Video & Transcript : 'vacant property' :
Page 77 of 500
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- There are 298 properties. There is no obfuscation.
- There is no thing that doesn't tell you what's vacant land. It's easy.
- Third, the property would have to be within one mile of a main line.
- And finally, it reinforces a really important principle of fairness and private property rights.
- For properties already in the surplus lines market... Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Lee County Judge John Carlin, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of FSU Police Officer Cody Popple for stopping the April campus shooter. The Speaker then outlined the final week of session, noting the House had passed 253 House bills and 149 Senate bills to date, but that the 2026-27 budget would not be completed this week. The chamber also adopted the Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report for the day.
The House took up several Senate bills on special order, largely technical or open-government measures, and passed them with little or no opposition. These included SB 100, SB 104, and SB 102 on the Florida Statutes and revisor’s changes; SB 7006, SB 7014, SB 7002, SB 7012, SB 7024, SB 7016, SB 7026, SB 7008, SB 7000, and SB 7004, which extended or preserved various public-records and meeting exemptions for matters such as Public Service Commission proprietary information, social media investigations, military affairs, highway safety records, cybersecurity, emergency shelter contact information, conviction integrity units, and trade secrets. Most passed overwhelmingly, though SB 7006 drew 99-8, SB 7022 on public records for exam integrity passed 101-8 after questions about testing materials and scoring rubrics, and SB 7026 on trade secrets passed 106-3.
The most substantive floor debate centered on SB 7040, which recreates the emergency preparedness and response trust fund in the Executive Office of the Governor. Rep. Eskamani offered an amendment to let the fund expire, arguing the money had become a “slush fund” and had been used for the Everglades detention facility rather than emergencies; several members supported her on fiscal and separation-of-powers grounds, while others said the fund is needed for rapid disaster response. The House rejected Eskamani’s amendment and then adopted a Griffiths strike-all amendment adding accountability measures, including spending limits, quarterly reporting, asset tracking, and a sunset/review provision. SB 7040 then passed 82-25. The chamber also passed CS/CS SB 302 on coastal resiliency, CS/CS SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits, CS SB 474 on military affairs, and SB 488 on Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, which prompted extended questions about vehicle registration requirements, license plate frames, and foreign passport/I-94 documentation; the bill was still under amendment and debate when the transcript ended.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> trying to acquire the property district. trying to acquire the property district.
- </c> >> Going back to these these vacant >> Going back to these these vacant positions<00
- </c> and then the next year is still vacant. and then the next year is still vacant.
- </c><02:11:16.480><c> You</c> property since the DOE owns it? You property since the DOE owns it?
- </c> and it it it became now your property and it it it became now your property with<02:49:20.160><c
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Property Tax Reform Apr 2nd, 2026 at 08:30 am
Special Committee on Property Tax Reform
Transcript Highlights:
- This is still a significant financial blow to the owners of these properties, which can often sit vacant
- These properties, which can often sit vacant and, in some cases, are dependent on seasonal activity to
- You have non-residential real property. That would include hotels and other similar properties.
- So residential rental property is defined as a class that includes any real property that Residential
- This is just simply saying a residential property is a residential property.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Special Committee on Property Tax Reform Apr 2nd, 2026
Special Committee on Property Tax Reform
Transcript Highlights:
- This is still a significant financial blow to the owners of these properties, which can often sit vacant
- These properties can often sit vacant, and in some cases are dependent on seasonal activity to keep their
- You have non-residential real property. That would include hotels and other similar properties.
- On the other hand, the non-residential real property, as I alluded to, does include properties like a
- This is just simply saying a residential property is a residential property.
Summary:
The committee held a public hearing on Senate Substitute for Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bills 1066 and 1088, sponsored by Sen. Ben Brown, dealing with the property tax classification of single-family short-term rental homes. Brown argued the bills would stop counties from reclassifying short-term rentals as commercial property and taxing them at the higher commercial rate, saying such homes remain residential in use under Missouri case law, IRS guidance, and zoning principles. He said the substitute language was narrowed to single-family homes owned by individuals, partnerships, or LLCs, and further limited to owners with 15 or fewer short-term rental properties.
