Video & Transcript Research : 'appropriations'
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Banking and Finance Committee Apr 28th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- The recommendation is do pass as amended to the Committee on Appropriations.
- And re-referred to the Committee on Appropriations. Soria?
- motion is due pass and refer to the Committee on Appropriations.
- The motion is due pass and refer to the Committee on Appropriations.
- Referred to Committee on Appropriations. Schiavo, aye.
Summary:
The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee met to hear several bills, beginning with a consent calendar that included AB 665 and AB 866, both adopted on a do pass basis and referred to Appropriations. The committee then took up AB 801, which would create a California Community Reinvestment Act to require covered financial institutions, including state-chartered banks, credit unions, residential mortgage lenders, and money transmitters, to meet the financial needs of low- and moderate-income communities and communities of color. The author and supporters argued the bill would close gaps left by the federal CRA, address redlining and discriminatory lending, and expand investment in housing, small business, and community development. Support came from community groups, CDFIs, labor, and housing advocates, while opposition from mortgage bankers and credit unions argued the bill would impose costly new reporting and regulatory burdens, especially on institutions they said already serve underserved borrowers well. Committee members discussed the scope of the bill, the experience of other states with state CRA laws, and possible carve-outs or tiered treatment for smaller credit unions. AB 801 was passed as amended and referred to Appropriations, with the roll left open and later completed; one member voted no and others were not voting or voted aye as the roll was finalized.
The committee also heard AB 743, which would require licensing and surety bonds for commercial lawsuit financing and bring those transactions under DFPI oversight. The author said the bill was aimed at a largely unregulated, multi-billion-dollar industry and was intended to increase transparency and address concerns about foreign interests, fraud, and abusive litigation funding practices, while not affecting consumer legal funding. Supporters, including Unified Patents, the Civil Justice Association of California, the California Chamber of Commerce, the California Trucking Association, and the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, said the bill was an important first step toward disclosure and regulation. There was no opposition testimony. AB 743 passed unanimously as amended and was referred to Appropriations, with the roll held open briefly for absent members before the committee adjourned.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Legislative Ethics Board Dec 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Even if it may be appropriate under the statute, sometimes it's not a good idea for a variety of other
- That doesn't mean that there aren't other situations in which it was appropriate.
- That doesn't mean that there aren't other situations in which it was appropriate.
- So would it be appropriate to approve this?
- So would that be appropriate to my board? If so, we need a motion to approve.
Summary:
The board approved the October 15 meeting minutes and then reviewed three employment disclosure forms involving staff or spouses employed by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board and the Department of Corrections. The disclosures were approved unanimously. The board also adopted a proposed rule change to conform board rules to a prior statutory amendment that separated fines from costs.
Members then discussed a draft advisory opinion interpreting the phrase “letter of recommendation” under the ethics statute. The draft would read the term broadly, allow legislators to decide when to write such letters when requested by a constituent, and reaffirm that it remains appropriate to use state resources for job references or scholarships for individuals the legislator has supervised or worked closely with at the legislature, as well as for certain gubernatorial appointments. Members generally supported the draft, but asked for possible clarification of the phrase “work closely with,” and approved the opinion as drafted with that caveat.
The board also reviewed proposed future meeting dates, noting a concern that January 19 falls on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and may need to be changed. No final action was taken on the dates during the public portion. The meeting then moved toward executive session after adjourning the public portion.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- for public employment appropriations for public employment cost<00:11:51.839>
items. - We don't believe this is appropriate.
- Moving on to HB 2271, making emergency appropriations for public employment cost items.
- Moving on to HB 2271, making emergency appropriations for public employment cost items.
- Moving on to HB 2272, making emergency appropriations for public employment cost items.
Keywords:
reimbursement, public employees, travel costs, government travel policy, finance management, job title, administrative assistant, executive assistant, state personnel, civil service, modernization, employment standards, DAGS, Department of Accounting and General Services, comptroller, civil service exemption, collective bargaining exemption, public works special project branch, specialized public works, information technology modernization
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V Feb 25th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Articles I, IV, & V
Transcript Highlights:
- In excess of amounts appropriated in order to provide salary increases.
- And then turning to page 4, you'll see here is a listing of the end-of-article appropriation by method
- Others, with regards to hiring people, we've always stayed within our appropriate amount.
