital improvement projects for boating and ocean recreation, drew support from the Department of Boating and Ocean Recreation and several written supporters, while Budget and Finance opposed it and the Deputy Attorney General warned it could be challenged because it implied funding without an appropriation. The chair recommended moving the bill with amendments and a defective date, and both committees adopted the recommendation to pass SB 411 with amendments. Senate Bill 1103, relating to community districts, generated substantial discussion and was ultimately recommended for deferral. Testimony raised constitutional and special fund concerns, while the Hawaii Community Development Authority supported the concept but suggested major changes, including clearer governance language, a dedicated staff position, and funding. Members debated whether elected boards would undermine county planning authority and whether the concept was more suitable for Oahu or the Neighbor Islands.
Senate Bill 1308, relating to plans, was presented as an administration bill and supported by DAGS. The bill would remove outdated filing requirements, update fee schedules, give DAGS more discretion over plan format, and update drawing scales. A member asked whether it could help replace survey monuments lost in the Lahaina wildfire cleanup; DAGS said it would not directly replace monuments but could help with future mapping and surveying. The chair indicated the committee would note the monument issue in the report and work on technical cleanup language, with the measure moving forward subject to those amendments.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education Apr 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And the bond was there, the love was there, and the passion to succeed with this young boy.
- The proposition authorized a total of $10 billion in state general obligation bonds.
- Also, as of that same date, approximately $3 billion in available bond authority for modernization, in
- the rebuilding of schools, particularly in areas that were impacted by the fires and some of that bond
- There was not a specific amount earmarked from the bond authority for that purpose.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 1 on Education Apr 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- And the bond was there, the love was there, and the passion to succeed with this young boy.
- The proposition authorized a total of $10 billion in state general obligation bonds.
- Also, as of that same date, approximately $3 billion in available bond authority for modernization, in
- The $115 million was set aside from Proposition 2 bond authority for modernization, specifically for
- There was not a specific amount earmarked from the bond authority for that purpose.
Summary:
The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals on dual enrollment, reading difficulty screeners, special education, school facilities, and Commission on Teacher Credentialing programs. On dual enrollment, the Department of Finance described a $100 million one-time Proposition 98 investment to expand the Dual Enrollment Opportunities Grant Program, along with changes to make regional occupational centers eligible, add funding for justice-involved youth, prioritize higher-need LEAs, support teacher professional development, and reduce daily instructional minute requirements for some dual enrollment students. The LAO recommended rejecting the new funding as not clearly addressing implementation barriers, while CDE supported the proposal and suggested reserving $10 million for technical assistance. Committee members and public commenters generally supported the expansion, with some asking for technical assistance and broader access, including adult dual enrollment.
The committee also reviewed a $40 million one-time Proposition 98 proposal for reading difficulty screener implementation and related trailer bill language that would require screening after 91 school days for kindergarten and 46 school days for grades 1-2. Finance said the timing was intended to reduce over-identification and align with evidence from preliminary data; the LAO recommended rejecting the funding and redirecting it to a discretionary block grant. CDE supported the funding and the general approach but acknowledged the need for local support and training. Several committee members and public witnesses raised concerns that the proposed timing restrictions were too rigid and could delay early intervention, while others supported the delay as a way to improve accuracy and avoid misidentification.
For special education, Finance proposed ongoing Proposition 98 increases to adjust for COLA and enrollment changes and to raise the statewide special education base rate to $99 per ADA, equalizing rates across SELPAs. The LAO said the proposal should be adopted but estimated it could be funded for less than the Governor’s figure. CDE and multiple local education representatives strongly supported the increase, citing rising special education enrollment, cost pressures, and large local funding gaps. The committee also heard a brief overview of the school facilities proposal, which continues $1.5 billion in Proposition 2 bond funding for the School Facility Program; OPSC reported significant remaining bond authority but also substantial pending demand, and explained that natural disaster school rebuilding draws from the broader new construction and modernization pools. Finally, the committee reviewed Commission on Teacher Credentialing proposals, including the already-funded $300 million Student Teacher Stipend Program, new state operations resources for misconduct investigations and grant administration, and a $250 million one-time continuation of the Teacher Residency Grant Program. CTC said its grants management system is ready and that it expects better data tracking; public testimony broadly supported the educator workforce investments and urged continued funding for the Golden State Teacher Grant Program and additional support for rural and leadership pipeline programs. No votes were taken, and the hearing adjourned after public testimony.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services Apr 23rd, 2025
Pensions, Investments & Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- We've had in schools computers and things that last three or four years go into 30-year bonds.
