Transcript Highlights:

• Given that the median home price is $350,000, those Floridians will have zero nonschool ad valorem property
• Cross: If that county also is experiencing the same cuts, I have seen estimates that 40 counties under
• People are getting priced out of Florida.
• You tell people to come down here, it's wonderful, and then they're priced out by insurance.
• This price is likely to increase as material costs increase.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because of the price?
• Because of the price?
• Because of the price?
• Do we have an estimate on this? I'd say 10 years is a reasonable number.
• </c> like to get a little more firm estimate like to get a little more firm estimate of<00:15:38.560>

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:05 Capitol Renovations Update 00:00:40 Damage from Recent Disaster Discussion 00:33:25, 958, all

Summary: The committee met for its third meeting of the session and received an update on the Capitol renovation project from Finance and Administration Secretary Holly Johnson and State Budget Director John Hicks. They reported the project budget remains $291.52 million, with Messer Construction as construction manager, and said the temporary legislative chamber completion has slipped into 2025 because of wiring, voting machine, KET camera, and canopy work. They outlined the current bid schedule: site and utility bids due February 27, 2025; roofing and fourth-floor structural work due April 24; major renovation bids due May 23; bid review in late May and early June; roofing and fourth-floor work beginning in late June; and overall construction starting July 7, 2025. A major focus of the discussion was the project contingency, which officials said is only $10.8 million for an older building with significant unknown conditions. They explained that earlier investigations led to about $60 million in value engineering cuts, including more than $40 million tied to unexpectedly extensive terrace damage on the north, south, and east sides. The terraces were originally expected to need only minor work, but officials said investigations showed reconstruction would eventually be necessary and could not be handled by simple restoration. They also said the mechanical equipment plan changed from a basement location to a vault under the east parking lot, and that the west terrace will still see some ADA-related work. Committee members questioned why the terrace work was not included in the current budget, whether doing it later would cost more, and why bids and construction planning had taken so long. Officials said the terraces were left out because of cost, that future work would likely be more expensive because of market escalation, and that the timing reflected extensive investigation needed to produce reliable bids. Members also raised concerns about scaffolding and the temporary chambers; officials clarified that the scaffolding discussed was for the separate Capitol Dome project, not the chamber project, and said the Dome scaffolding is part of that project cost and is expected to come down in early 2027. They said the temporary chambers are expected to be used for three sessions, through the 28th session, with a return to the Capitol planned for the 29th session, and that public tours of the Capitol would likely end around June depending on the bid results and construction schedule.

Transcript Highlights:

• But when we were working with the Office of Planning and Budget, the estimate was around $10 million.
• So the other thing that they are doing: we are increasing the reference prices for future payment loss
• Arkansas is estimated to have 50% less rice.
• And what you saw, the effect on the crawfish industry was an immediate decrease in price on the value
• And what you saw, the effect on the crawfish industry was an immediate decrease in price on the value

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:27:17.640><c> out</c> for consumers potentially pricing out for consumers potentially pricing
• And this is the estimated revenue gain from the hiring of, I believe, 13 auditors, and it is an estimated
• There are estimates that I've read that the...
• There are estimates that I've read that the...
• </c> positions not renewed um there's estim positions not renewed um there's estim estimates<01:21:19.040