- And I'll make this request on behalf of our entire board. legislative appropriation request, the PRB
- I would especially like to thank the appropriate appropriations committee for including the two exceptional
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Conference Committee on Budget May 4th, 2026
Conference Committee on Budget
Transcript Highlights:
- In the lapse that Senate appropriations staff has gone through, they looked, Senate appropriations staff
- And there's an amount certain we appropriate to four years.
- The appropriation is $500,000.
- So the appropriation is $1,132,328 on the GR line.
- On the federal line, the one below, the appropriation is $6,025,492.
Summary:
The meeting was a lengthy conference committee review of multiple budget bills, with most of the discussion focused on House Bill 2 and related education funding. Members walked through numerous fund switches and appropriations tied to the foundation formula, blind pension, Capital Commission, Lottery Proceeds, and Classroom Trust funds. Several members urged fully funding the foundation formula or getting as close as possible, while others defended the compromise approach as a way to close the gap with available revenue. The committee also settled a number of education-related items, including child care grants, career ladder, school safety training, assessment pilots, Title I reallocation, parents as teachers language, child care subsidy language, and flex percentages on selected lines. The committee agreed to sign the House Bill 2 conference report after resolving the listed positions and language compromises.
The committee then moved through House Bill 3 on higher education, agreeing to most Senate positions and a conference proposal directing the department to develop a new higher education funding model by December 1, 2026. Several members raised concerns about the timeline and whether the model would preserve separate funding buckets for two-year and four-year institutions, but the proposal was retained. House Bill 2004, covering transportation, was also reviewed, with compromises on items such as safety operations, low-volume roads, port funding, and several flex percentages. Members discussed the use of Capital Commission dollars and the status of road and port projects, and the bill was advanced with the agreed positions.
House Bill 5, dealing with information technology and administration, generated substantial debate over a new Senate-added language proposal for OA/ITSD. Several members objected that the language was overly prescriptive, resembled a resolution, and could steer the state toward a specific cloud-computing direction or vendor; others said it was intended to create accountability and a plan for better oversight of IT spending. The committee left some items open briefly, then returned with a shorter conference proposal and agreed to distribute it. House Bill 7, House Bill 8, House Bill 9, and House Bill 2010 were also handled, with a mix of Senate, House, and compromise positions on public safety, veterans, agriculture, economic development, and behavioral health items. The committee recessed several times and repeatedly instructed members to sign the conference reports after the agreed changes were read into the record.
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado Senate 2026 Legislative Day 098 Apr 22nd, 2026
Colorado Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:35:12.079>
with committee on appropriations with committee on appropriations with favorable - <01:54:57.520>
Any to the appropriations report. Any to the appropriations report. - To the appropriations is adopted. To the appropriations report. report. report.
- your support on the appropries report. your support on the appropries report.
- also heard this bill in appropriations. also heard this bill in appropriations.
Summary:
The Senate met with a quorum present, approved the previous day’s journal, and received several housekeeping notices, including corrected engrossments/enrollments and committee reports. The Committee on Education reported Senate Bill 23, and the Committee on Judiciary reported Senate Bill 149, both amended and referred to Appropriations with favorable recommendation. The chamber also recognized former Representative Lang Sias as a special guest and heard several moments of personal privilege, including introductions of guests connected to the Boulder Boulder race and the Leadership Program of the Rockies.
The Senate then took up Senate Resolution 6, designating April 2026 as National Donate Life Month. Supporters highlighted Colorado’s high donor registration rate, the work of Donor Alliance, and personal stories about organ and tissue donation saving lives. The resolution was adopted 34-0, with the current roll call added as co-sponsors. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 7, designating April 2026 as Second Chance Month. Proponents emphasized the impact of collateral consequences on people with criminal records, the importance of employment and reentry, and the value of redemption and public safety; the resolution passed 34-0 and the current roll call was added as co-sponsors.
Finally, the Senate considered Senate Joint Resolution 23, recognizing Young Americans Bank and the Young Americans Center for Financial Education for their contributions to financial literacy education in Colorado. The resolution cited House Bill 25-1192’s new financial literacy requirements and praised the organizations’ experiential learning model and statewide reach. Senators spoke about Bill Daniels’ legacy and the programs’ impact on students, including testimony that the institutions have served hundreds of thousands of Colorado youth. The resolution was read at length and discussed, but the transcript cuts off before a final vote is shown.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Jun 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I respectfully ask for your aye vote at the appropriate time. Thank you.
