Transcript Highlights:

• So whichever way you would through bond.
• Um, let me just address the performance of MDA south of Hattiesburg.
• <00:19:55.520> of<00:19:55.760> MDA aren't happy with the performance of MDA aren't
• happy with the performance of MDA down<00:19:57.200> on<00:19:57.440> the<00:19:57.600
• performance of MDA south of Hattisburg. performance of MDA south of Hattisburg.

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 28 January, 2026; 8:15 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee heard a budget presentation from the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA), including its consolidated tourism and agency request. MDA said it has had strong recent results, citing about $65 billion in capital investment since 2020, roughly 25,000 jobs, record tourism, clean audits, and oversubscribed incentive programs. For FY27, the agency requested $26.4 million in general funds, level special-fund operating support, restoration of eight pins reduced in the LBR process, and several general-fund increases for a career ladder, a new HR system, training, and operating costs. MDA also discussed a $1.25 million request for America 250 activities, including a Mississippi event and participation in the National Mall “Great America State Fair,” plus an energy accelerator program tied to the governor’s energy initiative and a broader three-tier energy preparedness strategy. MDA also explained its incentive refill requests, saying it was not seeking additional funding for the ACE grant program this year and had shifted that support toward the governor’s port/rail/road investment fund and energy-ready sites. The agency highlighted a renewed request to restart funding for the small municipal and limited population counties grant program, which it said had previously helped smaller communities with water, sewer, downtown, and other projects. On tourism, MDA presented a breakout showing what the budget would look like if tourism were separated into its own department; officials said the current tourism budget within MDA is about $5.7 million in general funds and $7.9 million total, and estimated about $1.3 million in additional cost would be needed to stand up a separate tourism agency. A significant portion of the discussion focused on criticism from Senator Wiggins that MDA has not delivered enough economic development for the Mississippi Gulf Coast. He argued that constituents believe MDA does little for the coast and objected to the agency’s role in the GCRF and coastal projects, saying the coast has not seen meaningful results in years. MDA officials responded that complaints about uneven distribution are common across the state, that MDA works with local economic development partners rather than dictating project locations, and that it has helped support major coastal projects such as Relativity Space, Lockheed Martin expansions, PCC Gulf Chem, BWC Terminals, and AWS. The exchange also touched on the Port of Pascagoula and local leadership disputes, with both sides disagreeing over whether the port and the coast have been adequately supported. No votes or formal actions were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The majority of the money from the water project fund comes from severance tax bonds.
• We receive a 9% earmark of severance tax bonds, and then 10% of that has been shaved off and sent over
• the administrative offices of the courts to help deal with adjudication of the senior severance tax bonds
• increase in funding from the Water Project Fund, and that is directly related to the severance tax bond
• Planning is essential; poor planning leads to poor performance, as I would say in the military.

Transcript Highlights:

• members of the House clarified the de novo appeal process when a prosecutor appeals the amount of bond
• There had been some issues of individuals being released on bond.
• Additionally, the House amended the offense of terroristic threat to only be a bond if it's charged as
• And it will be a great tool as judges review the bonds for the most serious offenders.
• Thanks, Senator, this is, you know, my word is my bond in that regard.

