Transcript Highlights:

• Our highways are not built for that type of traffic, and with Expanded our port of entries, our highways
• We have access to, of course, what would be a Latino community, which is also a strong bond that we're
• And there was an accident that was involved on our main highway, the I-10, which created such a backlog
• , and the highway shut down completely.
• Because of the scenic highways, the lakes, via Pena Blanca, Patagonia.

Committee: House House International Trade Committee of Reference

Summary: The House Committee on International Trade held its first meeting of the session with member introductions and opening remarks emphasizing Arizona’s interest in foreign relations, border commerce, and collaboration with trading partners, especially Mexico. Chair Tony Rivera noted the state’s trade offices in Mexico and framed the committee’s work as a way to strengthen Arizona’s international relationships. Staff were introduced, and members were reminded of amendment deadlines, though no bills were heard. The committee then heard a presentation from the Nogales-Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce and the Santa Cruz County Provisional Community College District. Chamber representatives described Nogales as a major gateway for trade, tourism, agriculture, and logistics, and said the region is investing in entrepreneurship support, bilingual business resources, digital and e-commerce training, and workforce development tied to mining and logistics. They also highlighted tourism promotion efforts and said infrastructure, housing, and pedestrian access at the ports of entry are major needs. Committee members asked about regulatory and infrastructure improvements, housing and health-care challenges, and tourism data. Greg Lucero of the provisional community college described the district’s unusual status, its contract with Pima College to provide instruction, and the impact of South32’s mining project on enrollment and workforce training demand. He said the district is focusing on AI, advanced manufacturing, trades, and ESL support, while working toward accreditation. Members asked about industry partnerships, certificate timelines, and programs tied to Arizona-Mexico trade. The committee also heard from Cattlemex, T4 Ranch, Arizona Cattle Feeder Association, and J.M. Fletcher Cattle Co. on the closure of the U.S.-Mexico border to live cattle imports because of New World screwworm concerns. Testimony argued that Sonora cattle are safe, that Arizona ports are strategically important, and that reopening the ports would support feedlots, packing plants, jobs, and lower beef prices. Witnesses urged a state-by-state USDA reopening, especially for Sonora, and said Arizona should not be penalized for outbreaks elsewhere in Mexico. Members asked about industry support, the effect of grazing restrictions, the future of Arizona’s livestock sector, and whether a Sonora-specific carve-out could be safely implemented. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• on trucks as they're driving down the highway.
• We all know that traveling on the highway, there are literal guardrails.
• What was the bond bill? What? Do they have drama about the bond bill? I hope not.
• Where's our bond members? Nobody wants to take credit for this?
• It's a pleasure to serve on bond with you.

Summary: The House convened with quorum, offered prayers and moments of silence for community members who had recently died, and recognized several guests and family members in the chamber. After routine communications and passage of consent calendar 29, the chamber took up a series of measures on the main and colored agendas, with several bills and resolutions passing by voice vote or roll call. Among the measures approved were House Concurrent Resolution 157, which as amended requested a State Lottery report on options to support traditional lottery retailers; Senate Bill 53 on the Delaware Farm to Community Program; Senate Bill 307 on PSC authority for Lifeline telecommunications carriers; Senate Bill 339 clarifying health directive forms in mental health facilities; Senate Bill 235 on manufactured home community rent increases; Senate Bill 325, as amended, updating fire prevention and volunteer fire/EMS background check rules; Senate Bill 309 on inmate work and discharge of incarceration-related balances; Senate Bill 324 on deadly weapons and constable agency representatives; Senate Bill 293 on youth camp child care licensing; Senate Bill 94 on respiratory care practitioners and ECMO medication delivery; and Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 100, proposing a constitutional amendment protecting the right to marry regardless of race or gender while preserving religious freedom. House Bill 188, changing Delaware primary elections to allow unaffiliated voters to choose a party primary, also passed after debate. Two measures drew extended discussion and amendments. Senate Bill 233, requiring snow and ice to be removed from vehicles, was tabled once, then later amended and passed after debate over whether the law was workable for truck drivers and other vehicle operators; a proposed truck-related exemption amendment failed. House Substitute 1 for House Bill 404, creating a pilot program for artificial intelligence and extended reality in schools, passed after testimony from the Department of Education emphasizing guardrails, privacy, and educator oversight, alongside concerns from members about data, bias, and long-term effects. Several items were tabled or reconsidered during the session, and the House adjourned after completing the day’s business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 460 by Senator Pressly, state highways, designate a portion of a highway in Caddo Parish
• as a memorial highway.
• Highway 190 in St. Tammany Parish as the Corporal Justin D. McLeese Memorial Bridge.
• It’s obstruction of public property; it’s obstruction of sidewalks, highways, etc.
• It's obstruction of public property, it's obstruction of sidewalks, highways, etc.