- I respectfully ask for your aye vote at the appropriate time. Thank you.
- File item number three, SB 1025, Hurtado, do pass to appropriations.
- File item number one, SB 247, Smallwood-Cuevas, do pass to appropriations.
- File item number four, SB 1044, Reyes, do pass as amended to appropriations.
Summary:
The committee heard several measures focused on economic development, procurement, workforce equity, federal infrastructure funding, and food security. SB 1044 by Senator Reyes would raise and then index to inflation the cap for streamlined state contracts awarded to certified small businesses, microbusinesses, and disabled veteran business enterprises for services and IT work; supporters said the current cap is outdated and limits access, while opponents representing goods suppliers and some small business groups argued the bill could disadvantage goods contractors and should preserve lower thresholds for those contracts. After discussion about the ceiling versus floor effect of the cap and the impact on different types of businesses, the bill was approved as amended and sent to Appropriations. SB 247 by Senator Smallwood-Cuevas would create a bid preference for projects that hire workers from disadvantaged communities; supporters framed it as a way to connect public infrastructure spending to family-sustaining jobs, while union construction employers opposed it because they said they cannot control worker dispatch through hiring halls and the bill would be difficult to implement. The committee advanced the measure to Appropriations despite those concerns.
The committee also approved SJR 6 by Senator Cortese, which urges the federal government to honor commitments under the bipartisan infrastructure law, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act, with supporters emphasizing the importance of certainty for California infrastructure, clean energy, and semiconductor investments. SB 1025 by Senator Hurtado would establish an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate food assistance efforts and develop a statewide food security strategy; supporters from a Kern County food bank and the University of California said the state’s response to hunger is fragmented and needs better coordination, while committee members asked about deliverables and timelines. The bill was sent to Appropriations.
The committee also took up consent items SB 700 and SB 1340, which were moved on consent to Appropriations, and the hearing ended with the remaining votes recorded and the bills advanced. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly discussed the need for clearer implementation details, data on program impacts, and how to balance equity goals with operational realities for state agencies, contractors, and small businesses.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-02-20 (9:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Chair of the Appropriations Committee.
- Next, we'll go to the Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice.
- We've appropriated $250 million.
- And I'm surprised it didn't come up in the full appropriations committee.
- Be entitled an act implementing the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 18, 2025 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- The appropriation for the 2024-25 fiscal year is 100,000.
- Of the $134.8 million total appropriation, $9.64 million was appropriated within the General Appropriations
- I don't know if it's appropriate at this time as well. Yes, that's fine. Thank you.
- And there's also some appropriations requests, and I-CUF as a sector doesn't lobby.
- So this year, the total appropriation in the General Appropriations Act was $134.8 million, broken up
Summary:
The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee heard and advanced House Bill 1145, which clarifies that public charter schools may participate in the CAP Grant Fund. The bill’s amendment expanded a separate “money-back guarantee” concept for state colleges, requiring participating institutions to offer six eligible programs and refund tuition if graduates do not find qualifying employment within six months under standardized job-search requirements. Members asked about refund rates, student notification, fiscal impact, and whether the proposal accounted for disability or out-of-state job searches. Public testimony on the amendment and bill was in support from Nathan Hoffman of the Foundation for Florida’s Future, and the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute by a 16-1 vote, with Representative Aristide voting no over the charter school issue.
The committee then received presentations on the William L. Boyd IV Effective Access to Student Education (EASE) Grant and the private nonprofit college sector. Department of Education staff explained that EASE, created in 1979, provides tuition assistance to eligible full-time undergraduates at participating private institutions, with a 2024-25 maximum award of $3,500 and an additional EASE Plus incentive of up to $850 for students in high-demand fields. The department reviewed the program’s funding history, disbursement process, and accountability metrics, including access, affordability, graduation, retention, and postgraduate employment/continuing education. Members asked about award proration, eligibility for other aid, religious-program restrictions, and why some institutions had low or unavailable graduation-rate data.
