Transcript Highlights:

• Estimated for a mobile unit is $500,000 a piece, and you might need several of those to put together
• I really like that idea is if we're going to do the investment, would you invest in either mobile or
• I really like that idea is if we're going to do the investment, would you invest in either mobile or
• I really like that idea is if we're going to do the investment, would you invest in either mobile or
• I really like that idea is if we're going to do the investment, would you invest in either mobile or

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Around then, Project Mobility began, which also would go on to become Metro Mobility, the paratransit
• </c><00:24:01.200><c> and</c> service program uh metro mobility and service program uh metro mobility
• So, yeah, honestly, it makes my job a lot of fun.
• So, yeah, honestly, it makes my job a lot of fun.
• So, yeah, honestly, it makes my job a lot of fun.

Bills: HF4693

Keywords: transportation, license plates, validation stickers, replacement fees, government fees, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So SB 1342 simply recognizes this timeless principle when we build jobs. ...to Key West.
• We are just going to be the most advanced state when it comes to air mobility.
• And we're going to continue our progress in really making Florida the center of advanced air mobility
• And we're going to continue our progress in really making Florida the center of advanced air mobility
• I want to thank everyone for your patience and a great job in this committee today.

Bills: S0174, S1342, S1334, S1362, S1602, S1604

Keywords: transportation, memorial, honorary designation, Miami-Dade, Charlie Kirk, transit-oriented development, housing affordability, mixed-use zoning, urban development, traffic congestion, elections, voter registration, citizenship, provisional ballots, election fraud, vertiports, aviation, airport infrastructure, economic development, veterans

Transcript Highlights:

• What if my mobility you... >> $7 delivery fee.
• That's our job.
• That's our<00:24:30.840><c> job.</c> our job. our job.
• We didn't really do the whole job done. We didn't get the job done.
• It was so easy for me to do my my job.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's basic infrastructure for education, health care, and jobs, and too many of our communities have
• I think she does a wonderful job.
• And, again, look, I think our Attorney General is doing a phenomenal job.
• So this is nothing to do with this Attorney General, but we're basically giving... ...job.
• The one thing that we're looking at is the future is mobile technology.

Bills: HB220, HB259, HB463, HB536, HB750, HB830, HB950

Keywords: child exploitation, online reporting, platforms, cyber crime, PROTECT Act, excavation, demolition, infrastructure repair, BEAD Program, utility damage, construction coordination, contact point, emergency services, telephone charge, wireless service, reporting requirements, communications district, wireless communication, school safety, community permits

Transcript Highlights:

• Justin Brill, who did a great job keeping our committee prepared and understanding the work in front
• One of the things I was really proud of was that we were able to protect Metro Mobility from cuts.
• Hopeful that this will get the job done and we can prevent those tragedies from occurring again.
• So it's a problem when workers can't get to their jobs.
• Things like funding for Metro Mobility—we were able to fund Metro Mobility.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our vendor is Vero Mobility, which is one of the largest providers in...
• Our vendor is Vero Mobility, which is one of the largest providers in the world.
• And the reason I ask that specifically—I don't know what Vero Mobility does with it.
• Specifically, I don't know what Vero Mobility does with it.
• How much does Vero Mobility get? Do they get $10,000 a month? Do they get $5,000 a month?

Summary: The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee heard several transportation-related measures, with SB 1010 and SB 1552 held at the outset. SB 1024, dealing with licensing and registration rules for roadable aircraft, was discussed briefly; members raised questions about vehicle license tax revenue and the sponsor was absent, but the bill was still advanced on a do pass recommendation by a 3-2 vote. SB 1205, which creates statewide rules for motor vehicle booting on private property, received testimony from industry and Sen. Kavanagh in support and was approved 5-0. SB 1366, creating a study committee on public property towing and impound practices, also passed 5-0 after supporters described it as a bipartisan, data-gathering measure. The committee then took up SB 1624 on photo enforcement violations. The bill would cap civil penalties at $75 and limit the use of photo enforcement violations for license, insurance, and court-record purposes, while an amendment added a class three misdemeanor for excessive speed and directed $15 of the penalty to the Peace Officer Training Equipment Fund. The measure drew extensive debate, with supporters arguing it would simplify enforcement and keep penalties manageable, and opponents including insurers and local governments warning it would mask risk, reduce revenue for state and local funds, and interfere with school-zone safety. After adopting the amendment, the committee advanced the bill 4-2. SB 1232, a technical bill concerning billboard placement near military airport and facility districts, was amended to clarify local approval and public hearing requirements and then passed unanimously. SCR 1004, the companion measure to a House resolution, would send to voters a proposal limiting photo enforcement unless a local government had a contract in place by December 31, 2026; after testimony describing it as a negotiated compromise that preserves local control, it passed 4-2. The committee also approved two memorials, SCM 1002 renaming a portion of SR 77 as the L.F. Quinn Memorial Highway and SCM 1006 renaming a portion of US 70 as the PFC Michael A. Nolene Memorial Highway, both by unanimous votes, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Republican Tax Cut and Jobs Act passed in Congress in 2017 included a 1.4% tax on endowment income
• the Minnesota Private College Council who for whatever reason chooses not to uh testify, but I do Jobs
• Act passed in Congress in 2017 Jobs Act passed in Congress in 2017 included<00:04:02.400><c> a</c><00
• <00:29:55.120><c> very</c> job very job very accountable<00:29:57.440><c> now</c><00:29:57.760><c> the
• But it's also had a regional impact with job creation, housing starts, and economic activity that we