Members questioned how the bill would affect local zoning and assessor practices, including mixed-use buildings and the requirement that assessors conduct an in-person consultation before reclassifying property. Several lawmakers said the bill should preserve local control over zoning while preventing inconsistent tax treatment. Some members also raised concerns that the consultation language could interfere with assessors’ work, and Brown said he was open to revisiting that provision because it was added by another senator and was not central to the bill’s intent.
Supporters testified that short-term rentals are often family homes used to generate needed income, not commercial enterprises, and that higher commercial taxation could be financially devastating. One witness described using a family home as a short-term rental to help pay for a mother’s care and support a granddaughter with special needs. Opponents, including the Missouri Hotel Lodging Association, argued that short-term rentals function as businesses because they collect sales tax and compete with lodging providers, and they said the 15-property limit was ineffective because owners can place homes in separate LLCs. The association said it could suggest alternative language to better target large-scale operators. No vote was taken, and the hearing concluded after testimony.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Committee on the Census May 4th, 2026
Senate Committee on the Census
Transcript Highlights:
- impossible to manage without assistance from state, local, and tribal officials who have access to property
- of those sites were deleted from the test, and those two sites in fact did not have many of the properties
- that the Bureau was seeking to learn about how the census would interact with those properties when
- can help you identify whether those different housing units and GQs are likely to be occupied or vacant
- And if they are known to be vacant or believed to be vacant by the absence of administrative data and
Committee:
Senate Senate Committee on the Census
Summary:
The hearing focused on census data privacy, administrative data sharing, and the role of state and local governments in improving census accuracy, especially for the 2030 census. Dr. Philip Rocco testified first, arguing that the census is increasingly intergovernmental and that state and local investments in address list work, outreach, and complete count commissions can materially improve self-response and reduce undercounts. He emphasized that hard-to-count communities are most affected when states delay planning, politicize census work, or lack capacity, and he pointed to examples such as LUCA participation, outreach funding, and group quarters review as important tools. He also warned that recent federal actions and a broader climate of distrust could threaten 2030 operations, and urged Massachusetts to begin readiness planning now.
Members then questioned Dr. Rocco about the use of administrative data such as DMV, TANF, SNAP, and WIC records, and about group quarters enumeration. He explained that those data-sharing efforts were voluntary agreements with the Census Bureau, unlike group quarters data, which are often provided by facility administrators and sometimes state agencies. He said the Trump-era effort to use DMV and other records was tied to Executive Order 13880 and was widely resisted because states had confidentiality and legal concerns, and because the stated purpose appeared to shift toward citizenship-related uses. On group quarters, he described e-response, paper response, in-person enumeration, and administrator-provided directory information, noting that privacy issues arise mainly from FERPA limits on university data and from missing demographic details in administrative records.
A second panel, Beth Giroz and Amy O'Hara, then explained how administrative data are used by the Census Bureau and why data quality and privacy concerns matter. They described administrative data as records collected for operational purposes, useful for frame-building, nonresponse follow-up, enumeration, and post-enumeration evaluation, but often incomplete or mismatched on key census variables such as race, ethnicity, household relationships, and residence timing. They highlighted that some sources, like IRS, Medicare, USPS, SSA, and Bureau of Prisons records, are especially valuable, while others such as SNAP, TANF, WIC, Medicaid, CHIP, foster care, and driver’s license data vary in completeness and sharing. They stressed that privacy means collecting only what is needed, and that the Bureau typically uses limited header or roster data rather than full records. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing, and the committee recessed briefly before continuing testimony.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on State and Local Government (3-25-26)
State & Local Government
Transcript Highlights:
- The average homeowner's property tax rate inside the Urban Services District will decrease with this
- change, while owners of vacant land will see an increase.
- </c><00:24:38.880><c> The</c><00:24:39.000><c> average</c> development of vacant land.
- The average development of vacant land.
- The average homeowner's<00:24:39.760><c> property</c><00:24:40.120><c> tax</c><00:24:40.400><c> rate<
Committee:
Senate State & Local Government
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- HB 2716, vacant maintenance; Government and Regulatory Oversight. HB 2720.
- HB 2716, vacant maintenance; Government and Regulatory Oversight.
- HB 2776, private property process. HB 2780, due process. HB 2771, communities; Judiciary.