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 2437, the governor’s proposed tax bill, and first adopted the A25-Z42 amendment to put the bill in the desired shape. Commissioner Paul Marquardt of the Department of Revenue then presented the bill as part of Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan’s budget, describing it as a response to budget pressures that would make the tax system more fair and stable while supporting economic development and jobs. Marquardt walked through the bill’s major provisions. These included sustainable aviation fuel policy, repeal of K-12 education credit assignment, elimination of the political contribution refund, expansion of the research and development credit, short-line railroad infrastructure modernization, changes to the state airport fund levy, replacement of attachments and appearances with distribution systems, a narrow personal property tax exception for low-income housing tenants, reduced aquatic invasive species aid, and a 34% reduction in PILT payments. He then focused on the sales tax article, saying it would lower the statewide rate by 0.75% while expanding the base to selected professional services such as accounting, banking, brokerage, and legal services, with business-to-business transactions exempt. He said the proposal would be effective for sales and purchases after September 30, 2025, and estimated a first-year rate-cut impact of about $99 million versus $215 million from the service expansion, while arguing that most households would see a net tax cut. He also noted other changes such as landlord penalty adjustments, a 30% reduction in sustainable aviation fuel incentive payments, repeal of local government cannabis aid, and repeal of the tax filing modernization account. Public testimony began with Kyle Playford of the Financial Planning Association of Minnesota, who strongly opposed the proposed sales tax on professional services, especially financial planning. He argued that financial planning is an essential service for retirement, investment, and long-term financial security, and said the tax would raise costs for consumers, reduce access for middle-class families, small business owners, and retirees, and put Minnesota firms at a competitive disadvantage. The chair then indicated that additional public testimony would continue before member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had nearly 60,000 visitors at our South Environmental Center alone in 2024 and returned an estimated
• </c> over 78,000 motans and has an estimated over 78,000 motans and has an estimated $23.9<00:21:08.919
• We continue to try to stabilize our prices because most of our families can't afford lake shore homes
• We continue to try to stabilize our prices because most of our families can't afford lake shore homes
• We continue to try to stabilize our prices because most of our families can't afford lake shore homes

Bills: HF1359 , HF1829 , HF290 , HF1933 , HF926

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: solid waste management, resource management account, environmental fund, taxation, Minnesota statutes, homestead, property tax, classification, disability, resort properties, recreational use, commercial property, tax refund, estimated tax, interest on refunds, income tax, corporate franchise tax, S corporation, partnership, corporation

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, half price cattle prices, that's nothing.
• Uh, it is estimated to be completed in July of 2026.
• Estimated.
• I mean, it would have, you know, very negative consequences, I would think, to the pricing, pricing of
• That's something that is, that is, you know, every country as, as the price of protein and the price

Committee: House Agriculture & Livestock

Transcript Highlights:

• We are already kind of had a prior to that bill; we're just estimating the incremental impact of your
• We are already kind of had a prior to that bill; we're just estimating the incremental impact of your
• We are already kind of had a prior to that bill; we're just estimating the incremental impact of your
• So this private pay estimating includes the granny tax in the CPI increases and just the constant new
• They would've gotten a January 1st estimated.

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• is the estimate that you have before you.
• That is the most current estimate for the hearing.
• estimate that you have before you.
• And the other estimate with House File 5, with the A12 amendment and the A13 amendment, is the estimate
• </c><01:16:01.000><c> uh</c> manufacturer suggested retail price uh manufacturer suggested retail price

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:29.040><c> the</c> defined in our plan and to estimate the defined in our plan and to estimate
• Carlson: This slide also shows estimated capital savings.
• So using 2026 pricing across providers.
• Um, so the last piece of the legislation was to estimate the...
• </c> estimating the cost of metroomobility. estimating the cost of metroomobility.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• DD7 estimated that it would have cost $100,000 to $150,000 or more, an increase, and these are avoidable
• DD7 estimated that it would have cost $100,000 to $150,000 or more.
• When I read the Legislative Budget Board’s fiscal note for the PUC, they estimated about a $1.2 million
• To meet this workload increase and based on the analysis of the PUC, this estimate assumes the agency
• It's estimated to be the 11th largest groundwater district in the state.

