Transcript Highlights:

• Is there going to be a need for a referendum, or is that referendum already taking place?
• Is there going to be a need for a referendum, or is that referendum already taking place?
• It's my understanding that the referendum has already taken place.
• <00:26:44.600> or going to be a need for a referendum or going to be a need for a referendum
• > taking<00:26:46.120> place is that referendum already taking place is that referendum

Keywords: 00:00 - Introduction 00:15 – Attendance Roll Call 03:15 -- House Bill 186 09:59 – Roll Call Vote 11:51 – HB 370 22:55 – Roll Call Vote 24:45 – HB 304 28:47—Roll Call Vote 30:13 – HB 391 43:09—Roll Call Vote, 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 186, which would streamline food-service rules for churches and nonprofits providing meals to homeless shelters and people displaced by natural disasters. Representative Duvall said the bill is meant to remove unnecessary kitchen and plumbing requirements so organizations can safely serve simple meals in emergencies. Members discussed food safety, whether the bill applies only in declared disaster situations or also to homeless shelters, and whether training should be offered; Duvall clarified that the disaster and homelessness provisions are separate and that food must still be safe and wholesome. After discussion, the committee took a roll call vote and House Bill 186 passed with favorable expression. The committee then heard House Bill 370, a Department of Agriculture reorganization measure sponsored by Representative Payne. Payne and Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell said the bill would move the Division of Farm Safety and Rural Health and create an Office of Economic Development to better support programs such as Food Is Medicine, rural health, farmer mental health, and farm safety. Members asked about the removal of references to shows and fairs, whether the bill would affect livestock shows and county fairs, and whether any new funding was included; Payne said the department would still support shows and fairs, the change was about efficiency and focus, and no new funding was specified because budget decisions come later. Discussion on House Bill 370 also highlighted the department’s broader economic role, including agricultural economic development and outreach tied to the new USDA secretary’s visit to Kentucky. The committee then voted and the bill passed with favorable expression. Finally, the committee began House Bill 304 on soybean assessment language. Representative Bivens and soybean association representatives explained it as cleanup language related to the soybean checkoff and a contingency if the federal checkoff changes. Members asked whether a referendum had already occurred and whether producers supported the measure; the witnesses said the referendum had already taken place and that soybean producers and the association supported it, while one member noted the state may increasingly need to adjust to federal changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires local taxes adopted by referendum to have an expiration date.
• And my question is, the way that your bill is drafted would, if a referendum was up for renewal on these
• would, if a referendum was up for renewal on these tourist development taxes and it was potentially
• a referendum failed, a referendum to impose the tourist development taxes that were approved decades
• That promise may be undone because a referendum is not approved.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee met with a quorum and considered a series of bills, most of them receiving favorable reports. SB 132, as amended, would require the Department of Financial Services to contract for a study on whether Florida should recognize gold and silver as legal tender; an amendment advanced the report deadline to December 1, 2025, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 1050, also amended, expands the intellectual and developmental disabilities managed care pilot program statewide, emphasizes that enrollment is voluntary, adds transparency and reporting requirements for APD, creates a statewide family care council, and requires related studies and coordination; it was reported favorably after supportive testimony about reducing the APD wait list. SB 820 codifies the Office of Faith and Community in the Governor’s office, and the bill drew extended debate over church-state separation and concerns about political activity by the office; despite opposition from several senators, it was reported favorably. SB 1060 creates a joint legislative oversight committee for Medicaid financing and operations, with supporters citing the size of the program and the need for stronger legislative review; it passed favorably. SB 7032 presumes Medicaid eligibility for permanently disabled individuals receiving certain long-term services during redetermination, to prevent gaps in care, and was reported favorably with broad support. SB 12, a claim bill for a minor injured in a DCF-related case, was also reported favorably without opposition. The committee also approved several infrastructure and tax-related measures. SJR 318 proposes an ad valorem exemption for certain tangible personal property used in agriculture or agritourism, such as equipment and tractors, and was reported favorably with support from agricultural and business groups. SB 818, as amended, revises utility relocation funding for public road and rail projects, shifting the financing structure after constitutional concerns were raised and adding a $50 million grant program; it passed after discussion of the impact on local governments and utilities. SB 1348 modernizes DMV services through tax collectors, adds a distracted driving course option, bans appointment scalping, and extends certain disabled parking permit terms; it was reported favorably. SB 1664 requires voter reapproval of local taxes, including tourist development taxes and local option sales taxes, when they expire, with special rules for taxes tied to revenue bonds; it drew significant debate over impacts on tourism-dependent counties and was reported favorably despite opposition from some members and local government groups. SB 1050, SB 820, SB 1060, SB 7032, SB 12, SJR 318, SB 818, SB 1348, and SB 1664 all received favorable committee votes, and the meeting ended with final missed-vote requests and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• , an operating level referendum, on that or any kind of funding referendum that would increase your property
• , an operating level referendum, on that or any kind of funding referendum that would increase your property
• , an operating level referendum, on that or any kind of funding referendum that would increase your property
• , an operating level referendum, on that or any kind of funding referendum that would increase your property
• , an operating level referendum, on that or any kind of funding referendum that would increase your property