ICUF President Robert Boyd argued that EASE is a strong return on investment and described ICUF institutions as not-for-profit, four-year schools serving many Pell-eligible, adult, military, and minority students. He said the sector produces a significant share of Florida’s bachelor’s, graduate, nursing, and education degrees, and highlighted ICUF’s dashboard with additional transparency metrics, program earnings data, and net price calculators. Boyd and members discussed graduation and completion rates, NCLEX passage rates, affordability, institutional flexibility, and whether schools with lower graduation rates should be compared differently because of their student populations. The presentations ended with no further business, and the meeting adjourned.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 2/12/25
Transportation Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- , trunk highway fund appropriations, and the MnDOT allocation.
- <00:15:03.279>
um uh authorizations and Appropriations um uh authorizations and Appropriations - for quarters of Commerce also had appropriations for state road construction generally.
- An appropriation of $26 million of one-time money is imminently needed.
- <01:42:38.960>
$50 um last cycle we appropriated $50 um last cycle we appropriated $50 million
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee Jun 15th, 2026
Business, Professions and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- So with that, at the appropriate time, I'll move the bill. Thank you.
- We will, you know, have a motion when appropriate, so thank you.
- I respectfully ask for your aye vote when the time is appropriate. Thank you.
- Okay, so maybe this is the appropriate question for the author then.
- The appropriate time. Thank you.
Summary:
The committee heard several health, professional licensing, consumer protection, and animal welfare bills. Early items included AB 1307, which would create a pilot program allowing up to 30 qualified dentists from Mexico to work in underserved California areas; the California Dental Association moved from opposition to neutral after amendments, and members discussed access to care and oversight. AB 1703 would restrict use of osteopathic titles and the practice of osteopathic manipulative treatment to licensed DOs; it drew strong support from the Osteopathic Medical Board and physician groups, but non-physician osteopaths opposed it, arguing they have long provided safe care and that the bill would criminalize their work. AB 2250 made technical cleanup changes to hemp enforcement laws and AB 1758 raised the seller-of-travel assessment for the Travel Consumer Restitution Fund; both had support and no opposition. AB 1794 would allow prescribed enteral formula to be shipped directly to patients’ homes, and AB 1939 would allow licensed professional fiduciaries to form corporations, both with support and no opposition. AB 1775 would expand expedited licensing and other state support for service members discharged under a federal transgender military policy; it received emotional support testimony and some committee concern about expanding priority categories, but no opposition. AB 2477 would create a limited provisional period for new pest control employees to work under supervision while licensing is pending, and members discussed amendments and oversight before moving it forward. AB 1999 would modernize veterinary law by creating shelter-veterinarian and retired-volunteer pathways, changing VCPR rules, and narrowing the owner exemption for surgery; it was strongly supported by veterinary and animal welfare groups, with some discussion of autonomy and implementation. AB 2010 would permit high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter clinics and mobile sterilization units without a separate surgical suite; the Veterinary Medical Board opposed unless amended, while animal welfare groups supported it, and members emphasized the need for safety and clarity. AB 2311 would let public health care district hospitals directly employ physicians, with amendments intended to protect physician autonomy; CMA remained opposed unless amended, while district hospitals and other supporters said it would improve recruitment and access. The committee also heard AB 2402, which would update the definition and fee structure for multi-service health club studios, but the discussion was cut off in the transcript. After quorum was established, the committee voted to pass several bills out on call, including AB 1307, AB 1598 consent, AB 1703, AB 1758, AB 1775, AB 1794, AB 1939, AB 1999, AB 2010, AB 2250, AB 2311, and AB 2477, sending them to the appropriate fiscal or policy committees, with some recorded no votes on a few measures.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate State and Local Government Apr 10th, 2025 at 02:30 pm
State and Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- That's the policy and appropriations process.
- And I would argue he does not have authority through the appropriations process to hire a lawyer.
- But they don't have authority through the appropriations process.
- So if we added them to this list, we would be usurping the appropriations process.
- Or would this bill have to go to appropriations because we threw it in there?
Summary:
The Senate State and Local Government Committee reconvened and reviewed the status of several bills. The chair said bill 1377 could not be acted on until the House finished work on campaign finance bill 2156, and bill 1535 likely would not be ready because of unresolved concerns from Representative Davis and planned meetings with Highway Patrol and BCI. The committee therefore focused on bill 1601, which dealt with when the Attorney General may refuse or revoke special assistant attorney general appointments for certain state offices and entities.