Bills: HB3115 , HB5671 , HB5693 , SB790 , SB1055 , SB1302 , SB1504 , SB1625 , SB1663 , SB2692

Committee: House Natural Resources

Keywords: Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District, groundwater, water wells, domestic well, livestock well, exempt well, metering device, well meter, groundwater conservation district, Special District Local Laws Code, Water Code, Section 36.117, groundwater regulation, water rights, aquifer management, municipal utility, retail public utility, groundwater export, water supply contract, election

Summary: The Committee on Natural Resources heard testimony on a series of water, utility, and groundwater-related bills. Early items included HB 5693, which would let Drainage District 7 hold board elections in November of odd-numbered years when a countywide election is occurring, and HB 5671, which would update the Johnson County Special Utility District by clarifying board eligibility, allowing bond issuance, and removing redundant TCEQ approval language to reduce costs and delays. Both bills were left pending after brief testimony from bill sponsors and local witnesses. The committee also heard SB 1504, which would update the Gulf Coast Authority to allow video-conference participation in meetings, and SB 1302, aimed at closing a TCEQ permitting loophole that allowed dischargers with prior denials or suspensions to reapply through an automated process without meaningful review. SB 2692 drew substantial discussion: it would change the signature threshold for outside-city-limits customers appealing municipal utility rates to the PUC by customer class. Valero supported the bill as a way to avoid requiring large-volume users to gather signatures from unrelated residential customers, while the City of Corpus Christi opposed it, arguing that lowering the threshold to one customer could trigger expensive appeals costing $500,000 to $1 million. A PUC witness said such cases are increasing and that the agency would need additional staff under the fiscal note. SB 790, creating a simplified PUC complaint process for small water and wastewater billing disputes, and SB 1663, expanding TCEQ notice requirements for nearby residents when groundwater contamination is discovered, were also heard and left pending. Additional bills included HB 3115, clarifying that the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District cannot require meters on exempt domestic or livestock wells; SB 1055, raising the Southeast Texas Groundwater Conservation District’s production fee cap from 1 cent to 7 cents per 1,000 gallons; and SB 1625, requiring private water and wastewater utilities to report cybersecurity incidents to TCEQ and DIR. The committee then took up pending business and adopted a substitute for SB 7, which made several changes to water fund use, eminent domain coordination, and EDAP-related provisions, and voted 10-0 to report it favorably. The committee also adopted a substitute for HB 2347, a county water conservation program bill, and reported it favorably 9-1. HB 5675 and SB 2476 were each reported favorably 10-0. The meeting concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:37.760><c> of</c> that and we'll give them estimates of that and we'll give them estimates
• There's a total spend estimated at $750 million.
• There's a total spend estimated at $750 million.
• So that if the market price is below what our cost to generate would be, that would be the price that
• So that if the market price is below what our cost to generate would be, that would be the price that

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:10 Approval of Minutes 00:01:19 Helping Power Kentucky's Growth (LG&E/KU) 00:01:39 Update from Kentucky's Electric Cooperatives 00:47:35, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes from the previous meeting, and then heard a presentation from LG&E and KU representatives Caroline Clark and John Bevington on economic development, energy demand, and the utility’s role in supporting Kentucky’s growth. Bevington described the company’s service territory, generation fleet, and recent economic development activity, including 76 projects supported in 2024, more than $2.8 billion in private investment, and over 3,000 new jobs. He emphasized that data centers are now the dominant driver in the pipeline, with 22 data center projects representing about 8.7 of the 9.7 gigawatts of potential demand, alongside other manufacturing and commercial projects. A major focus was how data centers choose sites and how utilities respond. Bevington explained that hyperscale data centers typically approach utilities first because they need transmission-level access, and that utilities then conduct internal analyses, estimate infrastructure needs, and require financial security before proceeding. He said the company is working through formal transmission studies and long-lead infrastructure planning, and noted that Kentucky’s sales tax exemption for data centers helped attract interest. He also outlined the economic benefits of data centers, citing an announced Louisville project of 525 megawatts and about $11 billion in investment, with an estimated $500 million in new tax revenue over 10 years, plus broader job and GDP impacts. Members asked about whether data centers could generate their own power, the reliability of the pipeline numbers given confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements, and cybersecurity concerns. Bevington said the company does not assume all pipeline projects will materialize in Kentucky and instead assigns probabilities to avoid overbuilding. He also said he was not the right person to address cybersecurity in detail but offered to return to a committee focused on IT or security. In response to questions about future supply, he said LG&E and KU are adding generation through a 120-megawatt solar facility in Mercer County, a 120-megawatt solar purchase in Marion County, and a 645-megawatt natural gas combined-cycle plant in Louisville, with PSC approval recently granted for additional generation and related system upgrades.

