Bills: HB111, HB108, HB145, HB164, HB291, HJR6, HR1, HB63, HB64, HB165, HB184, HB200, HB4, HB7, HB20, HB65, HB66, HB80, HB88, HB96, HB166, HB285, HB295, HB306, SB29, SB37, HJM2, HJM3, HJM1, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM32, HM13, HM47, HM20, HM51, HM1, HM31, HM35, HM36, HM46, HM53, HM54, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50

Keywords: water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order, water rights, overdiversion, illegal diversion, groundwater storage and recovery, well license, permit violation, water enforcement, New Mexico water code, irrigation district, conservancy district, water diversion, unauthorized water sales, measuring device, district court appeal, water resources, water compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• And also thank you to the political subdivisions, the League of Cities, the counties, the townships,
• Is it possible that a local political subdivision in their levy worksheet could exceed the 3% cap as
• But if you can go back into an existing well, the infrastructure is already there.
• We see that in other political subdivisions.
• But they combined that with the political subdivisions, and the oil and gas tax revenue provides 41%

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And also thank you to the political subdivisions, the League of Cities, the counties, the townships,
• Is it possible that a local political subdivision in their levy worksheet could exceed the 3% cap as
• But if you can go back into an existing well, the infrastructure is already there.
• We see that in other political subdivisions.
• But they combined that with the political subdivisions, and the oil and gas tax revenue provides 41%

Summary: The committee met to receive updates from the Tax Commissioner’s office on property tax relief programs and related compliance work. Commissioner Brian Croshys reviewed the Homestead Property Tax Credit, Disabled Veteran Credit, and Primary Residence Credit, noting that the Homestead program expanded significantly after HB 1158, that some households are “adjusting out” of eligibility as incomes rise, and that the committee may want to consider indexing income thresholds. Members asked for additional data on bracket breakdowns, possible costs of eliminating income limits for seniors, and how many households are zeroed out by the combined programs. Croshys also discussed the simpler administration of the disabled veteran credit, the growth in participation, and the heavy workload and auditing safeguards built into the new primary residence credit system. He said the department found no material compliance findings and that the program is designed to be digital-first, with county auditors and the Tax Commissioner’s office both involved in review and notification. The committee recessed for lunch and later reconvened, with the chair noting that more detailed PRC information would likely be available at a September meeting. Shelly Myers then presented the statewide property tax increase, or “zero growth,” report and the 2025 statistical report. She explained how county auditors report levy and valuation data, how increases and decreases are counted, and which jurisdictions showed the largest percentage changes in countywide, citywide, school district, and park district levies. In the statistical report, she summarized recent trends in assessed values: agricultural values remained relatively flat, while residential, commercial, and centrally assessed property values increased over the past five years. She also reviewed statewide tax levies by property class and clarified that centrally assessed growth figures were annual averages. Members discussed how shifts in land use and annexation can make it appear that tax burdens are moving from ag to residential/commercial property. Myers then summarized the interim study on the 3% levy limitation under HB 1176, saying most counties complied without budget changes, while some used hiring freezes, deferred purchases, or reserve funds; 23% of counties had to reduce levies, and the affected funds were mainly general, road and bridge, and weed control. She said 12 counties reported zero new growth in the data and that 35 counties reported not using all of their cap. The committee also received an oil tax presentation from Croshys on the stripper well extraction tax exemption. He outlined the number of active stripper wells, the production and revenue implications of the exemption, and projections for future biennia under different tax scenarios. He said the exemption represents substantial savings to operators but also corresponds to production tax revenue that would otherwise be collected, and he emphasized that future outcomes depend on oil prices, well counts, and technology such as CO2 enhanced oil recovery. Nathan Anderson of the Department of Mineral Resources briefly answered a question about why Red River wells have a different production threshold than Bakken wells, explaining it was tied to completion costs and lateral length. The committee then heard from Charlie Gorecki of the EERC, who presented an analysis of typical Bakken well decline curves and argued that most oil is produced before a well reaches stripper status, but that keeping wells open and investing in refracturing or other interventions can recover additional production. No votes were taken during this portion of the meeting; the main actions were receiving reports, asking for follow-up data, and scheduling further discussion for a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the definitions covered in subdivision six, I'm sorry, in Section 6, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, etc
• :36:00.080> 4, in Section 6, subdivision 1, 2, 3, 4, in Section 6, subdivision 1, 2, 3, 4, etc
• > penalties<00:37:11.760> for Subdivision 6 outlines the penalties for Subdivision 6 outlines
• , under this subdivision, under this subdivision, but<00:37:34.280> that<00:37:34.480>
• <01:15:29.520> projects other important infrastructure projects other important infrastructure