Bills: HR153 , HR154 , HR155 , HR156 , HR157 , HR158 , HCR57 , HCR58 , HCR59 , HR133 , HR134 , HR135 , HR136 , HR137 , HR138 , HR139 , HR140 , HR141 , HR142 , HR144 , HR145 , HR146 , HR147 , HR148 , HR149 , HR150 , HR151 , HR152 , SCR28 , SB141 , SB169 , SB206 , SB233 , SB417 , SB421 , SB429 , SB437 , SB477 , SB510 , SB521 , HR1 , HR17 , HCR5 , HB55 , HB385 , HB394 , HB396 , HB406 , HB608 , HB622 , HB676 , HB772 , HB897 , HB902 , HB943 , HB1030 , HB1035 , HB1038 , HB1045 , HB1049 , HB1056 , HB1058 , HB1059 , HB1092 , HB1100 , HB1117 , HB1160 , HB1161 , HB1162 , HB1177 , HB1180 , HB1189 , HB1216 , HB1239 , HB1240 , SB127 , HB284 , HB1 , HB2 , HB3 , HB312 , HB313 , HB383 , HB314 , HCR3 , HB983 , HB1126 , HB21 , HB24 , HB29 , HB31 , HB39 , HB45 , HB77 , HB136 , HB150 , HB263 , HB273 , HB299 , HB315 , HB376 , HB377 , HB431 , HB444 , HB450 , HB519 , HB533 , HB538 , HB559 , HB562 , HB663 , HB664 , HB715 , HB717 , HB805 , HB822 , HB823 , HB834 , HB864 , HB867 , HB1017 , HB1018 , HB1068 , HB1134 , HB1137 , HB1234 , HB1235 , HB1236 , HB211 , HB27 , HB71 , HB214 , HB225 , HB241 , HB244 , HB306 , HB345 , HB366 , HB446 , HB511 , HB514 , HB655 , HB730 , HB743 , HB1027 , HB1037 , HB1043 , HB1082 , HB1091 , HB1096 , HB1103 , HB1167 , HB1174 , HB1175 , HB1230 , HB1237 , HB1238 , SB162 , SB349 , SB350 , SB382 , SB383 , HB401 , HB51 , HB58 , HB140 , HB982 , HB1010 , HB132 , HB193 , HB635 , HB690 , HB1003 , HB750 , HB911 , HB151 , HB180 , HB192 , HB310 , HB961 , HB1146 , HB977 , HB181 , HB901 , HR20 , HR74 , HB9 , HB393 , HB459 , HB577 , HB582 , HB605 , HB614 , HB615 , HB682 , HB733 , HB773 , HB996 , HB1113

Keywords: commendation, robotics, high school, competition, education, Tomato Festival, community celebration, Our Lady of Prompt Succor, fundraising, local heritage, Holocaust, remembrance, Yom HaShoah, Jewish history, condolences, community service, law enforcement, legacy, Shreveport, D.A.R.E. Program

Transcript Highlights:

• I can tell you what mine are coming back and forth on Highway 5 or Highway 80 from San Jose, but we will
• If they bond out of ...jail or they're released from jail without a bond, there are no conditions.
• The Highway Patrol back in 2017 initiated an impaired driving task force.
• The Highway Patrol back in 2017 initiated an impaired driving task force.
• Caltrans, the California DOT, has what's called the Strategic Highway Safety Plan.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Highway 11 in St.
• Highway 11 in St. Tammany Parish as the Dan de Blanc American Hero Memorial Highway.
• Memorial Highway.
• Basically, Highway 182 is a long highway.
• Highway 182 is a long highway.

Bills: SB525 , SR112 , SR109 , SCR61 , SCR62 , SCR12 , HB175 , HB276 , HB437 , HB456 , HB457 , HB459 , HB488 , HB579 , HB656 , HB804 , HB818 , HB841 , HB981 , HB1052 , HB1089 , HB1101 , HB1154 , HB1166 , HB1193 , HB1194 , HB1203 , HB1209 , HB1244 , HB1249 , HB221 , HCR69 , HCR58 , SB57 , SB405 , SB414 , HB62 , HB193 , HB203 , HB205 , HB210 , HB220 , HB222 , HB228 , HB246 , HB420 , HB475 , HB486 , HB574 , HB584 , HB750 , HB799 , HB813 , HB815 , HB826 , HB870 , HB949 , HB953 , HB1045 , HB1092 , HB1151 , HB1162 , HB1176 , HB1177 , HB1196 , HB1214 , HB1236 , HB1241 , SB106 , SB206 , SB248 , SB441 , SR86 , SCR30 , SB83 , SB135 , SB143 , SB155 , SB157 , SB202 , SB237 , SB276 , SB295 , SB388 , SB450 , SB465 , SB35 , SB65 , SB215 , SB246 , SB249 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB323 , SB363 , SB369 , SB474 , SB484 , SB490 , SB492 , SB500 , SB501 , SB513 , HCR31 , HB301 , HB358 , HB359 , HB384 , HB413 , HB428 , HB450 , HB462 , HB547 , HB613 , HB631 , HB657 , HB669 , HB675 , HB680 , HB691 , HB712 , HB716 , HB720 , HB723 , HB727 , HB728 , HB735 , HB747 , HB759 , HB825 , HB845 , HB846 , HB903 , HB904 , HB907 , HB923 , HB929 , HB941 , HB962 , HB965 , HB1036 , HB287 , HB370 , HB515 , HB521 , HB570 , HB1200 , HB29 , HB39 , HB58 , HB67 , HB73 , HB76 , HB77 , HB82 , HB112 , HB121 , HB125 , HB132 , HB134 , HB151 , HB154 , HB155 , HB161 , HB166 , HB187 , HB191 , HB207 , HB211 , HB224 , HB238 , HB241 , HB242 , HB250 , HB260 , HB265 , HB275 , HB300 , HB320 , HB338 , HB339 , HB349 , HB379 , HB399 , HB427 , HB463 , HB464 , HB468 , HB545 , HB550 , HB551 , HB565 , HB588 , HB639 , HB725 , HB782 , HB805 , HB808 , HB834 , HB847 , HB853 , HB858 , HB861 , HB883 , HB916 , HB937 , HB977 , HB1012 , HB1027 , HB1044 , HB1054 , HB1091 , HB1117 , HB90 , HB127 , HB138 , HB150 , HB201 , HB268 , HB273 , HB285 , HB315 , HB354 , HB355 , HB360 , HB376 , HB445 , HB506 , HB606 , HB649 , HB665 , HB681 , HB721 , HB746 , HB757 , HB781 , HB835 , HB844 , HB857 , HB872 , HB886 , HB889 , HB892 , HB972 , HB982 , HB987 , HB1037 , HB1068 , HB1072 , HB1078 , HB1085 , HB1132 , HB1137 , HB1167 , HB1174 , HB1232 , HB1238 , HB23 , HB136 , HB36 , HB119 , HB126 , HB129 , HB245 , HB271 , HB280 , HB337 , HB351 , HB677 , HB726 , HB789 , HB850 , HB956 , HB966 , SB149 , SB382

