Transcript Highlights:

• We ended off-site warehouse leases that the agency had carried for years, and then we've assigned fleet
• there at the national level, this has since been resolved, but was not updated quite yet in our agreement
• We ended off-site warehouse leases that the agency had carried for years, and then we've assigned fleet

Summary: The committee held a budget hearing for the Oklahoma Office of Emergency Management, with Director Annie Verst presenting the agency’s FY26/FY27 request and explaining the agency’s role in disaster response, recovery, preparedness, and mitigation. She said OEM remains a lean agency focused on coordinating resources for local governments, supporting recovery after disasters, and helping communities build resilience. She highlighted recent activity including wildfire response, multiple fire management assistance declarations, $83 million in public assistance payouts, use of the new state disaster revolving fund, and implementation of an Oklahoma resilient recovery strategy and ARPA-funded rural public safety grants. Verst emphasized uncertainty in federal funding and FEMA operations, saying hazard mitigation assistance has been canceled for the first time since 1988, some obligations were delayed under DHS’s “Defend the Spend” review, and the emergency management performance grant period was shortened before later being resolved. She said OEM has restructured by eliminating obsolete administrative work, repurposing positions to regional coordinators, ending warehouse leases, and assigning fleet vehicles more efficiently. Her budget request included $3.7 million to cover a possible loss of federal operating support, $1 million for a required state hazard mitigation plan update, $3.8 million for the state emergency fund to cover anticipated 12.5% state shares and replenish prior expenditures, and $800,000 for anticipated other-needs/temporary sheltering cost share. Members questioned her about Oklahoma Task Force One, the revolving fund, and whether OEM is shifting toward a response-focused agency. Verst said response remains local and OEM’s role is coordination, recovery, and mitigation, not replacing local emergency management. She explained Task Force One is used when local capacity is exceeded, is not currently funded by OEM for routine operations, and the revolving fund helps bridge reimbursement delays. She also said the hazard mitigation plan update would likely be done by an outside contractor or university partner. No votes were taken; the hearing ended after questions and thanks from the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• It authorizes BLNR to lease Ala Wai small boat harbor for private development, management, maintenance
• It repeals provisions relating to the leasing of fast lands and submerged lands of Ala Wai boat harbor
• , requires annual reports to the Legislature, and repeals the state boating facility lease program on
• </c><00:54:07.040><c> of</c> Provisions relating to the leasing of Provisions relating to the leasing
• program on June voting facility lease program on June 30th<00:54:20.760><c> 2045</c> okay<00:54:33.240

Summary: The committee first took up SB 534, a measure concerning development in Kakaʻako Makai involving the Hawaii Community Development Authority and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The chairs explained that the hearing was decision-making only and no testimony would be accepted, though members could ask clarifying questions. The chair outlined amendments to clarify HCDA’s approval process, require an environmental impact statement before residential development proposals are submitted, require Department of Health documentation on hazardous substances, and specify that only OHA-owned parcels would be eligible for certain residential development with a 400-foot height limit and maximum floor area ratio of 10.0. The amendments also addressed affordability, owner-occupancy, association fees, and a special fund, while noting Attorney General concerns that the fee could be construed as a tax and suggesting further review by Judiciary and Ways and Means. Members discussed the affordability threshold, with one senator suggesting 160% AMI instead of 140% due to high housing costs and concern that essential workers could be priced out. Others raised concerns about Native Hawaiian affordability, the long-term effect of perpetuity restrictions, and whether the process would protect OHA’s interests. An HCDA representative said 140% AMI was used in existing reserve housing rules and that lower thresholds could make development economically infeasible. OHA and other supporters said the proposal was still early in planning and emphasized the need for public hearings, community input, and compliance with environmental and remediation standards. The committees voted to pass SB 534 with amendments: Water and Land approved it 4-1, and Hawaiian Affairs also adopted the chair’s recommendation, with one member excused and one voting no. The meeting then moved to SB 3, relating to water resource management. The bill would authorize the Commission on Water Resource Management to retain independent legal counsel, create an executive director position, allow challenges to emergency orders under certain conditions, establish fines for water use offenses, and revise emergency and shortage declaration procedures; Red Hill-related provisions were noted as removed from this version. Testimony was largely supportive, including from DLNR, the Board of Water Supply, OHA, and Sierra Club, with OHA stressing the measure’s importance to Native Hawaiian water rights and past litigation. A Department of Hawaiian Home Lands representative supported the bill with amendments and recommended explicit language directing the commission chair or designee to advocate for water rights and reservations for homelands. The chair indicated the committees would use the prior Senate-passed version as the basis for further action, and the discussion then moved on to SB 130, a search-and-rescue reimbursement bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a 600 megawatt project currently underway that's fully leased.
• Heinz Strader: So for example, we may lease a data center to a large hyperscale tenant, one of the top
• Is there a concerted effort to do inter-local agreements with the schools in the realm of CTE?
• You also need the curtailment and reliability deployment agreements like we like Stacy mentioned, so
• And they're also, you know, taking up a lot of new private land that they've gone out and leased.