- assessment, 2359 adult incarceration contractor, 2361 employers contracts non-compete, 2362 property
- theft, 2461 employee search, 2462 covered contracts. 2460 business property theft, 2461 employment search
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the journal. Members then introduced the Doctor of the Day, Dr. John Lynch, and recognized several guest groups in the gallery, including Arizona electric co-op representatives, March of Dimes participants, CRNAs, AEA retirees, a University of Arizona legislative fellow, and ACLU visitors. Attendance was recorded at 58 present, one absent, and one excused.
The chamber handled routine floor business, including temporary committee replacements, referral of HB 2677 from Judiciary to Public Safety and Law Enforcement, and the first reading and referral of a large number of House bills and one concurrent resolution. The bill list covered a wide range of topics, including education, appropriations, housing, taxes, health care, public safety, energy, water, labor, elections, and several measures related to abortion, firearms, and tribal affairs. Second reading of bills was also announced for another extensive set of measures.
During announcements, members promoted a blood drive, a Veterans Caucus coffee-and-donuts event and lunch with a Department of Defense speaker, and several committee meetings or cancellations. No substantive debate or votes on legislation occurred beyond the procedural motions and the final motion to adjourn. The House adjourned until 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 03/13/25
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:09:38.040><c> Owners</c> many more so restoring Property Owners many more so restoring Property
- </c> systems are maintained and that property systems are maintained and that property does<00:14:44.279
- </c><00:15:09.600><c> office</c> F feet of vacant office F feet of vacant office space<00:15:12.000><
- </c> this out um but I think that property this out um but I think that property owners<00:59:02.680>
- </c><01:48:17.360><c> manager</c><01:48:18.360><c> property</c> letters from a property manager property
Committee:
Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Everybody knew that that was the highest piece of property.
- were agreeable that this exemption would have kept camps open that just had ponds or lakes on their property
Keywords:
school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings, A-F ratings, assessment reform, student testing, benchmark tests, interim assessments, through-year assessment, diagnostic reports, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plans
TX
Keywords:
school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings, A-F ratings, assessment reform, student testing, benchmark tests, interim assessments, through-year assessment, diagnostic reports, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plans
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- stopping taxed by dangerous dogs to a property's owner's liability to defend themselves and their property
- and real property fraud.
- This reinforces that these are crimes against real property.
- Owners, buyers, banks, lenders on real property and the title companies. insuring titles.
- We create a new 10-year statute of limitation period for real property theft and adjudication.
Bills:
HB166 , HB2000 , HB3248 , HB3513 , SB155 , SB1659 , SB1730 , SB1778 , SB1790 , SB1848 , SB2017 , SB2105 , SB2794 , SB2917 , HB2756 , HB353 , HB166
Committee:
Senate Criminal Justice
Keywords:
child endangerment, controlled substances, penalty group, elderly protection, disabled individual rights, child grooming, sex offender registration, criminal justice, reportable conviction, law enforcement, defense, peace officers, local government, security, juvenile board, Moore County, appointments, juvenile justice, county legislation, dangerous dogs
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- providing an outstanding support package, including a pay-for-performance agreement, sales, and property
- It is expected to pay roughly $12 million annually in property taxes, and Representative Candy Noble,
- A long time to come, not only the financial investment, the property tax revenue, and the jobs that are
- The project will be located on a parcel totaling 560 acres that is currently vacant and sits adjacent
- The goal is to preserve the integrity of property tax limitations while maintaining accountability.
Bills:
HB 1039 , HB2289 , HB2370 , HB2404 , HB3066 , HB3076 , HB3117 , HB3118 , HB3169 , HB3178 , HB3179 , HB3182 , HB3196 , HB3241 , HB3377 , HB3500 , HB3567 , HB3715 , HB3954 , HB4098 , HB4109 , HB4222 , HB4226 , HB4412 , HB4659 , HB4682 , HB4683 , HB4755 , HB4926 , HB5165 , HB5562 , HB5596
Committee:
House Ways & Means
Keywords:
hotel occupancy tax, municipal revenue, tax authority, border counties, tax legislation, municipalities, hotel tax revenue, convention centers, economic development, local government authority, HB 2370, HOT tax, venue projects, convention center, municipal finance, local government code, Section 334.0082, tourism tax, debt financing, bond repayment
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It also exempts them from all property taxes.