Keywords: unclaimed property, abandoned property, escheat, state treasurer, administrator, claimant, purchase agreement, assignment, property recovery, owner verification, documentation requirements, fraud prevention, bankruptcy, bankruptcy court, court order, Uniform Unclaimed Property Act, Louisiana Revised Statutes, R.S. 9:167.1, Chennault International Airport, 40th anniversary

Summary: The Senate convened with 27 members present, heard a guest minister’s prayer for the National Day of Prayer, and adopted the pledge. The chamber then dispensed with the journal and received a legislative bureau report on numerous House bills. It also received House messages on several Senate bills and joint resolutions, including concurrence on multiple Senate measures with amendments, and introduced Senate Concurrent Resolution 63, which would request an audit of the fiscal note process. The Senate adopted Senate Resolution 86, which would prohibit eyeglasses with video or audio recording capability on the Senate floor without approval from the President. Several Senate bills were advanced, including measures on human trafficking training in schools (SB 83), bulletproof vests for peace officers (SB 143), dental care for cancer patients (SB 155), parental leave for educators (SB 157), election board compensation days (SB 202), child welfare and the state child ombudsman (SB 237), brain injury treatment coverage (SB 295), foreign-adversary contract review and homeland security (SB 388), school safety reporting (SB 450), and prompt-pay standards for health care claims (SB 465). Most of these bills passed the Senate unanimously or near-unanimously and were moved to reconsider, while SB 513 on public works average-bid contracting was amended and returned to the calendar. The Senate also took up many House bills, passing measures on voluntary portable benefits for independent contractors (HB 301), memorial highway and terminal designations (HB 358, HB 384, HB 428, HB 657, HB 675, HB 716, HB 972), insurance and health-related changes (HB 413, HB 450, HB 631, HB 680), workforce development (HB 680), and a seafood research authorization near Grand Isle (HB 669). Several bills were amended before passage, including HB 359 on election qualifying rules and HB 675 with an added memorial corridor for crossing guard Katie Wells. Other House bills were received but not acted on or were returned to the calendar. The session ended with committee announcements, a brief recognition of mothers in the chamber, and adjournment until Monday, May 11 at 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Memorial Highway.
• Highway 11 in St.
• Basically, Highway 182 is a long highway.
• Basically, 182 is a long highway. There's a name change. 182 is a long highway.
• Highway.

Bills: SB525 , SR112 , SR109 , SCR61 , SCR62 , SCR12 , HB175 , HB276 , HB437 , HB456 , HB457 , HB459 , HB488 , HB579 , HB656 , HB804 , HB818 , HB841 , HB981 , HB1052 , HB1089 , HB1101 , HB1154 , HB1166 , HB1193 , HB1194 , HB1203 , HB1209 , HB1244 , HB1249 , HB221 , HCR69 , HCR58 , SB57 , SB405 , SB414 , HB62 , HB193 , HB203 , HB205 , HB210 , HB220 , HB222 , HB228 , HB246 , HB420 , HB475 , HB486 , HB574 , HB584 , HB750 , HB799 , HB813 , HB815 , HB826 , HB870 , HB949 , HB953 , HB1045 , HB1092 , HB1151 , HB1162 , HB1176 , HB1177 , HB1196 , HB1214 , HB1236 , HB1241 , SB106 , SB206 , SB248 , SB441 , SR86 , SCR30 , SB83 , SB135 , SB143 , SB155 , SB157 , SB202 , SB237 , SB276 , SB295 , SB388 , SB450 , SB465 , SB35 , SB65 , SB215 , SB246 , SB249 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB323 , SB363 , SB369 , SB474 , SB484 , SB490 , SB492 , SB500 , SB501 , SB513 , HCR31 , HB301 , HB358 , HB359 , HB384 , HB413 , HB428 , HB450 , HB462 , HB547 , HB613 , HB631 , HB657 , HB669 , HB675 , HB680 , HB691 , HB712 , HB716 , HB720 , HB723 , HB727 , HB728 , HB735 , HB747 , HB759 , HB825 , HB845 , HB846 , HB903 , HB904 , HB907 , HB923 , HB929 , HB941 , HB962 , HB965 , HB1036 , HB287 , HB370 , HB515 , HB521 , HB570 , HB1200 , HB29 , HB39 , HB58 , HB67 , HB73 , HB76 , HB77 , HB82 , HB112 , HB121 , HB125 , HB132 , HB134 , HB151 , HB154 , HB155 , HB161 , HB166 , HB187 , HB191 , HB207 , HB211 , HB224 , HB238 , HB241 , HB242 , HB250 , HB260 , HB265 , HB275 , HB300 , HB320 , HB338 , HB339 , HB349 , HB379 , HB399 , HB427 , HB463 , HB464 , HB468 , HB545 , HB550 , HB551 , HB565 , HB588 , HB639 , HB725 , HB782 , HB805 , HB808 , HB834 , HB847 , HB853 , HB858 , HB861 , HB883 , HB916 , HB937 , HB977 , HB1012 , HB1027 , HB1044 , HB1054 , HB1091 , HB1117 , HB90 , HB127 , HB138 , HB150 , HB201 , HB268 , HB273 , HB285 , HB315 , HB354 , HB355 , HB360 , HB376 , HB445 , HB506 , HB606 , HB649 , HB665 , HB681 , HB721 , HB746 , HB757 , HB781 , HB835 , HB844 , HB857 , HB872 , HB886 , HB889 , HB892 , HB972 , HB982 , HB987 , HB1037 , HB1068 , HB1072 , HB1078 , HB1085 , HB1132 , HB1137 , HB1167 , HB1174 , HB1232 , HB1238 , HB23 , HB136 , HB36 , HB119 , HB126 , HB129 , HB245 , HB271 , HB280 , HB337 , HB351 , HB677 , HB726 , HB789 , HB850 , HB956 , HB966 , SB149 , SB382