Committee: House State Affairs

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs convened to discuss data centers and their impact on Texas's energy infrastructure. The meeting featured testimony from key representatives of the Public Utility Commission (PUC) and ERCOT, who outlined the evolving landscape of energy generation and the challenges posed by the rapid growth of data centers. Notably, ERCOT reported over 450,000 MW of generation resources planned for connection, with a significant portion attributed to data centers, which now represent around 87% of new large load interconnection requests. The committee explored proposed changes to the interconnection process, including a new 'batch study' approach aimed at streamlining the approval of multiple projects simultaneously. This change is intended to address the challenges of managing numerous simultaneous requests and to provide more certainty for developers regarding their energy needs. Testimonies emphasized the importance of ensuring that the costs of infrastructure upgrades are borne by the data centers rather than residential ratepayers, with discussions around the financial commitments required from developers. Several data center developers also provided testimony, highlighting the economic benefits of their projects, including job creation and increased local revenues. They expressed concerns about the potential for a moratorium on future growth due to the new interconnection rules and emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to address water usage and environmental impacts. The committee plans to continue discussions on these topics in future hearings, with a focus on balancing economic growth with energy reliability and resource management.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, the original lease was for 25 years.
• So I think that he has at least 22 years more on the lease. Mr.
• President, President Pro Tem, that lease has been extended.
• If the Downs at Albuquerque is to stay there and that lease is put in place, it is a binding agreement
• So, of course, we have a leasing situation with the Downs and the racetrack, so there could be a leasing

Transcript Highlights:

• On selling, leasing, renting, or otherwise allowing access to ALPR data to any non-authorized agency,
• agreements.
• The second revision to highlight concerns supported decision-making agreements.
• An adult with a disability may enter into a supported decision-making agreement with a supporter who
• Supported decision-making agreements: yes, the adult enters into that agreement voluntarily, without

Summary: The committee heard several bills, with the most extensive discussion focused on civil investigative demands for the Attorney General (ESSB 5925), automated license plate readers (ESSB 6002/6702), medical debt interest limits (ESSB 5993), default judgments in consumer debt cases (SSB 5720), adult guardianship technical changes (ESSB 5837), and Court of Appeals bailiff authority (SB 6011). Sponsors and agency staff generally framed the bills as targeted tools or clarifications, while opponents raised concerns about privacy, due process, overreach, and unintended consequences. The AG’s office supported 5925 as a way to investigate civil rights, wage theft, and related laws more efficiently; opponents argued it gave too much pre-suit power and lacked sufficient judicial safeguards. The Court of Appeals bailiff bill was presented as a near-identical extension of authority already given to Supreme Court bailiffs, with no major controversy beyond questions about training. The ALPR bill drew the sharpest policy split. Supporters, including the prime sponsor and civil rights advocates, argued Washington lacks meaningful regulation of license plate readers and needs limits on retention, sharing, and vendor access to protect privacy and prevent misuse. Law enforcement, cities, and some parking-related users said the bill was necessary but too restrictive or technically flawed, warning it could effectively shut down the technology or prevent use in serious cases; they asked for broader crime coverage, clearer definitions, and longer retention. Privacy and civil liberties groups supported regulation but urged stronger protections, especially shorter retention periods and tighter limits on third-party access. On medical debt, the sponsor and supporters argued that capping interest at 1% would reduce financial harm to patients, especially those facing serious illness, and would still allow administrative costs to be covered. They cited bankruptcy risk, chronic illness, and the burden on families, while noting the bill was narrowed from an earlier version and made prospective. Hospitals, collectors, dentists, and physician groups opposed the bill, saying it would not solve broader affordability problems, could reduce repayment incentives, and might push providers toward cash-only models or credit cards, especially harming small and rural practices. The committee also heard support for the consumer debt default judgment bill as a negotiated compromise that improves notice and preserves existing debt-buyer protections, and for the guardianship bill as a technical cleanup of adult guardianship and supported decision-making provisions. No votes or final actions were taken in the hearing excerpts provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• if the agreement involves a foreign person, foreign principal, or sovereign wealth fund.
• of that agreement.
• , ...the exact terms of the financing agreement are not disclosed, the fact that a funding agreement
• But the most important thing is there is no exchange of the actual agreements in this bill.
• On March 12, 2025, a settlement agreement for $2.5 million was reached. The City of St.

