Transcript Highlights:

• financing company active in California and Florida.
• financing company active in California and Florida.
• through state-authorized assessment bond financing.
• In closing, betterment financing can bring billions in private-sector financing to bear.
• financing, otherwise known as R-PACE.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hearing on several housing-related bills, with chairs Adrienne Madaro and James Eldridge framing the discussion as part of the Legislature’s broader response to the state’s housing crisis and noting that many of the bills build on the 2024 Affordable Homes Act. The chairs reviewed hearing procedures, including the three-minute oral testimony limit, the option to submit written testimony, and the hybrid format. No votes were taken during the hearing. Testimony began with support for H. 3278, a bill to create a graduated deed excise tax for affordable housing. Representative Worel argued that higher-end real estate transactions should contribute more to fund affordable housing production, saying the measure would not burden working families and would help address racial inequities in homeownership and displacement. Representative Soder then supported H. 3247, which would promote redevelopment of abandoned buildings through expanded tax incentives for renovating vacant properties for sale or rent, arguing that it would bring blighted units back into use and generate future tax revenue. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3040/S. 1969, residential improvement or R-PACE legislation. Robert Giles of Home Run Financing and Nicole Steele of Amalgamated Bank described the program as a voluntary, assessment-based financing tool that could help homeowners pay for energy efficiency, resilience, and other major repairs without upfront costs, and said it could complement existing Mass Save programs while expanding access to more homeowners. In contrast, Judith Lieben of the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute opposed H. 3039/S. 1946, the Housing Development Incentive Program bill, arguing it would expand subsidies for market-rate and luxury housing in Gateway Cities instead of directing resources to low-income renters. Representative Hawkins also testified in support of H. 3121, which would end large investor control of homes in Massachusetts by imposing an excise tax on large owners of small residential properties and using the revenue for first-time homebuyer down payment assistance. After testimony and a few member questions, the chairs asked whether anyone else wished to testify and then adjourned the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we've had to work hard to find ways to fill in the gaps.
• We did not pick this fight, but we are not going to back down because we have to stand in the gap for
• But we are not going to back down because we have to stand in the gap for Californians.
• Research shows that closing racial gaps in wages, education, housing, and lending could have added $16
• and bookkeeping software, and many other... ...and word processing software, finance and bookkeeping

Summary: The Assembly convened, initially lacked a quorum, and then completed the roll call, prayer, and pledge. Members observed a moment of silence for the fatal B-52 crash at Edwards Air Force Base in Assemblymember Lackey’s district. The body then handled a series of procedural motions, including re-referrals of numerous Senate bills to different committees, suspending rules for committee notices, and taking up the budget bill, AB 109, without reference to file for concurrence in Senate amendments. Debate on AB 109, the 2026 budget act, centered on competing views of the state’s fiscal condition and policy priorities. Supporters said the budget balances the current and next year’s budget, reduces the structural deficit, builds reserves, protects health care, schools, housing, food assistance, and other safety-net programs, and responds to federal cuts under H.R. 1. Opponents argued the budget increases taxes and costs, shortchanges schools, underfunds Proposition 36, relies on gimmicks, and does not adequately address public safety, cost of living, or long-term sustainability. Several members also highlighted specific provisions such as hospital support, Medi-Cal and IHSS protections, child care, immigrant legal services, prison closure, and funding for courts and victim services. A motion by Assemblymember DeMaio to return AB 109 to the Senate failed on a roll call vote, 13 ayes to 45 noes. The Assembly then voted on concurrence in the Senate amendments to AB 109; the measure passed, and the Senate amendments were concurred in without objection, with immediate transmittal to the Governor. Afterward, the Assembly moved to the daily file and took up SCR 89, a resolution affirming diversity, equity, and inclusion. Supporters from several caucuses framed DEI as a core California value and a response to federal attacks, while opponents criticized DEI as divisive. The transcript ends during debate on SCR 89, before any final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also reviewed certain fiscal impact reports published by the Legislative Finance Committee and certain
• I also reviewed certain fiscal impact reports published by the Legislative Finance Committee and certain
• I also reviewed certain fiscal impact reports published by the Legislative Finance Committee and certain
• in the event of such a shortfall, a gap of about $131 million remained.
• Just to introduce myself, Jennifer Fabian, I'm an economist with the Legislative Finance Committee.