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The jobs you've had as a lawyer and in the Navy are impressive.
• The resilient infrastructure, port and harbor bridge competency, and rural mobility.
• We have really done an amazing job in that area.
• Our job is always to serve the Panhandle first.
• And all programs lead directly to high-paying jobs for graduates.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It creates strong middle-class, often union jobs that benefit entire regions.
• They disrupt union jobs and the technical capacity California depends on.
• And these are taxpayer resources that, you know, we're providing you to do research, and you mobilize
• The key is mobilizing private capital to the cause.
• I feel like Edith's analysis did a really good job of characterizing that. Thank you.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 1135, which would reestablish the California Wildlife Coexistence Program to promote nonlethal human-wildlife conflict reduction and support coexistence efforts for species such as wolves, bears, and mountain lions. Supporters, including wildlife groups and local government representatives, said the prior program was effective and that proactive tools like fladry, guardian animals, deterrents, reporting, and outreach reduce conflicts and costs. Ranching and agricultural groups were opposed unless amended, saying they supported the concept but wanted changes to the wolf-livestock compensation program, including clearer practicability standards, protection of compensation funds, and more flexibility on nonlethal requirements. The bill was moved to Appropriations on a 2-0 vote, with the measure left on call. The committee then took up SB 1085, which would preserve water supply assessments for large development projects even when those projects are exempt from CEQA, so local agencies still receive information about whether sufficient water exists for the project. The author and sponsor argued the bill would keep water planning and land use planning linked and prevent “paper water” problems, while the California Building Industry Association opposed it, warning it could add delay, uncertainty, and litigation risk for housing projects already subject to other water-supply safeguards. Members discussed how the bill would affect different local structures, especially cities that also operate their own water systems, and whether the assessment adds value in those cases. The bill passed 4-1 to Local Government and was left on call. SB 1270 was next, expanding the California wildfire mitigation home-hardening pilot beyond the original six counties to include four additional high-risk counties identified by Cal OES and Cal Fire, and directing future funding toward those areas. Supporters said the recent Los Angeles fires showed the need to broaden access to home-hardening assistance, while members discussed whether the program should remain geographically targeted or be made available statewide based on need. The bill was amended in committee and passed 5-0 to Emergency Management, left on call. Finally, the committee heard SB 895, a major proposal to place a $23 billion bond on the ballot to create a California Foundation for Science and Health Research and stabilize scientific research funding in the state. The author, UC, UAW, and many research, labor, health, and university groups supported the measure, arguing that federal cuts and instability threaten California’s research workforce, innovation, and economy. Some members raised concerns about the size of the bond and about political issues involving one sponsor, but the author said the foundation would operate under California law and the bill is intended to keep science funding open and collaborative. The bill was moved out of committee on a 5-0 vote and left on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• the opportunity to fuel here, have this tax benefit, they'll be creating their hubs here, creating jobs
• She works three jobs.
• We've done a great job in explaining how this is going to be as protected as we can be protected.
• Sales taxes on new mobile homes will be reduced from 3% to 2.25%.
• The mobile home tax is especially important for people.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on April 2, 2025, with a quorum present and took up four bills. The committee first heard HB 4041, which would create the Corkscrew Grove Stewardship District in Collier County to finance and maintain infrastructure such as transportation, utilities, and stormwater systems without changing county regulatory authority. The bill drew no opposition, was reported favorably, and passed 14-0. The committee then considered HB 1485, which repeals Florida’s aviation fuel tax provisions. The sponsor argued the change would simplify the tax code, attract airline investment, and support lower fares and more routes. Members raised concerns about the estimated recurring $22.8 million impact on the State Transportation Trust Fund and $2 million on general revenue, and airport representatives warned of reduced grant and development funding, especially for general aviation and municipal airports. Supporters said the change would increase competition and fuel sales in Florida. The bill was reported favorably on a 12-5 vote. Next, the committee heard HB 999, which would recognize gold and silver as legal tender, allow electronic debit access to bullion accounts, and remove tax burdens on transactions involving precious metals. The sponsor and supporters described the bill as a way to protect purchasing power and provide an alternative parallel to the dollar, while opponents and some members raised concerns about consumer protections, predatory practices, privacy, and the role of the Office of Financial Regulation in rulemaking. After extensive testimony, the bill was reported favorably 19-0. Finally, the committee considered PCB WMC 25-01, which would reduce the state sales tax rate from 6% to 5.25% and also lower several related taxes, including the business rent tax, nonresidential electricity tax, mobile home sales tax, and coin-operated amusement machine tax. The proposal was estimated to reduce revenue by about $5.5 billion annually. Members discussed impacts on the budget, education funding, and whether savings would reach consumers, while supporters emphasized relief for Floridians and business competitiveness. The bill passed unanimously 19-0 and was reported favorably. The chair then noted a prior procedural apology on the record, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• medication access management than when I should be focusing on medication therapy management, which is my job
• to Mobile to Muscle Shoals. from Abbeville to Mobile to Muscle Shoals.
• All right, and that's all our speakers, and they did a wonderful job.
• behalf of the interests of the manufacturing industry—manufacturing companies from North Alabama to Mobile
• . companies from North Alabama to Mobile and all points in between.