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Then, in grants to political subdivisions, there is a grant to the city of Minneapolis for the Center
• <00:07:27.120> co-op Minnesota housing infrastructure co-op Minnesota housing infrastructure
• manufactured housing infrastructure. manufactured housing infrastructure.
• capital costs of housing infrastructure capital costs of housing infrastructure that's<00:15:01.160
• an infrastructure This repeals an infrastructure development<00:15:40.160> bond<00:15:41.199>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• rental housing license infrastructure rental housing license infrastructure the<00:48:01.480>
• subdivision and political subdivision<01:27:31.320> as<01:27:31.800> any<01:27:32.239>
• entities and political subdivisions entities and political subdivisions cooperate<01:27:54.159><
• It's 609.749, subdivision 2.
• 69.7 49 subdivision 69.7 49 subdivision 2 2 2 um<01:35:00.119> and<01:35:00.320> that<

Bills: HF1051, HF16

Keywords: sacred communities, micro units, religious institutions, housing regulations, homelessness, conditional use permits, immigration enforcement, sanctuary policies, sanctuary city, noncooperation ordinance, ICE, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, federal immigration authorities, deportation, undocumented immigrant, undocumented person, immigration status data, data sharing, preemption, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• And this language is found on page 102. applies in subdivision 2. Um some applies in subdivision 2.
• specified and established in subdivision specified and established in subdivision 7<00:57:54.319
• transportation and infrastructure transportation and infrastructure support<01:10:28.640> for
• talk about the plans, infrastructure talk about the plans, infrastructure plans<01:24:17.360>
• Chair. pedestrian infrastructure, and expand pedestrian infrastructure, and expand our<01:29:29.440><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• pay 7 a half% of political subdivision pay 7 a half% of political subdivision employer<00:03:26.560
• subdivisions needed relief to political subdivisions and<00:05:58.840> help<00:05:59.120>
• <00:41:59.800> in uh infrastructure in uh infrastructure in place<00:42:01.800> how
• When they fail, it's catastrophic, so we need to invest in this infrastructure.
• invest in on Farm infrastructure invest in on Farm infrastructure equipment<01:09:57.120> and

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee held a hearing on several bills and announced at the outset that no votes would be taken because the measures would go to divisions later. The first major bill, HB 197, would require the state to pay 7.5% of political subdivision employer pension contributions for teachers, police officers, and firefighters. Representative Mike Edgar, the prime sponsor, argued the state had repeatedly reduced and then eliminated its promised share of retirement costs, shifting the burden to municipalities and property taxpayers. He said the bill would partially restore that commitment and provide relief to local governments, businesses, and taxpayers. Several witnesses testified in support of HB 197, including Representative John Cluder, Bradford selectman Marlene Fryer, the New Hampshire Municipal Association’s Margaret Burns, and Epping representative Mark Fone. Supporters said the bill would help with property tax pressure, school budgets, and municipal hiring, and they emphasized that much of the retirement cost reflects unfunded liability decisions made at the state level rather than by local governments. Committee members questioned whether the bill would change local incentives to control costs and how it would affect hiring and compensation. Burns said the state contribution would function as property tax relief because it offsets existing municipal expenses, and she noted the state is already on a long-term schedule to pay down the retirement system’s unfunded liability. After closing the hearing on HB 197, the committee opened a hearing on HB 97, introduced by Representative Tom Buco. He said the bill would continue funding for delayed and deferred wastewater projects and help municipalities finance expensive wastewater infrastructure, which he tied to housing development and local debt planning. No action or votes were taken on either bill during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Engrossed House Bill 1440 is a bill for an act to amend subdivision D of subsection 3 of Section 23-12
• Section 3 outlines that political subdivisions are not a part of this bill.
• subdivisions was removed.
• Additionally, $10 million was appropriated for ag infrastructure grants to political subdivisions for
• service roads, electrical service, natural gas... ...infrastructure grants to political subdivisions