Summary: The committee’s final day focused first on a historical overview of New Mexico tax packages by Pam Stokes of Legislative Council Services. She described how tax packages have alternated over the decades between tax relief, revenue raising, and tax reform, with examples ranging from the creation of the gross receipts tax in 1966 to major packages in 1981, 1986, 1991, 1994, 2005, 2019, 2022, 2024, and the vetoed 2025 package. Members discussed how tax policy often tracks revenue conditions, how packages can combine increases and decreases, and how local government gross receipts taxes and hold-harmless distributions have affected communities differently. Several members reflected on past packages, especially the 2004 food tax repeal and the 2013 film tax and manufacturing changes, and noted that tax policy can have major economic and political effects even when it is not “sexy” legislation. The committee then heard a proposal to expand the health care practitioner gross receipts tax deduction to include co-insurance, and to extend the sunset date. Sponsor Senator Figueroa said the bill was intended to help recruit and retain medical providers and build on prior deductions for co-pays and deductibles. Testimony explained that co-insurance is the patient’s share after the deductible, that providers currently absorb the gross receipts tax on those payments, and that the proposal would cost about $30 million to the state plus about $20 million to municipalities and counties, with the exact fiscal impact likely to be updated. Members raised concerns about the effect on local governments, whether insurers could be required to reimburse providers, whether the bill would actually attract doctors, and whether better evaluation measures and sunsets should be added. The sponsor said the bill was part of a broader set of efforts to address provider shortages and that the discussion would continue. Representative McQueen then presented a bill to update the Land Conservation Incentives Act. He and conservation partners said the program has protected more than 500,000 acres but has not kept pace with rising land values, especially for irrigated agricultural land in the Middle Rio Grande. The proposal would increase the percentage of conservation value eligible for the credit, raise the per-transaction cap from $250,000 to $2 million, and make the credit refundable rather than only transferable. Testimony emphasized that the program is voluntary, keeps land in private ownership and production, and helps land-rich, cash-poor landowners preserve farmland and water rights. Members asked about average credit amounts, how easements work, whether landowners could effectively buy land and then use the credit, and whether there should be inflation indexing or a statewide cap. The discussion also touched on water rights, fencing, and the role of conservation easements in protecting agricultural land and compact water deliveries. Finally, Senator Sharer previewed his 2% tax proposal with a historical presentation on New Mexico tax law, using props to illustrate the evolution from early territorial tax codes to the modern tax system. He argued that the state’s current tax structure is overly complex and that recent federal changes have disrupted the personal income tax base. The committee did not take any votes on the day’s presentations; the meeting was primarily informational, with members offering feedback and raising policy concerns for future sessions.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're not concerned about their finances right now.
• Looking at gaps, figuring out how we need to fill in those gaps, and to begin to do some modeling because
• First, I'm gonna say kudos to the Department of Finance and Administration because for the first time
• They weren't financed that way. And so that becomes an issue.
• And then when the budget came over to the Senate, and Senate Finance... did its thing.

Transcript Highlights:

• But this isn't a campaign finance bill.
• uh uh campaign finance side. uh uh campaign finance side.
• Finance. All those in favor say I. Finance. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I.
• effects and harms that uh the that a gap effects and harms that uh the that a gap is<02:24:55.920
• to the Committee on Education Finance. to the Committee on Education Finance.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2, relating to public education and public school finance as pending business.
• Members, this is the school finance bill we heard on Tuesday.
• As you all know we Texas currently has a we have a skills gap in Texas.
• This is not school finance reform.
• Hopefully, to close that gap on a pathway to do that and then also allow more, more more of the maintenance