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, groundwater sustainability plans in some cases did not do a thorough job identifying managed
• It creates a practical path for fully mitigated restoration and mobility benefits.
• It creates a practical path for fully mitigated restoration and mobility benefits.
• A lot of these jobs that people are going from Solano County to Sonoma County for are minimum wage jobs
• They may never decide to use it, but it gives them a tool in their toolbox to do their job.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of water, parks, transportation, species protection, and fisheries bills. AB 430 would require the State Water Resources Control Board to publish an economic and environmental impact study when emergency water regulations are extended over multiple years; the author and supporters from agricultural and water groups said it would add transparency without limiting emergency authority. AB 1139 would expand a CEQA exemption to let county park agencies open existing roads and trails for non-motorized recreation, with supporters emphasizing access to nature and opponents warning about impacts to sensitive habitat, tribal resources, and fire risk. AB 929 would temporarily exempt small community water systems and managed wetlands from certain SGMA pumping reductions and fines; supporters said it would protect vulnerable communities and wetlands, while farm and water coalition opponents argued it would undermine basin-wide groundwater management and shift burdens to other users. AB 1225, creating an Accessibility Advisory Committee for State Parks, drew broad support and passed unanimously. The committee also heard AB 514, which would encourage local water suppliers to develop emergency water supplies for drought and service interruptions; it passed with broad support, though one member cautioned against using scientific research as a loophole. AB 550 would let developers seek incidental take permits for species under consideration for listing, aimed at reducing delays for clean energy projects; environmental groups supported the goal but asked for clearer standards, limits on using research as mitigation, and a fee provision, and the bill passed as amended. AB 697 would authorize an incidental take permit for the State Route 37 interim project in Solano and Marin counties, balancing congestion relief and habitat restoration; supporters stressed long commutes and urgent restoration deadlines, while opponents raised climate, sea-level-rise, and tribal concerns. The bill passed, with some members noting they would continue to work on the measure. Other measures discussed included AB 975, which would give Sutter County a narrow, temporary exemption from streambed alteration agreements for certain damaged small bridges and culverts; county officials described repeated flood damage and long permitting delays, and the bill passed as amended. AB 1056 would phase out transferability of set gillnet permits after 2027, allowing only a final family transfer; supporters framed it as a gradual response to bycatch concerns, while fishing industry opponents said it would unfairly target an existing fishery and set a bad precedent. The committee also took up AB 1146, described by the author as a response to politically motivated water releases; supporters from conservation and water organizations backed the bill. Several bills were voted out to Appropriations, some were left open for later action or add-ons, and the committee repeatedly noted it was working through the agenda without a quorum early in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• tribes who value land and conservation, but also rural communities who rely on working forests for jobs
• Forests for jobs and non-tax revenue.
• It'll help to protect working forest jobs, and we'll keep trees in the ground and make sure that we're
• It'll help to protect working forest jobs and we'll keep trees in the ground and make sure that we're
• I also just wanted to thank you for your $4 million investment in the Hidden Villages mobile home park

