Transcript Highlights:

• So MassDOT will provide early notification of funding amounts well ahead of the construction season so
• Secretary for Capital on Secretary Gorzkowicz’s team at the Executive Office for Administration and Finance
• Secretary for Capital on Secretary Gorkowitz's team at the Executive Office for Administration and Finance
• The construction industry in particular has been hit very, very hard by inflation, and we're seeing,
• The road construction season is upon us, and our members and local communities are eager to get the funding

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Bonding, State Assets, and Capital Expenditures held its first public hearing on House Bill 4257, a transportation bonding bill. The administration testified in support, describing the bill as a $1.185 billion authorization: $300 million for Chapter 90 municipal road funding and $885 million for statewide transportation capital programs. Officials said the bill would increase municipal aid by 50%, with $200 million distributed under the traditional Chapter 90 formula and $100 million based solely on road mileage to better help rural communities. They also highlighted $500 million for bridge and pavement lifecycle asset management, $200 million for culverts and small bridges, and $185 million for congestion, safety, ADA, sidewalk, and multimodal improvements. Committee members asked about how municipalities would apply, how the road-mile formula would affect rural towns, and how the bill would interact with federal funding uncertainty and debt financing. Administration witnesses explained that projects would be administered through MassDOT district offices and Grant Central, that the bill would not backfill rescinded federal funds, and that the proposal would likely use special obligation bonds backed by Fair Share revenues to reduce pressure on the Commonwealth’s general obligation debt limit. Members also pressed the administration on the shift from general obligation to special obligation financing and on whether the Chapter 90 increase keeps pace with inflation. Administration officials said the special obligation structure would be credit-rated separately and was intended to expand available capital without affecting the GO bond cap, while acknowledging that the Commonwealth’s debt portfolio would grow. They said the Chapter 90 increase would roughly restore purchasing power lost since 2012, though construction inflation has outpaced general inflation. Several members and witnesses emphasized the importance of the road-mile formula for rural communities and the need for technical assistance for small towns. The Massachusetts Municipal Association testified in strong support of the bill, calling Chapter 90 and the new infrastructure authorizations critical for cities and towns facing federal uncertainty and rising costs. The Massachusetts Aggregate and Asphalt Pavement Association also supported the bill, citing the importance of the funding for road and bridge work, the construction season, and the industry’s economic impact. A committee member asked about asphalt price inflation, and the witness said liquid asphalt costs rose sharply after COVID, including increases of around 20% in some years. At the end of the hearing, the chair said members would receive a poll by email to move the bill out quickly, and the committee then voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• committee on transportation and finance committee on transportation and finance with<00:43:34.560
• and disappointed by the finance and disappointed by the finance amendment<01:35:19.679> was
• what the national highway construction what the national highway construction cost<01:40:51.199>
• c> Committee So, your Senate Finance Committee So, your Senate Finance Committee originally<01:45
• with finance around that.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Christine Trudeau, Department of Finance.
• Alison Hewitt, Department of Finance.
• Okay, Department of Finance. Kayla Lambin, Department of Finance. Nothing to add.
• Danielle Brandon with the Department of Finance.
• I mean, when you layer the construction that is happening, huge amount of construction just in this vicinity

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for that travel with the the finance for that travel with the the finance bill<01:37:23.880>
• That would include, by construction standards, covering also the nursing homes.
• That would include, by construction standards, covering also the nursing homes.
• That would include, by construction standards, covering also the nursing homes.
• That would include, by construction standards, covering also the nursing homes.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and referred to the committee on finance and referred to the committee on finance and Taxation education
• referred to the committee on finance referred to the committee on finance taxation education all right
• and Taxation the committee on finance and Taxation the committee on finance and Taxation education signed
• and Taxation education Nays from finance and Taxation education Nays from finance and Taxation education
• and Taxation education Nay from finance and Taxation education Nay from finance and Taxation education

Bills: SB 26, SB 28, SJR 36, SB 616, SB 565, SB 384, SB 28, SB 28, SR 131, SR 168, SR 174, SR 175

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement

Transcript Highlights:

• passed and Senate Finance Committee substitute for Senate Bill 273 for discussion purposes.
• Chairman, members of the Senate Finance Committee.
• I'm here to present House Bill 64, which is a New Mexico Finance Authority Public.
• Some other states actually have that attached to the Construction Price Index.
• We do have an amendment for your bill, so I move Senate Finance. Move the amendment.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill incentivizes housing production, streamlines construction processes, and improves access to
• financing.
• May Frank's constructive, honorable life inspire future leaders in the generations to come. Mr.
• Being a guy who actually has a background and actually even a degree in finance and housing, I don't
• We had the financing of, you know, the mortgage bubble from 2008. We had COVID.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, June 25, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:11.639> and have Hawaii Housing Finance and have Hawaii Housing Finance and Development
• That isn't directly construction related, but we feel that this is construction related.
• each County the cost of the construction each County the cost of the construction um<01:02:46.160
• um how what you value the construction um how what you value the construction to<01:02:48.039>
• They work in the construction trades.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Technology met on February 7, 2025, to hear testimony on several bills and later take up amendments and votes. HB 1405, HB 1406, and HB 1407 drew broad support from business, housing, utility, and development groups, with no opposition noted on those measures. Testifiers generally said the bills would streamline permitting, improve coordination, and expand support for chambers of commerce and small businesses. After recess, the chair recommended amendments to each bill, including changes to broaden eligibility, add reporting requirements, and include funding and staffing notes. HB 1405 was amended to allow certain projects with one state and one county permit to qualify, require annual DBEDT reports to the Legislature, and note one full-time position and $125,000 in funding; the committee voted to pass it with amendments. HB 1406 was amended to move the intergovernmental task force from DBEDT to the House Legislature, add a Speaker-appointed chair, and include a $125,000 appropriation note; it also passed with amendments. HB 1407 was amended to convert the chamber support from a grant process to an RFP process and require a 1-to-5 match on a $100,000 award; it too passed with amendments. In each case, the chair’s recommendation was adopted, with Representative Tam excused. The committee also heard HB 796, a tax-credit review bill, which drew no support and 12 opposition testimonies with three comments. Opponents, including SAG-AFTRA Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, Catholic Charities Hawaii, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, argued that automatic sunset provisions or broad tax-credit cuts would burden working families and that existing review mechanisms already exist under state law. The Department of Taxation and DBEDT offered technical comments, and the Tax Foundation suggested the bill’s goals might be better addressed by cleaning up the existing review process. Later, the committee heard HB 303, which had 17 supporters and no opposition. Testifiers from the Department of Health, University of Hawaii, Hawaii State Center for Nursing, Queen’s Health System, and the Hawaii State Chiropractors Association supported the measure, with the chiropractors asking to be included in eligibility. The Hawaii State Center for Nursing said the program had been successful for five years and had room to expand. HB 577 also drew support, with the Department of Taxation offering comments and the Tax Foundation noting technical issues. HB 949 generated mixed testimony: Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and the Chamber of Commerce supported it, while Hawaii Children’s Action Network raised concerns about the bill’s effects and the lack of fiscal analysis; Sugar Creek Capital also supported the measure and clarified that the credit would not offset the GET. Finally, HB 933 and HB 959 were heard, with HB 933 receiving six support testimonies and comments focused on grocery tax relief and food insecurity, and HB 959 drawing strong support from labor and advocacy groups for its broad tax relief package, while the Tax Foundation and Hawaii Appleseed urged caution about the proposed 50% GET increase and asked for clearer fiscal analysis.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is relating to campaign finance.
• <00:06:56.240> Housing chairperson of the Hawaii Housing chairperson of the Hawaii Housing Finance
• <00:06:56.960> and<00:06:57.120> Development<00:06:57.639> Corporation Finance and
• Development Corporation Finance and Development Corporation board<00:06:58.400> of<00:06:58.560
• structure that was damaged constructed structure that was damaged or<00:09:19.079> destroyed<