Bills: HB2, HB2

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, disaster preparedness, emergency management, flooding, mass fatality, mass casualty, fatality tracking, body recovery, autopsy, justice of the peace

Transcript Highlights:

• Jessica Deitchman with the Department of Finance.
• Alex Anablaskis with the Department of Finance.
• Finance does note that the University of California recently did inform finance, the legislature, and
• Department of Finance?
• But we remain optimistic that the Department of Finance will proactively seek solutions. final finance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is something to keep in the back of your mind as legislators moving forward, you know, if there’s a gap
• there and a significant gap, would the state be willing or wanting to step in and fill that gap?
• You know, if there’s a gap there and a significant gap, would the state be willing or wanting to step
• in and fill that gap?
• ,<00:45:18.720> state with, enabling local financing, state with, enabling local financing

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:26 Approval of Minutes 00:02:27 LIHEAP Presentation and Public Hearing 00:02:42 Conservation Opportunities in Kentucky 00:29:52, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up a public hearing and presentation on the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Shannon Hall of the Department for Community Based Services and Rick Baker of Community Action Kentucky explained that LIHEAP is a 100% federally funded block grant that helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills, avoid utility disconnects, and support weatherization. They outlined the program’s components, eligibility limits, seasonal application periods, and recent participation figures, including tens of thousands of households served through the summer cooling, fall subsidy, winter crisis, and spring subsidy components. They also described weatherization priorities, the partnership with Kentucky Housing Corporation, and the role of Community Action agencies in administering the program statewide. Members asked about Assurance 16, the balance between need and available funding, summer cooling assistance, weatherization measurement, renter versus homeowner participation, and whether federal changes could affect LIHEAP. Hall and Baker said Assurance 16 supports energy-burden reduction through education, case management, and conservation strategies; that funding has generally been sufficient in recent years but crisis funds have sometimes been exhausted quickly in the past; and that summer assistance is primarily electric utility support. They also said weatherization uses return-on-investment testing and that Kentucky still has a large backlog of homes needing service. On federal funding, they said the recently passed federal bill did not directly cut LIHEAP, but future appropriations could still affect it, and any major reduction could leave a gap the state might need to consider filling. The committee approved the minutes and later approved the LIHEAP finding of fact; no members of the public signed up to testify. After concluding LIHEAP, the committee heard a presentation from Heather Jeff of The Nature Conservancy on conservation opportunities in Kentucky. She described the organization’s voluntary land-protection work and highlighted the Cumberland Forest project, a conservation easement on about 55,000 acres in Bell, Knox, and Leslie counties supported in part by a $3.875 million state appropriation. She also reported on mine-land reforestation, elk habitat work, and the rapid allocation of a $2 million appropriation for the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund. Jeff emphasized the economic value of conservation for tourism, hunting and fishing, agriculture, forestry, bourbon, and flood protection, and said the group is finalizing a Kentucky conservation needs assessment and related feasibility research.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:24:49.160> When gaps that put the public at risk.
• When gaps that put the public at risk.
• House Bill 695, Representative Massaroni, an act relating to campaign finance.
• <00:34:44.639> House act relating to campaign finance.
• House act relating to campaign finance.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House convened with 96 members present, approved the prior journal, excused absences, and suspended rules to allow co-sponsorship and vote modifications. The Senate clerk reported passage of Senate Bills 39, 70, 80, 127, and 154 and requested concurrence. The House then took up several bills on third reading. House Bill 168, relating to boating under the influence, was explained as “Keegan’s Law.” The sponsor said it would require law enforcement to seek a search warrant for blood testing of boat operators and improve notification so Fish and Wildlife officers are alerted more quickly after 911 calls involving incidents on waterways. House Committee Substitute 2 was adopted, and the bill passed 88-0. House Bill 455, relating to artificial intelligence and declaring an emergency, was amended by committee substitute and two floor amendments. Supporters said it clarifies that AI may not perform direct therapy, make independent therapeutic decisions, generate treatment plans without professional review, or detect emotions/mental state, while still allowing therapists to use AI as a tool. It passed 88-7. House Bill 185, relating to employment and occupational licensing for people with felony records, was described as allowing applicants to seek licensing before completing education and requiring a clear connection between an offense and the occupation; it passed 95-0. House Bill 249, relating to involuntary commitment, was explained as closing a gap in the law for mentally incompetent defendants accused of felony sex offenses; House Floor Amendment 1 broadened the qualifying offenses to all felony sex offenses under Chapter 510, and the bill passed 94-0. After the floor action, the House received House Bill 1 back from committee for second reading and heard announcements, including committee meeting notices and a birthday recognition. A member also gave a Black history tribute to Garrett A. Morgan, highlighting his inventions and civic contributions. The House introduced a slate of new bills and resolutions, including measures on high-acuity youth medical treatment, data privacy, municipal utility service, tax credits for employers, campaign finance, infantile seizure disorder, commercial surrogacy, dentistry, paid leave for state employees, crimes and punishments, postnuptial agreements, local government, land use, alcoholic beverages, and several resolutions. The Committee on Committees and Rules Committee then reported referrals and posted bills for the next regular orders, floor amendments were introduced, and the House adjourned until 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 24, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• A quorum is present, and the Minnesota Senate Education Finance Committee will now come to order.
• A quorum is present, and the Minnesota Senate Education Finance Committee will now come to order.
• Good morning, Chair Kunesh and distinguished members of the Education Finance Committee.
• And so that’s all this is trying to do, is to close that gap. Thank you, Senator.
• safeguards that will fill an obvious Gap safeguards that will fill an obvious Gap in<01:45:46.360

