Transcript Highlights:

• When the voters approved the Fair Share Amendment in 2022, it was designed to bring in new revenue to
• In early 2023, the revenue expectations for this new source were all over the map, ranging from anywhere
• The state collected over $2.4 billion in Fair Share revenue in FY24.
• By my reading, this bill includes some $864 million of transportation committed funding.
• Meanwhile, a mere 10% is committed to local municipal roads... ...the MBTA.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted two ceremonial resolutions: one commemorating the dedication of the Woburn Battle Road Memorial as part of the Massachusetts 250th celebration, and another recognizing May 1-7 as Elks National Youth Week. The chamber then took up House Bill 4005, a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill using FY24 Fair Share surtax surplus funds, and ordered it to a third reading before later considering it for passage to be engrossed. During debate on the bill, the House heard a lengthy presentation in support of the proposal, which would direct about $828 million to transportation and $353 million to education. The transportation spending was described as primarily supporting the MBTA, including workforce and safety funding, reserve replenishment, station and infrastructure improvements, reduced fares, and reimbursement for tunnel closure costs, along with smaller amounts for regional transit authorities and unpaved roads. The education side included additional special education circuit breaker funding, vocational school capital, early education workforce supports, early literacy, universal school meals, higher education endowment matches, Green School Works, and ESOL waitlist reduction, with the Inspector General directed to review circuit breaker cost controls. Members then debated several amendments. One amendment related to a school athletics policy was modified by a further amendment calling for DESE analysis before implementation; both the further amendment and the underlying amendment as amended were adopted. A transportation amendment to shift $50 million from MBTA funding to Chapter 90 municipal roads was supported by members emphasizing rural road needs but was rejected on a roll call, 25-120. Another transportation amendment adding at least $300,000 for Route 93 mitigation costs in Medford was adopted, 133-20. The bill itself then passed to be engrossed on a roll call, 140-14. The House also observed moments of silence for former First Lady Kitty Dukakis and for victims of the Santo Domingo nightclub collapse, and later adopted an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. before adjourning in memory of former Representative Philip W. Johnston.

Transcript Highlights:

• Call the Senate Revenue and Tax Meeting to order. We have one bill on the agenda.
• Continued tax cuts reduce the revenue available to meet basic needs and invest in our future, and that
• By maintaining the revenue necessary to fully fund essential services, you have the opportunity to build
• Number one, we are committed to public education in the state of Arkansas.
• We are committed to fighting food insecurity. You've seen it repeatedly in the last few sessions.

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The Senate Revenue and Tax Committee met to consider Senate Bill 1, presented by Senator Jonathan Dismang as the next step in Arkansas’s long-running effort to reduce the state income tax rate. He said the bill would lower the rate from 7% to 3.7%, with the personal income tax change retroactive to January 1, 2026, and the corporate income tax change taking effect the following January. In response to a question, he estimated that a person making $65,000 would see their tax bill fall from roughly $3,600 to just over $2,000, or about a 45% reduction in effective tax rate. Several members of the public testified against the bill, arguing that further tax cuts would reduce revenue needed for education, health care, food assistance, housing, and disability services. Speakers included a clergy member and social worker from Little Rock, a parent describing the high cost of supported living services for her son with cerebral palsy, representatives from Arkansas Appleseed and Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, and a Marshallese community advocate. They emphasized underfunded public schools, early childhood education waitlists, hospital and child care pressures, and the view that tax cuts disproportionately benefit higher-income taxpayers while vulnerable Arkansans rely on state-funded services. In closing, Senator Dismang said the bill was part of a decade-long tax reduction effort and argued that Arkansas could be both compassionate and competitive without cutting essential services, noting the state was operating with a surplus. Senator Petty and Senator Boyd echoed support, saying the state should focus on outcomes, maintain competitiveness, and that no services would be cut. The committee then voted do pass on SB 1, and the bill passed by voice vote before the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the first thing I'll draw your attention to on this report is you can see under forecasted revenues
• that the March 2025 revenue forecast is used.
• You can see the additional revenue based on the 4.5% growth rate assumption that is part of the outlook
• The revenue package you'll see the list of bills included at a total of 8.7 billion.
• Budget-driven revenue: one thing to point out is the voluntary disclosure program.

