Transcript Highlights:

• So that is a tool or instrument that we need to advance cash through bonds or through some other ways
• So that is a tool or instrument that we need to advance cash through bonds or through some other ways
• I'll say this, Senator, that today in the program, the way we have allocated funds and appropriated..
• And is that cap securitized on bonds, or is it a combination, or is it just the billion dollars that
• It's not bonded. Currently it's just revenue that comes in. It's cash flow. It's not bonded.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held an informational hearing on the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s 2026 draft business plan, with testimony from the authority, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, and the High-Speed Rail Inspector General. Chair Cortese framed the hearing around the project’s recent changes: a new CEO, revised delivery strategy, loss of federal funds, renewed interest in private financing and value capture, and proposed adjustments to the Merced-to-Bakersfield segment. He also raised concerns about statutory compliance, transparency, and whether the draft plan fully reflects required elements and true costs and timelines. Authority CEO Ian Chaudhry said the project has made substantial construction progress in the Central Valley and is moving toward track installation, with the state’s $1 billion annual cap-and-invest funding providing a stable base. He argued the plan uses design optimization, direct procurement of materials, and revised sequencing to reduce costs and support an early operating segment by about 2032-33. He also promoted broader commercialization of the corridor through real estate, energy, broadband, logistics, and public-private partnerships, saying private sector interest is now real. Several senators pressed him on station locations, tax increment financing, utility relocation authority, permitting delays, transparency, and whether the project can realistically reach Los Angeles and San Francisco on the current timeline and budget. The LAO and Inspector General were more skeptical. LAO analyst Helen Kirstine said the draft plan assumes major scope changes, including a shorter segment, a Merced station outside downtown, more single-tracking, and several statutory changes that have not yet been enacted. She warned that the plan may not comply with recent legislative requirements, that funding may still be insufficient even for the reduced segment, and that borrowing against future cap-and-invest revenues is risky because those revenues are uncertain and volatile. Inspector General Ben Belknap said the draft plan fails to comply with newer statutory requirements, especially regarding the Merced-to-Bakersfield scope, the funding plan, and missing procurement milestone dates. He said the presentation obscures cost increases and schedule delays and limits the Legislature’s ability to compare current estimates with prior reports. Committee members generally supported continued oversight and some form of project delivery reform, but several expressed concern that the plan relies on legislative changes that have not been approved and on private financing that may not materialize. Chaudhry said the authority would address the Inspector General’s findings in the final business plan and continue to pursue federal grants, private capital, and corridor commercialization. No vote was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that is a tool or instrument that we need to advance cash through bonds or through some other ways
• So that is a tool or instrument that we need to advance cash through bonds or through some other ways
• I'll say this, Senator, that today in the program, the way we have allocated funds and appropriated..
• Today, in the program, the way we have allocated funds and appropriated for the construction of Merced
• It's not bonded. Okay. Currently it's just revenue that comes in. It's cash flow. It's not bonded.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee held an informational hearing on the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s 2026 draft business plan and next steps for the project. Chair Cortese opened by noting major changes since the 2024 plan, including new leadership, a bottoms-up review, scope changes in the Central Valley, loss of federal funds, and renewed interest in private investment and value capture. The Authority’s CEO, Ian Chaudhary, presented the project as moving into a construction and track-laying phase, citing progress on Central Valley structures, right-of-way acquisition, utility relocations, and a new procurement for track and systems. He said the plan reflects a more disciplined, optimized approach, with the Merced-to-Bakersfield segment targeted for revenue service around 2033 and the broader Phase 1 corridor envisioned as commercially viable through ancillary revenues, public-private partnerships, and future private financing. Committee members questioned the Authority about station relocations, single-tracking, tax increment financing, utility relocation authority, transparency, and the feasibility of private financing. Chaudhary said the Merced and Bakersfield station locations were still under discussion with local governments and that no contracts had been finalized. He defended the reduced scope and single-track approach as a just-in-time strategy to avoid overbuilding, while maintaining high-speed standards. He also said the Authority was exploring land value capture, broadband, energy, and other corridor-based revenue sources, but acknowledged that some tools would require legislative action and that private financing options were still being evaluated. Several senators expressed support for the project but raised concerns about permitting delays, local opposition, constitutional and statutory limits, and the need for stronger accountability. The Legislative Analyst’s Office and the High-Speed Rail Inspector General then gave critical assessments of the draft plan. LAO staff said the plan assumes major statutory changes, understates risk, lacks transparency about scope changes, and may not fully fund even the smaller Merced-to-Bakersfield segment once borrowing costs and other uncertainties are considered. Inspector General Ben Belknap said the draft plan does not comply with newer statutory requirements in SB 198 and AB 377, citing three main deficiencies: unauthorized scope changes to the Merced-to-Bakersfield segment, an inadequate funding plan that omits financing costs, and missing procurement milestone dates. He said the Authority’s presentation obscures the true cost and schedule impacts of the project changes, and that incomplete reporting limits legislative oversight. The Authority responded that it would address the OIG’s findings in the final business plan, and committee members indicated they expected a written response on compliance issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• update ensures wage theft is not going on in all low-income housing tax credit awards by covering allocating
• they would have to choose between accessing federal resources or unlocking state general obligation bonds
• <00:04:43.919> Again, obligation bonds. We fixed that. Again, obligation bonds.
• This bill will expand the use of housing infrastructure bonds for adaptive reuse for the development
• This bill will expand the use of housing infrastructure bonds for adaptive reuse for the development