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We had been working a lot on our budgets and accounting and finance side of the house for the last seven
• cyber risk assessment for all executive agencies and two policy update engagements, including a SOC 2 gap
• It does seem a little, or there's a gap there that tends to get people's attention.
• But then where the other delta comes from, or the gap comes from, When it's a multi-year project, not
• That is why you see a gap between those two figures, the $1.11 billion and the $883 million.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have gaps to fill. We have work to do, as you just heard.
• know that in June, well, I think it was in July, but there was a June report from the Legislative Finance
• In the next upcoming months, we did hear at the Finance Authority earlier this week about the revolving
• Start, or maybe expansion of current Head Start providers, is that the New Mexico Finance Authority has
• As it is, it's difficult to aggregate to get to total expenditures, and so that's kind of the gap to

Transcript Highlights:

• changes in this bill are intended to align our laws with current practices and address identified gaps
• Senate File 3969 aims to fix those gaps.
• Senate File 3969 aims to fix those gaps. Senate File 3969 aims to fix those gaps.
• All right, members, the intent is to move this to education finance.
• Committee on Education Finance. Committee on Education Finance.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's on their website, the funding gap report, and in it the gap of maintaining our roads is over $1.1
• it the gap of funding gap report and in it the gap of maintaining<00:54:32.319> our<00:54:32.480
• And that funding gap is system.
• We closed that gap to $62 million.
• We closed that gap to $62 million. to. We closed that gap to $62 million.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• for that travel with the the finance for that travel with the the finance bill<01:37:23.880>
• in their current regulations, what are those gaps and what should they be?
• in their current regulations, what are those gaps and what should they be?
• in their current regulations, what are those gaps and what should they be?
• in their current regulations, what are those gaps and what should they be?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then what we've been doing now is identifying the gaps and then backfilling the gaps as we go through
• Just a different way of mapping that gap that's growing.
• So we want to, one of the goals is to close that achievement gap.
• Adam Tesher, school finance officer with the Department of Public Instruction.
• But my finance brain, that's where it goes.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then received a lengthy DPI presentation from Stanley Schauer on statewide reading and math assessment data for students with and without disabilities. He explained the assessment systems used over time, the absence of 2019-20 data, and how North Dakota’s standards are set by educators. Members asked about alternate assessments, cohort trends, the apparent drop in proficiency in higher grades, and the new NDA+ assessment. Schauer emphasized that the biggest pattern in the data was the relative stability of students with disabilities, the post-pandemic drop and partial recovery, and the need to focus on reducing the novice category. He also said the state plans to revisit high school standard setting and that future data could be broken out by program, disability category, and schools using science-of-math or other initiatives. Public testimony from special education staff suggested that the flat performance of students with disabilities during COVID likely reflected continued services and intensive supports, and committee members discussed whether the current disparity goal is realistic and whether growth measures would be more useful than simple proficiency buckets. After the presentation, the committee took a short break and then moved into discussion of special education funding models. Chair Richter said members should contact Schauer directly with ideas for additional data views and noted that the committee would continue its work on funding and possible model changes. Brandon Bomback of Grand Forks Public Schools began a presentation arguing that the special education funding formula, especially the weighting factor, should be reconsidered if the committee wants a system that better reflects accountability and student needs. He said his comments were based on the perspective of a larger district and focused on the special education weighting factor rather than other parts of the formula. The remainder of his presentation was not included in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll call this meeting of the Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee to order.