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, roll call, and a quorum present, then took up several procedural motions, including suspending House rules for three legislative days and replacing conference committee members on Senate Bill 2282 and SCR 4007. The chamber also recognized visiting student groups from Grafton/Pleasant Valley and Shiloh School. Later, the House agreed to several conference committee reports and moved a number of measures through final passage or final disposition. House Bill 1428, which would have created a sales tax exemption for clothing sold by thrift stores or nonprofit corporations, drew extensive debate over tax policy, revenue loss, and possible conflicts with streamlined sales tax rules. Supporters argued it would help lower-income shoppers and nonprofit thrift stores, while opponents said it created an unfair advantage and could reduce state and local revenue. The conference report was adopted, but the bill ultimately failed on final vote, 37-54. House Bill 1440, relating to cigar lounges, was amended in conference and then passed 75-17. House Bill 1460, concerning adult foster care for private-pay adults, electronic monitoring, and a legislative study, was also adopted and passed overwhelmingly, 91-1. The House then passed Senate Bill 2224, which revises gaming commission structure and gaming stamp requirements, adds Attorney General enforcement provisions, and includes a $25,000 general fund appropriation, by a vote of 88-0. Senate Bill 2327, which expands uses of the agriculture diversification and development fund and appropriates $15 million to it, passed 74-17 after a member was excused from voting due to a personal interest. Senate Bill 2267, creating a regulatory framework for on-site wastewater treatment systems and shifting licensing authority to the Department of Environmental Quality, passed 82-10, and Senate Bill 2276, addressing joint water resource boards for cross-county projects, passed 90-1. The most contentious debate centered on Senate Bill 2160, which would move the state employee health plan from grandfathered status to a non-grandfathered ACA-compliant plan and appropriate about $6.6 million for the transition. Supporters said it would give the PERS board more flexibility, expand preventive and other benefits, and potentially slow premium growth without charging employees premiums. Opponents warned it could raise out-of-pocket costs, add mandated benefits, and shift costs to employees, while also arguing the bill had not been adequately studied. After extended debate, the House passed SB 2160 by a vote of 55-37. The chamber also concurred in Senate amendments to House Bill 1318, a pesticide labeling bill, and placed it on final passage, but the transcript ends before the final vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• While AB 823 speaks to banning microbeads in non-rinse-off products, subdivision C of the bill creates
• While AB 823 speaks to banning microbeads in non-rinse-off products, subdivision C of the bill creates
• And so we interpret subdivision C in a way that significantly expands the scope of the bill beyond just
• If we don't align this bill with the EU and concerning the ambiguity that subdivision C sets up for us
• They're essential to protecting communities and a mix of infrastructure, and this is important in Assembly

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of natural resources and related bills, with several measures taken up as the committee reached quorum and many others moving on consent or with due-pass recommendations. Early items included AB 80 on carpet recycling, AB 452 creating a local process for state surf reserves, and AB 823 restricting microplastics in personal care and cleaning products. AB 80 drew broad support from recycling, labor, and environmental groups and was described as a follow-up to earlier carpet recycling reforms. AB 452 was backed by surf, tourism, environmental, and local government interests as a voluntary, community-driven way to recognize and protect surf breaks. AB 823 generated the most extensive debate, with supporters citing public health and environmental harms from microplastics and opponents warning the bill’s language could sweep in products such as sunscreens, cosmetics, and fragrance-encapsulation materials; the committee discussed possible ambiguity and EU comparisons before voting the bill out on a due-pass-as-amended basis to Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials. The committee also advanced AB 1046, which would create a narrow exemption from SB 1383 organic-waste requirements for certain crop preparers and tree nut processors that do not send organic waste to landfills. Agricultural witnesses said the bill would clarify that their operations already reuse byproducts and should not face duplicative reporting, and the measure passed with support from agricultural and rural county representatives. AB 252, the “Stop Laying Off Firefighters Act,” proposed year-round Cal Fire staffing; the author and Cal Fire supporters argued that wildfire conditions are now year-round and that maintaining trained crews would improve response and prevention, and the bill was sent to Appropriations. AB 571, a targeted CEQA exemption for the Southern California Veterans Cemetery in Anaheim, drew strong bipartisan and veterans’ support and also passed out. Later, the committee approved AB 1455, which would authorize emergency rulemaking and streamline future updates for ember-resistant building regulations after recent wildfire emergencies, and AB 687, which would let public agencies use forest-practice rules and timber-harvest plans for certain publicly funded fuel-reduction projects; AB 687 drew some opposition over scope and enforceability concerns but was still advanced. The committee also moved AB 652, allowing alternate members on the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District board to prevent quorum problems, and AB 317, a first-time homebuyer housing bill that would exempt certain small, lower-cost homes from CEQA and defer some property taxes; AB 317 prompted discussion about guardrails to avoid unintended use on larger subdivisions. Finally, AB 900, requiring the Natural Resources Agency to develop a stewardship plan for 30-by-30 lands, was heard with broad support from land trusts and conservation groups and advanced on a due-pass recommendation, and AB 738, a wildfire-rebuild bill easing solar requirements for certain disaster survivors, was introduced and discussed with questions about its narrow scope and the number of homes affected.