Members debated the policy and constitutional implications of the bill, including whether it was solving a real problem or creating a potential conflict, and whether statewide elected officials and independent bodies should have their own counsel. After testimony from the Chief Deputy Attorney General clarifying current law and the appropriations process, the committee amended the bill to add the Ethics Commission to the list of entities and to narrow the affected offices to the Governor, State Auditor, and Ethics Commission. The committee also changed one provision from “and” to “or” to clarify the standard for refusal or revocation.
The committee then approved the bill as amended on a 6-0 vote and designated Senator Braunberger as the carrier. The chair said the committee would not meet the next morning and would instead reconvene the following week at the call of the chair.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 04/09/25
Jobs and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Um there's also an appropriation that we changed to a previous appropriation that also um addresses this
- . appropriation. appropriation.
- Line appropriation.
- Line 1.16 to appropriation.
- , and statutory appropriations that appropriation was already in statute.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans - 03/19/25
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:20:01.440>
But don't overrun the appropriation. But don't overrun the appropriation. - Uh each increase that appropriation.
- :29:44.000>
end appropriated to functionally end appropriated to functionally end veterans<00: - > which<00:32:05.600>
were um initial appropriations which were um initial appropriations - reduced from the initial appropriations reduced from the initial appropriations for<00:32:38.399
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- Appropriations.
- Appropriations.
- Appropriations.
- Appropriations.
- Appropriations.
Summary:
The House opened with a devotional reading for St. Patrick’s Day, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the reading of a resignation letter from Representative Hooper of Burlington. The letter said the House environment had changed significantly and that he was resigning before the next cycle, while thanking colleagues and urging bold leadership to address major problems facing Vermonters.
Members then received first readings and referrals for a large slate of bills. House bills introduced included measures on tax administration, hunting license fees, emergency management, oath and affirmation language in statutes, judiciary procedures, a Vermont homelessness response continuum, paperwork reduction, public utility subjects, municipal regulation of agriculture, miscellaneous agricultural subjects, and municipal permitting of ground-mounted solar arrays. Senate bills referred to House committees included vocational rehabilitation, home improvement and land improvement fraud, advanced metering infrastructure devices, water quality, and fair employment practices. Several other bills on the notice calendar were also referred to Ways and Means or Appropriations because they affected state revenue or carried appropriations.
The House adopted two concurrent resolutions on the consent calendar: HCR 214, honoring Irish-American patriots and their role in American independence, and HCR 220, welcoming the USS Vermont’s namesake visit and designating April 18, 2026 as USS Vermont Day. Members also offered announcements recognizing guests from the USS Vermont and related veterans’ groups, remembering former Representative Ken Harvey, and noting upcoming events such as March Madness pools, the Legislative Cabaret, a Rural Caucus meeting, and a NAMI Walks team.
On the floor calendar, H. 723 on posting of land was taken up, amended as recommended by the Committee on Environment, and ordered to third reading on a 10-0-1 committee vote. The House then began second reading of H. 757 on manufactured homes and limited equity cooperatives; committee members described manufactured housing as a key affordable housing option in Vermont and said the bill would clarify how these homes are purchased, titled, taxed, and financed, while reducing costs and improving consistency for homeowners, lenders, and municipalities.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- , making appropriations from legislative cash balances for expenses of the second special session of
- And so we are, the bill does appropriate money: $162,502,771 to the Medicaid program, to HCA.
- appropriate.
- And, Madam President and Senator, prior to this appropriation that we're discussing today...
- The money is there. $5 billion was already appropriated from Congress.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact Jul 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- With that, I respectfully ask for an I vote when it's appropriate. Thank you.
- Do pass to appropriations. Petrie-Norris? Aye. Petrie-Norris, aye.
- File item number four, SB 263, Gonzalez, do pass to appropriations. Salache? Aye. Appropriations.
- File item number four, SB 263, Gonzalez, due pass to appropriations. Stephanie, aye.