Summary: The Capital Budget Committee held a hearing on Proposed Substitute House Bill 2295, the supplemental capital budget. Staff said the proposal totals nearly $911 million, including about $400 million in bonds and $511 million from other state and federal sources, with much of the increase over the governor’s proposal coming from Climate Commitment Act (CCA) funding. Major spending areas include housing and homelessness, K-12 construction, human services facilities, and CCA-funded clean energy, decarbonization, and habitat restoration projects. The chair said the committee would not take amendments at the hearing and planned to vote out the budget on Thursday, with a technical fix striker expected. Testimony was largely supportive of the House proposal, with many witnesses asking the committee to preserve or increase specific items in final negotiations. Housing advocates urged support for the Housing Trust Fund, manufactured housing preservation, and projects such as Alliance Place, Cloverdale Cottages, Cherry Street Village, Somos, and the Thrive Center. Education and public facility witnesses backed investments in school seismic safety, small district modernization, Healthy Kids Healthy Schools, community college and university maintenance, and projects at Cascadia College, WSU, CWU, and UW. Health and human services testimony supported behavioral health, Tubman Center, HealthPoint, pregnant parenting treatment, and the Yakima Behavioral Health Hub. Natural resources, climate, and infrastructure witnesses praised funding for Flood Plains by Design, community forests, trust land transfer, salmon recovery, the Skokomish land purchase, and the Lower Columbia River dredging project. Several local governments and organizations requested additional support or Senate-level funding for specific projects, while Climate Solutions cautioned against using CCA dollars to backfill existing obligations. The committee heard no votes during the hearing, and the chair closed by saying the budget would be executed on Thursday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Driving a bus isn't an easy job.
• I love my job.
• These are staff members that absolutely love their jobs.
• But we have all kinds of jobs, whether that's instructional jobs, manufacturing jobs, or industrial jobs
• , enhance those jobs, and find ways for recruitment and retention.

Bills: HF1388

Keywords: BARR Center, Building Assets, Reducing Risks, education finance, school funding, grant appropriation, evidence-based program, student achievement, social and emotional learning, school climate, teacher effectiveness, high school graduation, students in poverty, students of color, BIPOC, equity in education, Minnesota Department of Education, urban schools, suburban schools, rural schools, school coaching

Transcript Highlights:

• So we'll tell them how great a job you did, and you tell them if you see them.
• Great job. That's an exception.
• And four days after that, my job was cut.
• House 574, an act relative to the use of mobile devices in public school districts.
• Good job. Thank you very much. Mr. Chairman, real quick.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee opened a public hearing on 41 bills related to school climate and safety, with chairs Jason Lewis and Ken Gordon outlining procedures and noting more than 125 witnesses. The first major topic was the “Study Act” on cell phones in schools and related social media restrictions (House 666/Senate 335). Secretary of Education Pat Tutwiler and Attorney General Andrea Campbell testified in strong support, arguing that bell-to-bell phone-free policies would improve student focus, reduce anxiety and distraction, and support mental health. Several legislators also supported the approach, though Representative Jeff Turco and Senator John Keenan emphasized narrower bills focused only on school-day phone restrictions rather than broader social media regulation. Senator John Velis likewise backed a comprehensive school-hours restriction, citing student distraction and mental health concerns. Representative Tarsky described successful implementation of a Yondr pouch system in a school where he served as principal, saying it improved engagement and reduced bullying and discipline issues. The committee then heard testimony on a bill to prohibit Native American mascots in public schools (Senate 312/House 575). Senator Joe Comerford, Brittany Wally, and Rhonda Anderson all urged passage, saying Native mascots are dehumanizing, harmful to Native youth, and inconsistent with civil rights and educational values. They described support from tribal nations and noted that many Massachusetts schools have already changed mascots, but some still resist. The hearing also included testimony on school start times (House 647/Senate 360), where middle school students Caroline Duffy and Emery Jarvis described exhaustion and survey data showing widespread sleep deprivation. Former educator Telia Jacobs, former principal Rep. Tarsky, and others argued that later start times would improve health, learning, and student well-being, while acknowledging transportation and scheduling challenges. Zoriana Petrosian, who helped write one of the bills as a student, said the state already has enough research to act now. Additional bills drew testimony on related school issues. Dr. Raul Fernandez supported a bill promoting racially integrated schools (Senate 324), citing a recent advisory council report showing large disparities in segregated schools and urging DESE to develop a statewide integration strategy. On safe firearm storage education (House 548/Senate 397), multiple witnesses from Grassroots for Gun Violence Prevention and school communities supported annual school-based education about secure storage, saying it would help prevent child access to unsecured firearms and build on local resolutions already adopted in some districts. The committee also heard testimony on bills to expand career and academic plans (House 533/Senate 438), with speakers saying more structured planning would help students make informed college and career choices. Later, testimony on child sexual abuse prevention and survivor support bills described the prevalence of abuse, the need for training in schools and youth-serving organizations, and the importance of extending compensation and prevention measures. Throughout the hearing, chairs repeatedly closed bills with no witnesses and moved the agenda forward, but no votes were taken in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so there's real opportunities for those mid-skilled jobs.
• Jobs in California.
• Those jobs average $118,000 a year for annual salaries.
• We're also then able to make this very compact and mobile.
• So we talked about keeping the jobs here.