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, debt service put debt service for all general fund bond-funded projects in the unit in which the
• Uh, going to the next page, on page four, again, debt service, the bond-funded capital project debt moved
• Okay, moving to page 31, allocation of SEEK funds.
• The debt service language, that debt service for general fund bonds was moved to Finance.
• They will still have to report to Capital Projects and Bond Oversight.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Free Conference Committee on the 2026 General Assembly budget met to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of House Bill 500. Leaders opened by thanking the other chamber’s work, asking members to turn microphones on and off to avoid feedback, and stressing the need to clearly note decision points so both chambers record the same actions. Staff then walked through the bill page by page, explaining that the committee was comparing only House and Senate differences, not the governor’s proposed budget. The discussion covered a wide range of appropriations and language items, including next generation non-911 services, school safety reporting tools, restored funding for brain injury, epilepsy, veteran service, homeless veterans, and rocket docket programs, debt service changes, rural infrastructure, disaster aid caps, Attorney General and Medicaid fraud funding, agriculture and county fair grants, auditor and pension-related appropriations, school facilities and SEEK funding, and numerous education programs. Members also discussed charter-related funding such as Star Academy, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, school resource officers, school-based mental health providers, AP/IB exams, Governor’s Scholars and Entrepreneurs, and several pilot or initiative programs in economic development, energy, and labor. Several items were described as technical corrections or restorations of language and funding, while others reflected differences in amounts or how funds would be distributed. There were several questions and comments from members about wording such as “implement and carry out,” the absence of the governor’s budget from the comparison document, and whether SEEK funding should be tied to teacher raises. The chair and other members emphasized that the committee’s role was to reconcile the two chambers’ budgets, not to adopt the governor’s proposal. Members also raised concerns about opioid settlement funds and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library match rate, with one senator urging restoration of the House language. No final vote or formal action was taken in the portion provided; the meeting primarily consisted of explanation, questions, and discussion of proposed budget differences.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our previous allocation, we were at about 80%.
• to fixed income, we couldn't fully allocate that to our current managers.
• So a allocation we were at about 80%.
• 08.559> our we couldn't fully allocate that to our we couldn't fully allocate that to our current
• So um we bonds corporate fixed income.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We add facility authority to include health care facilities in bonding.
• It is a revenue bond, so when they pay it off, it returns revenue back to the state.
• some outdated language to ensure that employees' compensation for the organization continues to be allocated