Bills: S0014 , S0016 , S0024 , S0052 , S0308 , S0504 , S0506 , S0564 , S0572 , S0590 , S0594 , S0806 , S1396 , S7020 , S7024 , S7026

Committee: Senate Rules

Summary: The Committee on Rules met with 14 members present and considered a long agenda of bills, including several open-government sunset reauthorizations, consumer and election measures, claims bills, and policy bills on public safety, ethics, and child protection. The committee reported favorably SB 7024 and SB 7026, which extend and consolidate public-records/public-meeting exemptions for cybersecurity information and trade secrets held by agencies, and SB 7020, which reenacts the aquaculture records exemption for the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. It also approved SB 14 and SB 24, two uncontested Miami-Dade County claims bills, and SB 16, a claims bill for Heriberto Sanchez Mayan involving severe injuries after an unlawful arrest and transport incident in St. Petersburg. Several bills drew substantial testimony. SB 308, creating the Florida Museum of Black History Board of Directors and designating St. Johns County as the museum site, received extensive support from advocates and lawmakers who emphasized preserving the full and accurate history of Black Floridians; some speakers urged safeguards to ensure historians and community members help shape the museum’s content. The committee also favorably reported CS for SB 564, allowing registered or pre-registered high school students to volunteer at polling places for community service hours, with supporters saying it would build civic engagement and help election offices. CS for SB 52, which exempts unpaid volunteer armed security at houses of worship from Class D and G licensing requirements, was also reported favorably after testimony both supporting the need for church security and cautioning that congregations should retain control over whether weapons are allowed. The committee approved CS for SB 1396 on litigation financing and consumer protection after a lengthy debate over transparency, foreign funding, and whether the bill would chill access to courts. Supporters said it would create guardrails and disclose foreign involvement; opponents argued it could burden plaintiffs and reveal litigation strategy. The committee also reported favorably CS for SB 504 and SB 506, creating a framework and related public-records exemption for code inspector body cameras, with discussion about notice to property owners and protection of sensitive footage. Additional favorable actions included CS for SB 572, updating ethics law to reflect foster family relationships, and CS for SB 590, tolling the statute of limitations for failure-to-report child abuse offenses until the offense is known to law enforcement or another charging authority.

Transcript Highlights:

• that electronic production requirement for the items identified in section 4, which include master leases
• , reserve studies, audited financial statements, contracts, leases, and other agreements.
• ,</c><00:02:45.440><c> contracts,</c><00:02:45.840><c> leases,</c> financial statements, contracts, leases
• , financial statements, contracts, leases, and<00:02:46.400><c> other</c><00:02:46.560><c> agreements
• We'll also make and other agreements.