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Biotechnology and Medical Technology held a hearing on California’s medical technology landscape, with opening remarks emphasizing the sector’s size, economic impact, and role in jobs and innovation. The first panel contrasted MedTech with biopharma, describing MedTech as hardware- and manufacturing-oriented, more incremental in development, and more dependent on supply chains, land use, and mid-skilled workforce pipelines. Witnesses argued California is the epicenter for MedTech because of its mix of engineering, software, hospitals, and manufacturing ecosystems, and cited clusters in places like Irvine, Fremont, Carlsbad, and the Bay Area. They also highlighted examples such as Penumbra and Vyaire Medical Systems to show how local manufacturing, community college training, and reshoring can support growth. The panel discussed cybersecurity, trade relations, supply chain disruptions, and the need for better coordination with hospitals and regulators, while AdvaMed stressed that medical devices are already heavily regulated by the FDA and should generally be exempt from broader state laws that could create a patchwork of requirements. Members also discussed AI in MedTech, workforce training, and the possible effects of federal NIH funding cuts, with witnesses saying MedTech is less dependent on NIH than biopharma but still benefits from a strong innovation ecosystem. Committee members then asked about AI, affordability, patient satisfaction, women’s health, and the R&D tax credit. Witnesses said AI is helping reduce errors, redundant testing, and imaging time, while keeping clinicians in the loop, and that digital pathology and robotic surgery are improving diagnosis and treatment. They also noted that packaging, plastics, and recycling can affect FDA approvals, and that FemTech is an active and growing area for investment and acquisition. Several members raised concerns about California’s regulatory and incentive environment, including the loss of the R&D tax credit, and witnesses said the absence of tax incentives has made it harder to keep companies and jobs in the state. The second panel featured company representatives from Lyca Biosystems, Intuitive, Saravia Neurosciences, and Newman. Dr. Monroe described digital pathology as a way to digitize tissue slides, improve access to subspecialty review, and enable AI-assisted diagnosis, especially for cancer care and rural areas. Intuitive highlighted robotic-assisted surgery, including the da Vinci system and the Ion bronchoscopy platform, and said its technologies improve precision, reduce complications, and support clinician-led care. Saravia Neurosciences presented an early-stage neurotechnology for dementia that uses MRI-guided transcranial magnetic stimulation and AI-driven personalization, and argued California needs a state translational fund to bridge the gap between discovery and commercialization. Newman, a startup working on home diagnostics, said California’s permitting, zoning, and manufacturing rules make it difficult to scale advanced manufacturing locally and urged streamlining, reduced red tape, and incentives to keep manufacturing jobs in-state. Committee members again focused on tax credits and asked how the state could better support manufacturing, translational funding, and the retention of high-paying MedTech jobs.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a very thankless job.
• </c><01:08:59.520><c> water</c> and envisioning what mobile water and envisioning what mobile water treatment
• </c> the wild cart ready to go and mobilize the wild cart ready to go and mobilize at<01:18:21.440><c
• </c><01:25:10.840><c> They</c> was saying about their mobility.
• They was saying about their mobility. They can<01:25:11.200><c> move</c><01:25:11.480><c> together.