Transcript Highlights:

• hopefully appropriated in the bonding hopefully appropriated in the bonding bill<00:41:33.920>
• <00:41:59.040> If bonding bill passes and includes it.
• If bonding bill passes and includes it.
• <00:46:21.119> So good feeling about the bonding bill.
• Uh but likewise, I think bonding bill.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Members met to review a budget bill agreement using a nonpartisan spreadsheet and summary materials. Chairs and members thanked fiscal, research, revisers, and agency staff for the collaborative process, noting the bill had been difficult and that the final product reflected compromise. The chair also said only minor technical changes were expected before final enactment, and the spreadsheet walkthrough was then turned over to fiscal staff. Fiscal staff explained that the agreement met the overall budget target and walked through major human services provisions. Key items included nursing facility payment changes, including a phased PDPM change, APS inflation, modified single-bed incentives, and a CPI-U capped payment cap; a nursing facility surcharge; workforce standards board rule costs; continuation of certain nursing facility property tax rates; regulation of for-profit acquisitions of nursing homes and assisted living facilities; repurposing assisted living special project funds; funding the SEIU self-directed worker agreement; CFSS reimbursement in acute care hospital settings; and multiple disability waiver rate and authorization changes, including CPI-U inflation caps, waiver authorization reforms, and a waiver reimagined advisory task force. The agreement also included family residential service rate increases, a temporary extension of customized living disproportionate share payments, tribal eligibility for targeted case management, positive supports training changes, out-of-home respite modifications, swimming lessons as an allowable service for certain children with disabilities, a provisional EID provider license, and program integrity services funded by licensing fee increases. Additional provisions covered MinnChoices studies and assumed savings, behavioral health fund changes, substance use disorder treatment billing and rate changes, supportive recovery housing, housing support supplemental rates for specific providers, disability determinations, enteral nutrition payment timing, temporary funding for Boundary Waters Care Center, several one-time human services grants, senior nutrition funding, and grant reductions and extensions. No formal vote was described in the transcript; the discussion focused on explaining the agreement and its fiscal effects.

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS BILL IS NOT AN ASK FOR ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDING OR ALLOCATED DOLLARS.
• TAXES PLEDGED FOR REVENUE BONDS DON'T HAVE TO BE APPROVED UNTIL THE BOND ENDS UNLESS THE BONDS ARE RETIRED
• BEFORE 2023 AND IF THE TAX WILL BE LEVIED TO PAY REVENUE BONDS THAN THE MAXIMUM ITERATION IS 30 YEARS
• IN THIS CASE THE BALLOT MUST INFORM VOTERS OF THE INTENT TO BOND THE REVENUES AND EXPLAIN WHAT THE BOND
• Trumbull: THE BILL IS RETROACTIVE RELATING TO BOB BONDS BUT I SHOULDN'T SAY RETROACTIVE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that is a bonded appropriation already.
• So essentially, if you took a 5% assessment from that, you would be bonding it.
• So that is a bonded response fund. So that is a bonded appropriation<01:14:44.960> already.
• And so I I don't know that bonding it.
• They keep issuing bonds relative to that system, so we have an outstanding amount.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Dedicated Funds met to review the House budget provision that would impose a 5% administrative charge on a broad list of dedicated funds, with some exemptions. Members discussed the House approach versus the Senate’s more general approach of leaving the governor discretion over which funds could be charged. The chair explained the committee was hearing from agencies about any legal, contractual, or practical reasons their funds should be exempt, and the agenda was expanded to include several departments and written submissions from others. The Department of Education testified first, identifying several funds it said should be exempt: a printing revolving fund that is funded by transfers rather than fees; teacher certification, which is self-funded by educator licensing fees and would require an immediate fee increase if charged; a vending stand set-aside tied to the federal Randolph-Sheppard program and subject to federal approval and vendor committee procedures; and a public school infrastructure/safety account, where most revenue is transferred from the education trust fund or general fund rather than generated by fees. Members questioned the department about the effect on school safety projects and whether the fee would simply reduce the number of projects completed each year. The Veterans Home asked for exemptions for three funds: a donation benefit account used for recreational activities and quality-of-life expenses for residents, a small memorial trust fund whose interest supports veteran activities, and a resident member account that holds veterans’ personal income such as Social Security and pensions. The department argued the charge would reduce donations, cut services, and effectively function like an income tax on vulnerable veterans. The Banking Department also requested exemption for its consumer credit administration license fund, saying it is used to keep exam fees low and is expressly intended by statute to reduce costs on regulated businesses; it said the 5% charge would undermine that framework and could eventually force higher fees. The Department of Justice began testimony on its dedicated funds, starting with the medical legal investigative fund, which pays for death investigations and related services under statute and without general fund support. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the committee mainly heard testimony and asked questions about the practical and legal effects of applying the administrative charge.