- So what the bill says is that the lifespan... ...of the personal property that's put into a bond, CO,
- It's not a bond.
- We're not talking about long-term bonds, but we're using capital instruments to purchase gas and coal
- Bonds. With that, I close and I would ask for your favorable consideration. Thank you. Mr.
Bills:
HB886, HB1514, HB2434, HB2688, HB2802, HB3161, HB3221, HB4029, HB4339, HB4591, HB4774, HB4802, HB4853, HB5627, SB1737
Keywords:
retirement, supplemental payment, benefits, Employees Retirement System, eligible annuitants, legislation, annuity, service credit, Employees Retirement System of Texas, employee benefits, pension reform, public retirement systems, municipality pensions, firefighters, police officers, retirement age, DROP program, actuarial studies, pension benefits, municipal retirement
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- or setting a bond, we are often seeing disinformation perpetuated as to whether or not the judge had
- an actual choice to set that bond.
- then same thing in this case, the one from last week, the judge had actually set a million dollars bond
- I was part of a group that insisted that the for-profit bail bond industry stopped getting people out
- people that can make a lot of money to get people out and there's zero accountability to the bail bond
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Water Topics Overview Committee Mar 26th, 2026 at 09:00 am
Water Topics Overview Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- You know, many times, you know, that's done through bonding and whatever that bond payment would be is
- They're pretty much done with their bonding now, and I don't expect them to issue any new bonds.
- Right now, our bonds are at 6% over 20 years. We'd be paying back our bond at $105 million.
- Right now, our bonds are at 6% over 20 years. We'd be paying back our bond at $105 million.
- We're going to bond for that.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
HOU-EIG, HOU DEFER, HOU DEFER, HOU Public Hearings 02-05-2026
Transcript Highlights:
- to give comfort to investors, bond investors.
- And and these bonds are these bonds.
- defunded by 25% by bonds. defunded by 25% by bonds.
- Um, but our bond to introduce next year.
- year to give comfort to investors, bond year to give comfort to investors, bond investors.<00:48
Summary:
The committees heard testimony on five housing-related measures. SB 2232 would create a three-year tiny home grant pilot program within HHFDC, with annual reporting to HHFDC and the Legislature; testimony was mixed, and the bill was later recommended for passage with amendments, including a full-time housing development specialist, a residential-use-only restriction for the tiny homes, and a blanked appropriation. SB 2192 would bar county down-zoning that reduces housing capacity unless equivalent capacity is added elsewhere in the county; it drew support from housing advocates and comments from planning officials, and was also recommended for passage with amendments. SB 2378 would clarify insurance requirements for single- and multifamily projects seeking expedited county permitting; engineers and housing groups supported it, while one testifier opposed it, and it was recommended for passage with a technical amendment. SB 2524 would appropriate funds to the City and County of Honolulu for housing-related departments to comply with prior acts; the Honolulu department supported it, and members asked about prior spending and funding sources. SB 2398 would require residential housing utility availability maps; the Honolulu Board of Water Supply opposed the bill as written, citing infrastructure security, accuracy, liability, and administrative burden concerns, while supporters said it would improve transparency for developers. The chair proposed amendments to make the maps broad and geographic rather than parcel-specific, remove contested-case and reliance provisions, allow disclaimer language, and change the date; the bill was then recommended for passage with amendments, with one member noting reservations. All five measures were ultimately passed out of committee with amendments, with votes recorded and some members excused.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- table in terms of tax exempt Bond table in terms of tax exempt Bond financing<01:27:03.840>
and - It's essentially the profit that we make by issuing these bonds.