Bills: SB3275 , SB3105

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Summary: The Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection reconsidered two condominium bills and adopted recommendations to pass both with amendments. For SB 2433, members approved amendments clarifying that condominium unit owners’ interests are to be recognized and protected in educational and related programs by the Real Estate Commission and DCCA, while making technical changes and changing the effective date. For SB 2838, the committee replaced the bill’s broader substantive language with a narrower requirement that associations provide electronic copies of specified documents, including master leases, reserve studies, audited financial statements, contracts, leases, and other agreements, along with technical changes and an amended effective date. Both measures were adopted unanimously by the members present, with Senator McKelvey excused. The committee then heard SB 2710 on animal issues, which would define and regulate dog breeders, set care standards, create county licensing authority, require records, and establish an animal abuser registry and related penalties. Testimony was mixed: the Public Defender and the American Kennel Club opposed the bill, arguing for stronger enforcement of existing laws rather than harsher penalties and warning that the bill would burden responsible breeders; the Hawaiian Humane Society supported the bill’s breeder regulation and registry provisions but urged removal of the hoarding section; and the committee noted 26 written testimonies in support, 14 in opposition, and four comments. In decision-making, the committee passed SB 2710 with amendments that blanked the license fee, deleted the animal abuser registry and shelter/pet store/breeder compliance checks, struck the hoarding provisions and proposed criminal penalty changes, and made technical changes with a deferred effective date. The committee also heard SB 2209 on rental discrimination, which would allow attorney’s fees to a prevailing party in source-of-income discrimination cases, and SB 2884, which would create a nonrefundable income tax credit for wind-resistant retrofits or hurricane shelters. The Hawaii Civil Rights Commission supported SB 2209, and the committee later passed it with a deferred effective date. SB 2884 drew support from DCCA’s Insurance Division, the Department of Taxation, HEMA, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, and a public witness who urged hurricane preparedness; it was passed with the Department of Taxation’s proposed amendments and a deferred effective date. Finally, the committee heard SB 2922 on cooperative associations, which would create a general cooperative associations framework. DCCA offered comments, while the Hawaii Co-op Hui, Purple Maya Foundation, Enliven Cooperative, and Hawaii Farmers Union supported the measure and argued that current law is too limited for worker, producer, and multi-stakeholder co-ops. After discussion about using the existing chapter 421C structure rather than creating a new regulatory scheme, the committee passed SB 2922 with amendments adopting changes proposed in testimony from the Hawaii Farmers Union and deferred the effective date.

Transcript Highlights:

• SkillBridge is our agreement with the federal Department of Defense, so outgoing military members can
• SkillBridge is our agreement with the federal Department of Defense, so outgoing military members can
• We do not have an agreement with them currently. Maybe you should look into it.
• </c> um and then uh Electric vehicle leasing um and then uh Electric vehicle leasing at<02:20:22.080>
• We provide benefits pursuant to a settlement agreement.

Transcript Highlights:

• The petroleum specialist that works on subsurface agreements is a new area that we think we're going
• For those of you who are familiar with this as part of the master settlement agreement.
• 30 years old, some of the largest tobacco companies on the planet are subject to a binding agreement
• to defend certain actions with respect to compliance with the master settlement agreement.
• So there's still an $875,000 difference there. ...and escalation of building leases.

Committee: Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations from the Secretary of State, the State Land Office, the Attorney General, and the State Auditor. The Secretary of State said its requested general fund budget of $15.88 million was intended to maintain baseline operations, replace lost federal cyber and election support, and address a 12% vacancy rate. Officials warned that the House recommendation still left major gaps for election security, tabulator replacement, campaign finance system upgrades, overseas and military ballot services, ballot tracking, and a new tax lien filing system. Senators pressed about the election fund, county burdens, and the risk of underfunding election administration; the office said the House had provided $15 million for the election fund for the primary and another $15 million for the general election, but not enough for operations or all capital needs. The State Land Office said it was satisfied with the House budget action and had no additional request. Staff described the office’s record revenues, low vacancy rate, clean audits, and proposed new positions tied to forestry, economic development, petroleum, geothermal, and royalty compliance work. Senators asked about long-term revenue trends, forest thinning and biomass opportunities, and bookkeeping around the land maintenance fund; the office said the new positions were intended to generate revenue and support land management, including fire mitigation. The Attorney General’s office presented a budget built around a 0% general fund increase, greater use of the Consumer Settlement Fund, and $4.5 million in special/extraordinary litigation funding. The AG emphasized active litigation and investigations involving consumer fraud, Medicaid fraud, federal funding cuts, Meta and other technology platforms, AI and child safety, gaming compacts, tobacco, and possible litigation over abandoned uranium mine cleanup. Senators asked about scam enforcement, the structure of settlement funds, and whether the office could take on uranium-related litigation; the AG said the office could prepare a litigation budget but warned such efforts would require sustained funding. The State Auditor said the House budget added only modest increases while the office faced about a 40% vacancy rate, difficulty recruiting auditors, and a shrinking pool of public accounting firms, creating risks for constitutional audit responsibilities.

