Transcript Highlights:

• entity is the Wyoming business council. entity is the Wyoming business council.
• We got follow-up information from the Business Council, Josh. Council. We got uh Council.
• , council, council, Josh.
• <02:58:42.800> Um Wyoming Business Council. Um Wyoming Business Council.
• related to business council? related to business council?

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Advisory Council. Advisory Council.
• Senator Swadzinski: And could this be a model for other councils?
• Senator Swadzinski: And could this be a model for other councils?
• I just think... be a model for other councils? I I be a model for other councils?
• , the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, and<01:44:02.160>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That varies across a variety of children's services councils.
• I was also on the Children's Services Council at that point.
• If they'd like to spend it on Children's Services Council, they can go ahead and do that.
• Children's Services Councils, South Florida Water Management District? What about public safety?
• Is this a universal disdain for our mayors, our city council members?

Summary: The House met in special session, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, and adopted the special order report setting the day’s calendar. The chamber then took up CS/House Joint Resolution 1F, the Governor’s property tax proposal, which would raise the homestead exemption for non-school taxes, lower the annual assessment cap on non-homestead property from 10% to 5%, and restrict county and municipal ad valorem revenue to public safety and certain other uses. Sponsor Rep. Overdorf said the measure would return money to homeowners and give local governments flexibility, while opponents repeatedly argued the ballot language was misleading and that the proposal could create large local revenue shortfalls, shift costs to other taxpayers, and threaten local services and debt obligations. Members debated a series of amendments aimed at protecting specific programs from the bill’s effects. Rep. Bartleman’s amendment to exempt Children’s Services Councils and Children’s Trusts was defeated 25-74 after supporters said those entities fund child care, mental health, aftercare, and family support, while opponents said local governments could still choose to fund them. Rep. Cross’s amendment to include water management districts in allowable uses of ad valorem taxes was also defeated, despite testimony that the districts are essential for flood control, water supply, Everglades restoration, and drought response. Rep. Eskamani’s amendment to require the Legislature to backfill public safety funding failed 25-71 after debate over whether the proposal could reduce police and fire budgets and response times. The House then rejected Rep. Woodson’s amendment to require state backfill for senior services, with supporters citing Meals on Wheels, transportation, adult day care, and other aging services, and opponents saying the state already funds senior programs. Finally, Rep. Gant’s amendment to protect veteran services was introduced and debated, with members emphasizing housing, mental health, transition assistance, and homelessness concerns for veterans; the transcript cuts off before the vote on that amendment. Throughout the debate, sponsors and supporters of the main resolution maintained that local governments would retain spending discretion and could use other revenue sources, while critics argued the measure lacked clear backfill provisions and could force cuts or tax shifts at the local level.

Transcript Highlights:

• They were funded by a fund funded by the State Investment Council.
• Pacific Fusion, funded by three funds funded by the State Investment Council.
• They were funded by a fund, funded by the State Investment Council.
• State Investment Council.
• That are under VCs funded by the State Investment Council in one week.

Summary: The committee first recognized Mark Roper of the Economic Development Department for his long service and retirement, with members and the secretary praising his work on economic development across the state. Secretary Rob Black then presented EDD’s budget and special appropriation requests, describing strong recent job and income growth and outlining the department’s strategy around science and technology, site readiness, workforce development, foreign direct investment, and rural/community programs. He highlighted wins in advanced energy, quantum, space and defense, and biosciences, and asked for funding for quantum/DARPA matching funds, additional site readiness work, LIDA closing funds, JTIP training support, New Mexico Partnership, and healthy foods and other community programs. Members asked detailed questions about the quantum proposal, site readiness, the new mapping tool for industrial sites, workforce participation, trade missions, foreign investment, tariffs, water and produced water, tribal site evaluation, and public engagement on major projects. Black said the quantum request was intended to match federal dollars and build a workforce pipeline, that the site-readiness software would be a set enterprise license, and that the department was working with tribes and local partners on future site evaluations. He also said tariffs have created uncertainty but New Mexico’s infrastructure and foreign trade zones could help attract manufacturing, and he acknowledged concerns about transparency and community input while noting that some projects, such as Pacific Fusion, had gone through extensive public processes. The committee also discussed specific projects and funding balances, including Mantis Space’s move to Albuquerque, the status of Virgin Galactic’s spaceport lease, and the current LIDA fund balance and encumbrances. Black and Deputy Secretary Isaac Romero said the department was trying to use State Investment Council-backed venture funds to attract companies and that the new investments were already producing deals and jobs. Members generally supported the department’s direction but pressed for more targeted expertise, faster deployment, and stronger community involvement in future economic development decisions. Later, Secretary de Blassie of the Department of Health presented the department’s budget request and progress report. He said DOH had improved revenue cycle management, reduced old Medicaid-pending cases, increased census at facilities, improved budget and contract timeliness, and responded effectively to the measles outbreak. The department requested additional base funding for epidemiology and response, the DOH helpline, the Vital Records Virtual Vault, state labs, and the veterans home, along with special requests for respiratory vaccinations and marketing and lab equipment replacement. He also noted progress on MOUD and the medical psilocybin program, and said the department was not seeking to launch new programs given the limited time left in the administration.

