Transcript Highlights:

• There was a reorganization effort to restructure GIS governance, and that resulted in the dismantling
• effort There was a reorganization effort There was a reorganization effort to<00:15:51.280> restructure
• /c><00:15:52.520> GIS<00:15:53.040> governance<00:15:53.760> governance to restructure
• GIS governance governance to restructure GIS governance governance and<00:15:55.160> that<00:

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> I'm not asking you to restructure.
• ><00:51:22.720> asking<00:51:22.880> you<00:51:23.040> to<00:51:23.119> restructure
• <00:51:23.760> How >> I'm not asking you to restructure.
• How >> I'm not asking you to restructure.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• our district right now, the real thing that makes sense is to consolidate on the two schools and restructure
• consolidate on the two schools.<03:55:30.399> um<03:55:31.120> and<03:55:31.600> restructure
• <03:55:32.239> our<03:55:32.399> two schools. um and restructure our two schools. um
• and restructure our two schools<03:55:32.960> which<03:55:33.199> would<03:55:33.680><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Funding Committee’s higher education subcommittee met to discuss HB 443, HB 510, and related issues. The chair explained the subcommittee membership and noted that Representative Luno was absent and replaced by Representative Bricky, with other full committee members allowed to participate in discussion but not final votes. No votes were taken during this meeting, and the chair said final subcommittee recommendations would likely come in the first week of November. On HB 443, which concerns terms of appointment to the Higher Education Commission, the chair described the bill as intended to let the governor replace members who are not attending or no longer representing the appointing organization. He said the prior governor supported the idea, but the current governor’s office believes the bill is unnecessary because nonattendance or loss of representation would already amount to resignation or removal. Members raised questions about legal authority and whether the same principle should apply to other boards. The chair said he was leaning toward finding the bill not needed, but would continue discussion later. The committee then spent most of the meeting on HB 510, which would establish due process rights for students, student organizations, and faculty at public higher education institutions and address collective bargaining issues. Supporters, including Representatives Papovich and Brown, argued the bill would provide clear, minimum protections, especially because campus rules are lengthy and vary by institution; Brown also suggested adding an independent ombudsman or representation for students. Opponents, including Representatives Burton and Bricky, said existing campus regulations already provide due process and that the bill could interfere with campus governance and collective bargaining. The chair and others discussed whether the bill’s definitions should be aligned with existing law to avoid confusion, and several members suggested using existing statutory definitions or cross-references. The chair also said the bill would apply only when disciplinary action is involved, not as a general challenge to DEI policies, though members referenced recent national examples involving DEI-related disputes as context.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think, you know, what this restructured 48-hour rule looks like has to be talked about in conjunction
• <01:37:06.320> this<01:37:06.960> you<01:37:07.040> know<01:37:07.280> restructured
• <01:37:08.199> 48<01:37:08.719> hour what this you know restructured 48 hour what this
• you know restructured 48 hour rule<01:37:09.320> looks<01:37:09.800> like<01:37:10.400

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 1997, we restructured the electricity market to try to encourage competition.
• :09.080> re disagree in 1997 we structured the re disagree in 1997 we structured the re restructured
• > the<05:07:10.200> electricity<05:07:10.798> Market<05:07:11.200> to restructured
• the electricity Market to restructured the electricity Market to try<05:07:11.558> to<05:07:11.760

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A quarter of a century ago, the LBAO and I, aided by legislative drafting, restructured the 612 list,
• AO and I aided by legislative the LBA AO and I aided by legislative drafting<04:08:54.800> restructured
• the<04:08:55.760> 612<04:08:56.520> list<04:08:57.359> which drafting restructured
• the 612 list which drafting restructured the 612 list which was<04:08:58.840> fairly<04:08:59.439