- they're financed with tax exempt bonds they're financed with tax exempt bonds um<01:28:12.360>
<01:28:14.239>on um you know people buy those Bonds on um you know people buy those Bonds - we put back into the issuing these bonds we put back into the bond<01:29:08.639>
indentures <01
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- We'll stand on written testimony and support, and we provided a $1.5 million cap on the protest bond
- We'll stand on written testimony and support, and we provided a $1.5 million cap on the protest bond
- We'll stand on written testimony and support, and we provided a $1.5 million cap on the protest bond
- We'll stand on written testimony and support, and we provided a $1.5 million cap on the protest bond
- strikeout or section two because Hawaii was the only state that imposed immediate forfeiture of the bond
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 412 HD1, which would expand the definition of lobbying to include certain communications with high-level officials about procurement decisions and create presumptions regarding lobbying on behalf of private clients. The State Ethics Commission and State Procurement Office supported the measure, saying it would improve transparency and align Hawaii with other states, while the Hawaii Primary Care Association opposed it over concerns that employers and others could be swept in too broadly. No public testimony or questions led to any action on the bill during the hearing.
The committee then took up House Bill 131, which would allow agencies to disclose government records to researchers for certain research purposes and clarify the Office of Information Practices’ rulemaking authority. OIP and the Public First Law Center supported the bill, arguing it would create uniform standards and that concerns could be handled through rules. The University of Hawaiʻi system, DBEDT, DHS, DLNR, and others raised concerns about the breadth of the terms “research” and “researcher,” privacy, confidential information, and possible misuse; Hawaiian Electric also warned about access to sensitive infrastructure information. Members questioned whether the bill was premature and whether definitions should be narrowed in statute, and OIP said it would consider working with agencies and the University on clearer definitions.
House Bill 792 HD1, relating to the Office of the Legislative Analyst, drew no testimony beyond a late written support from the Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and the committee moved on without discussion. The committee then heard House Bill 1424, which would restrict transfers between appropriated funds for positions and operating expenses. Budget and Finance explained that current practice allows transfers from payroll to other current expenses when there are savings, but legislative appropriations for specific purposes must still be spent for that purpose. Several agencies expressed opposition or concerns, saying the bill could reduce flexibility, especially in response to federal funding changes or vacant positions, though members emphasized transparency and accountability. Budget and Finance suggested a reporting approach instead, and the committee discussed quarterly reporting as a possible alternative.
Finally, the committee began House Bill 1153 HD1, which concerns funding adjustments for state programs and capital improvement projects and establishes a protocol fund. Budget and Finance, DAGS, and the State Procurement Office supported the measure, while the General Contractors Association and several construction-related groups opposed section two, arguing it would undo recent procurement protest-bond safeguards adopted in Act 162. The hearing then moved on toward House Bill 1297, but the transcript cuts off before that bill was fully discussed.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Permission for one final follow-up related to bonding. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
- or for bond obligations that they may have.
- Now, I will say... ...or bond obligations that they may have.
- . ...for them to not default on some of these loans or some of these bonds.
- We do know that it's going to have an impact on our bonds.
Summary:
The Committee on Appropriations took up SJR 2-F, the proposed constitutional amendment on property tax relief, which would reduce assessment growth on non-homestead property, expand homestead exemptions, create a new exemption for new homesteaders, and direct counties, cities, and school districts to use property tax revenues for specified core services. Senator Avila presented the measure as the governor’s plan to provide historic relief and argued that local governments should tighten budgets and prioritize core functions. Senators raised concerns about the lack of fiscal scoring, the breadth and ambiguity of the permitted uses, the effect on special districts and local services, and whether the proposal would shift costs to fees or other taxes. The committee adopted several amendments, including Avila’s amendment clarifying that ad valorem revenues could be used for county and municipal operations and administration and other expenditures not prohibited by law, and Trumbull’s amendment removing school board ad valorem taxes from the proposal. Other amendments failed, including proposals to allow user fees and non-ad valorem assessments, add a sunset, redirect tourism development taxes, narrow the small-business provision, and change the ballot title to reference local service reductions. Grall’s amendment removing the constitutional trust fund requirement was adopted, while the committee also rejected Berman’s title-change amendment and Smith’s sunset and tourism-tax amendments. The committee then returned to the bill as amended for questions, including extended debate over whether the proposal would affect noncitizen residents, the impact on local government finances, and whether local governments would respond with higher fees or special assessments. The meeting ended with the bill still under discussion after the final round of questions, with Avila saying he would continue working with the governor’s office on the language before the next vote.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Banking and Insurance Committee Feb 4th, 2026
Banking and Insurance
Transcript Highlights:
- And for us, about $85 million of those bonds are in municipal bonds, issuances from throughout the state
- And for us, about $85 million of those bonds are in municipal bonds, issuances from throughout the state
- And for us, about $85 million of those bonds are in municipal bonds, issuances from throughout the state
- And for us, about $85 bond portfolio.