- The only reason we exist is to protect private property rights, but it's everybody's private property
- As Representative Ayala pointed out, every landowner has a property right, a vested property right in
- Our property, our groundwater property rights owners.
- So how far is it from your, the, the property described?
Bills:
HB 1520 , HB 1525 , HB 1530 , HB 1535 , HB 2068 , HB 2091 , HB 2347 , HB 2372 , HB 2805 , HB 2815 , HB 2867 , HB 3154 , HB 3482 , HB 3483 , HB 3663 , HB 3781 , HB 3901 , HB 3915 , HB 4135 , HB 4153 , HB 4158 , HB 4329 , HB 4331
Committee:
House Natural Resources
Keywords:
Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- It would have helped properties, so we ask that you.
- It also exempts them from all property taxes.
- Those caves run all underneath the proposed property.
- The only reason. we exist is to protect private property rights, but it's everybody's private property
- Okay, so how far is it from your the property described?
Bills:
HB1520 , HB1525 , HB1530 , HB1535 , HB2068 , HB2091 , HB2347 , HB2372 , HB2805 , HB2815 , HB2867 , HB3154 , HB3482 , HB3483 , HB3663 , HB3781 , HB3901 , HB3915 , HB4135 , HB4153 , HB4158 , HB4329 , HB4331
Committee:
House Natural Resources
Keywords:
Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I get that private property rights.
- Responsibility to fully use due diligence and find out what what's affecting this property We're just
- And real property includes water rights.
- I'm the owner of property, real property, and I decide I'm just going to sell the water rights. its surface
- Are there private property rights they get to at least vote for you or not vote at all?
Bills:
HB1520 , HB1525 , HB1530 , HB1535 , HB2068 , HB2091 , HB2347 , HB2372 , HB2805 , HB2815 , HB2867 , HB3154 , HB3482 , HB3483 , HB3663 , HB3781 , HB3901 , HB3915 , HB4135 , HB4153 , HB4158 , HB4329 , HB4331
Committee:
House Natural Resources
Keywords:
Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Apr 2nd, 2025
Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- property, industrial property. property, groundwater, residential property, a mine or quarry, a mineral
- You know, we've seen discussions about commercial property, residential property, agricultural property
- . right to own property.
- This is about property rights. rights, and not just about property rights.
- So there is no private property, there's no rights to private property.
Bills:
HB17 , HB34 , HB41 , HB 118 , HB 119 , HB 127 , HB 128 , HB 129 , HB 130 , HB132 , HB133 , HB17 , HB41 , HB118 , HB119 , HB127 , HB128 , HB129 , HB130 , HB132 , HB133
Keywords:
foreign ownership, real estate, national security, designated countries, Texas property law, lobbying, foreign adversaries, compensation prohibition, transparency, civil penalties, higher education, foreign adversary, research security, trade secrets, academic partnerships, HB 128, sister city, sister-city agreement, international exchange, municipal diplomacy
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services Mar 12th, 2025
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- So, members, the purpose of this bill is to grant Texans exclusive property rights over their land. their
- It is your property right.
- 2015, I received a three-year early career grant from the Green Wall Foundation to study genetic property
- I would therefore create a property right in both the DNA sample and the results of the analysis.
- Section 1 provides a protection of the person's life, liberty, and property in due process of law.
Bills:
SB 53 , SB53 , SB125 , SB315 , SB379 , SB457 , SB541 , SB599 , SB896 , SB921 , SB963 , SB1038 , SB1084 , SB1330 , SB1461
Committee:
Senate Health & Human Services
Keywords:
voter registration, election procedures, provisional ballot, change of address, residence requirements, mental health, court proceedings, notice requirements, legal filings, electronic documents, autologous blood donation, direct blood donation, blood bank, hospital, Health and Safety Code, physician order, preoperative blood donation, patient blood reserve, transfusion, surgery
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- would come afterwards, once we do identify where are these places and whether there are private property
- owners that might be private property owners that might be you<00:13:51.399><c> know</c><00:13:51.639
- The University is the landowner of the property in question, and we have been coordinating access for
- Since the university wasn't utilizing the hangar, it was sitting vacant.