Keywords: unclaimed property, abandoned property, escheat, state treasurer, administrator, claimant, purchase agreement, assignment, property recovery, owner verification, documentation requirements, fraud prevention, bankruptcy, bankruptcy court, court order, Uniform Unclaimed Property Act, Louisiana Revised Statutes, R.S. 9:167.1, Chennault International Airport, 40th anniversary

Transcript Highlights:

• And secondly, 1301 to 1302, Sound Transit 75-year bonds. This should look familiar.
• Authorized Sound Transit to issue bonds with terms up to 75 years.
• Going back to the Sound Transit 75-year bond, at the very end in this explanation, it says, if a bond
• If a bond issuance exceeds 40 years, then Sound Transit is ineligible for regional mobility grants.
• And that provision was in 6148 and it would say that any time Sound Transit were to issue a bond with

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 378 modernizes the Oklahoma multi-county bond bail has been statute by controlling flexibility
• The bill modernizes the Oklahoma multi-county bond bail bonds statute by controlling flexibility of their
• This is not 12 times the amount that somebody arrested has to put up to bond out.
• And what it would, I don't know... ...that somebody arrested has to put up to bond out.
• And there is a bond necessary for the... that is commensurate with the level of the crime.

Summary: The committee took up a long list of Senate bills covering business regulation, professional licensing, transportation, tourism, consumer credit, and other policy areas. Among the measures discussed were SB 378 on bail bondsmen regulation and capital requirements, SB 1061 on brokered loans and renewal assessments, SB 1534 on charity enforcement, SB 1684 on liability insurance for highway remediation contractors, SB 1826 eliminating a sunset on the Oklahoma Enterprise Zone Incentive Leverage Act, SB 1217 on real estate touring contracts, SB 1948 on fireworks sales, SB 540 joining a dental compact, SB 1035 on utility contractors working near private property, SB 1475 renaming a bridge as the Toby Keith Interchange, SB 1327 giving the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Board more authority, SB 2159 designating wheat as the official crop, SB 2049 requiring Transportation Commission review before ODOT bond claims, SB 1447 on prescription drug plan procurement, SB 1443 on anesthesiologist compensation, SB 1641 requiring LLC articles to include an email address, SB 1873 on continuing education dates and hours, SB 265 creating pollinator state designations, SB 1521 on safeguards for conversational AI systems, SB 1326 on self-storage operations, SB 2155 on Route 66 Commission MOUs, SB 1531 on UAS/AAM governance and FAA Part 108 readiness, SB 1824 on corporate code modernization, SB 1653 joining the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, SB 1920 raising the auto salvage threshold, and SB 1277 on OESC job-search practices. Several bills were amended before passage, including SB 1948, SB 1521, SB 1326, and SB 1531. Testimony and questions focused on practical effects and committee jurisdiction. On SB 378, members pressed for a plain-language explanation of why bail bondsmen’s capital requirements should increase; the author clarified that the bill affects bondsmen’s regulatory capacity, not the amount criminal defendants must post. On SB 1327, members asked why the tourism board had been advisory and whether the change would add expertise and gubernatorial appointment authority. SB 1824 drew concern about impacts on minority stockholders, with the author saying fiduciary protections remain and that the bill is intended to reduce frivolous lawsuits while preserving flexibility. SB 1521 was described as a light-touch child protection bill for conversational AI, adding suicide-prevention protections, parental controls, and transparency requirements. A young FFA ambassador, Lucille Morehouse, presented SB 265 in support of pollinator designations, describing her pollinator project and the importance of pollinators to agriculture and ecosystems. Most measures advanced with little or no opposition, though several recorded dissenting votes. SB 378, SB 1061, SB 1534, SB 1684, SB 1217, SB 1948, SB 1035, SB 1475, SB 1327, SB 2049, SB 1447, SB 1443, SB 1641, SB 1873, SB 265, SB 1521, SB 1326, SB 2155, SB 1531, SB 1824, SB 1653, SB 1920, and SB 1277 were all declared out of committee, with vote totals generally ranging from 11-0 to 15-0 and some split votes such as 12-2, 13-1, 14-1, or 11-2. One bill, SB 1966, was laid over at the sponsor’s request. The chair closed by noting additional bills were still being negotiated, including one involving the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.