Summary: The conference committee met on Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5167, the state operating budget, and received a detailed staff briefing on the proposed conference report. Staff explained how to read the comparison documents, the four-year balanced-budget outlook, and the main resource assumptions, including use of the March 2025 revenue forecast, exclusion of the statutory 4.5% growth assumption, revenue legislation totaling about $8.7 billion, numerous fund transfers, and reversion assumptions. They also noted the proposal does not include a temporary salary reduction or furloughs. The briefing highlighted major policy areas and their net five-year impacts, including increases for state and higher education employee compensation, K-12 education, long-term care and developmental disabilities, corrections, information technology, and other policy items. It also described net reductions in behavioral health, children/youth/families, higher education, natural resources, other human services, and health care/public health, with many of the changes tied to delayed programs, rate adjustments, fund shifts, and savings options from Governor Ferguson. The committee then heard member comments, with supporters emphasizing K-12 funding and fiscal responsibility, and Senator Gildon opposing the process and the closed-door nature of the budget development. A motion was made and seconded to recommend adoption of the conference report and pass the bill. The roll call showed one member voting do not recommend, one member excused, and the remaining members recommending adoption. By vote of the committee, the conference report was adopted, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And you start with your revenues.
• Revenue growth by source.
• I should clarify that this is a revenue estimate. So these are estimates to our revenues.
• risks of revenue volatility?
• Revenue in the future.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hasn't been committed yet.
• <00:59:24.720> that who's alleged to have committed that who's alleged to have committed that
• commit murder. It's 6-1-303. commit murder. It's 6-1-303.
• 14.000> Revenues<01:54:14.560> participation the Department of Revenues participation the
• <01:56:27.760> challenges because there will be revenue challenges because there will be revenue

Bills: HB0130, HB0147

Keywords: Second Amendment, firearms, state rights, federal regulation, law enforcement, civil penalties, government liability, property tax, homeowner exemption, Wyoming, voter initiative, tax legislation, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• General Fund revenues.
• That's just on the revenue side, just on the tax revenue side specifically.
• When talking about revenue and record revenue, we’re really looking at what our kind of income statement
• is, if I use a private term, that talks about our revenues.
• And yes, we have record revenues.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Also, with that caveat, a lot of this is funded with revenue bonds.
• In some cities, a portion of these revenues is in fact transferred to...
• In some cities, a portion of these revenues is in fact transferred to Revenue.
• Transferring revenue from water and wastewater utilities to municipal general funds will decrease revenue
• We are losing revenue because we don't have enough people living there.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the Department of Revenue.
• <01:19:20.760> up is the is that the the the revenue up is the is that the the the revenue
• Approximately 80% is general Revenue Approximately 80% is general fund fund fund Revenue<01:22:27.040
• we have about 1.5 million of Revenue we have about 1.5 million of Revenue<01:22:30.440> or<01
• You'll see it on the revenue plan."

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority officials, led by Executive Director Rob Dapice, briefed legislators on the agency’s structure and funding. They explained that the authority is created by state law but is not a state agency, its debt is not state debt, and it is governed by a board appointed by the governor and approved by the Executive Council. The discussion focused on the Affordable Housing Fund and the lead paint hazard remediation fund, including how state appropriations and federal resources are combined to finance affordable rental housing and lead abatement work. Dapice said the Affordable Housing Fund is used as gap financing for multifamily affordable housing projects, typically alongside federal tax credits and tax-exempt bonds, and that state dollars leverage roughly 2:1 to 10:1 in additional federal and private investment, averaging about 4:1. He said the fund has received historic appropriations in recent budgets, including $30 million over the last two biennial budgets and an annual $5 million set-aside from the real estate transfer tax. He also said the fund is usually structured as 0% interest, deferred loans rather than grants, with repayments returning to the fund if projects generate cash flow. Members asked about rents, oversight, staffing, revenues, and whether the programs had added positions. Dapice said affordability restrictions generally last 30 to 99 years, rents are tied to income limits and capped so tenants pay no more than 30% of income, and compliance staff inspect properties regularly to verify income eligibility and rent limits. He said the organization has about 130 to 135 employees, down from about 145, with no new positions added because of the appropriations. He estimated total revenues at roughly $300 million, with administrative budget around $22 million, much of it pass-through grant money. On lead paint remediation, he said the state first appropriated $6 million in 2019, plus $1 million in ARPA funds, and that the program has cleared more than 500 units. He said the federal grant program is not annual or predictable, with a recent award of about $7.75 million, and that the maximum federal grant per unit is $177,000, typically paired with up to $100,000 in state loan support. He also noted that the program can address homes before a child is poisoned if lead hazards are identified, but that cases involving an already exposed child are a higher priority. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are several non-general fund revenue proposals.
• There are several non-general fund revenue proposals.
• We do understand that whether the error is committed by DES, because sometimes the error might be committed
• So is that a possible revenue source for this project?
• Success should be defined by declining revenue.