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee received an overview from Chris of the Legislative Budget Assistance Office on how it will estimate unrestricted revenues for the General Fund, Education Trust Fund, Highway Fund, and Fish and Game Fund. He explained that the committee’s work is based on current law, not pending bills, and that the estimates will feed into a House resolution and an amendment to House Bill 1, the operating budget. He also described the broader budget process, including how House and Senate estimates are reconciled, how surplus statements account for revenue changes from enacted bills, and how a committee of conference could resolve differences later in the session. No votes were taken. Members then asked about why the Education Trust Fund was running below plan. Chris said the shortfall appeared to be driven largely by business taxes, including differences in the BET/BPT split and improved tax-processing systems that better track where business tax payments belong. Representative Orr also asked about tobacco tax collections and out-of-state sales; Chris said tobacco revenue was likely overestimated in 2023 based on COVID-era patterns, with more people smoking at home, and noted that e-cigarette tax revenue goes to the General Fund while cigarette taxes are split between the General Fund and Education Trust Fund. He said he did not have a specific estimate for cross-border sales. Commissioner Lindsay St. Pierre of the Department of Revenue then began a deeper dive into the department’s role and the taxes it administers. She reviewed the department’s mission, organizational structure, taxpayer services, and the tax policy and legislative analysis staff who prepare fiscal notes and testify on bills. She noted that the department administers about $2.9 billion in revenue across major taxes such as business taxes, meals and rooms, and utility property tax, and that the figures being discussed were preliminary because the annual report had not yet been issued. The discussion was informational only, with no formal action taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• It does ask for the study of potential benefits and restructuring of all public schools in New Hampshire

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and private funding could be deposited into it, and so that funding through grants or below-market loans
• thoughts on how such a fund could help to stimulate private investment. through grants or below Market loans
• through grants or below Market loans could<01:22:22.480> be<01:22:22.719> provided<01:
• the program was pretty much self-funding, and then when the power purchase agreements were all restructured
• > all power power purchase agreements were all power power purchase agreements were all restructured

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first discussed scheduling and notice for upcoming executive sessions on a larger slate of bills, including plans to take up eight bills in the morning and possibly the last three bills in the afternoon, with caucus time provided if needed. The chair emphasized advance notice, publication, and flexibility if more bills are added later. The hearing then opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and proceeded to HB 568, a bill allowing local planning boards to request water supply studies for subdivisions to ensure water adequacy as housing density increases. Representative Kat McGee, the prime sponsor, said HB 568 was developed after constituent concerns about private wells being affected by nearby development. She described the bill as narrowly tailored, non-mandatory, and intended to preserve local control while clarifying that planning boards may request studies under local regulations. She noted bipartisan support, an exclusion for community water systems and larger groundwater withdrawals regulated elsewhere, and said the bill would help prevent water shortages and related problems for new and existing homes. Questions from members focused on whether the bill should specify that it applies to subdivisions of four or more lots, since that language had been in an earlier version. Testimony on HB 568 was mixed. Bob Quinn of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors opposed the bill, arguing it lacked a definition of “water supply study,” could lead to expensive hydrology studies, and might raise housing costs; he suggested more work with DES or a study committee. DES administrator Brandon Kernin said the department had worked from a 2010 groundwater commission report, that such problems arise only intermittently in certain areas, and that the bill would make explicit local authority to adopt such ordinances. He also said DES data and homeowner surveys can help identify problem areas and that more robust wells could be considered in the long term. The committee noted 10 online submissions in favor and 3 opposed, plus blue-sheet testimony of 2 in favor and 1 neutral, and then closed the hearing on HB 568. The committee immediately opened HB 582, a bill on safety requirements for operation of personal watercraft. Representative Darby, the sponsor, said the bill responds to the speed and maneuverability of modern personal watercraft, which he described as more like motorcycles on water than traditional boats, and cited a fatal accident on Lake Monomonac as an example of the risks. He said the bill is not intended to restrict ordinary recreation or wake surfing, but to update safety standards for a newer class of larger, quieter three-person PWCs. The hearing began with Darby’s presentation, and no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• In any loan, we are usually only 10 to 20% of the total loan.
• we did not have a loan uh set loan pool we did not have a loan uh set loan pool set<00:43:15.599
• It's not that every loan is going to have grant capital in their loan.
• , but how those loans fit into our overall loan portfolio.
• do those loans fit into our overall loan do those loans fit into our overall loan portfolio<00:59

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of the grad plus loans, the primary that are now put on those loans, as well as the elimination of the
• loan was approximately $18,500.
• But if we account for the new loan limits and the sunsetting of the Grad PLUS loan program, that's the
• I think we do provide loans in other ways to things in the state, whether it's small business loans for
• sure, infrastructure loans.