Transcript Highlights:

• The long-term liability is a $95,000,000 bond with Westmoreland.
• That's a surety bond, so that's not a self-bond.
• The only time we can take away or reduce the bond is during a...
• Who handles the reduction of bond?
• or insurance bond.

Committee: House Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• And I know the state highway fund takes a substantial portion of this.
• or have bonding authorization.
• or have bonding authorization not they want to do a bond or have bonding authorization and they understand
• I think it's $2 per surety bond. We get some funds there, too. But those have been stable.
• I think it's $2 per surety bond. We get some funds there, too. But those have been stable.

Bills: SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee convened for its first hearing of the 89th regular session, confirmed a quorum, adopted committee rules by a 15-0 vote, and began review of Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-27. Chair Huffman outlined the committee’s organization, introduced staff, and described the budget as conservative and focused on one-time investments. She highlighted major SB 1 priorities including property tax relief, full funding for public education formulas, teacher pay, school safety, border security, Medicaid growth, dementia research, energy and water infrastructure, transportation, wildfire suppression, and other capital and public safety needs. Comptroller Glenn Hager presented the biennial revenue estimate, saying the state has $194.6 billion available for general-purpose spending in 2026-27, with a projected $23.8 billion ending balance from the current biennium. He cautioned that revenue growth is returning to more normal levels and that lawmakers should avoid committing short-term surpluses to ongoing expenses. He also explained that the Economic Stabilization Fund is projected to hit its constitutional cap, meaning an estimated $5.6 billion in severance tax and related revenue would remain in general revenue in the upcoming biennium rather than flow into the fund. Senators discussed whether to raise or rename the fund and the implications of keeping more severance-tax revenue in general revenue. The Legislative Budget Board then gave an overview of SB 1 and the budget’s major funding changes. LBB staff explained that the bill is essentially flat at $332.9 billion in all funds, but includes large method-of-finance shifts and major property tax relief. They detailed how prior property tax relief enacted in the 88th Legislature grew from an estimated $18 billion to $22.7 billion because of higher property values and hold-harmless provisions, and said SB 1 continues that relief with a total of $51 billion in ongoing and new property tax support. Members asked extensive questions about the automatic growth in school tax compression, the constitutional homestead exemption, COVID-era federal funding, Medicaid assumptions, and the sunset of the non-homestead circuit breaker. No additional votes or final budget actions were taken beyond adoption of the committee rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• relating to the installation of the Can Do It by the Texas Department of Transportation and the state highway
• Highway 218 as the Ernest Solos Konto Memorial Highway.
• HB 1242 by GA relating to the redesignation of a portion of the US Highway 218 by the Ernest Solos Konto
• Memorial Highway referred the Committee on.
• HB 1342, by Gervin-Hawkins, relating to the issuance of private activity bonds for qualified residential

Summary: The House met to read a large slate of newly filed bills and resolutions and refer them to committees. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including health care and insurance, public education, elections, criminal justice, public safety, taxes, transportation, agriculture, environmental regulation, higher education, housing, and local government. Several proposals focused on abortion and reproductive health, firearms, voter registration and ballot access, school curriculum and accountability, property tax and homestead issues, and state contracting and agency oversight. A number of constitutional amendments were also filed, including proposals on initiative and referendum, veto override authority, vaccination refusal, parental rights in education, gun rights, Medicaid expansion, and various tax exemptions. No substantive debate, testimony, or votes occurred during this portion of the meeting; the clerk simply read the bills and resolutions and announced their committee referrals. The list included both general legislation and joint resolutions, with many items sent to standing committees and several to subcommittees. The House then adjourned without objection until 2 p.m. on Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:56:55.240><c> because</c> 15-year Bond or a 30-year Bond because 15-year Bond or a 30-year Bond
• Can't you do a bond?
• </c> wanted to preserve their bonding wanted to preserve their bonding capacity<02:13:41.800><c> for<
• What happens to the other 10 years of bond payments? So, a bond versus the lease, correct?
• So whether you go to a bond, and to me a bond automatically means a tax implication, or whether you go

Committee: House Municipal and County Government

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Municipal and County Government Committee held public hearings on House Bill 471 and House Bill 373. HB 471 would create a temporary commission to study growth, traffic, planning, and land use issues in a group of southern New Hampshire towns, with possible recommendations on regional planning commission boundaries or coordination. Representative Perez said the bill was requested by Londonderry residents and local officials, and Eric Power of Brookline testified in support, saying the towns share corridor and development issues that cross regional planning commission lines. Several members questioned whether existing law already allows towns to form regional planning commissions under RSA 364:6, whether the bill should be broader, and whether the town list should include additional communities. The hearing closed with testimony counts reported as two in support and three opposed on remote sign-in, plus one opposed and one in support on the blue sheet. HB 373, sponsored by Representative Diane Powers, would revise RSA 41:11-a on town property leases. Powers said current law is too restrictive because leases over five years require repeated town votes, which she argued is impractical for long-term arrangements. She cited examples from Hampton and Brookline, including long-term road and property leases, and said she had found multiple similar cases. The bill would keep select board authority for leases under one year, allow a legislative body to authorize a specific longer lease by a three-fifths ballot vote, and preserve the existing five-year blanket leasing authority with a three-fifths vote, while keeping existing leases valid if authority is later rescinded. Eric Power testified in support, describing recurring lease renewals in Brookline and saying longer terms are needed for projects such as housing, cell towers, and solar arrays. Members asked about the change from a simple town vote to a three-fifths threshold and whether the bill duplicates existing mechanisms; Powers said the higher threshold was intended because the leases involve long-term commitments. No votes were taken during the hearing portion described.