Bills: SB1024, SB1032, SB1059, SB1062, SB1064, SB1097, SCM1001, SCR1004

Keywords: roadable aircraft, registration, vehicle title, license plates, aviation safety, corrections oversight, funding, state budget, criminal justice, reform, appropriation, Department of Transportation, right turn lane, traffic improvement, infrastructure funding, transportation funding, authorization, road improvements, intersection safety, transportation

Summary: The committee began with a JLBC presentation comparing the baseline budget to the governor’s proposal. JLBC said the baseline shows a positive cash balance in each year, with about $577–$578 million available above statutory formulas, but that major items such as tax conformity, state employee health subsidies, school repairs, SNAP administrative changes, and possible SNAP error-rate costs are not fully funded. JLBC also reviewed executive revenue and spending proposals, including border-security funding, sports betting tax changes, data-center tax changes, short-term rental and water surcharges, and several one-time items that JLBC said appear to be ongoing in practice. Members questioned SNAP error rates, Medicaid/Access enrollment and costs, possible fraud involving Access-to-Marketplace shifting, prison receivership risk, and the need for more oversight of waste and fraud. The committee then heard and passed SB 1032, which appropriates $1.5 million to fund the Independent Correctional Oversight Office created last year. The sponsor and several advocates said the office is needed to provide independent oversight, improve transparency, help whistleblowers, and reduce the risk of federal receivership over the prison system. Testimony from advocacy groups and former incarcerated individuals strongly supported the bill, and the committee approved it 10-0. Next, the committee considered several transportation appropriations. SB 1064 would provide $3 million to Flagstaff for improvements along U.S. Route 66; the mayor and local planning officials described safety problems, congestion, and housing growth along the corridor, while some members objected to using general fund dollars for roads instead of HURF and to bypassing the normal transportation board process. The bill passed 7-3. SB 1059 would appropriate $9.2 million for a right-turn lane at SR 87 and SR 260 in Payson, and SB 1062 would appropriate $1 million for a left-turn lane at US 60 and Superstition Mountain Drive in Gold Canyon; both were supported by local witnesses citing congestion and safety concerns and both received do-pass recommendations, 7-3 and 6-4 respectively. The committee also began hearing SCR 1004, a voter-referral measure to prohibit photo enforcement systems, with the sponsor and public commenters arguing that photo radar is unconstitutional, abusive, and tied to ticket revenue, but the transcript cuts off before any committee action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is estimated that the latter alone lost as much as $500 million in revenue and 30,000 jobs.
• The report called for a permanent, sustainable revenue stream to support the creative arts sector.
• Thank you so much for your time and commitment. Thank you so much for your time and commitment.
• . ...of what the state collects each year in online sales tax revenues.
• It could be an alternate revenue source. Thank you.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Business held its second hearing of the session, with Chairs Gómez and Vargas opening by emphasizing the committee’s focus on equity, small business growth, and support for communities that have historically been overlooked. Several members noted the historic nature of having two Latino chairs. The hearing covered a package of bills centered on access to capital, transparency in state assistance, commercial tenant protections, downtown revitalization, and business improvement district administration. Testimony was largely supportive of bills aimed at helping micro-businesses, small businesses, and disadvantaged entrepreneurs. Beckma, the Asian Business Empowerment Council, a minority- and woman-owned business owner, and a worker-owned Springfield business all backed measures including S. 179 and H. 312/S. 184, which would prioritize capital assistance and require reporting on where state business aid goes. Witnesses said transparency, upfront payments on state contracts, and better data collection could help businesses that struggle with delayed reimbursements, limited reserves, and difficulty accessing traditional financing. The Metropolitan Area Planning Council supported S. 173, which would dedicate a portion of sales tax revenue to a downtown vitality fund for district management, cultural districts, and downtown infrastructure, and said the bill could help sustain downtowns and prevent cultural displacement. There was also testimony on H. 306, a commercial tenant first right of refusal bill, with Beckma supporting it as a way to help small tenants stay in their locations, while the Greater Boston Real Estate Board opposed it, arguing it would add cost, delay, uncertainty, and could reduce property values and the commercial tax base. The board supported H. 305, a housing bill that would expand by-right multifamily and open-space residential development while preserving local zoning protections. Andre Leroux of MassINC also supported S. 173 and H. 299, the latter proposing longer BID renewal periods and audit requirements aligned with nonprofit standards. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded after public testimony and questions, with the chair closing testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota is a state committed to helping people, and we're committed to providing services that improve
• committed to helping people and we're committed<00:03:16.159> to<00:03:16.319> providing
• ><00:03:16.720> services<00:03:17.120> that committed to providing services that committed
• <00:03:34.400> committed<00:03:34.799> to seriously and are commit committed to seriously
• and are commit committed to safeguarding<00:03:35.840> those<00:03:36.080> public<00:03