Transcript Highlights:

• increase reserves, but the intent of that extra bump in reserves is entirely for disasters, and you're allocating
• Chair and guys, is that we are, did you say, Adrian, we are allocating in this like $60 million or something
• They just did $92 million in bonding. Yeah, gave them authority.
• And so if we don't hold our reserves, we just got our bonding rating, and you hold your reserves at 28%

Bills: SB190, HB247, HB8

Keywords: cancer treatment, revenue bonds, Gila Regional Medical Center, Nor-Lea General Hospital, healthcare funding, capital outlay, capital projects, appropriations, reversion, encumbrance, reauthorization, reappropriation, general fund, capital development and reserve fund, tribal infrastructure project fund, Department of Finance and Administration, DFA, state board of finance, severance tax bonds, tax-exempt bonds

Transcript Highlights:

• Those folks are included in the transportation allocation in a different section in the budget.
• So school districts will receive an allocation from that $50 million to be used however they see fit,
• And staying the course and chairman said this yesterday about about baby bonds or buying bonds.

Transcript Highlights:

• through a shared listening they bonded through a shared listening experience<01:07:52.160> with
• You know, I learned a lot in this committee, and one area that our chair mentioned is when we do bonds
• The concern from budget and finance when we utilize bond proceeds, because bond proceeds by definition
• <01:30:25.600> proceeds<01:30:26.159> because<01:30:26.560> bond we utilize
• uh bond proceeds because bond we utilize uh bond proceeds because bond proceeds<01:30:27.440> by

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There was $10 million in the bonding bill last year that didn't pass.
• There was $10 million in the bonding bill last year that didn't pass.
• There was $10 million in the bonding bill last year that didn't pass.
• There was $10 million in the bonding bill last year that didn't pass.
• There was $10 million in the bonding bill last year that didn't pass.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee held a Dairy Day hearing focused on Minnesota’s dairy industry, beginning with a presentation recognizing Pat and Jodi Lunneman of Twin Eagle Dairy in Clarissa as Minnesota Milk Producers’ Dairy Producer of the Year. Their farm’s history, growth from a 50-stall tie-stall barn to an 800-900 cow freestall operation, and the role of family and long-term employees were highlighted. Members praised the Lunnemans’ work, community involvement, and the collaborative nature of the video tribute. Garrett Luthin, president of Minnesota Milk Producers Association, testified on industry priorities. He said the group represents Minnesota’s 1,625 dairy farms and emphasized that dairy farmers invest in their communities and want policies that support long-term viability. He raised concerns about compliance with labor mandates such as earned sick and safe time, paid family leave, and secure retirement requirements, saying dairy work does not fit a standard schedule and that smaller farms lack HR capacity to track leave requirements. He also urged improvements to county and state permitting by allowing processes to run concurrently rather than sequentially, and he expressed support for dairy profitability and development programs. Members asked about the status of federal dairy support programs, labor mandate implementation, and the realities of dairy work. Luthin said Minnesota Milk was waiting on federal action to keep certain dairy funds in place and described labor compliance as a wage and administrative burden. Pat and Jodi Lunneman later described why they expanded their farm in the 1990s, citing labor efficiency, changing economics, and the need to remain profitable; they said they do not use robotic milkers but do use robotic calf feeders. Pat explained their double-12 parallel parlor, three-shift milking schedule, and the need to keep equipment fully utilized. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a continuous bonding workflow that is really what I’d call the trunk of the tree.
• um a continuous bonding leave uh application<00:18:36.559> that<00:18:36.960> we<00:18
• workflow that is continuous bonding workflow that is really<00:20:11.440> what<00:20:11.679><
• <01:06:49.680> to<01:06:49.839> this years, $10 million was allocated to this years
• <01:14:36.719> the allocated funding, we're proposing the allocated funding, we're proposing