Transcript Highlights:

• A local government is authorized to enter into a development agreement with a person who owns or controls
• A development agreement must set forth various provisions and must be consistent with applicable development
• A development agreement with a regional transit authority may set forth development standards that vary
• Each party may initiate a review of any agreement no more frequently than every five years.
• Each party may initiate a review of any agreement no more frequently than every five years.

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2517, which would give regional transit authorities, especially Sound Transit, more flexible permitting tools for high-capacity transit projects. Staff and the bill sponsor said the goal is to let permit applications and technical reviews proceed concurrently with property acquisition and land use decisions, reducing delay and uncertainty for large transit projects. Sound Transit testified that the bill could save as much as nine months, while a city representative from Bothell asked for an amendment requiring notice to property owners before permits are advanced on land not yet owned or controlled by the agency. The committee then took testimony on HB 2313, concerning publicly owned grocery stores in underserved areas. The bill would let cities acquire land, build or rehabilitate stores, seek capital grants, and create tax increment financing areas for grocery access projects, with annual reporting requirements. Supporters, including the sponsor, Food Lifeline, and Northwest Harvest, argued that grocery closures and food deserts are real problems and that local governments need tools to fill gaps when private grocers leave. Opponents, including grocery industry groups and several students, warned that public stores could undercut private grocers, burden taxpayers, and create operational and property-rights concerns; some testimony also questioned the need for government ownership and the use of tax increment financing. A proposed substitute removed eminent domain and tax increment financing provisions and narrowed the bill to grant-funded stores in underserved areas. Next, the committee heard HB 2451, a major rewrite of local tax increment financing rules. The bill would tighten notice, consultation, reporting, and mitigation requirements for TIF areas, strengthen the “but-for” test, limit where increment areas can be located, and protect existing taxing districts by excluding certain levies and requiring negotiation, mediation, or arbitration when impacts are significant. Cities, ports, counties, libraries, fire chiefs, and hospital districts largely described the bill as a negotiated compromise that improves transparency and addresses unintended impacts, though some local governments said they still wanted more flexibility or protections for existing projects. One city testified against the bill, arguing the new restrictions would make TIF much less useful for large redevelopment efforts. The committee then heard HB 2298, which would authorize county auditors to create voluntary property title protection programs to help prevent land-record fraud by allowing owners to record a protection instrument that delays recording of a title transfer for up to five business days unless identity verification is provided. Auditors, treasurers, and county officials strongly supported the bill as a practical response to rising deed fraud, while title and foreclosure industry representatives said the proposal was too limited, could interfere with foreclosures or other transfers, and would only delay—not prevent—fraud. The final bill heard was HB 2566 on local government procurement, which would raise certain small-purchase and small-public-works thresholds for counties, remove some differences between larger and smaller counties, and give counties more options when no bids are received. County representatives supported the bill as a needed update to procurement rules and a way to reduce bureaucracy and keep pace with inflation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Should we have an agreement executed? Yes, thank you, Moore.
• This would not mean that we were definitely going to have an agreement that gets executed.
• This would not mean that we were definitely going to have an agreement that gets executed.
• It says prior to the award of an agreement and execution of the agreement with Lamar, LTA must consider
• Senator Abraham has moved to approve the proposal contingent on the comprehensive agreement.