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We foresee a $600,000 shortfall in revenue, but we don't see if we spur the revenue or spur development
• , will we see more revenue?
• , but we don't see if we spur the revenue, but we don't see if we spur the revenue<00:30:59.160> or
• more revenue? more revenue?
• revenues will be replaced. revenues will be replaced.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then is referred to the Taxation of Revenue Committee.
• Road fund gets a significant amount of revenue every single year.
• Road fund gets a significant amount of revenue every single year.
• Local roads get a significant amount of revenue.
• To move forward with commitment.

Bills: HB111, HB61, HB43, HB156, HB70, SB3, HB103, HB109, HB128, HB247, HJM2, HJM3, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM2, HM16, HM32, HM11, HM14, HM21, HM34, HM50

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

Transcript Highlights:

• to some degree with those civil commitments.
• County involvement starts with the civil commitment process.
• one or more types of civil commitments one or more types of civil commitments and<00:22:54.120><
• The increase and there is a net revenue decrease. That’s an additional $66,000.
• <01:37:02.880> decrease in a significant Revenue decrease in a significant Revenue decrease

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• in more revenue to the state fair. in more revenue to the state fair.
• section 11, Department of Revenue. section 11, Department of Revenue.
• section 11, the department of revenue. section 11, the department of revenue.
• department of revenue? department of revenue? Senator<01:24:47.840> Scott.
• We're on section 11, Department of We're on section 11, Department of Revenue. Revenue. Revenue.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mortgage revenue bonds are tax exempt, so we get a lower rate on those bonds.
• We conditionally commit these dollars so that they can reach closing.
• We conditionally commit this dollars so that they can reach closing.
• The dotted line is the revenue forecast at 1.15 million barrels.
• At this time, there have been no commitments, no contracts, anything.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met as the Regulatory Division of the budget section and received updates on several Industrial Commission-related agencies and programs. Legislative Council first reviewed base budget materials, then the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency reported on its current appropriation and staffing, noting that its new FTEs were being filled gradually and that it remained largely funded through special and federal funds. Agency leaders described homeownership lending, loan servicing, and housing incentive fund activity, including below-market mortgage rates, down payment assistance, and a growing servicing portfolio that has increased workload but not yet required additional FTEs. Housing Finance also detailed use of the Housing Incentive Fund and homeless grant dollars. Officials said the multifamily HIF round drew more than $73 million in requests and awarded $25 million, while the single-family program supported rural development and community land trusts. Homeless grant funding was split between emergency shelter, prevention, and rapid rehousing, with performance-based scoring used to renew or reallocate awards. Members discussed housing affordability, aging households, rental assistance, and the need to coordinate housing and site-preparation messaging with Commerce. The agency asked that HIF, single-family, and homeless funding be maintained or increased in the next session. The Department of Mineral Resources then presented its budget and operations update. Staff said the agency was on track financially, had filled most of its new reclamation FTEs, and was not expecting major litigation costs beyond normal late-biennium invoices. The director reviewed agency initiatives including Project North Star IT modernization, organizational restructuring, succession planning, rulemaking, and implementation of the development incentive well tax program and critical minerals rules. He also discussed oil and gas activity, explaining that longer laterals, especially three- and four-mile wells and the first five-mile spacing case, are helping keep production relatively flat even as rig counts ease. Members asked about gas capture, hedging, break-even prices, and the effects of Iran and Venezuela on oil markets. The committee also heard about enhanced oil recovery grants and the Pipeline Authority. The EOR program’s $25 million appropriation was fully allocated to six projects, with total awards reaching about $45.1 million when other fund balances were included, subject to a possible 5% reduction if federal DOE money does not materialize. Officials said the projects are public, reimbursement-based, and will produce results over the next several years. Finally, the Pipeline Authority outlined natural gas transmission projects, including the imminent Bakken Express line and the proposed Bakken East project, which WBI was selected to advance after an Industrial Commission RFI process. The project is moving through open season, survey permission, and regulatory work, with in-service dates projected for 2029 and 2030.