Summary: The subcommittee on Education Finance heard an overview of the governor’s budget proposals and higher education financial aid trends, with a major focus on the Middle Class Scholarship (MCS), Cal Grant spending, and the effects of recent federal student aid changes. The Department of Finance said the budget would fully fund Cal Grant at projected levels and reduce MCS coverage from 35% to 17.5% of unmet need in 2026-27, while the Legislative Analyst’s Office supported considering the reduction as a cost-saving measure given out-year deficits. UC and CSU representatives opposed the cut, saying MCS is important to affordability and debt-free degree goals; they estimated average awards would fall substantially and that campuses do not have funds to backfill the loss. The Student Aid Commission said the proposal would reduce aid but simplify administration, and members questioned how lower awards would affect students, borrowing, and work-study options. No vote was taken, and the issue was held open for possible future action. The committee then discussed federal changes to student loans and Pell Grant policy under H.R. 1, including caps on Parent PLUS loans, elimination of Grad PLUS loans, and new proration rules for federal direct loans based on enrollment intensity. The LAO said these changes would likely push some borrowers into the private market, especially graduate and professional students and some parents of students at private institutions. CSU said the changes would affect thousands of graduate and part-time students and could reduce access by about $97 million in loan availability for part-time borrowers, while UC said the new definitions of professional degrees were too restrictive and would reduce access for nursing, teaching, law, dentistry, and other programs. Community colleges said they use relatively little federal loan aid but are monitoring Workforce Pell. Members raised concerns about workforce impacts, social mobility, and whether the state should consider alternative loan programs or other ways to reduce student costs. This issue was also held open. In the segment financial aid update, the LAO reported Cal Grant spending is projected to rise to about $3.2 billion in 2026-27, driven by more recipients and higher awards tied to UC and CSU tuition increases, while CSAC said FAFSA and CADAA applications are up significantly year over year. CSU, community colleges, and UC described their aid packaging and rising aid totals, with CSU reporting over $5.5 billion in aid to 381,000 students, community colleges reporting over $4.3 billion to more than 920,000 students, and UC reporting $3.17 billion in grant aid to undergraduates. Members asked about Cal Grant reform, application trends, and long-term outcomes; UC and community colleges pointed to alumni and wage dashboards, and the LAO noted the state’s Cradle to Career data effort. The committee then took public comment, including testimony on library funding and other education-related priorities, and concluded by holding the issues open without formal action.

Transcript Highlights:

• , originating loans.
• the loan amount.
• These are mom-and-pop loans. It might be a real estate loan. It might be a restaurant.
• We only fund loans that they do in New Mexico, but they are doing real estate loans.
• loaning them money at 2%.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can take out a payday loan or an online payday loan. You could incur a late fee.
• The agency analysis says clearly these products are loans under the Small Loans Act.
• Loans are still very much covered under the Small Loans Act. Thank you.
• New Mexico's law agrees it's a loan. These are loans.
• it comply with the Loan Act.