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I feel that if this amendment is not adopted, then this referendum as written...
• This referendum as written is prejudicial and relies on attributes that have nothing to do with sport
• This is what this referendum is going to do. These bans do not happen in a vacuum.
• Arizona voters reserved to themselves the power to pass laws through initiatives and referendums.
• And I know that referendum is voted by the people.

Summary: The Senate met, opened with prayer and the pledge, and then handled a series of messages and floor actions. The chamber transmitted a large group of Senate bills to the governor and Senate Concurrent Memorial 1004 to the Secretary of State. It also received House requests to return Senate Bills 1175 and 1198 for reconsideration, which were granted without objection. The Senate then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider several House concurrent resolutions. On H.C.R. 2001, a constitutional referral on election requirements, senators debated a Judiciary Committee amendment and a Hoffman floor amendment that would require voter ID, allow election-day tabulation of early ballots at polling places, and require legislative funding for implementation. Supporters said the measure would improve election security, voter confidence, and speed up results; opponents argued it was vague, could undermine mail voting, and lacked clear implementation details. The amendment was adopted, and after further debate the Committee of the Whole gave H.C.R. 2001 a do-pass recommendation by a 15-12 vote. Later, on third reading, the full Senate passed H.C.R. 2001 by a 16-12 vote and transmitted it to the House. The chamber also considered H.C.R. 2003, a referral on student athletics and biological sex. Senator Ortiz offered a floor amendment to replace the blanket ban approach with rules based on athletic ability and inclusion; supporters said it would preserve fairness while avoiding discrimination, while opponents said it would gut the measure and weaken protections for girls’ sports. The Ortiz amendment failed 11-16, and H.C.R. 2003 then received a do-pass recommendation in Committee of the Whole and later passed third reading. H.C.R. 2044, a referral on prohibiting preferential treatment and discrimination, also received a do-pass recommendation without recorded controversy. The Senate then adjourned after completing the remaining procedural motions and votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the things that our district needs to do is go out for an operating referendum in order to do
• in order to do that because referendum in order to do that because of<00:23:42.960> the<00:23
• my colleagues and operating referendums my colleagues and I<00:36:43.040> in<00:36:43.160>
• are more than 30 mil from referendums are more than 30 mil from where<00:36:58.760> we're<00:
• <00:37:51.800> to that don't have operating referendums to that don't have operating referendums

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If there is a law strictly forbidding these referendums or a certain law that is produced by these referendums
• to those referendums?
• What I think I hear you saying is that you support referendums, but where those referendums are a question
• Basically any referendum wouldn't conflict with it.
• local community couldn't pass a referendum.

Bills: HB21, HB211, HB223

Keywords: HB 21, Texas Tax Code, ad valorem tax, property tax, delinquent taxes, tax delinquency, penalty reduction, interest rate, split payment, installment payment, tax relief, county tax collector, taxing unit, property owner, tax collection, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax increase election, supermajority, 60 percent threshold

Transcript Highlights:

• No, no, I would say, but you could get a lot of referendum questions.
• It's entirely possible that depending upon the number of referendum questions, it could be more than
• It's entirely possible that depending upon the number of referendum questions, it could be more than
• Yeah, I don't know about the states' referendum questions compared to what we do, but, you know, with
• , like... ...states' referendum questions compared to what we do, but, you know, we tend to get a lot

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House and Senate Election Laws committees held a hearing focused on campaign finance and several local election-related bills. Office of Campaign and Political Finance Director William Campbell testified in support of H. 848 and S. 515, saying the campaign finance law needs modernization and highlighting proposals for stronger Super PAC disclosure, more timely reporting, improved security for campaign participants, and other reforms. He said the bills would help update a 50-year-old system to reflect legal, economic, and cultural changes. A major portion of the hearing concerned H. 868/S. 507, which would require earlier and more frequent reporting by ballot question committees. Witnesses from Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, and others argued that ballot campaigns now involve tens of millions of dollars, much of it raised during periods with no real-time disclosure, and that moving these committees into the depository system would improve transparency without burdening grassroots signature-gathering. The committee also heard support for H. 811 and H. 812, which would allow municipalities to create citizen-funded election programs and require identifying information on political text messages, as well as S. 525/H. 875, which would bar political spending by foreign-influenced corporations. The committee also heard testimony on S. 2605, a Canton home rule petition to move town elections from April to November. Canton residents, a select board member, and a poll worker said the change would increase turnout, better align local elections with the November voting cycle, and give newly elected officials more time to prepare for town meeting. Senator Rausch also testified in support of S. 530, requiring presidential primary candidates to disclose recent tax returns. The hearing ended with no votes taken and the committee adjourning, with a note that the next hearing was tentatively scheduled for January 13.