Transcript Highlights:

• President Reagan, we have a debate from Legislative Council Services. Thank you.
• If they need expert witnesses, those chairs will make a notice to the council and request additional
• Requests will have to go back to the council.
• The council will have to approve the chair's request and then go from there.
• But I also just want to clarify for some of the new folks: Legislative Council Services is the staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, my name is George Netai, Director of the New Mexico Land-Grant Council.
• We at the Council do provide technical assistance and support to land grants.
• My name is Arturo Archuleta with the New Mexico Land-Grant Council.
• The council has endorsed this legislation and is in full support.
• So the council is in full support of this legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a city council member from the city of Saint Peter.
• I'm a city council member from the city of Saint Peter.
• Every city council member just loves going to public hearings.
• So if I asked Met Council right now, what is the cost to develop a BRT?
• So if I asked Met Council right now, what is the cost to develop a BRT?

Bills: HF4807

Keywords: overweight vehicles, aggregate mining, local ordinance restrictions, legislative audit, transportation, resource inventory

Transcript Highlights:

• So you'll see the council is set up.
• So you'll see the council is set up.
• Would you... advisory council. When the commissioner advisory council.
• if I'm correct think it was a a council if I'm correct or or or >> council<01:17:39.040> and
• >> council and schools. >> council and schools.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My first day as an elected official on the city council was this.
• GDE, State Building and Construction Trades Council, in support. Thank you.
• Judy E., State Building and Construction Trades Council, in support.
• The Interagency Council on Homelessness has set a clear, measurable target.
• Catherine Charles, Matt, the Bay Area Council, in support. Thank you. Great.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm John Vinyoki, CEO of the Sacramento Regional Business Leaders Council.
• GDE, State Building and Construction Trades Council in support. Thank you.
• Judy E., State Building and Construction Trades Council, in support.
• The Interagency Council on Homelessness has set a clear, measurable target.
• Catherine Charles, Matt, the Bay Area Council in support. Thank you. Great.

Summary: The committee heard several housing-related bills, beginning with SB 1003, which would create pro-housing enhanced infrastructure financing districts to help local governments fund infrastructure needed for housing developments. The author and supporters argued that infrastructure costs often prevent projects from penciling out, while the chair expressed support and said the bill would be taken up later when quorum was available. SB 1014 followed, proposing new disclosure requirements for local jurisdictions to provide good-faith estimates of on-site and off-site improvements within 30 days of application, with supporters saying it would reduce late surprises and opposition from several cities citing implementation concerns with the 30-day timelines. The committee then took up SB 802, a Sacramento-region bill requiring a joint powers authority to coordinate housing and homelessness services. Senator Ashby and former Mayor Darrell Steinberg argued that Sacramento’s fragmented system has failed for years and that a JPA would improve accountability, coordination, and use of state funds. The bill drew broad support from local officials, service providers, business groups, and advocates, while some county and city representatives registered opposition or neutral concerns about state-mandated local governance. Several committee members said they were persuaded by the need for regional coordination, though some raised concerns about local control; the chair noted the bill would be moved when quorum allowed. The committee also heard SB 1092 and SB 1093, both focused on mobile home park residents after disasters or park sales. SB 1092 would give residents a right of first opportunity to match a sale offer for a park, with supporters saying it protects vulnerable seniors and preserves affordable housing, while park owners and their representatives argued it would devalue property and raise constitutional and financing concerns. SB 1093 would require more transparent communication, access to property, and consideration of rebuilding or closure after a disaster; supporters cited the long uncertainty faced by Palisades residents, while opponents warned about liability, safety, and burdensome review requirements. Members split along similar lines, with some emphasizing property rights and market impacts and others stressing the need to protect residents and preserve scarce affordable housing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am also the privileged co-chair of the Massachusetts Regional Tourism Councils, and here to talk about
• manner so that we can do the jobs that you've asked us to do by assigning us as regional tourism councils
• We're a small nonprofit and one of the 16 state-designated regional tourism councils in Massachusetts
• That uncertainty severely limits the ability of the regional tourism councils to plan, contract, and
• It's split 60-40 between the Mass Office of Travel and Tourism and the 16 Regional Tourism Councils,