Transcript Highlights:

• , subject to rules relating to tax-exempt bonds contained in federal and state tax law.
• So, Kelly, this is a very large bond, and I don't know if you can answer some of my questions.
• So this is a very large bond, and I don't know if you can answer some of my questions.
• And they've recently approved a similar bond program as well to support dementia research.
• That's different than the regenerative medicine bond. Is that right?

Bills: SB6321 , SGA9245 , SGA9247 , SGA9250 , SGA9252 , SGA9253 , SGA9254 , SGA9259 , SGA9260 , SGA9261 , SGA9262

Committee: Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development

Keywords: scientific research, innovation, economic growth, Washington Institute, public funding, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> existing mechanism of using State bonds existing mechanism of using State bonds was<00:48:14.000
• </c><00:48:21.880><c> can</c> not you know years without bonding can not you know years without bonding
• I mean, what if we had trunk highway bonds pay for this?
• I mean, what if we had trunk highway bonds pay for this?
• bonds mean what if we had trunk Highway bonds pay<00:50:17.359><c> for</c><00:50:17.599><c> this</c>

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• the state's outlook from stable to positive, uh, with the potential for an actual increase in our bond
• the subcommittee, funding that requires a recipient to meet certain federal conditions such as DOT, highway
• We have grants such as Medicaid and highway programs.
• Uh, NMDOT's operating budget includes federal formula allocations for highway construction and transit
• And then, do we have any bond sales that we may want to hold back on, to make sure that we hold up some

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• Despite the insult baked into this bill, Birmingham Water Works has an AA bond rating and meets all federal
• If you're familiar with Birmingham, Highway 78 is... familiar with Birmingham, Highway 78 is where our
• I was not there when they did the bond issue, the $3.2 billion dollar bond issue.
• which governs the 21st Century Fund, and it would allow us to use the funds that are not used for bond
• Senate Bill number 311 by Senator Carley relating to public highways.

Bills: HB 1520 , HB 1545 , HJR 110 , HJR 203 , HB 245 , HB 1465 , HB 1482 , HB 294 , HB 793 , HB 809 , HB 3928 , HB 334 , HB 2037 , HB 1973 , HB 285 , HB 4341 , HB 4264 , HB 1043 , HB 837 , HB 1234 , HB 1193 , HB 1194 , HB 1646 , HB 1729 , HB 2498 , HB 1314 , HB 2295 , HB 1353 , HB 1531 , HB 1988 , HB 5398 , HB 3960 , HB 3923 , HB 1407 , HB 1764 , HB 2221 , HB 2214 , HB 2517 , HB 2518 , HB 2213 , HB 5008 , HB 5092 , HB 3421 , HB 3663 , HB 3748 , HB 3800 , HB 3756 , HB 2613 , HB 3782 , HB 5246 , HB 4344 , HB 4044 , HB 4066 , HB 2702 , HB 2807 , HB 2869 , HB 2898 , HB 3181 , HB 3250 , HB 4153 , HB 2091 , HB 2115 , HB 2542 , HB 2768 , HB 3349 , HB 3352 , HB 4406 , HB 1593 , HB 1899 , HB 3133 , HB 4432 , HB 4960 , HB 3214 , HB 3915 , HB 3508 , HB 2145 , SB 304 , SB 608 , SB 2312 , SB 494 , SB 530 , HB 45 , HB 2520 , HB 35 , HB 47 , HB 318 , HB 349 , HB 554 , HB 1359 , HB 1373 , HB 2254 , HB 2259 , HB 2853 , HB 3073 , HB 3088 , HB 353 , HB 355 , HB 786 , HB 762 , HB 705 , HB 932 , HB 849 , HB 1119 , HB 3041 , HB 713 , HB 3104 , HB 3970 , HB 4042 , HB 4490 , HB 1731 , HB 2607 , HB 3689 , HB 1788 , HB 1612 , HB 138 , HB 15 , HB 1971 , HB 1338 , HB 2989 , HB 267 , HB 1201 , HB 2954 , HB 5265 , HB 1804 , HB 5061 , HB 1520 , HB 1545 , HJR 110 , HJR 203 , HB 1887 , HB 1914 , HB 2402 , HB 2306 , HB 1809 , HB 2350 , HB 3000 , HB 3237 , HB 3326 , HB 3211 , HB 1056 , HB 2081 , HB 2187 , HB 3092 , HB 3308 , HB 3526 , HB 3750 , HB 3527 , HB 4219 , HB 4230 , HB 4290 , HB 5238 , HB 4804 , HB 4749 , HB 245 , HB 1465 , HB 1482 , HB 294 , HB 793 , HB 809 , HB 3928 , HB 334 , HB 2037 , HB 1973 , HB 285 , HB 4341 , HB 4264 , HB 1043 , HB 837 , HB 1234 , HB 1193 , HB 1194 , HB 1646 , HB 1729 , HB 2498 , HB 1314 , HB 2295 , HB 1353 , HB 1531 , HB 1988 , HB 5398 , HB 3960 , HB 3923 , HB 1407 , HB 1764 , HB 2221 , HB 2214 , HB 2517 , HB 2518 , HB 2213 , HB 5008 , HB 5092 , HB 3421 , HB 3663 , HB 3748 , HB 3800 , HB 3756 , HB 2613 , HB 3782 , HB 5246 , HB 4344 , HB 4044 , HB 4066 , HB 2702 , HB 2807 , HB 2869 , HB 2898 , HB 3181 , HB 3250 , HB 4153 , HB 2091 , HB 2115 , HB 2542 , HB 2768 , HB 3349 , HB 3352 , HB 4406 , HB 1593 , HB 1899 , HB 3133 , HB 4432 , HB 4960 , HB 3214 , HB 3915 , HB 3508 , HB 2145 , HCR 6 , HCR 12 , HCR 34 , HCR 50 , HCR 55 , HCR 58 , HCR 70 , HCR 71 , HCR 72 , HCR 74 , HCR 75 , HCR 78 , HCR 80 , HCR 93 , HCR 100 , HCR 107 , HCR 116 , HCR 117 , HCR 90