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When we have excess funds, we put them in our bank's bond portfolio.
• A lot of that goes into municipal bonds.
• I think our total today is about $85 million in municipal bonds in Alabama that support all kinds of
• When we have excess funds, we put them in our bank's bond portfolio.
• A lot of that goes into municipal bonds.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• proceeds are allocated to the N MTSF. proceeds are allocated to the N MTSF.
• <01:28:48.000> 98% The CD1 version, however, allocates 98% The CD1 version, however, allocates
• results in a 90% reduction in allocation results in a 90% reduction in allocation to<01:28:53.520
• above would revert the allocation above would revert the allocation formula<01:28:57.600> to<
• allocation to the MTSF is maintained. allocation to the MTSF is maintained.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're changing the requirement that applications for bond-funded programs be for at least $50,000.
• requirements and we'll see bonding requirements and we'll see additional<01:15:34.920> savings
• I'd like to point out that phasing out a maximum grain bond costing $1,500 a year and turning around
• <01:20:38.560> requirement by repealing the grain Bond requirement by repealing the grain
• Bond costing $1,500<01:20:46.960> a<01:20:47.120> year<01:20:47.600> and<01:20:

Bills: HF2446, HF2878, HF2667, HF1795, HF2683, HF2916

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• I actually have one, and it's related to the reclamation and the bonding.
• I actually have one, and it's related to the reclamation and the bonding.
• That's dead money to them if you're requiring that bond.
• That's dead money to them if you're requiring that bond.
• That's dead money to them if you're requiring that bond.

Summary: The committee met in Grand Forks, approved the February 26 minutes by voice vote, and recessed for a tour of the Mincota Power Cooperative headquarters before returning for presentations on large energy consumers, especially data centers. The first presentations focused on how North Dakota should respond to rapid growth in energy-intensive projects, with speakers emphasizing the need for reliable transmission, local decision-making tools, and factual information for county and township officials who are being asked to weigh major projects with limited staff and technical support. The North Dakota Transmission Authority director said local governments are being asked to make high-impact decisions on pipelines, transmission lines, large agriculture, wind, solar, carbon dioxide pipelines, direct-air capture, and data centers, and urged development of simple statewide decision tools and support from the League of Cities and Association of Counties. The Department of Environmental Quality’s air division director said North Dakota’s air remains among the cleanest in the nation, but large data centers can create air-quality concerns because of diesel backup generation; he said the department is requiring air monitors at some facilities and expects grid power and, potentially, cleaner natural gas backup to reduce emissions. Members asked about emissions standards, misinformation, monitoring costs, and staffing succession at DEQ. The Department of Water Resources director said North Dakota’s water law is based on common ownership and prior appropriation, and that data centers generally use relatively small amounts of water, often in closed-loop systems. He said the Missouri River and groundwater supplies are ample for projected needs, that the department’s permitting process protects senior water rights, and that even a worst-case data center scenario would use a very small share of Missouri River flow. Members asked about downstream impacts and compared data center water use with fracking. Later, McLean County State’s Attorney Ladd Erickson urged the committee to study how other states regulate data centers, warned against litigation-driven delays and overly broad local ordinances, argued reclamation bonding should be handled at the state level if at all, and said data centers can bring jobs and tax base but should remain subject to local zoning. The committee ended the morning session for lunch and later heard an EERC update from CEO Charles Gorecki on the center’s 75 years of work in energy and environmental technologies, especially oil and gas development and related research.