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts, and Cultural Development held a hearing on October 21, opening with a moment of silence for former committee chair Senator Edward Kennedy. Chairs Senator Paul Mark and Representative Sean Garballey then heard testimony on several bills related to tourism funding, arts infrastructure, public art, Native heritage, and a choreographer laureate. A major focus was legislation to require earlier distribution of regional tourism council grants from the Tourism Trust Fund, with testimony from regional tourism leaders from North of Boston, Metro West, Cape Cod, and Senator Joan Lovely. Witnesses said delayed grant allocations make it difficult to plan fall, winter, and shoulder-season marketing, and they argued that an October 1 or September 1 deadline would help preserve tourism’s economic impact without increasing appropriations. They cited tourism’s role in jobs, tax revenue, and regional economic development, especially for smaller and less prominent tourism regions. The committee also heard strong support for the Creative Space Act and the PLACE Act, which would help municipalities preserve affordable creative workspace and create a public art funding mechanism tied to state construction projects. Testimony from MassCreative, MAPC, arts organizations, muralists, and local arts leaders emphasized loss of workspace, displacement of artists, and the economic and community benefits of public art. Additional testimony supported bills to protect Native American heritage by preventing the sale of funerary and sacred objects in public or nonprofit collections, and a bill to establish a first-in-the-nation choreographer laureate of the Commonwealth. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the committee adjourned after public testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Catherine Charles, on behalf of the Bay Area Council, in support.
• Catherine Charles, on behalf of the Bay Area Council in support. Thank you.
• Catherine Charles, on behalf of the Bay Area Council, in support.
• Catherine Charles, on behalf of the Bay Area Council, in support.
• The Bay Area Council represents about 350 of the region's largest employers.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation heard several bills focused on transit funding, veterans’ tax relief, clean energy incentives, housing development costs, and tax conformity. SB 63 would authorize a Bay Area regional sales tax measure for transit agencies facing fiscal shortfalls; supporters said it was needed to avoid major service cuts, while the California Taxpayers Association opposed it on Proposition 13/218 concerns. SB 56 would exclude veterans’ disability compensation from income calculations for the disabled veterans’ property tax exemption, and SB 296 would expand property tax relief for 100% disabled veterans and certain surviving spouses; both drew broad veterans’ support. SB 86 would extend and expand the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority sales and use tax exemption program, including fusion energy, and SB 302 would conform state tax law to federal clean energy credit monetization provisions; both were backed by industry, labor, and clean energy advocates. SB 328 would cap Department of Toxic Substances Control fees on contaminated-soil remediation for infill and master-planned housing projects, with housing groups arguing the current fee structure can make projects infeasible. SB 711 would update California’s tax conformity date to January 1, 2025 to reduce complexity and inconsistencies with federal law, and was supported by tax professionals and business groups. Several bills were held or sent to suspense, while others advanced with amendments. After quorum was established, SB 63 passed the committee 4-2 and SB 86, SB 302, SB 328, and SB 711 were referred to suspense, with SB 86 and SB 302 later approved out of suspense with amendments. SB 56 was held in committee, SB 296 was made a two-year bill, and SB 284 and SB 723 were held. The committee also approved a number of additional suspense-file bills, including SB 293, SB 359, SB 419, SB 587, SB 603, SB 663, SB 710, and SB 785, while SB 591 was approved with amendments and SB 353 was made a two-year bill. The hearing concluded with the committee adjournment after final roll calls and bill actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• And next we have Nicole Galassi from the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council on Zoom.
• Thank you, chair, vice Council on Zoom.
• So, uh, first off, we have Nicole Galassi of the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council on Zoom.
• Aloha, Nicole Galassi on behalf of the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council.
• Hawaii Cat Hawaii Cattleman's Council. Hawaii Cat Hawaii Cattleman's Council.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's interesting at the Minnesota Rare Disease Council.
• oversight and availability to really help with the council.
• The council is advised of key industry players, made up of expert members in Minnesota.
• We stand alone in the country as one of the premier councils for rare disease.
• > at the Minnesota rare disease Council at the Minnesota rare disease Council it's<00:02:08.280> it's