Keywords: Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director

Transcript Highlights:

• Highway 62, a description that applies to Childress County.
• tax collected at a project for a 10-year period, and those rebates can be used for the payment of bonds
• A 123-acre site along Texas Highway 121, which is about 30, approximately 37 minutes from DFW Airport
• Accessibility to the Addison Airport, award-winning restaurants, and proximity to major highways are
• As this committee knows, those rebate funds may be used by the city to service bonds or other financial

Committee: House Ways & Means

Summary: The committee heard a long series of bills, most of them expanding or adjusting hotel occupancy tax or qualified hotel project authority for specific local governments. Measures discussed included HB 2404 for Childress County; HB 3066 for Allen’s Kalahari resort project; HB 4682 for Plano; HB 4683 for Anna; HB 3076 creating a project finance zone in Frisco; HB 3567 for Wichita County; HB 3715 for McAllen; HB 1039 for Alpine; HB 3182 for Burleson; HB 4926 for Grimes County; HB 4222 for Victoria County; HB 3377 for Katy; HB 4659 for Addison; HB 3241 for Georgetown; HB 4098 for Taylor; HB 3178 for Kerr County; HB 3179 for Mason County; HB 2289 for New Braunfels; HB 4412 for Kermit; HB 5165 for Monahans; HB 3500 for Bastrop; and HB 3169 for Carrollton. In each case, authors and local officials described tourism, convention, hotel, airport, or mixed-use development needs and argued the bills would help attract visitors, investment, and jobs. One non-hotel-tax bill, HB 4226, would exempt Texas food banks from sales tax on vehicle purchases and rentals, with testimony emphasizing the scale of food bank operations and the savings’ impact on meal delivery and disaster response. Testimony was generally supportive from city officials, economic development representatives, and industry groups such as the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association. Several witnesses described major private projects, including Kalahari in Allen, a proposed hotel and conference center in Addison, a mixed-use project in Georgetown, and a large development tied to Samsung growth in Taylor. For HB 4226, food bank representatives said the bill would help them purchase refrigerated trucks and other delivery vehicles, while an opponent questioned the fiscal note and the scope of the exemption. HB 4926 drew opposition from Camp Allen, whose representative argued a new county hotel tax would raise costs for guests and could hurt the retreat center’s operations. HB 3178 also drew an objection from a Kerr County resident who argued the tax would grow county government and pointed to event center losses, though the author said the revenue would support tourism-related county uses. The committee took no final votes on the bills in this transcript. After each bill was laid out and testimony concluded, the chair repeatedly asked whether there was objection to leaving the bill pending; in each instance, no objection was heard, and the bills were left pending. Several committee substitutes were offered and then withdrawn or noted as conforming drafts, but no bill was reported out or otherwise acted on beyond being left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Without C Street ramps, there would be less visibility of highway infrastructure from Fort Vancouver.
• , greater visibility of highway infrastructure from sensitive viewers, however, in certain areas, and
• Basically, their granting process is very different from the Federal Highway Administration and looks
• It's utilizing progressive design-build on a large-scale highway improvement project.
• That's something we've worked through Federal Highways and U.S. DOT on.