Transcript Highlights:

• The price goes up.
• Inflation shows up in everyday insurance prices.
• Inflation shows up in everyday insurance<00:58:54.319><c> prices.
• When it costs more to insurance prices.
• </c> losses of tomorrow at tomorrow's prices. losses of tomorrow at tomorrow's prices.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:15 Department of Insurance Update 00:01:39 Department of Financial Institutions Update 00:37:07 Insurance Industry Update 00:54:50 Credit Union Industry Update 01:10:53, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the September 16 minutes, and then received an update from Insurance Commissioner Sharon Clark and staff on the Department of Insurance. Clark reviewed department activity, including growth in premium volume and licensing, consumer complaints and recoveries, and a rise in fraud referrals. She said the department has 66 open fraud cases and described common schemes such as staged auto accidents, inflated repair or cleanup charges, and roofing scams. She also said the department’s investigators often prepare strong cases but face reluctance from local prosecutors, especially in Fayette and Jefferson counties, to pursue them. Clark reported favorable workers’ compensation news, saying rates will decrease 9.7% next year for the 20th straight year. She contrasted that with a difficult property insurance market driven by storms, reinsurance costs, inflation, labor shortages, and litigation, but said Kentucky’s market remains relatively stable, citing the Kentucky Fair Plan’s small number of policies. She then warned of significant 2026 health insurance premium increases on the exchange: 16.1% for Molina, 23% for Anthem, and 37% for WCare, after CareSource withdrew. She said the rates were reviewed by actuaries and found fair, but that the biggest pressure point is the scheduled expiration of enhanced premium tax credits, which she said could leave about 90% of exchange enrollees facing a compounded increase. Members questioned Clark about fraud prosecution, the number of people in commercial versus public coverage, and the impact of expiring subsidies. Clark said the prosecution issue is mainly with Commonwealth attorneys and that rural counties are more cooperative than urban ones. She also said the health market is individually rated and that older enrollees would be hit harder, while the loss of tax credits could push some people out of the marketplace. One member asked about the attorney general’s recent opinion on SB 188, the PBM bill; staff said attorneys were still reviewing it. Clark closed by noting that Kentucky’s fraud and towing/storage legislation has become a model for other states.

Transcript Highlights:

• on pensions estimates it takes about<00:07:13.080><c> 25</c><00:07:13.720><c> years</c><00:07:14.040
• of the purchase price for up to three different periods of past service.
• MSRS had their actuary do a cost estimate, and the estimated cost of that 2% increase is $707,540. before
• </c><00:57:24.800><c> of</c><00:57:24.880><c> that</c> estimate and the estimated cost of that estimate
• </c> offset the purchase price. offset the purchase price.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and re-estimated, and an original, like today’s estimate, is very high level, not pulled out of thin
• We based the price, the dollar amount of this capital...
• Are your components discrete enough to be estimated individually?
• on that, on the number and the price of what that would look like?
• There was no escalation of cost included in this estimate.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The economic impact of that is estimated to be $1.4 billion and over 17,000 jobs.
• The total price of our first and second house combined was their down payment.
• The agency's estimate of lower federal, while the LFC kept federal flat.
• The unemployment rate is an estimate. The actual jobs number is an actual number of jobs.
• It gets to a point where there's an estimate put together.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are going to begin with a staff briefing on Substitute House Bill 2334, adjusting the price of a cash
• As we build more of them, the price will come down, fortunately.
• As we build more of them, the price will come down, fortunately.
• WSDOT estimates the average maintenance cost per lane mile per biennium is $31,000 and estimates that
• As a trucking company owner, the small price of this fee that hasn't been raised since 2007 is a price