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We are here today to fill subcommittees with members, and I'd like to turn to Council Stangle.
• to the ITRB, the military Interstate Children's Compact, and then flip the page to the back to the Council
• the rural policy and Development Center board of directors, and the Council on Asian Pacific ...
• the rural policy and Development Center board of directors, and the Council on Asian Pacific ...
• the rural policy and Development Center board of directors, and the Council on Asian Pacific ...

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I served 12 years on the Rochester City Council, where every day was rosy and everyone was always nice
• service and I think many of our council service and I think many of our council members<00:21:16.159
• <00:21:57.360> and<00:21:57.600> giving to run for mayor and council and giving to
• run for mayor and council and giving them<00:21:58.080> some<00:21:58.320> leeway<00:21
• Um, I think the discussion city council.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That is my council. Is that wrong?
• <00:24:08.799> All judicial council. I see. Thank you. All judicial council. I see.
• <00:30:17.120> Does judicial council? I don't have any. Does judicial council?
• And so if through a sign council.
• So where's the assigned council Okay. So where's the assigned council accounting? accounting?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee worked through several HB 2 budget amendments, focusing first on energy-related transfers and then on judicial funding. For the energy item, members discussed moving remaining money from the renewable energy fund into the general fund for the biennium, with later-year amounts going to the general fund rather than ratepayers. They noted the proposal was based on prior House Bill 111 language, that the exact amount was still being worked out with the Department of Energy, and that some language about “incentive payments” was being removed or clarified. Amendment 1211H was moved and adopted on a 5-4 vote. The committee then considered amendment 1040 on the governor’s scholarship fund, which would eliminate the program and sweep uncommitted funds. Members supporting the program argued it helps New Hampshire students afford in-state college and should be reworked rather than repealed; opponents said the remaining balance was limited and the program should be ended. Amendment 1040 was defeated 4-5. The committee then turned to a judicial council request tied to a Franklin Pierce criminal justice clinic that had previously used ARPA funds. Supporters said the clinic cleared 323 cases in nine months, provided training for future attorneys, and could reduce more expensive assigned-counsel costs by helping the public defender system handle cases more efficiently. The amendment would add $100,000 to the judicial council line for that purpose. There was some confusion over the line item and whether the request should be attributed to the judicial branch or judicial council, which was corrected during discussion. Members also discussed a larger issue: the judicial council’s budget request appeared lower than intended because of a possible clerical error in how prior-year funding was calculated, especially after the last budget combined HB 1 and HB 2 funding. The committee compared the public defender line and assigned counsel line, noting that if public defender funding is cut, more cases would shift to assigned counsel, which is more expensive. No final vote on the judicial council amendment is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• First up is Judicial Council. >> That item is adopted.
• Um and just generally the council.
• <00:35:16.240> which uh largely payments to our council which uh largely payments to our council
• Council is Director John Skipa, Council is Director John Skipa, assistant<00:48:47.680> director
• Uh I'm just the uh governor and council.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on December 19, with Senators Long and Lang serving as replacements. The committee approved the November 21 minutes and adopted the consent calendar after removing two Department of Health and Human Services items for separate discussion. It then took up an HHS request involving nursing facility rates, where Nathan White explained that $2.2 million would be transferred from a long-term care Medicaid eligibility contract to the nursing facilities budget. He said the funds would offset an otherwise projected 3.9% average rate decrease and bring the overall average change to zero for the next six months, with rates reset again in July under state law. Members asked about the budget adjustment factor, bed counts, and whether additional funds could raise rates further; White said the factor is statutory, capped at 28.76%, and that more money would lower the factor and increase rates. The committee also corrected a date in the request from February 1, 2025 to February 1, 2026, and approved the item. The committee next approved another HHS item related to rural health transformation grants. Members confirmed the request covered the full amount applied for this biennium, and asked about the technology component. HHS said the grant is not solely about AI, but about broader technology improvements such as electronic medical records, back-end systems, and tools to improve access and sustainability in underserved areas. The committee approved that item as well. The Judicial Council then requested funds for contract attorneys providing indigent defense on a fixed-fee basis. The council said current funds had already been exhausted and that the new appropriation would be used immediately. Members questioned the size of the request and the number of people awaiting counsel; the council reported about 150 incarcerated people and about 300 non-incarcerated people waiting for counsel, more than in recent years. It attributed the increase to competition for attorneys, public defender offices closing intake in some locations because of caseload limits, and broader case and court-system changes. One member raised constitutional concerns about delays in counsel for incarcerated defendants. The committee ultimately amended the request downward to $1 million, approved it, and then approved a motion to place several annual financial reports on file and release them to the public when available. The committee also discussed dashboard reporting from HHS, asking for more detail on community mental health center caseloads and budget-reduction information, and HHS agreed to provide more useful monthly detail.