Transcript Highlights:

• Renewal of the tax would require voter approval by referendum.
• Key revenue sources expire, expiring date to fail referendums.
• Bonds can be taken out for a specific project, and it must be in the referendum. Follow-up.
• If it is a new project that goes before voters, it must state in the referendum...
• If it is a new project that goes before voters, it must state in the referendum what it is for and the

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on March 20, 2025, and first approved HB 4025, creating the Duke Farm Stewardship District in Lee County, on a 17-0 vote. The committee then advanced HJR 1215, which proposes a constitutional amendment to exempt agricultural tangible personal property from property tax, after extended debate about the fiscal impact on counties, especially rural and fiscally constrained ones; it passed 16-1. HB 411 also passed unanimously after an amendment, extending affordable housing tax exemption treatment to certain nonprofit projects on leased land, including Habitat for Humanity projects. The committee likewise approved CS/HB 669, allowing local governments to purchase certain unrated bonds, and CS/HB 4017, codifying the Vermont Drainage District charter in Charlotte County, both without opposition. The committee also approved HJR 1039, which would let the Legislature prevent assessed-value increases for homestead properties that are improved to mitigate flood damage, and the related implementing bill HB 1041; both passed 17-0. Public testimony on these items included some opposition to the flood-related amendment, but no floor debate changed the outcome. The final major item was CS/HB 1221 by Rep. Miller, which would require local option taxes to be renewed by voter referendum every eight years, with longer terms allowed for bonded projects. That bill drew the most extensive testimony and debate, with counties, tourism groups, and local officials warning about impacts on tourism funding, infrastructure, schools, and public safety, while supporters argued for taxpayer accountability and periodic review. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably on a 13-4 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Referendum market value is another term Ms.
• These referendum market value levies account for about 12% of property taxes in the state.
• the total Levy by the total referendum the total Levy by the total referendum estimated<00:37:26.920
• <00:47:38.400> bonding the operating referendum bonding the operating referendum bonding referendum
• <00:49:02.720> market not included in the referendum market not included in the referendum

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So one of those bases is known as referendum market value, and this only gets used for a small subset
• of property taxes, and those are school operating referendum levies.
• market value and this um only referendum market value and this um only gets<00:09:10.880> used
• recreational properties were exempt from some of those school referendum levies.
• market value tax time that referendum market value tax base<00:15:16.040> was<00:15:16.199>

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Tax Committee met to hear a House Research presentation from Jared Swanson on Minnesota’s property tax system. Before the presentation, the chair announced that the committee would put the governor’s budget on hold until the department could provide the information needed for a proper hearing. The committee then approved the prior meeting minutes without objection. Swanson gave an overview of how property taxes are structured and collected in Minnesota, explaining that the state uses a levy-based system in which local governments set levies and counties collect and distribute payments. He described the property tax cycle, the difference between referendum market value and net tax capacity, and how classification rates shift tax burdens among property types. He also outlined the state general property tax, noting it is split between commercial-industrial property and seasonal recreational property, and reviewed how Minnesota compares with other states, with residential taxes generally around the middle and commercial-industrial taxes relatively higher. The presentation also covered major property tax relief and aid programs. Swanson explained three broad relief mechanisms: shifting burdens through exclusions and classification rates, state-paid credits and refunds, and state aid to local governments or levy reductions. He discussed local government aid (LGA), township aid, and county program aid (CPA), including their funding levels, formulas, and general-purpose nature. Members asked why some cities receive no LGA and how the funds may be used; Swanson said cities with strong tax bases often receive zero aid and that the money generally can be used for the same purposes as property tax revenue. No votes were taken on the presentation itself.

Transcript Highlights:

• Holcomb: A simple bill that just affects local sales tax referendum.
• The amendment clarifies if there is a previous sales tax referendum on the books, that this bill would
• only apply to that previous referendum.
• Holcomb: If that previous referendum specified what we are doing here with body camera and data storage
• It passed unanimously so if we pass it, it goes to a voter referendum.