Summary: The Louisiana Transportation Authority met on March 26 with a quorum present and approved the September 10, 2025 minutes. The main item was the Cameron Ferry privatization proposal from Labmar Ferry Services. Staff explained the ferry’s current operational problems, including reliability issues with the aging Cameron No. 2 vessel, limited backup capacity, and staffing challenges. They also reviewed the competitive solicitation process that followed Labmar’s unsolicited proposal, noting that Labmar was the only proposer and that local entities, including the Cameron Parish Police Jury and Cameron Port Harbor and Terminal District, had no objection to the concept. Staff and counsel outlined the statutory public-purpose factors the board had to consider and described the scope of a potential agreement, which would cover vessel operations, maintenance, facilities, communications, dry docking, and emergency response. Board members praised DOTD staff and the Cameron ferry workers for their long service and emphasized the need for more reliable service and better contingency planning. Senator Abraham asked procedural questions about the unsolicited proposal and the solicitation process. The board first voted that the privatization proposal would serve a public purpose, then voted to approve the proposal contingent on execution of a comprehensive agreement; both motions passed without objection. The meeting also covered next steps. DOTD said negotiations would continue through spring and early summer, with a possible transition to Labmar in late summer 2026 if an agreement and funding are secured. Staff reported that two new hybrid ferries, the Holly Beach and the Cameron, are expected in May and August 2026, and that temporary docking and site improvements are underway. A feasibility study for terminal expansion estimated costs between $30 million and $50 million, with permitting and design likely taking at least a year and a half to two years. Members discussed the need for a multi-year funding plan, and the meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• through ETA, there's better options for the state to employ a state-level infrastructure funding agreement
• business people there understand transparently what are we spending on staff, what are we spending on leases
• business people there understand transparently what are we spending on staff what are we spending on leases
• Birmingham, South Carolina, obviously, which doesn't exist, but they use these collective bargaining agreements
• and various contracts and multiple multi-state... ...collective bargaining agreements and various contracts

Committee: All ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Nick Moore, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Office of Career and Technical Education, focused on integrating workforce, education, training, and human services systems. Moore argued that WIOA, Perkins, and ESSA should be aligned more closely, with fewer federal and state bureaucratic layers, more state flexibility, and a stronger emphasis on labor force participation, postsecondary attainment, and training tied to in-demand jobs. He said the federal agencies are moving toward combined plan timelines for 2026, encouraged states to pursue combined plans and waivers, and described efforts to streamline reporting, reduce administrative overhead, and expand tools such as integrated intake, cross-training, virtual and mobile service delivery, apprenticeship, and talent marketplaces. Moore also emphasized accountability and outcomes, saying states should measure training-related employment, retention, and the share of funds going to direct services rather than administration. He criticized the current workforce system as too costly and ineffective, and said states should use primary labor market information, better wage records, and employer input to align training with actual job demand. Members asked about balancing flexibility with accountability, the role of employers versus postsecondary institutions, serving rural “training deserts,” state waivers, and data-sharing systems such as Mississippi’s workforce technology efforts. Moore said states can use waivers and technology to create common intake and co-enrollment across programs, and that enhanced wage records are key to better workforce planning. The committee then received a separate update from DHS Secretary Janet Mann and Director Jay Hill on reimbursement rates for aging and adult behavioral health services. They said DHS had compiled more than 100 public comments, submitted a recommendation to the governor to hold current rates, and was awaiting executive review, which they estimated could take 30 to 60 days. Members asked about the timeline and the scope of the legislation requiring monthly reports. The meeting ended with notice of a later audit presentation scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at the Big Mac building.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that was a 10-year agreement that we are currently in, and the mayor back in July presented some,
• So that was a 10-year agreement that we are currently in, and the mayor back in July, presented some,
• I mean, my lease is in the downtown, and so that lease, I pay taxes towards the Downtown Development
• The town has interlocal agreements with Union County to provide services.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee met to consider several audit requests and enforcement items involving local governments and special districts. The committee approved operational audits of the City of Miami Beach, the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority, and the City of Daytona Beach. In each case, the requesting member described concerns about transparency, financial management, or internal controls, while local officials or representatives generally said they were willing to cooperate and, in Delray Beach’s case, noted that an internal audit had already been completed and that some issues were being corrected. The committee also received a presentation on the statewide review of neighborhood improvement districts. The reviewers reported that 15 of 21 districts were active and six inactive, with common findings including outdated or missing performance plans, weak web presence, inadequate meeting notices, and limited management mechanisms. They said staffing levels often correlated with the ability to meet statutory requirements, and they recommended updates to district governance and transparency practices. On enforcement, staff reviewed local governments and special districts that had failed to file required financial reports or had submitted audit reports missing required information. The committee approved staff recommendations to proceed under the statutory enforcement process for the noncompliant entities, with flexibility for the chair and vice chair to delay action if additional information is provided in good faith. The committee also voted to send a letter to the Union County Legislative Delegation encouraging a local bill to dissolve the Town of Rayford, based on staff’s view that the town lacked employees, services, debt, and a clear reason to continue existing as an incorporated municipality.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think you were in agreement with a bill to do something about this.
• I mean, would it need to be on like a deed restriction that to purchase property, to lease property..
• But most of the income that is registered or recorded are on the application of these leases and the
• But we are getting them some more information on for units if they are leased.
• If they're not leases, they have no ability to get that private information.