Transcript Highlights:

• $2,000 loan. $3, $5 million loan, and who doesn't access the bond market very frequently, it's like
• There's a much bigger market for those kinds of loans than there is for a half a million dollar loan.
• Obviously, with that, we've had more capacity to make disadvantaged loans, direct loans, and grow the
• was reimbursed for seven loans.
• We're not, it's not a loan.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that was on a bridge loan.
• And that was on a bridge loan.
• And that was on a bridge loan.
• And that was on a bridge loan.
• >> Oh and it is a revolving loan fund. >> Oh and it is a revolving loan fund.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House File 2581 was presented as a request for a $1 million state investment in Fortis Capital, a Minnesota nonprofit economic development lender. The bill was described as supporting entrepreneurship and wealth-building by expanding access to capital for businesses that are underserved by traditional lending, especially in rural areas, communities of color, immigrant communities, and low-wealth areas. Testifiers argued that conventional underwriting standards leave viable businesses without financing and that Fortis provides flexible gap financing to help deals close, complementing rather than replacing banks and CDFIs. Brian Smith, co-founder and CEO of Fortis Capital, said the organization was established in 2019 and has deployed 37 loans totaling over $4 million since 2021, leveraging an additional $29.5 million through partnerships. He said Fortis seeks to increase lending capacity, reduce risk in innovative capital structures, expand statewide partnerships, and accelerate small business growth and job creation. In response to questions, he said Fortis typically charges about 6.12% on average, has had two defaults, and operates as a revolving loan fund. He also explained that Fortis already participates in some Department of Employment and Economic Development programs, but is not eligible for certain grant programs because those grants go directly to borrowers. Committee members asked how the proposal fits with existing state economic development efforts and whether competitive grant programs exist for this kind of work. A DED representative said he would need more detail to compare the proposal to agency programs, though he mentioned the emerging entrepreneur loan program as a possible fit. Members also discussed broader concerns about direct appropriations versus competitive grants. No public testimony was offered. Chair Frasier closed by saying the bill addresses a real need and laid House File 2581 over for possible inclusion in a budget bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• This will be a 30-year loan with a 1% interest rate, and this loan was approved at the February 6 KIA
• board meeting. does have six loans and one grant for does have six loans and one grant for the<00:13
• with a 1% interest rate and this loan with a 1% interest rate and this loan<00:14:33.199> was
• 43.519> at<00:15:43.639> the 0.5% and this loan was approved at the 0.5% and this loan
• <00:15:50.920> in the city of scotsville fund a loan in the city of scotsville fund a loan

Keywords: 00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:30 Approval of Minutes 00:59 Information Items 03:34 Finance and Admin Cabinet 12:31 KY Infrastructure Authority 21:47 Office of Financial Mgmt 23:27 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled informational reports on several bond and lease matters, including school district and board of education debt-service items, upcoming revenue bond issues in Henderson and Jessamine counties, and three advertised lease-space requests for state agencies. Members also reviewed prior lease transactions that had not been approved in November and December; the Finance and Administration Cabinet later canceled and rebid the Harlan County lease and moved ahead with the Perry County lease modification. Additional information items included a Kentucky Communications Network Authority quarterly capital projects report and Eastern Kentucky University asset preservation revisions. The committee then heard from Deputy State Budget Director Janice Thomas on four action items. She reported a $2.85 million USDA-funded renovation at Kentucky State University’s Betty White Building, a $294,000 increase for the Kentucky School for the Deaf’s Middleton Hall renovation, and a $6.1 million restricted-funds scope increase for the KCTCS Science Building Expansion in Elizabethtown. Members asked about how often the statutory 15% increase authority is used for school dormitory and cottage projects and about the competitiveness of construction bids; Thomas said bids are typically competitive but recent estimates have been difficult because of higher material and equipment costs. The committee approved the three action items unanimously and also received a no-action report on a $3.918 million Corrections project to repair and replace the KCIW kitchen drain line. Next, the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority presented seven loans and grants, all of which the committee approved unanimously. The package included sewer and water projects for Frankfort, Sturgis, Scottsville, Morganfield, Western Pulaski County Water District, and Springfield, plus an emergency $5.487 million Kentucky Waters grant for Eddyville after a catastrophic sewer plant failure and weather-related emergency declarations. The projects covered wastewater interceptor and treatment upgrades, sewer collection rehabilitation, water transmission main installation, and planning/design work, with loan terms ranging from five to 30 years and interest rates from 0.5% to 2.25%. Finally, the committee considered a $38.4 million Kentucky Housing Corporation conduit issuance for a 322-unit multifamily rental project in Jefferson County. A member asked how the committee participates in the transaction, and staff explained that it is a conduit issuance and not state debt. The committee then moved to approve the issuance.