Transcript Highlights:

• IT'S AN HONOR TO PRESENT THIS LOCAL BILL WHICH IS A REFERENDUM RELATING TO HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOLS
• THE REFERENDUM IS APPLIED BY SECTION 5 ARTICLE 6 WILL DISPLAY ON THE BALLOT DURING THE 2026 GENERAL ELECTION
• PAGE 2 OF THE BILL SHOWS THE CLEAR LANGUAGE OF THE BILL OF THE REFERENDUM FORGIVE APPROVED THIS PRO WILL
• NOT BE PUTTING SOMETHING INTO LAW, THIS IS A REFERENDUM FOR THE WILL OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY TO DETERMINE
• THIS IS A REFERENDUM I WILL GO ON THE BALLOT.

Transcript Highlights:

• Whenever that tax is expiring requires local taxes adopted by referendum to have an expiration date taxes
• an expiration date, which majority of them do not then within 8 years you have to go back to a referendum
• And my question is the way that your bill is drafted, if a referendum was up for renewal on these tourist
• The the idea that that revenue could just go away because a referendum failed a referendum to impose
• costs of assets like the Orange County Convention Center that promise maybe and done because a referendum

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We tried to make a referendum, and you guys sued us. And so, it wasn't a referendum.
• We tried to make a referendum, and you guys sued us. And so, it wasn't a referendum.
• It was just the wasn't a referendum.
• We tried to make a referendum, board.
• It was And so, it wasn't a referendum.

Keywords: 0:00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 0:00:28 Approval of Minutes 0:00:40 Information Items 0:01:13 Rpt from Postsecondary Institutions 0:26:46 Project Rpt from Finance and Admin Cabinet 0:30:53 Lease Rpt from Finance and Admin Cabinet 0:39:20 Rpt from OFM – KIA 0:52:42 Econ Development – EDF Grants 0:55:15 OFM Debt Issues 0:58:43 Informational Discussion 1:44:36 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including a quorum call, approval of minutes, and informational items on school district financing and KCTCS equipment purchases. It then considered two KCTCS capital projects after initially rolling them together and later unrolling them: a Fire Commission Fire Academy maintenance building project that had grown from an original $2 million authorization to $4.7 million because of design changes, soil issues, and higher mechanical costs, and a $1.5 million renovation of the Blake Lee building at Somerset Community College for a health science simulation lab. Members questioned the large cost increase on the fire academy project and the adequacy of front-end due diligence, while KCTCS said the project was bid and ready to proceed and that a 15% contingency had been included. Both projects were approved by roll call vote, with the Blake Lee project ultimately approved after the committee unrolled the items and took them separately. The committee next heard and approved a University of Kentucky public-private partnership for the Hamburg East Medical Office Building, a five-story, 220,000-square-foot facility with a not-to-exceed budget of $275 million. UK said the project is intended to expand outpatient access, consolidate some services, and support projected growth in patient volume; the building will house multiple specialties, urgent care, therapy, imaging, and a retail pharmacy. Members asked about possible community uses, consolidation of services, and whether the project would free up other space, and UK said it hopes to consolidate some services and free campus space. The project was approved by roll call vote. The committee then approved three UK lease renegotiations: a specialty pharmacy and infusion services lease at Wellington Way in Lexington, a Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences lease at Conte Terrace, and a College of Social Work lease at McGrath Park Way. Members asked about rising lease rates, occupancy, and whether space needs should be reduced; UK and the lessor’s representative said the pharmacy space remains busy, the ophthalmology lease was lower than before, and the social work lease had been negotiated down from a higher request. The committee also approved a Department of Military Affairs project amendment for a Mutual Field Maintenance Shop Restoration project, increasing federal funding by $1 million to $4.5 million because of higher construction costs, and approved a Kentucky State University Shanty Hall renovation project funded by bond and HBCU Title III funds. Finally, it approved a new lease for the Office of Mines and Minerals in Pike County, a new lease for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in Pulaski County, and a lease renewal for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in Kenton County after questions about rent increases and office utilization; the cabinet said the Kenton County space still has limited vacancy and remains in use by field staff. The meeting ended as the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority began presenting six sewer and water loans and six cleaner water program grant reallocations, with members agreeing to roll those items for later consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• Beyond that, it would have to go to the voters on a referendum and they would have the final say. >>
• Beyond that, it would have to go to the voters on a referendum and they would have the final say. >>
• Beyond that, it would have to go to the voters on a referendum and they would have the final say. >>
• they<00:02:39.760> would<00:02:39.920> have<00:02:40.080> the on a referendum
• and they would have the on a referendum and they would have the final<00:02:40.640> say.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The discussion focused on Minnesota affordability pressures, especially rising property taxes, gas, and grocery costs. Senator Michael Kreun said property taxes rose by nearly $1 billion statewide in the last year, about 7%, and argued that many constituents are worried about being able to stay in their homes. He attributed much of the increase to unfunded state mandates on cities and counties and said mandate relief should be part of the solution. Kreun described a bill that would cap city and county property tax growth at the rate of inflation, with an additional allowance tied to population growth. Under his example, if inflation were 3% and a city grew, property taxes could rise 3.5%; anything above that would require voter approval through a referendum. He said the proposal would not apply to school districts, which already have a separate cap. He also mentioned other relief ideas, including increasing the disabled veterans property tax exemption and allowing seniors to defer property tax increases until they sell their homes. Kreun said the proposal has been mostly well received by constituents and homeowners, while local governments are concerned about losing revenue if state mandates continue. He said relief could begin as soon as the next property tax statement if the bill passes this year. He also noted broader affordability ideas in his caucus, including eliminating taxes on tips and overtime and reducing tab fees, but said he was not aware of current bipartisan efforts on property taxes specifically and remained open to working across the aisle on affordability measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• In some cases, there may have been a referendum. Some of these state ballot... Thank you, Chair.
• In some cases, there may have been a referendum. Some of these date back to the 70s.
• If it was a referendum, it would have to go back out for referendum in some cases, and it depends on
• Whereas the referendums are voted on by the people all the time in my district, all the time.
• They clearly can end the referendum whenever they wish to. But they don't.