Transcript Highlights:

• a very large backlog in what's called the queue of projects, many of which have interconnection agreements
• I've heard, up to $1,500 an acre or whatever, on a 20-year lease, for example.
• I've heard up to $1,500 an acre or whatever on a 20-year lease, for example.
• I've heard up to $1,500 an acre or whatever on a 20-year lease, for example.
• I've heard up to $1,500 an acre or whatever on a 20-year lease, for example.

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Should we have an agreement executed? Yes, thank you, Moore.
• So should we execute an agreement with Lamarer operations for Cameron Ferry Service, subject to final
• This would not mean that we were definitely going to have an agreement that gets executed.
• It says prior to the award of an agreement and execution of the agreement with Lamar, LTA must consider
• Senator Abraham has moved to approve the proposal contingent on the comprehensive agreement.

Summary: The Louisiana Transportation Authority met on March 26 and approved the minutes from its prior meeting before taking up the Cameron Ferry privatization proposal from Labmar Ferry Services. Staff from DOTD explained the ferry’s current operational problems, including an aging 1964 vessel, reliability issues, maintenance and dry-docking needs, staffing challenges, and the lack of a spare vessel or backup terminal pair. They reviewed the procurement process, noting that after an unsolicited proposal from Labmar, LTA required a competitive solicitation, received only Labmar’s updated proposal, and then selected Labmar as the preferred proposer. Local input was also described: the Cameron Parish Police Jury issued a no-objection letter and the Cameron Port Harbor and Terminal District gave written support, while no public comments were received at prior public comment opportunities. The board first voted that the privatization proposal serves a public purpose, based on statutory factors such as public need, compatibility with transportation plans, reasonable cost, and improved efficiency. It then voted to approve the proposal contingent on execution of a comprehensive agreement, with members emphasizing that the final contract terms would still need to be negotiated. Discussion highlighted that Labmar currently operates New Orleans ferry routes with high uptime, and that the Cameron crossing is important for local travel, emergency response, evacuation, industry, and tourism. Members also stressed the need to respect and retain current DOTD staff as the transition is negotiated. Staff outlined next steps: negotiations are expected to continue through spring and early summer 2026, with a transition period over the summer and possible full Labmar operations in late summer if an agreement and funding are secured. Two new hybrid ferry vessels are under construction and expected in May and August 2026, temporary dock space and site improvements are underway, and training will include Labmar personnel. A feasibility study for terminal expansion found that adding and improving landing slips could cost roughly $30 million to $50 million, but current funding is insufficient; members asked for a phased, multi-year plan and budget breakdown for future consideration. The meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:24:21.320><c> signed</c> of getting uh project agreement signed of getting uh project agreement
• Rams, through Stan Kony/KY Sports Entertainment, just signed a two-year agreement with HTA.
• Rams, through Stan Kony/KY Sports Entertainment, just signed a two-year agreement with HTA.
• Rams, through Stan Kony/KY Sports Entertainment, just signed a two-year agreement with HTA.
• with HTA they're going to have agreement with HTA they're going to have their<01:26:36.719><c> spring