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met in decision-making only session and took up a series of bills, mostly approving them with amendments. SB 1032 on campaign finance passed with amendments to change the certification process for business entities, add a severability-type provision if foreign-influence conditions are struck down, and note a related Minnesota federal case. SB 401 on firearms passed with amendments to exclude shotguns, grandfather legally registered devices in place as of the effective date, and add committee report findings; SB 382 on procurement confidentiality passed as is; SB 598 extending deadlines for administrative driver’s license revocation review decisions passed as is; SB 771 on HHFDC board leadership passed as is; and SB 1318 clarifying water pollution enforcement jurisdiction passed as is. The committee also approved SB 1657 with an amendment removing authority to condemn public property, SB 1102 with an amendment making the Fire Council the source of nominees for the aircraft rescue fire fighting chief, and SB 100 with amendments replacing the original substance with a prohibition on fingerprinting nonprofit liquor-license board members during background checks and limiting the bill to counties under 500,000 population. SB 170 and SB 1296, both related to special management area exemptions for affordable housing and disaster-related reconstruction, passed with amendments incorporating Office of Planning, Sustainable Development, and Attorney General changes to narrow and clarify the exemptions. Finally, SB 363, a cleanup bill related to firearm parts and ghost gun laws, was considered with amendments that deleted a proposed new penalty section, revised existing firearms statutes, removed an unnecessary definition, and expanded penalties to include indeterminate imprisonment terms. Despite the amendments, the measure was not adopted because the Vice Chair voted no. The committee then adjourned and announced a later joint hearing with Ways and Means.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is this going to finance? It has on the House side. Okay. Not over here.
• Let's go to finance. It would. Yeah, it says at the bottom there.
• Let's go to finance. It would. Yeah, it says at the bottom there.
• I know it's still referred to finance, so you'll go from here to finance, and best of luck there.
• I know it's still referred to finance, so you'll go from here to finance and best of luck there.

Summary: The committee took up several House measures. HCR 66, as amended, asked Louisiana Economic Development and the Governor’s Office of Rural Development to study rural parish assets, infrastructure, workforce, and development opportunities, and it was moved forward without objection. HB 387, a clarification to allow the fire marshal’s office to review architectural and engineering plans equally, also passed favorably without objection. HB 1223, which would have LED promote Louisiana’s clinical trial capacity and adjust internal review board processes, was amended and moved favorably. HB 950, aimed at helping older adults recognize and avoid fraud through materials and resources from the Office of Elderly Affairs, was reported favorably. HB 975, a routine measure to recreate the Public Service Commission, was also reported favorably. HB 1186, which would create a more uniform statewide building code and licensing system for inspectors, was amended and moved favorably. HB 1222, described as a Grocery Initiative Act to let LED identify ways to address food deserts and food insecurity, was introduced near the end of the meeting. The most extensive debate centered on HB 617, a consumer transparency bill requiring mandatory fees to be included in upfront pricing. The author said the bill was intended to curb hidden fees and help consumers compare prices, with examples such as hotel resort fees and automatic restaurant service charges. Supporters argued it would improve transparency, while opponents from grocery, restaurant, hotel, housing, retail, and business groups said the bill was too broad, vague about terms like “total price,” unclear on enforcement and penalties, and could create compliance burdens and litigation risk, especially for small businesses. Housing advocates opposed the bill’s housing carve-out, arguing it could weaken renters’ ability to bring unfair-practice claims. Senator Morris moved to defer HB 617, and the committee agreed without objection. The committee also heard lengthy testimony on HB 797, which would create a Bayou Gold certification for certain transactional gold vendors that meet state-defined standards such as segregation, insurance, and nearby storage. The sponsor said the goal was to give consumers confidence and encourage vendors to keep gold closer to Louisiana, while critics argued the program would amount to a state endorsement of private companies, create misleading consumer impressions, and expose the state to confusion or liability. The bill drew opposition from the Sound Money Defense League and others, but the committee ultimately reported HB 797 favorably, with the understanding it still had to go to Finance. HB 1228, a hearing-aid cleanup bill updating definitions, contracts, testing periods, and licensing rules, was also moved favorably without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's go ahead and any comments from our Department of Finance?
• Any comments from the Department of Finance?
• Any comments from the Department of Finance?
• Any remarks up here from the Department of Finance or LAO?
• Thank you, Department of Finance and LAO.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration held an informational hearing on budget issues for the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Cannabis Control, the Department of Consumer Affairs, the Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, and the California Arts Council. The chair noted there would be no votes. CalVet gave an overview of its programs serving veterans and families, including transition assistance, county veterans service officers, education approvals, housing and homelessness programs, home loans, long-term care homes, and state veterans cemeteries. Members asked about future long-term care needs for aging veterans, staffing and recruitment challenges at veterans homes, and the Yountville steam infrastructure replacement project, for which CalVet sought a $38.8 million reappropriation and said federal reimbursement was expected. CalVet also discussed the role of county veterans service officers in helping veterans file claims and avoid predatory unaccredited representatives. The Department of Cannabis Control described its regulatory role from seed to sale and requested one position to implement SB 1064’s combined activities license. Members and public witnesses focused heavily on the illicit cannabis market, enforcement staffing, and the impact of taxes and fees on the legal market. DCC said it had roughly 87 enforcement positions with about a 15% vacancy rate and more than 200 compliance staff. Its economist presented the 2024 cannabis market report, which found licensed production and retail quantity were up, but retail value and prices were down, with an estimated 11.4 million pounds of illicit production and about 60% of California consumption still coming from the illicit market. Industry witnesses argued the legal market is in crisis, urged repeal of the scheduled excise tax increase, stronger enforcement against illicit cannabis and hemp-derived intoxicants, and expanded retail access. The Department of Consumer Affairs briefly presented nine budget proposals, including a $2.6 million ongoing request to maintain a business modernization system for several boards and bureaus. The Commission on the Status of Women and Girls described its work on economic and educational equity, health care, violence prevention, student rights, and archival and outreach projects, and said its budget request would convert limited-term positions to permanent. A member urged the commission to narrow its priorities toward current issues such as affordability, child care, and women’s health. The California Arts Council outlined its role as the state’s only statewide arts funder and requested restoration of $5 million in local assistance; supporters testified that the funding would leverage additional local investment and help sustain arts access, especially in rural communities. The hearing ended after the non-presentation items were noted and no further public comment was offered.