Summary: The State Affairs Committee met with a quorum present and took up several measures. It first considered HJR 1215, an ad valorem tax exemption for farmers and agricultural lands. The committee adopted an amendment making technical changes and removing a requirement that implementing language be set by general law. Several agricultural and business groups supported the measure, and it was reported favorably by a vote of 22-4. The committee then heard CS for CS for HB 1169, a bill revising water management district planning, budgeting, reporting, and business practices, including restrictions on lobbyist expenditures and additional budget disclosures. An amendment removing the statutory section on management review teams was adopted after debate over whether those teams were still useful. The bill was reported favorably 19-8-7. Members then debated PCS for CS for HB 1221, which would redirect local option tourist development tax revenues toward property tax relief and give counties more control over certain local taxes. County, tourism, beach preservation, and hospitality groups opposed the bill, warning it would weaken tourism marketing, beach renourishment, and local services, while supporters argued it would provide property tax relief and accountability. The bill passed 14-12. Finally, the committee considered HB 4079, which would dissolve the town of White Springs. The sponsor and supporters described years of mismanagement, intimidation, and illegal conduct, while opponents argued dissolution was an extreme step and pointed to the ongoing election and other remedies. After extensive public testimony and debate, the bill was reported favorably 19-6. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• and approval of subject to a referendum and approval of the<00:20:58.160> local<00:20:58.480>
• on the 2026 ballot for the referendum on the 2026 ballot for the residents<00:26:50.640> of<00
• , This is subject again to a referendum, This is subject again to a referendum, uh<00:31:48.080><
• It would still, as you'll see in the bill, be subject to a new referendum by the voters locally, and
• by the voters locally and new referendum by the voters locally and so<00:41:31.720> uh so uh

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If there is a law strictly forbidding these referendums or a certain law that is produced by these referendums
• But do you know if they had organized opposition to those referendums?
• I like the referendum process on things that are legal.
• Where your bill would prevent that referendum from occurring, not just randomly, any referendum couldn't
• What if there was a referendum about how we want to legalize cocaine in Amarillo?

Bills: HB21, HB211, HB223, HB323, HB524, HB530, HB636, HB762, HB21, HB211, HB223

Keywords: housing finance, multifamily residential, low income, tax exemption, audit requirements, affordable housing, local government, development bonds, housing assistance, financial assistance, low income housing, community support, affordability, veterans housing, community involvement, air conditioning, tenant support, healthcare, elderly, taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• And I know with respect to school board referendums, to an average community to conduct a referendum
• Add one: after a referendum, they have to have a referendum to get their board to approve it.
• Add one: after a referendum, they have to have a referendum to get their board to approve it.
• Add one: after a referendum, they have to have a referendum to get their board to approve it.
• Add one: after a referendum, they have to have a referendum to get their board to approve it.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I feel that if this amendment is not adopted, then this referendum as written...
• This referendum as written is prejudicial and relies on attributes that have nothing to do with sport
• This is what this referendum is going to do. These bans do not happen in a vacuum.
• Arizona voters reserved to themselves the power to pass laws through initiatives and referendums.
• And I know that referendum is voted by the people.

Keywords: 1182, all