Transcript Highlights:

• we've seen, particularly from Washington D.C., and that's led to what was sort of a dip in state revenues
• If we stick to The plan that we have by 2030, our investment revenues will equal our oil revenues and
• But we have to continue committing the revenue when oil prices are high and they fall, that we don't
• This recommendation includes 16 4 million for the state's commitment to work with the Defense Advanced
• Over half a billion dollars that the state is putting forward right now, fully committing to ensure that

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your time, consideration, and commitment to the citizens that we all serve.
• We're in an undefined environment as to how much revenue will be available for the public.
• We don't know what revenues will be available. This will increase...
• We don't know what revenues will be available. This will increase cost to the taxpayer.
• He said local governments would be hit on both sides: reduced local government revenue and increased

Summary: The Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee considered HB 145, by Rep. McFarland, which would raise Florida’s sovereign immunity caps from $200,000 per person and $300,000 per incident to $500,000 and $1 million, with a future inflation-based increase, extend the time to bring claims, and allow local governments to settle claims above the cap without a claims bill. McFarland argued the bill modernizes an outdated system and helps injured people obtain compensation more fairly and efficiently, while preserving sovereign immunity. Several members spoke in support during debate, saying the bill better balances government accountability and victims’ rights and that current caps have not kept pace with inflation and damages. Public testimony was largely in opposition. Local governments, counties, cities, insurance groups, and school-related organizations warned the bill would significantly increase liability exposure, insurance premiums, and taxpayer costs, especially for small and rural governments and school districts. Opponents also objected to the provision allowing settlements above the cap without legislative action, saying it would weaken the cap and increase litigation and costs. Supporters countered that injured people often wait years for claims bills and that governments should be able to resolve meritorious claims directly. After debate, the committee voted 16-1 to report HB 145 favorably, with Rep. Lopez voting no. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• and staff's commitment on Highway 412/62.
• We don't make revenue from writing a ticket. We'd rather not stop anyone.
• To E, it's our report of our annual expenditure of revenue.
• And then we were allocated casino revenue to a guaranteed amount of $35 million.
• And so that's there as a planning guide as we see future revenues in the future.

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from ARDOT Director Jared Wiley, who introduced Highway Commission members and reported that the agency has completed the final five recommendations from its long-running efficiency review. He highlighted new public-facing maintenance and construction dashboards on the agency website, and noted quarterly reports on land conveyances, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding, annual revenue expenditures, and major projects were provided with no major questions or objections. Members asked about ARDOT’s budget priorities, project delivery, and specific corridors. Wiley said roughly 75% of construction dollars go to maintaining the existing system, with additional maintenance and operations funding also directed to upkeep; he said Arkansas has about 16,300 centerline miles, nearly 40,000 lane miles, and about 73,700 bridges. He gave updates on Interstate 57 and Highway 5 work in Lonoke County, Interstate 49 public meetings in northwest Arkansas, passing-lane projects on Highway 412/62 in north central Arkansas, widening plans for Interstate 40, the Toad Suck Bridge flood mitigation project, and Highway 82 improvements in south Arkansas. The director also discussed ARDOT’s litter control efforts, saying the agency spends about $8 million annually on litter pickup and is exploring future legislation. He said work-zone safety tools such as cameras and mobile work-zone enforcement are helping reduce dangerous driving, though distracted driving remains a problem. Wiley also announced new agency initiatives on human trafficking awareness training for staff, a “Street Smart” traffic-safety education program for students, and a spring cleanup effort in which ARDOT crews and some office staff will collect litter statewide. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• But again, most of their revenue is going to come from ticket sales.
• The agency anticipates a flat budget from other revenues; again, that's primarily from ticket revenue
• And revenue, and we need employees to match that.
• Continuing, that was a loss of about $1.7 million in customer revenue.
• Chairman, requested $12.1 million in general fund revenue.