Bills: HB2604 , HB2436 , SB6354 , SB6352

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: vehicle ownership, insurance, title transfer, consumer protection, motor vehicle, oil tanker, tank vessel, restricted waters, Puget Sound, San Juan Islands, Rosario Strait, Admiralty Inlet, Discovery Island, New Dungeness, tug escort, pilotage, marine safety, spill prevention, oil transport, petroleum shipment

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, I can say also that our revenue estimates were based on consultation with the Department of
• </c> around the table for those estimates around the table for those estimates that<00:15:50.720><c>
• They believe it is a serious problem with a very large price tag, and we're going to be working with
• tag and uh we're going to be price tag and uh we're going to be working<00:20:51.200><c> with</c><00
• With inflation and other contexts, prices can go up.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee heard a briefing from the governor on her recommended fiscal years 2026-2027 budget. She described it as a “recalibration” that reduces general fund spending by about $150 million from the prior budget, avoids tax increases, and aims to protect vulnerable residents while supporting the economy. She said the proposal addresses a projected current-biennium deficit, cites lower-than-expected revenues and off-budget spending, and includes a hiring freeze and other spending reductions. The governor also said the budget is built on current revenue estimates developed with the Department of Revenue Administration and the state’s chief economist. Major policy areas discussed included education, public safety, health and human services, housing, and workforce development. The governor said the budget increases spending on public education and special education, expands Education Freedom Accounts to public school students, funds a cell-phone-free classroom grant program, continues the community college tuition freeze, and supports workforce training. She also highlighted investments in the Group II retirement system for first responders, Northern Border Alliance and drug interdiction efforts, child advocacy and victim services, mental health services, developmental disability services with no wait list, and a streamlined housing permitting process with a 60-day review target. Committee members raised questions about the fiscal assumptions, the impact of possible federal funding changes, the Education Freedom Account expansion, dam infrastructure funding, and workforce issues such as state employee pay and vacant positions. The governor said the budget continues funding for federal programs currently assumed, and that she would advocate for block grants and other federal flexibility. On dams, administration officials said the budget includes about $13 million in capital funding, with possible fee increases under consideration. On staffing, the governor said the budget funds the previously bargained 12% state employee increase, includes eight position reductions tied to program changes, and would allow those employees to be rehired if openings arise. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• With regard to the Medi-Cal caseload, in the current year we estimate about 14.5 million individuals
• When we get to the next two items on the local assistance and family health estimates, I'll go through
• The estimated savings in the budget year are $331.8 million General Fund.
• This issue two is the November 2025 Medi-Cal Local Assistance Estimate, and we'll provide an overview
• Okay, issue number three is the November 2025 Family Health Local Assistance Estimate.