- are in municipal million of those bonds are in municipal bonds,<00:40:52.160>
uh, <00:40:52.320
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
The 94th Legislature Ends / Senate Leaders Reflect on their Successes and their Setbacks May 22nd, 2026
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Another success of the session was passing a bonding bill.
- Well, to the point of using the bonding bill as a bargaining chip, you know, Senate Republicans were
- able to get one of their priorities in response to getting the bonding bill out the door, and that was
- a bonding bill to reduce those tab fees. a bonding bill to reduce those tab fees.
- able to do that and provide a bonding able to do that and provide a bonding bill<00:20:15.000>
Summary:
The program reviewed the end of Minnesota’s 94th Legislature and featured interviews with Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy and Minority Leader Mark Johnson about the session’s major outcomes. Murphy said Senate Democrats used their one-seat advantage to advance priorities including emergency rental assistance, immigration enforcement, stabilization of HCMC, gun violence prevention, and a $1.2 billion infrastructure/bonding bill. She also highlighted a one-year reduction in vehicle tab fees, some property tax and business tax relief, and the creation of an independent Office of Inspector General, while saying more should have been done on lead pipe replacement and that some work was delayed by House inaction and federal policy changes.
Murphy argued the session was shaped by a divided legislature and by negotiations that often happened late and behind closed doors, which she said made the process frustrating and left some Senate proposals without House counterparts. She said the Senate also worked on protecting Medicaid and SNAP from federal cuts and on stabilizing hospitals, especially HCMC and rural facilities. She described the gun violence and immigration debates as examples where bipartisan demands did not match what she saw as the needs of Minnesotans, and said the state should return to more public conference committee negotiations next session.
Johnson said Senate Republicans focused on fraud prevention, affordability, and education. He pointed to the Inspector General bill and the “Take It Back Act” as major bipartisan wins, and said Republicans used their leverage to secure the tab fee reduction and other tax relief. He also said the caucus wanted stronger protections against fraud without harming legitimate service providers, and criticized DFL priorities on government growth and education outcomes. Both leaders said relationships across the aisle improved over the session, though they differed sharply on how much was accomplished and what should be prioritized next year.
NE
Nebraska 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Morning Session Apr 9th, 2026
Nebraska Unicameral Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I researched the impact on bonding for communities.
- I researched the impact on bonding for communities.
- And how much are for bonds? Every time you say yes to a bond, it could be a really well-meaning...
- How much are for bonds?
- And if you're not choosing to vote on one of those bonds, those bonds are usually voted on by the majority
Bills:
LB737, LB753, LB788, LB913, LB1055, LB1195, LB1216, LB1256, LB429, LB721, LB722, LB727, LB743, LB745, LB749, LB778, LB787, LB365A, LB823, LB900, LB903, LB940, LB954, LB1127, LB1127A, LB1205, LB1240, LR293, LR296, LR422, LR505, LR507
Keywords:
LB737, Olmstead, developmental disabilities, disability services, community-based services, integrated settings, DHHS, Department of Health and Human Services, stakeholder advisory committee, independent consultant, public hearing, legislative oversight, disability rights, community integration, housing, employment, education, transportation, community supports, self-advocacy