Transcript Highlights:

• state's most challenging economic and social challenges, and essentially is to build a type of infrastructure
• Early in 2024, Poulsbo adopted a unit lot subdivision as an emergency measure to respect…” and variety
• adopted a unit lot subdivision as an emergency measure to respond swiftly to the need for flexible fee
• We already have our first unit lot subdivision project under construction, which will be 62 townhouse
• I'm curious about the 62-unit lot subdivision.

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee work session focused first on Civic Commons’ “starter home production plan,” a statewide strategy intended to increase production of homes affordable to households roughly between 60% and 120% of area median income. Presenters said the Covenant Home Ownership program will not succeed without more starter homes, and outlined recommendations including a temporary cross-sector crisis task force, a developer network, new financing tools, public seed funding, and a multi-site demonstration program to test off-site construction and standardized designs. Committee members asked about silos in the current system, the role of off-site and modular construction, target income ranges, and where the plan would be most useful. Civic Commons said the plan is meant to be statewide, community-informed, and respectful of local context, with pre-approved plans and standardized approaches for both single-family and multi-unit housing. The Department of Labor and Industries then gave an update on factory-built housing oversight. Officials said residential factory-built structures are a small but important part of their work and described progress in prioritizing residential plan reviews, which they said has reduced review time from months to about two days. They also reported creating a plans examiner supervisor position, moving forward with rules for third-party plan review and inspection, and beginning analysis of national standards from the Modular Building Institute to see whether they align with state code. Committee members and L&I discussed the value of standardized plans, real-time tracking for applicants, and the role of state inspection in reducing local jurisdictional variation. The Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council testified that it supports efforts to reduce permitting delays and increase housing production, but warned against weakening safety standards or labor protections. The labor representatives said prefabrication and modular construction can help if the workforce is protected, wages and apprenticeship opportunities are preserved, and projects use tools such as community workforce agreements. They also raised concerns about wage theft, misclassification, and unlicensed contractors in residential construction, and suggested stronger front-end contractor education or licensing. Committee members responded that the goal is to expand production without sacrificing safety or good jobs. The committee also heard city perspectives on local housing reforms. Olympia described its affordable housing emergency ordinance, which gives qualifying projects priority in the permitting queue, and said success depends on communication among housing staff, planners, engineers, and developers. Walla Walla, an early adopter of middle housing, reported increased ADUs, duplexes, and smaller-lot development after eliminating single-family zoning and expanding tools such as MFTE and ADU flexibility. Des Moines described adopting middle housing and ADU ordinances in June 2025 after a lengthy public process, while Poulsbo described proactive code changes including duplexes on corner lots, unit lot subdivisions, manufactured home protections, expanded ADU allowances, and pre-approved ADU plans shared with neighboring jurisdictions. No votes were taken during the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul complies with the requirements in section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3.
• And while a notable and extensive portion of the infrastructure has been built, the site will need to
• Paul complies with the requirements in section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3.
• Paul complies with the requirements in section 645.021, subdivisions 2 and 3.
• Infrastructure Infrastructure Project.<00:43:48.960> Electric<00:43:49.359> meter,<00:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• be sub uh subdivision be sub uh subdivision three<00:29:03.039> uh<00:29:03.159> and
• is three uh and then subdivision four is three uh and then subdivision four is getting<00:29:
• if you've seen my uh infrastructure if you've seen my uh infrastructure bills<00:59:52.240> are
• overstated uh the infrastructure overstated uh the infrastructure concerns<01:16:49.159> uh
• of the testimony about infrastructure of the testimony about infrastructure concerns<01:18:03.400

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's a big technical amendment, removing political subdivision not from being able to go to the
• So that's a big technical amendment, removing political subdivision not from being able to go to the
• So that's a big technical amendment, removing political subdivision not from being able to go to the
• So that's a big technical amendment, removing political subdivision not from being able to go to the
• Also perform the infrastructure that allows people to use that area.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• chapter 10 a section 10 A01 subdivision chapter 10 a section 10 A01 subdivision 35A. 35A. 35A.
• Visa is the infrastructure by which digital funds are moved.
• > would<01:20:35.199> have And then the infrastructure would have And then the infrastructure
• > by<01:21:07.440> which Visa is the infrastructure by which Visa is the infrastructure
• the infrastructure of which the infrastructure of which the cryptocurrency<01:21:47.840> is

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• municipalities coordinate infrastructure municipalities coordinate infrastructure and<00:32:21.760
• a political subdivision of the state?
• a political subdivision of the state. a political subdivision of the state.
• <01:06:52.000> do, that other political subdivisions do, that other political subdivisions
• board participates in a subdivision board participates in a subdivision application<02:35:42.399