Transcript Highlights:

• INFORMATION AND I TRY TO DO RESEARCH QUICKLY, I WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND ADEQUATE INFORMATION OF THE FINANCING
• I CAN TOTALLY THE MEZZANINE FINANCING PROVISION IS OUT IN THE AMENDMENT I AM ABOUT TO EXPLAIN. >> Sen
• THAT IS DATA STRUCK FROM THE BILL AND WOULD ANSWER PREVIOUS QUESTION ABOUT MEZZANINE FINANCING THAT
• I READ THIS BILL THOROUGHLY MY ONLY QUESTION WAS ABOUT MEZZANINE FINANCING WHEN YOU CAME BACK WITH THE
• THE EXEMPTION PERTAINS TO RECORDS HELD BY THE DEPARTMENT COMMERCE, FLUID HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION,

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Melissa Brewer, the Executive Director of Finance for the Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet.
• 01:47.079> Executive<00:01:47.560> Director<00:01:47.880> of<00:01:48.079> Finance
• Brewer the Executive Director of Finance Brewer the Executive Director of Finance for<00:01:48.680
• It's important to note that the funds cannot be used for capital and construction projects.
• be used for Capital and construction be used for Capital and construction projects<00:04:03.200>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met for the second Budget Review on Economic Development, Public Protection, Tourism, and Energy and approved the minutes from the previous meeting. After a quorum was confirmed, members heard a presentation from Melissa Brewer of the Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet, along with Olivia Atkins of Kentucky State Parks and Commissioner Mike Manet of the Kentucky Department of Tourism. The presentation focused on the state’s 1% tourism meeting and convention marketing fund and the broader role of tourism in Kentucky’s economy. Brewer explained that the fund is used only for marketing and promoting tourism-related activities, cannot be used for capital or construction projects, and must be reported annually to the governor and LRC. She said the Governor’s budget and enacted budget increased appropriations in response to growing transient room tax receipts, adding $3 million in FY 2025 and $7 million in FY 2026, and noted legislative support for the Kentucky Mountain Regional Recreation Authority, the National Quilt Museum, and the Southern Kentucky Tourism Initiative. Manet emphasized that tourism marketing drives overnight visitation, local spending, jobs, and economic development, and described the 1% fund as the source for marketing, advertising, website development, public relations, international and group sales, trade shows, research, and regional matching funds. He highlighted efforts to secure media coverage and said the matching funds program distributed $2 million last year to 87 local tourism commissions across the state. No votes or other committee actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's going to be a fee that is associated with both land development and house construction.
• materials and construction labor.
• There are municipalities and counties that rely pretty heavily on construction.
• So the real issue with any company is how do you finance the $8 million?
• Ours is finance more than it is anything.