Transcript Highlights:

• Green Building Council, for the bill.
• Green Building Council, for the bill.
• Green Building Council, in support of SB 3.
• The council may become involved in this.
• Green Building Council.

Bills: HB48, HB66, HB68, HB71, HB75, HB164, HB171, HB254, SB3, SB18, HB123, HB149, HB117

Keywords: HB 48, Texas alert notification systems, emergency alerts, public warning systems, alert fatigue, notification fatigue, Texas Division of Emergency Management, Department of Public Safety, DPS alerts, emergency management, State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry, STEAR, disaster notifications, weather alerts, Amber Alert, Silver Alert, Blue Alert, missing persons alerts, accessible alerts, hearing impaired

Summary: The committee met in special session to hear a series of flood, preparedness, and youth-camp safety bills, with members repeatedly noting that many of the measures were intended as planning, warning, or authority-clarifying bills rather than direct spending bills. House Bill 254 would expand eligibility for the Rural Infrastructure Disaster Recovery Program to include Kerr County and 18 other flood-affected counties by raising the GDP cap and lowering the poverty threshold; it drew no opposition and was left pending. House Bill 68 would direct a study of flood mitigation in flatland areas, especially in the Rio Grande Valley, to develop cost-effective drainage and infrastructure recommendations; local officials and advocates supported it, and it was also left pending. The committee then heard several youth camp bills tied to the recent Hill Country flooding. House Bill 75 would impose flood-aware building and site standards for youth camps near floodplains, and House Bill 71 would require camps and youth activity entities to submit emergency preparedness plans to TDEM, coordinate with local responders, and maintain readiness protocols; both bills were supported by safety advocates and camp representatives, and both were left pending. House Bill 171 would require campgrounds near flood-prone waters to give written flood-risk notice to campers and obtain signed acknowledgment; it was presented as informed consent and left pending. Testimony on these bills emphasized Camp Mystic and other recent flood tragedies, with some witnesses urging broader building-code and floodplain reforms. The committee also heard House Bill 117, which would let counties regulate impervious cover for flood mitigation in unincorporated areas. Supporters, including county officials, environmental groups, and residents, argued that rapid development in the Hill Country and other growing areas is worsening runoff and downstream flooding; opponents from the builders’ association said counties already have substantial authority and warned about overreach into rural property use. After extensive testimony, the bill was left pending. Senate Bill 18 would streamline permitting for certain flood control districts to repair dams and reservoirs and build small holding areas, and it was left pending after supportive testimony from Plum Creek Conservation District. Senate Bill 3 would create a state-backed outdoor flood warning siren program for identified flood-prone areas, funded through a grant program; witnesses generally supported it, though some cautioned that sirens are not sufficient by themselves and may not be heard indoors or in overnight storms. It too was left pending. The committee also began hearing House Bill 149 on public-safety radio interoperability, but the transcript cuts off before the bill’s full testimony or action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:33:06.720> on Patricia Prest of the Vermont Council on Patricia Prest of the Vermont Council
• It adds the state treasurer or designee. the council. the council.
• And uh the committee voted Council.
• worked on by the council. worked on by the council.
• <01:56:09.040> of from the Infant Nutrition Council of from the Infant Nutrition Council of

Keywords: 927, senate, all