- </c><00:41:28.359><c> and</c> own operate maintain the property and own operate maintain the property
Committee:
House Higher Education
Summary:
The House Committee on Higher Education heard five bills and later took up one joint Housing/Higher Education measure. On SB 1146 SD1, relating to the Alaw Canal, testimony from DLNR and UH was in support of funding an action plan and pre-engineering concept plan to address debris management and water quality in the watershed; members discussed the cost burden on DLNR and the possibility of identifying upstream sources of debris. On SB 1232 SD2, relating to wastewater systems, the Department of Health, DHHL, and several advocacy groups supported a three-year pilot program at UH’s Water Resources Research Center to test new wastewater technologies, with witnesses saying it could help certify cheaper alternatives and reduce cesspool upgrade costs. On SB 119 SD1, relating to nursing, witnesses supported funding a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Maui College. On SB 865 SD1, relating to agriculture, UH CTAHR, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and many island agricultural groups supported funding for a Kona Cooperative Extension position, with testimony and committee discussion favoring an extension agent over an administrative support role. On SB 1487 SD1, relating to UH revenue bonds, UH supported authorizing revenue bonds for priority capital projects, and members asked for clarification that the measure was a preliminary authorization rather than a specific spending plan.
In decision-making, the committee recommended passing SB 1146 SD1, SB 1232 SD2, SB 119 SD1, SB 865 SD1, and SB 1487 SD1 with House Draft 1 amendments, mainly to change defective dates to 7/1/3000 and, for SB 865, to upgrade the position to an extension agent. Votes were unanimous in favor on the measures, with one recusal noted on SB 865 and some members excused on other votes. The committee then recessed and later reconvened for a joint House Housing/Higher Education hearing on SB 1553 SD2, relating to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. DHHL asked that the bill be deferred because due diligence was incomplete and more discussion was needed with UH and other stakeholders; UH said it was coordinating access to the property and described its current and future use. Both committees agreed to defer the bill.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- As of January 9th, there were 25 vacant positions.
- It's a part of state property.
- You have several hundred vacant positions.
- There's several aging buildings there on that property.
- Some of that stuff can come with it if it's movable property.
Committee:
House Appropriations
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Feb 18th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It's their property, so they actually help pay for that.
- The property at Twin Peaks...
- You could not build this property.
- I would like to invite all of you to come see that property and all of our properties, please.
- But our... ...property taxes.
Summary:
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee first heard a budget presentation for the Department of Parks and Recreation. Legislative staff explained the agency’s structure, dedicated funds, and a proposed FY27 supplemental to transfer about $9.8 million in grant funds from a consolidated program into the current park operations program after a prior reorganization. The agency’s FY27 request also included dedicated-fund enhancements for additional park personnel, trail maintenance staff, and one-time improvements, with no general fund request. Director Susan Buxton described major capital projects completed with prior appropriations, including campground, marina, lodge, trail, and accessibility upgrades across the state, and said the investments had increased capacity and visitation.
Committee members asked about access for Idaho residents, reservation pricing, and the effect of charging out-of-state users more. Buxton said the new reservation system is more mobile-friendly, out-of-state pricing has increased availability for residents, and a University of Idaho study is evaluating the impact. She also said the agency expects more campsites, boat slips, and day-use areas than originally projected. Members discussed the agency’s OHV education campaign, trail maintenance, and the new observatory at Bruneau Dunes State Park. No formal action or vote was taken during the Parks and Recreation presentation.
The committee then reviewed the Office of the State Public Defender budget. Legislative staff summarized the agency’s staffing, fund balance, and FY27 requests, including six new trial attorney positions, secure hosted data storage, and laptop/data migration costs. Director Stephen Frederickson said the statewide system is now stable after a difficult transition from county-based defense, with vacancies down to about 7 percent and 55 new employees hired since July 1. He warned that further budget reductions would likely be absorbed through training cuts first, but could eventually force reductions in contract attorneys and increase caseloads, which he said would risk attorney turnover and constitutional problems. Members asked about county MOUs, Twin Falls staffing shortages, attorney levels, child protection cases, training, and the impact on county costs and property taxes. No vote was taken, and the committee adjourned after announcing the next day’s agenda.