Transcript Highlights:

• of that is going to pay off the bonds. of that is going to pay off the bonds.
• 35:36.000> which<01:35:36.239> means allocations are going down which means allocations
• So, there >> Yes. to allocate to the state.
• One thing that, uh, we don't feel is in there is discussion about a maintenance bond.
• So, 3 to 5 years down maintenance bond.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Why didn't we go with a general obligation bond, right?
• This is a specific amount that they said, yes, we have allocated for you.
• And so they would intend to apply if the funding was allocated to ACCESS.
• So we are not talking about allocating these to tribal land, first of all.
• What fun to take this bond, what transfer to do from this.

Bills: SB1041, SB1088, SB1118, SB1128, SB1168, SB1176, SB1189, SB1207, SB1250, SB1272, SB1274, SB1286, SB1428, SB1457, SB1461, SB1503, SB1519, SB1537, SB1582, SB1618, SB1654, SB1713, SB1827, SCR1012, SCR1020

Keywords: electronic monitoring, nursing care, assisted living, resident rights, privacy, consent, surveillance, cybersecurity, homeland security, artificial intelligence, state appropriation, VPN security, zero trust, housing, zoning, middle housing, urban development, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes

Summary: The committee began with Senate Bill 1272, which would provide $5 million for the City of Douglas as a state match for the Douglas Port of Entry project. The chair adopted a Livingston amendment changing the funding source from the General Fund to the Water Supply Development Revolving Fund. Senator Gowen, Douglas Mayor Jose Grijalva, and city staff testified that the project could unlock $678 million in federal funding, create jobs, improve trade and national security, and generate future tax revenue. The bill passed 15-0 with three present and one not voting. Senate Bill 1503 was then amended with a strike-everything to expand the state death benefit for first responders to include pilots employed by law enforcement agencies, retroactive to January 1, 2026, and subject to voter approval. Senator Gowen and DPS Director Colonel Jeffrey Glover said the change would ensure the family of a DPS aviation supervisor killed in a helicopter crash would qualify for the benefit. The committee approved the bill 18-0 with one not voting. Senate Bill 1274 was converted by strike-everything amendment into a timeshare salesperson licensing measure, creating a separate license and training path focused on timeshare sales. Supporters said the change would better prepare salespeople and streamline licensing, while the sponsor said it would make government more efficient. The bill passed 17-1 with one not voting. Senate Bill 1286, dealing with veterinary telemedicine, was also approved after negotiated changes extended most telemedicine prescription periods to 30 days, kept antimicrobials at 14 days with no renewal, and allowed longer flea-and-tick prescriptions; supporters said it would help rural and disabled pet owners. It passed 18-0 with one not voting. The committee next considered Senate Bill 1519 on off-highway vehicles. A hostile strike-everything amendment proposing paid family and medical leave failed 7-11 with one not voting. The committee then adopted a Lopez amendment and advanced the underlying bill, which raises the OHV weight threshold from 2,500 to 3,500 pounds and adjusts registration and funding provisions. Supporters said it reflects newer enclosed and electric vehicles and helps trail funding, while opponents warned of trail damage and said the issue should wait for the study committee. The bill passed 10-7 with one present and one not voting. Senate Bill 1618, which updates the Military Affairs Commission, expands its membership and duties, and creates a military affairs fund, drew mixed testimony about whether it would strengthen Arizona’s ability to attract and retain military missions or shift the commission away from its traditional support role; it passed 10-6 with two present and one not voting. Finally, Senate Concurrent Resolution 1020, which would send to voters a CPI-based annual adjustment to legislative salaries, passed 9-8 with one present and one not voting after members debated legislative compensation, citizen-legislator concerns, and whether the change would broaden access to public service.