Transcript Highlights:

• And now you are having an identity-based loan where we're not loaning money.
• And now you are having an identity-based loan where we're not loaning money.
• institutions that can pay these loans, that can extend these loans.
• loans that we've given, how many loans loans that we've given, how many loans that<01:08:05.039>
• It's not a loan program. The SBA money. It's not a loan program.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, and approved the journal of Friday, February 6, 2026. Members then proceeded out of order to consider Senate Joint Resolution 8, honoring Colorado’s 2026 Winter Olympians and Paralympians. The resolution was read at length, and members spoke in support of Colorado athletes, training communities, families, and facilities. An amendment correcting an athlete’s state affiliation was adopted, and the resolution passed 63-0 with two excused. Representative Bottoms then asked to co-sponsor the resolution. The chamber also set several bills as special orders for February 9, 2026. It then considered House Bill 1020, concerning colorimetric field drug tests in drug possession cases. Sponsors said the bill addresses unreliable field tests and had support from the Judiciary Committee and stakeholders. The committee report and the bill both passed without opposition. House Bill 1040, concerning the sterilization rights of a person with intellectual and developmental disabilities, was also taken up. Sponsors said the bill seeks to undo a historical harm by removing language that allowed sterilization against a person’s wishes. Two amendments to the committee report were adopted: one narrowing language around an imminent threat to life or health, and another adding a petition clause. The committee report and the bill then passed. Finally, the House considered House Bill 103, which modernizes the Colorado Small Business Recovery and Resiliency Loan Fund. Sponsors said it would better support small businesses facing higher costs and access-to-capital challenges. One amendment to direct 30% of funding to rural counties, veteran-owned businesses, and minority-owned businesses was debated but failed after the sponsor urged a no vote, saying the bill already included distribution metrics and that a fixed percentage was not workable in statute. The bill itself was then discussed further, with concerns raised about state lending programs and the use of the term “equitable,” but the transcript cuts off before final action on the bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• instead of a one-year loan.
• So, just for comparison, this year we gave out $100 million in loans, in these $50,000 loans.
• We went from a one-year zero-percent interest loan to a two-year zero-percent interest loan.
• Obviously, this is a loan.
• These are unsecured loans. These are unsecured loans. Representative Black, you're recognized.

Summary: The Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee met to continue its review of hurricane impacts and state response. The committee first heard from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, which described its four core functions—preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation—and highlighted its 24/7 State Watch Office, regional training efforts, and disaster assistance work. Deputy Executive Director Keith Pruitt detailed the state’s 2024 storm response, including Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, citing large-scale mission support, flood-control deployments, meal and water distribution, power restoration, debris removal, and billions in disaster funding and mitigation dollars. He also discussed debris management challenges and recommended that local governments update and exercise debris plans and maintain contingency contracts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Loans.
• We're looking at the same loan amount, so we want to make sure that our numbers are looking at loans.
• Just explain to the committee, too, that most of these loans are unsecured loans, typically.
• So our loans vary. A lot of them are unsecured loans. Them take collateral.
• With making any loan would be the same for a $300 loan as it would be for a $4,200 loan.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• lending process and our loan monitoring. lending process and our loan monitoring.
• ongoing disciplined loan monitoring. ongoing disciplined loan monitoring.
• Uh this is a very catalytic loan for us. Uh this is a very catalytic loan for us.
• This is informational. loans this year. Again, we're sticking loans this year.
• closed on any solar garden loans. closed on any solar garden loans.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The largest recent grants and loans have been for Recent grants and loans have been for water and sewer
• So, if the loan is a 10-, 20-, 30-year loan, they will do reporting for that entire time.
• those loans underneath it.
• year on our loan programs.
• Disaster loans... The non-disaster loans are a challenge, right?

Keywords: 916, all