Bills: SB8

Keywords: utilities, public service commission, energy regulation, appointment, emergency declaration, tax increases, consumer protection, The first couple minutes of the livestream was cut off. This recording restored the beginning of the meeting Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:51 Approval of Minutes 00:02:07 Legislator Comments 00:02:18 LIHEAP Public Hearing 00:04:19 PSC Update on RS 26 SB 8 00:32:18 WaterStep Presentation 01:04:08, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If they get a full-time job eventually after they were licensed, is If they get a full-time job eventually
• But currently, nursing tends to do a really good job at that.
• I'm very proud of the job that they do, and it also makes my job as the administrator a little bit easier
• Great job. pediatrics, pregnancy, geriatrics, neurology.
• Great job. Thank you. Great job. Good morning. My name is Rachel Knoff.

Summary: The joint Assembly and Senate Business and Professions sunset oversight hearing focused first on the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), with chairs emphasizing oversight, consumer protection, workforce access, and the need to evaluate whether licensing boards are functioning efficiently. BRN leadership reported major process improvements since the last sunset review, including faster license processing, streamlined enforcement, improved consumer satisfaction, and growth in nursing education enrollment. Members questioned the board extensively about nurse practitioner scope and supervision, international licensure, online nursing programs and clinical placements, military pathways, the 30-unit LVN-to-RN option, workforce shortages, diversity in nursing, and retention of new graduates. The board explained California’s tiered APRN system, the NCLEX and national certification requirements, clinical hour standards, and its role in approving programs and assigning nursing education consultants. Public testimony on the BRN was mixed: nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, and nurse anesthetist groups largely supported the sunset report and especially the proposed APRN-to-RN delegation language, while physician and hospital stakeholders raised concerns about out-of-state NP practice, specialty delegation, ratios, and the need for regulatory parity and clearer standards. Higher education representatives urged reduced duplication in documentation, more flexible clinical placement rules, and better coordination to address bottlenecks in placements and faculty hiring. The committee did not take a vote during the excerpted BRN discussion. The hearing then moved to the Physical Therapy Board of California, where the board’s president began an overview of the board’s mission, structure, vacancies, and public-protection role under the Physical Therapy Practice Act. The transcript excerpt ends before substantive questioning, testimony, or any action on the physical therapy item is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• So they've done a good job at making sure that those are as easy.
• But I think we're doing a good job, and I think the citizens think we are too.
• And if we weren't doing a good job, we would hear about it.
• So our mobile homes aren't in our tax software.
• They've done a great job enhancing their tax departments.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The subcommittee of the Tax Reform and Relief Committee met with a quorum to begin its study of whether the content of North Dakota real estate tax statements should be revised to improve transparency. Legislative Council staff reviewed the background for the study, including House Bill 1176, current statutory requirements for tax statements, and recent changes such as separate line items for bonded debt, primary residence credit, and legacy fund-related amounts. The Tax Department then explained the current statement format and noted that the form is prescribed and approved by the tax commissioner, with changes typically driven by statute and implemented collaboratively with counties and vendors. County officials from the North Dakota Association of Counties described the full annual process for preparing budgets, setting levies, calculating taxable values, and issuing notices and tax statements. They said counties spend significant time coordinating with taxing districts, neighboring counties, and software vendors, and that the new budget hearing notices and valuation notices have not generated much public response. Members raised concerns about the usefulness and clarity of certain line items, especially the legislative tax relief calculation and the primary residence credit, and discussed whether the current statement creates confusion rather than transparency. Testimony also addressed the 3% cap, mill levy worksheets, assessment cycles, and the role of county auditors and tax directors in maintaining accurate values. The committee also heard from software vendors CPT and Tyler Technologies about how legislative changes are programmed into tax systems and how online taxpayer portals can provide more detailed breakdowns of tax bills. Vendors said changes required by law are generally absorbed in contracts rather than billed directly to counties, and they demonstrated web tools and pie-chart style breakdowns that show where tax dollars go. NDACO presented a survey of eight counties estimating tax statement preparation and mailing costs, concluding that outsourced printing tends to be cheaper on average and that total statewide tax statement costs may be roughly $600,000, though the estimate was based on limited data. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational and focused on gathering testimony and identifying issues for possible future recommendations or bill drafts.