Summary: The joint hearing covered three measures on the 1 p.m. agenda. SB 817, relating to out-of-state offices, drew support from DBEDT and several community groups, with questions focused on the requested funding, staffing level, whether the office would expand broadly, and whether the Philippines was being singled out. SB 1578, relating to international affairs, received support from DBEDT and the Attorney General, with the chair noting the bill was intended to help DBEDT analyze Hawaii’s international partnerships and plan next steps. SB 1639, establishing Hawaii Beach Day, had limited testimony and was moved along without substantive debate. SB 582, relating to DBEDT, was also heard with support from state agencies and a few individuals, and was described as a vehicle for organizational and funding changes affecting the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, including moving some positions and programming to general funds and narrowing the works-of-art special fund's uses. The committees then took up recommendations. All three measures were advanced with amendments: SB 817 was amended to include technical changes and a defective effective date of July 1, 2025; SB 1578 was amended to address the Attorney General’s concerns, make the commission subject to Senate confirmation, and add technical changes and a defective date; and SB 582 was amended to incorporate provisions from SB 1577, clarify SFCA authority over performing arts, shift SFCA positions and programming to general funds, restrict the works-of-art special fund, and add a defective date. Each committee voted to adopt the chair’s recommendations, with no reservations or no votes noted in the Transportation and Culture and the Arts committee and only Senator Dela Cruz voting no on SB 817 there; in the Economic Development and Tourism committee, SB 817 passed with Senator Kim in reservation and Senator Awa voting no, while SB 1578 and SB 582 passed with Senator Awa voting no. The later 10:00 a.m. agenda hearing focused on SB 1589, relating to the stadium development special fund, and SB 1629, relating to taxation. On SB 1589, the Attorney General asked for clarification of section 3, particularly the proviso about remaining monies lapsing to the general fund if the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District is terminated before completion; the interim stadium manager explained the bill would allow spending of $49.5 million already in the special fund for consultant, construction management, quality assurance, and contingency costs. On SB 1629, testimony was sharply divided: supporters, including film industry and business representatives, said the measure would support local film production, restore prior GET treatment, and help attract studio development; opponents argued the bill was vague, overly favorable to a specific project, and lacked oversight and accountability. The hearing ended with extensive questioning about whether the bill was effectively tailored to a particular studio project and how it related to other film tax credit measures, but no final committee action on SB 1589 or SB 1629 was included in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, we had a victory in that we removed non-disclosure agreements from being judicially enforceable
• There are several examples of multifamily buildings in downtown that have leased very quickly.
• Louis wouldn't have been an exception, that building was 60% pre-leased and fully leased within 12 months
• So the fact that it was 60% pre-leased and at 100% capacity all during 2020, 2021, and 2022 says a lot
• So the fact that it was 60% pre-leased and at 100% capacity all during 2020, 2021, 22, says a lot for

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Summary: The Commerce Committee met in executive session and unanimously voted do pass on House Bill 1707, House Bill 2927, and House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2057. The committee then moved into public hearing on House Bill 1664, which would extend the civil statute of limitations for child sexual abuse claims from age 26 to age 41. Representative Brian Sites presented the bill as a needed step for survivors, and multiple witnesses and organizations testified in support, including survivors and advocacy, tort reform, chamber, and insurance groups. No opposition was heard, and the hearing concluded without a vote. The committee also heard House Bill 1845, a startup and angel investor tax credit proposal sponsored by Representative Gallick. The bill would create incentives for Missouri-based startups under $5 million in revenue, with higher credits for rural investment, annual caps, oversight by the Missouri Technology Corporation, and a sunset in 2033. Members questioned what taxes the credit would apply to, how it would work if Missouri changes its income tax structure, and what safeguards would prevent businesses from leaving after receiving credits. Business and economic development groups testified in support, saying the bill would help fill an early-stage capital gap and keep investment in Missouri. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3231, a broad economic development and “Missouri Innovation Zone” proposal sponsored by Representative Brad Christ. The bill would let cities opt in to create innovation zones with local permitting and governance changes, tax incentives, office-to-residential conversion tools, and reinvestment of net new revenues into public safety, infrastructure, and a rural development fund. Members and witnesses discussed local control, prevailing wage, revenue diversion, and implementation concerns, especially from the City of St. Louis and labor groups, while chambers, developers, municipal groups, and historic revitalization advocates generally supported the concept. The hearing ended with no opposition testimony and no committee vote on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's an economic development lease that includes Sierra County, but it includes that 18,000 acres right
• electricity or water or services we have SpinLaunch, and we're trying to sell that area, trying to lease
• With Virgin Galactic's desires in mind, so we leased that to Virgin Galactic.
• On page 23, we're working on a two-year lease with Sirius Technologies.
• We're also working on an agreement with them.

Committee: House Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm trying to figure out if the houses will be put on state land and then leased to the personal property
• We lease the land to the Downs for a certain period.
• I'm trying to figure out Will the houses be put on state land and then leased to the personal property
• And Senator Stewart, do we know if there's a purchase agreement on the property yet or an offer?

Bills: SB48 , SB64 , SB100

Committee: Senate Senate Finance