Committee: Joint Joint Oregon-Washington Legislative Action Committee

Summary: The Joint Committee on Interstate 5 Bridge met remotely with Washington legislative members to receive updates on the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, including environmental review, cost and funding, tolling, and procurement for construction. Program staff said the final supplemental environmental impact statement was published in April 2026, with a federal record of decision expected in early summer. They described the recommended design as a single-level fixed-span bridge, centered I-5 alignment, C Street ramps, one auxiliary lane in each direction, and dispersed park-and-ride parking. Members raised concerns about transparency, the closed chat function, and the decision not to include two auxiliary lanes; staff said the one-lane option was recommended through consultation with partner agencies and analysis, but the final decision would come with the record of decision. Staff also said the diversion analysis projected less than 3% traffic diversion to I-205 in 2045, though members from Oregon and Washington expressed concern about impacts to their communities and asked for more detail on mitigation and decision-making. The committee also reviewed a major cost update. Staff said the full five-mile program is now estimated at $13.5 billion to $15.2 billion, with a likely cost of $14.4 billion, up from a 2022 estimate of $5 billion to $7.5 billion, citing inflation, schedule delays, scope changes, and more detailed risk modeling. They said the first funded phase has been reduced to a $5.68 billion package focused on the Columbia River bridge replacement, connections to I-5, Hayden Island and SR-14, bridge demolition, tolling infrastructure, and advancing light rail design. Funding for that phase was described as $5.69 billion, including $2.1 billion federal funds, $1 billion from each state, and $1.5 billion in projected toll revenue. Members asked what would happen if costs rise further; staff said the estimate includes substantial contingency, the project will use progressive design-build to manage risk, and the team will continue updating the finance plan annually. A separate tolling and traffic-revenue presentation explained that four toll scenarios were analyzed using regional travel demand modeling, a toll diversion model, and a post-processing review. All scenarios assume pre-completion tolling beginning July 1, 2028, a 50% low-income discount for eligible users, and exemptions for tribal preemptions, emergency vehicles, maintenance vehicles, and organized militia. Staff said the low-income discount would affect about 4% to 6% of annual transactions and reduce annual revenues by roughly 2% to 3%. They said Scenario 2 was used for the financial analysis and is sufficient to support the $1.5 billion toll contribution in the funded phase. Members asked about toll collection costs, revenue impacts of the discount, and how the scenarios differed; staff said collection costs are expected to be in line with other WSDOT toll facilities, but exact costs are not yet set because toll rates are not final. Finally, WSDOT staff outlined procurement and delivery steps for construction. They said WSDOT will be the lead contracting agency, using progressive design-build, with a request for qualifications targeted for early July 2026, a request for proposals in October, contractor selection in April 2027, construction starting in 2028, and tolling beginning in 2028. Staff said the approach is intended to consolidate scope, reduce interface risk, and allow transparent negotiation with an independent cost estimator, while preserving an off-ramp if a fair price cannot be reached. Members asked for more detail on timing, cost allocation, and the share of the first phase funded by tolls; staff estimated tolls account for about 26% of the first phase cost.

Transcript Highlights:

• because they were concerned about a residential and so this ties it to a commercial corridor on major highways
• Oh yes, this was the bond.
• This is the bond next one would be the bond Review Board database sponsored by Senator West and by Senator

Bills: HB 148 , HB 334 , HB 554 , HB 762 , HB 1520 , HB 1593 , HB 3526 , HB 3810 , HB 5092 , SB 2215 , HB 2607

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: family leave, leave pool, county employee, sick leave, vacation leave, family care, pandemic, guardianship, HB 554, fireworks, Juneteenth, Juneteenth holiday, retail fireworks permit, Texas Occupations Code, Local Government Code, county commissioners court, drought conditions, Texas A&M Forest Service, fire safety, holiday sales

Transcript Highlights:

• Secondly, Sections 1301 to 1302 concern Sound Transit 75-year bonds. This should look familiar.
• Sound Transit would still be authorized to issue bonds with terms up to 75 years.
• Going back to Sound Transit, a 75-year bond, at the very end in this explanation, it says, if a bond
• And that provision was in 6148, and it would say that any time Sound Transit were to issue a bond with
• So they could continue to get those grants, but the minute they started issuing debt or bonds over 40

Summary: The Transportation Committee met in executive session on Gross Substitute House Bill 2711, a transportation resources measure, after a staff walkthrough of the Senate striking amendment S-5820.4. Staff explained that the striker largely replaced the bill with provisions from Senate Bill 6352 and related transportation revenue and policy changes, including updates to mobile driver’s licenses, account interest provisions, recreational vessel and luxury vehicle tax clarifications, peer-to-peer tax administration changes, fuel tax timing changes, aircraft fuel tax and account changes, bicycle education grants, ferry payment-card fee authority, traffic safety camera revenue and rebuttable presumption rules, online driver education regulation, transit annexation tax/liability clarification, Sound Transit 75-year bond authority limits, stolen copper protections for light rail and DOT communications infrastructure, and a highway contracting threshold change. Staff also reviewed fiscal impacts, including revenue gains from trade-in value clarifications and aircraft fuel changes, and losses from the diesel tax delay, motorhome exemption, and repeal of the luxury aircraft tax. Members asked several clarifying questions, including the luxury RV tax threshold, how trade-in value is treated under the luxury vehicle tax, whether ferry debit-card fees are authorized, and the legality of passing card-processing fees to customers. Staff and counsel said the luxury vehicle tax applies to value over $100,000, trade-in value is added back for the luxury tax calculation, and the ferry provision is intended to clarify that both credit and debit card surcharges may be passed through. On the traffic safety camera section, staff described a revised approach that would require stronger proof from registered owners to rebut presumed responsibility, and on Sound Transit bonds, staff clarified that bonds over 40 years would be limited to federal transportation loan purposes and would affect eligibility for certain state grants. After caucus, the committee returned to executive session, waived the amendment posting deadline under Senate Rule 45, adopted the striking amendment, and then voted to advance ESHB 2711 as amended with a do pass recommendation to the Rules Committee. The motion carried, and the chair thanked staff before adjourning the meeting.