Summary: The subcommittee heard a lengthy Department of Health Care Services presentation on the governor’s Medi-Cal budget, including a $229.1 billion total-funds proposal, projected Medi-Cal enrollment declines as redeterminations continue, and several major cost drivers such as managed care growth, Medicare-related costs, pharmacy spending, and changes tied to federal policy. Members focused heavily on the elimination of Prop. 56 dental supplemental payments beginning July 1, 2026, questioning the likely impact on provider participation and utilization. DHCS said it is completing the required rate reduction/access analysis for CMS, has been holding stakeholder meetings and issuing provider bulletins, but could not yet quantify the real-world effect. The committee also discussed a $50 million savings proposal tied to new hospice utilization management authority and asked about possible effects on emergency dental care and provider participation. The hearing then moved through the November 2025 family health estimate and several county and program administration issues, including CCS, GHPP, and Every Woman Counts. DHCS said family health costs are rising despite slight caseload declines because of higher utilization and medical costs, and members raised concerns about CCS website accessibility, county administrative funding, and the transition of youth aging out of CCS. The department said most CCS beneficiaries are also on Medi-Cal, that counties have long raised funding concerns, and that it had clarified use of maintenance-and-operations dollars to address some county workload issues. Members also asked about Every Woman Counts potentially seeing higher demand as Medi-Cal changes take effect; DHCS said that is possible and that the program has multiple funding sources including General Fund. A major portion of the hearing focused on provider taxes and federal changes under H.R. 1, especially the Medi-Cal managed care organization tax and the hospital quality assurance fee. DHCS explained that H.R. 1 restricts new or increased health care-related taxes, phases down allowable tax levels over time, and tightens “generally redistributive” rules, which could sharply reduce the state’s ability to use the MCO tax for Medi-Cal financing. Members asked whether the Legislature could amend Prop. 35 or whether voters would need to act; DHCS said a three-fourths legislative amendment may be possible if it aligns with the measure’s purpose, but the department is still evaluating options. The committee also discussed hospital financing, with DHCS describing recent increases in state-directed payments and the effect of H.R. 1 in capping those payments at Medicare levels, and the LAO noting the tradeoff between preserving provider taxes and maintaining Medi-Cal funding. The subcommittee also reviewed a series of DHCS budget change proposals and trailer bill items, including managed care final-rule implementation, managed care operations, a hospital value strategy, a one-year extension of skilled nursing facility financing, long-term care payment transparency, and interoperability/prior authorization requirements. Members repeatedly questioned the use of limited-term versus permanent positions, the overlap among proposals, and the timing of new financing reforms. DHCS said the SNF extension would preserve current workforce standards, sanctions, growth limits, and the SNF quality assurance fee while the department develops a broader 2027-28 redesign. No votes were taken; items were repeatedly held open for later action. Covered California then presented on the expiration of the federal enhanced premium tax credit and the resulting affordability crisis. The agency said Californians will lose about $2.5 billion in premium assistance for 2026, average premiums could nearly double for many enrollees, and as many as 400,000 people could eventually leave marketplace coverage. Open enrollment ended with 1.9 million sign-ups, down 3% from the prior year, with especially steep declines among middle-income consumers and increased movement into bronze plans. Covered California said the state’s $190 million affordability subsidy is helping lower-income enrollees retain coverage, but cannot fully replace the lost federal assistance. Members also asked about the Health Care Affordability Reserve Fund, repayment of loans from that fund, the status of federal review of California’s essential health benefits benchmark, and implementation of the new gender-affirming care benefit under AB 144.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, have you estimated the cost that you're going to incur DoD South?
• And as we understand how large we'll get, we'll have a better focus on the price.
• But we don't even have a cost estimate for the new Guantanamo operation.
• I would like a view also to tell us if DOD blows past whatever estimates you give us.
• And how many icebreakers do you estimate the Russians have in the Arctic?

Committee: Senate Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel

Keywords: national security, China, Russia, cybersecurity, border security, military deployment, transnational crime, defense modernization, military strategy

Summary: In this meeting, key topics included national security concerns with an emphasis on threats from China, Russia, and transnational criminal organizations. Senior military officials provided testimony on the evolving risks posed by these adversaries, particularly focusing on cybersecurity and advancements in weaponry. The discussion highlighted the importance of a cohesive strategy among government departments to effectively respond to the challenges presented by these threats, emphasizing the need for modernization in defense capabilities. Committee members grilled the witnesses on border security and the implications of deploying military resources in domestic operations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um it's estimated that all rateayers.
• But by that estimate, using Minnesota-specific situation, we estimate if in 2030 we meet 10% of our peak
• But by that estimate, using Minnesota-specific situation, we estimate if in 2030 we meet 10% of our peak
• They can hedge against pricing control.
• Are there any high-level estimates about how much cheaper?

Bills: HF2986 , HF3555

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: virtual power plant, VPP, distributed energy resources, DER, demand response, load management, grid modernization, peak demand, peak shaving, battery storage, energy storage, solar photovoltaic, solar panels, electric vehicles, smart thermostats, heat pumps, aggregator, public utilities commission, PUC, rate recovery