• So as a team, they do a wonderful job, but they're doing it on very low finances, right?
• So as a team, they do a wonderful job, but they're doing it on very low finances, right?
• Doing it on very low finances, right? You're exactly right, Mr. Chair.
• That's when we see the largest staffing gaps in rural Minnesota.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee met on February 6, 2025, for an update on emergency medical services (EMS) policy and implementation. Senator Seberger described the work of the EMS Task Force, which traveled statewide to hear concerns from providers about staffing, reimbursement, and retention. She said the task force led to the Sprint Medic model and two innovation zones in Otter Tail and St. Louis counties, and she urged continued monitoring and possible reconstitution of the task force to evaluate what is working and what could be expanded statewide. She also said future EMS work should continue to explore alternative response models and telemedicine, but that the most immediate need is additional funding, especially to address unpaid non-transport calls. Dylan Ferguson, director of the newly formed Minnesota Office of Emergency Medical Services, gave a detailed update on the office’s structure and priorities after the transition from the Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board. He described the office’s three divisions, the appointment of deputy directors, the first meetings of the advisory councils, and work on a statewide EMS strategic plan. He also reviewed the $24 million emergency ambulance aid program, explaining its 40-40-20 formula, the emphasis on rural services, the reporting and spending deadlines, and the positive response from ambulance providers. He noted that the $6 million Sprint paramedic grant program is underway, with Otter Tail County moving forward and St. Louis County still finalizing its application. Ferguson also outlined the office’s budget request for modest staffing and contract-cost increases, two rulemaking efforts to update outdated ambulance vehicle standards and expand medication options for basic life support services, and ongoing data collection on workforce needs, violence against EMS providers, and ambulance crashes. He highlighted the paramedic scholarship program administered by the Office of Higher Education, saying nearly 300 scholarships have been awarded. Members and Senator Seberger praised the EMS reforms and emphasized that non-transport calls create significant unreimbursed costs, especially for rural and volunteer services, but no votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• uh we have several entities um financing uh we have several entities that<00:08:33.440> work<
• It is intended to fill a gap and gather information in our civil commitment system.
• <01:14:51.560> and<01:14:51.800> gather intended to fill a gap and gather intended
• to fill a gap and gather information<01:14:53.040> in<01:14:53.199> our<01:14:53.520>
• in Minnesota we substantial data Gap in Minnesota we don't<01:19:18.880> even<01:19:19.120>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The College Financing Literacy Act is not included in the House offer.
• The College Financing Literacy Act is not included in the House offer.
• The College Financing Literacy Act is not included in the House offer.
• The College Financing Literacy Act is not included in the House offer.
• The College Financing Literacy Act is not included in the House offer.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Marazzucci and others, an act relating to education finance.
• To help finance some of those projects.
• Alternative financing mechanisms that lower the cost, such as publicly financed loans or grants are a
• This gap in the law has real consequences.
• It's about financing affordable housing.

Keywords: 988, house, all