- File item number two, SB 70, so do pass to appropriations, 7-0. This bill is out.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact met on July 11, 2025, and heard six measures focused on small business contracting, ports and trade, local economic development, clean energy transition, tariff impacts, and infrastructure finance. SB 70 would raise the Small Business Procurement and Contract Act contract cap from $250,000 to $350,000 and index it to inflation; supporters said it would reflect current economic conditions, while opponents argued it could reduce transparency, favor larger firms, and strain small businesses’ ability to carry inventory and wait for payment. The bill was approved 7-0 to Appropriations.
AJR 14 urged federal agencies to consider the effects of tariff policy on California ports, with testimony emphasizing impacts on cargo volumes, jobs, supply chains, and infrastructure needs; it passed 7-0. SB 781 would require cities and counties to adopt small business utilization plans and strengthen the California Small Business Technical Assistance Program; chambers of commerce and committee members supported it as a way to expand procurement opportunities and technical assistance, and it passed 7-0 to Local Government. SB 227 would extend and expand the Green Empowerment Zone in Contra Costa County, add environmental justice representatives, and extend authorization to 2040; it passed 7-0 to the floor.
SB 263 would direct the California Transportation Agency to study the statewide impacts of tariffs, with supporters from the ports, retail, and trucking sectors arguing that better data is needed to guide budgeting and policy responses; it passed 7-0 to Appropriations. SB 769 would create the Golden State Infrastructure Fund to finance major infrastructure projects through a revolving public-private investment model; supporters said it would help address long-term infrastructure needs and prepare for major events, and the bill passed 6-0 to Appropriations after opposition was withdrawn. All measures were reported out of committee, and the meeting adjourned at 10:39 a.m.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- And not state the appropriations; the appropriations, again, can be seen in the House columns on the
- Appropriations. A similar story on line 1385.
- Line 1401 reduces the partner engagement and staffing appropriations.
- So in lieu of a base appropriation in Minnesota Care that needs to be appropriated in order for the money
- With appropriate requirements.
Bills:
HF2435
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Appropriations Jun 1st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Your line of questioning is appropriate.
- They feel is appropriate for each area.
- I think we had a robust conversation two sessions ago about what is appropriate, what's an appropriate
- So I think that the existing statutory language was appropriate two years ago and is appropriate today
- I think that the existing statutory language was appropriate two years ago and is appropriate today.
Summary:
The Committee on Appropriations took up SJR 2-F, a proposed constitutional amendment to reduce property taxes by lowering assessment caps on non-homestead property, expanding homestead exemptions over time, and allowing local governments to increase exemptions further. The sponsor argued the measure would provide broad property tax relief while requiring revenues to be directed to core services such as public safety, education, infrastructure, and natural resource projects, with a trust fund intended to help local governments transition. Senators raised concerns about the lack of a fiscal score, the effect on counties, cities, school districts, and special districts, and whether the proposal would shift costs to fees or other taxes.
Several amendments were debated. Senator Polsky’s amendment to explicitly authorize user fees and non-ad valorem assessments to offset lost property tax revenue failed. Senator Avila’s amendment broadening permissible uses of ad valorem revenue to include county constitutional officers and other expenditures approved by local governing bodies was adopted after debate over whether the bill would otherwise underfund essential functions. Senator Smith’s sunset amendment, which would have made the constitutional changes expire after five years, failed. Senator Smith’s amendment to allow tourism development tax revenue to support public safety and education also failed. Senator Graal’s amendment removing the constitutional trust fund language was adopted, with supporters arguing the Constitution should not promise an unfunded account.
Additional late-file amendments were considered. Senator Berman’s proposal to change the ballot title to more neutrally describe the measure as affecting property taxes and local community service reductions failed. Senator Trumbull’s amendment removing school board ad valorem taxes from the proposal was adopted, preserving school taxes. Senator Smith’s amendment narrowing the non-homestead assessment cap reduction to small businesses only failed. The committee then returned to the bill as amended and continued questioning the sponsor about eligibility, fiscal impacts, and whether the proposal could lead to local governments offsetting lost revenue through special assessments or other charges.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:21:18.640>
issuer determines the appropriate issuer determines the appropriate issuer - uh listed in the grant appropriation uh listed in the grant appropriation language<00:39:17.760>
- 20.520>
costs language Andor um uh appropriate costs language Andor um uh appropriate costs as - the the dollars that we've appropriated the the dollars that we've appropriated to<00:53:49.319>
- general fund money um it's appropriated general fund money um it's appropriated<01:17:51.880>
to<