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1003 aims to provide state support for critical infrastructure for housing developments.
• , as housing may fail to pencil out due to the cost of updating infrastructure.
• Housing infrastructure can cause housing to fail to pencil out due to the cost of updating infrastructure
• finance the infrastructure that makes infill housing possible.
• The state of... ...of neighbors submitted a frivolous appeal of our subdivision map.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• housing bonds and housing infrastructure housing bonds and housing infrastructure bonds<00:05:13.960
• million in additional infrastructure million in additional infrastructure costs.<01:13:19.080>
• c> uh<01:28:20.480> extensions Subdivision one are all uh extensions Subdivision one are all
• > that<01:29:16.160> came Subdivision three are requests that came Subdivision three are
• So employees and to the infrastructure.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee took up Senate File 203, a broad housing bill authored by Senator Port. Port described the measure as a package including $50 million in housing infrastructure bonds, MHFA administrative and investment reforms, expanded Greater Minnesota infrastructure grants for workforce housing, manufactured housing bill of rights provisions, and a private equity restriction on large investors buying certain single-family homes starting in 2026. Fiscal analyst Eric Olafson walked through the spreadsheet and said the $50 million bond authorization would add debt service costs over time, with the total estimated debt service for that authorization at about $75.8 million. Senator Draheim raised concern about the growing cost of bonding and said the state should rely more on cash than debt. The committee then adopted two technical amendments. The A21 amendment, described by Port as correcting manufactured housing bill of rights language, aligning MHFA board meeting language, conforming a lived-experience exemption to federal law, and fixing a capacity-building grants reference, was approved without objection. The A20 amendment, offered by Draheim, was also adopted and would give the legislature more control and visibility over MHFA funding and how quickly program dollars are reinvested after agency operations. Members then debated Draheim’s A22 amendment, which would delete the manufactured home park provisions from the bill. Draheim and several Republicans argued the section could function like rent control, could burden good park owners, and might have unintended consequences for park operations and purchases. Port, Senator Boldon’s allies, and other supporters said the provisions were needed to protect residents from rent spikes and private equity abuses in manufactured home communities, where residents own their homes but not the land. The transcript ends during that debate, before any final disposition on A22 or the bill itself is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, like many other infrastructure.
• Some of our infrastructure was on the verge of collapse. I thank you for your time.
• Some of our infrastructure was on the verge of collapse. I thank you for your time.
• Some of our infrastructure was on the verge of collapse. I thank you for your time.
• Manchester have major infrastructure Manchester have major infrastructure projects<01:12:35.360>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These sites are away from a subdivision or whatever it may be.
• What kind of infrastructure? infrastructure? infrastructure?
• subdivisions, but guess where it's at? subdivisions, but guess where it's at?
• The schools are infrastructure.
• They're pay for all this infrastructure.

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The Select Committee on School Facilities met to satisfy its quarterly statutory requirement and to discuss interim priorities. Staff from LSO reviewed the committee’s duties: monitoring K-12 school facilities statewide, prioritizing needs for the interim, and preparing a budget request due by November 1. They also noted the ongoing litigation related to the Chapter 3, Section 8 exception process and said the committee would move forward with securing a consultant to study that issue, as previously authorized by Management Council. A major topic was school funding formulas, especially how average daily membership (ADM) affects routine and major maintenance funding and how excess square footage is treated. Members revisited an earlier proposal to fund 135% of allowable square footage, which did not advance this session, and discussed whether some schools should instead be funded at a minimum percentage of their actual square footage. Staff explained that some districts have buildings larger than their formula allowance, and that the issue is complicated by older buildings, pools, and other unique facilities. They also noted that recent changes to the major maintenance multiplier increased funding and that some districts are still not fully covered by the formulas. Safety and security funding was another focus. The State Construction Department reported that $10 million was appropriated this year for safety and security upgrades, with some funds expected to go toward vestibules, bollards, and design work, and the rest through a district application process. Officials said the last comprehensive safety assessment was done more than 10 years ago and suggested a new consultant-led study to update priorities, since technology and building conditions have changed. Members also discussed the role of school resource officers and whether the committee should continue leading this work rather than handing it off to the recalibration committee. The committee also examined declining enrollment and excess capacity across the state, citing examples such as Newcastle, Shoshoni, Casper, Campbell County, and Fremont County. Officials said some districts are right-sizing by taking schools offline, while others cannot easily reduce capacity because the buildings are essential to the community. Charter school leasing was raised as a related concern, including the Mills charter school and the fact that the state pays lease costs based on ADM and allowable square footage. No formal votes were taken, but the committee agreed to continue studying these issues, likely including site visits and further data requests during the interim.