Transcript Highlights:

• Publicly financed housing maximizes the use of public land, tax-exempt bonds, and public financing to
• Publicly financed housing maximizes the use of public land, tax-exempt bonds, and public financing to
• Publicly financed housing maximizes the use of public land, tax-exempt bonds, and public financing to
• Publicly financed housing maximizes the use of public land, tax-exempt bonds, and public financing to
• Publicly financed housing maximizes the use of public land, tax-exempt bonds, and public financing to

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Andrew Hull with the Department of Finance.
• And that's a matter of construction at that point.
• Good morning, Megan Larson, Department of Finance.
• Hi, Andrew Hall with the Department of Finance.
• Andrew Hull with the Department of Finance.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• finance finance credit<00:18:00.400> and<00:18:00.520> then<00:18:00.720> the<00
• This bill and others have gone to the finance committee.
• Education Finance, perhaps? Oh, to be determined, Senator. Yeah, okay.
• Education Finance, perhaps? Oh, to be determined, Senator. Yeah, okay.
• Education Finance, perhaps? Oh, to be determined, Senator. Yeah, okay.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:32:20.399> grants the state home construction grants the state home construction grants
• construction and maintenance funding. construction and maintenance funding.
• . construction. construction.
• through finance.
• through finance.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:06:10.599> you the Department of budget and finance you the Department of budget and finance
• <01:50:20.719> questions move this forward to finance questions move this forward to finance
• I'll move this to Finance. Questions or concerns, members?
• On this one, I want to move this forward to Finance.
• I like the way this is constructed.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard SB 104, which would restrict the use of restrictive housing or solitary confinement in state-operated and state-contracted correctional facilities, with specified exceptions. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation strongly opposed the bill, saying its existing policy already meets or exceeds ACA and National Institute of Corrections standards, and objecting to language they said would give the oversight commission operational decision-making authority. The Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission supported the bill, but also said it was not intended to run operations and described concerns about restrictive housing practices, including CoreCivic’s SHIP program at Saguaro. Supporters included the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Office of the Public Defender, the Disability Rights Center, ACLU Hawaii, Easter Seals Hawaii, and individual testifiers. They argued that Native Hawaiians are disproportionately impacted by incarceration, that solitary confinement is harmful and linked to depression, anxiety, suicidality, and poor reentry outcomes, and that confinement beyond 15 days is widely condemned under international standards. Several testifiers cited suicides and deaths in custody as reasons to codify limits in statute rather than rely on policy alone. The department responded that it already has 24/7 medical care, though not 24/7 mental health coverage at one facility, and explained that it uses four custody categories: disciplinary segregation, administrative segregation, protective custody, and placements for inmates seeking separation for safety reasons. Members questioned the department and commission about the SHIP program, whether the bill was based on other states’ laws, and how current policies compare with national standards. The director said the bill was too ambiguous in places and that the department was willing to work with the commission on policy changes, but still opposed the measure as written. The committee took testimony and questions; no vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Finance. Thank you. Stephen Benson, Department of Finance.
• Department of Finance. Thank you. Stephen Benson, Department of Finance.
• Anybody else, Department of Finance? And I'm Metzay on Department of Finance.
• Nate Williams, Department of Finance.
• Department of Finance. Lizzie Arriaga, Department of Finance. Nothing to add.

Keywords: 988, house, all