Bills: SJR 5, SJR 27, SB 4, SB 6, SB 7, SB 9, SB 13, SB 15, SB 23, SB 27, SB 30, SB 40, SB 57, SB 66, SB 140, SB 268, SB 293, SB 331, SB 413, SB 437, SB 447, SB 457, SB 467, SB 506, SB 510, SB 512, SB 568, SB 571, SB 650, SB 710, SB 763, SB 785, SB 800, SB 850, SB 863, SB 865, SB 904, SB 905, SB 973, SB 974, SB 1191, SB 1281, SB 1300, SB 1362, SB 1494, SB 1504, SB 1522, SB 1540, SB 1567, SB 1579, SB 1580, SB 1610, SB 1660, SB 1723, SB 1760, SB 1838, SB 1923, SB 1946, SB 1957, SB 1964, SB 2018, SB 2024, SB 2121, SB 2167, SB 2217, SB 2221, SB 2321, SB 2337, SB 2368, SB 2373, SB 2407, SB 2431, SB 2477, SB 2587, SB 2615, SB 2753, SB 2807, SB 2900, SB 2965, SB 2972, SB 2986, SB 3039, SB 3047, SB 3059, SB 3070, SB 1, SB 8, SB 12, SB 13, SB 15, SB 17, SB 21, SB 30, SB 37, SB 260, SB 268, SB 331, SB 379, SB 441, SB 447, SB 457, SB 509, SB 650, SB 763, SB 1198, SB 1405, SB 1506, SB 1566, SB 1610, SB 1637, SB 1660, SB 1833, SB 2018, SB 2024, SB 2155, SB 2217, SB 2308, SB 2337, SB 2601, SB 2753, SB 2778, SB 2878, SB 2900, SB 3059, HB 4, HB 145, HB 300, HB 493, HB 2011, HB 2067, HB 2516, HB 2525, HB 2885, HB 2974, HB 3071, HB 3372, HB 3595, HB 5138, HB 5246, HB 796, HB 1523, HB 5294, HB 748, HB 3395, HB 180, HB 3171, HB 4690, HB 146, HB 5596, HB 5694, HB 1135, HB 3225, HB 186, HB 1449, HB 3793, HB 112, HB 104, HB 4233, HB 1094, HB 3336, HB 3520, HB 3320, HB 5663, HB 2731, HB 2399, HB 111, HB 3483, HB 4580, HB 3748, HB 632, HB 4730, HB 127, HB 5690, HB 5689, HB 3385, HB 4359, HB 5381, HB 20, HB 123, HB 549, HB 5606, HB 2594, HB 1057, HB 3664, HCR 141, HCR 40, HCR 59, SJR 36, SJR 50, SJR 63, SCR 12, SCR 39, SB 2023, SB 62, SB 666, SB 847, SB 284, SB 854, SB 810, SB 1505, SB 583, SB 507, SB 1434, SB 1772, SB 2016, SB 1122, SB 731, SB 397, SB 508, SB 1436, SB 287, SB 1882, SB 393, SB 1791, SB 209, SB 2429, SB 1085, SB 1975, SB 2717, SB 1262, SB 636, SB 2056, SB 884, SB 1200, SB 1845, SB 2458, SB 801, SB 3014, SB 3013, SB 758, SB 2797, SB 2076, SB 2876, SB 1640, SB 1449, SB 1181, SB 1234, SB 2926, SB 2841, SB 1528, SB 1854, SB 317, SB 1250, SB 2082, SB 1237, SB 2819, SB 629, SB 2608, SB 1602, SB 2009, SB 867, SB 640, SB 1698, SB 2680, SB 913, SB 1071, SB 1086, SB 1087, SB 1483, SB 1444, SB 1553, SB 1556, SB 1703, SB 2133, SB 2297, SB 2298, SB 2622, SB 2955, SB 2334, SB 1367, SB 2044, SB 2363, SB 2565, SB 1888, SB 3036, SB 3057, SB 3043, SB 3063, SB 3035, SB 203, SB 2688, SB 2522, SB 2459, SB 2655, SB 2251, SB 1884, SB 2928, SB 2566, SB 2549, SB 2553, SB 2919, SB 1944, SB 1232, SB 1798, SB 2603, SB 2607, SB 2683, SB 1319, SB 3045, SB 3071, HB 20, HB 127, HB 549, HB 1094, HB 2594, HB 2731, HB 4233, HB 4690, SR 625, HCR 167, SJR 5, SB 4, SB 6, SB 9, SB 23, SB 40, SB 13, SB 15, SB 30, SB 268, SB 331, SB 447, SB 457, SB 568, SB 650, SB 763, SB 1540, SB 1610, SB 1660, SB 2018, SB 2024, SB 2217, SB 2337, SB 2753, SB 2900, SB 2972, SB 3059, HB 4, HB 145, HB 493, HB 2067, HB 2516, HB 2885, HB 2974, HB 3071, HB 3372, HB 3556, HB 3595, HB 5138

Keywords: bail, felony offenses, criminal justice reform, public safety, constitutional amendment, judicial conduct, state commission, judicial misconduct, commission membership, property tax, homestead exemption, school funding, state aid, electric power, interconnection, utilities, ERCOT, large load customers, water supply, sewer service

Summary: The meeting centered around the discussions of several key bills, notably HB4233, which aims to align Texas's money transmission licensing and auditing requirements with federal regulations. Senator Parker led the discussion, emphasizing the need for consumer protections around cryptocurrency kiosks that have become targets for fraud, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as seniors. The meeting also saw lively debates on HB20, designed to reintegrate technical education into high schools, addressing skills shortages in the workforce. The bills were well received, with strong bipartisan support evident in the votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• amends it to include our standard fund language, constitutional language that's required regarding the bond
• And for those who are aspiring to be fathers, they too will know that they can bond with their child
• And for those who are aspiring to be fathers, they too will know that they can bond with their child
• The other piece is it puts in law that the Child Ombudsman's office, in order to perform its statutory
• that was done, but it did designate that the department had to have a medical director that would perform

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met on May 26, 2026, and first took up Senate Bill 433, which would provide Medicaid coverage for certain weight-loss medications. After adopting a House amendment adding customary subject-to-appropriation language, the committee heard from LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein, who said the state currently spends about $240 million a year on GLP-1 drugs for Medicaid patients with obesity and certain other conditions, and that the bill would let the department expand coverage gradually while controlling costs and negotiating better pricing. Members spoke in strong support, and SB 433 was reported favorable as amended. The committee then considered Senate Bill 157, which creates paid parental leave for eligible public K-12 educators and staff. An amendment was adopted to adjust fund language and make the bill proper for Appropriations. Senator Jenkins and supporters, including the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, described the bill as providing six weeks of paid leave for birth, adoption, fostering, and related family-building events, while members discussed whether medical leave should also be included and confirmed the leave applies to fathers as well. The bill drew broad support and was reported favorable as amended. Senate Bill 250, requiring the Office of Group Benefits to offer a comprehensive weight management plan with employees paying the full premium and medication costs, was briefly discussed and reported favorable without objection. The committee then spent considerable time on Senate Bill 237, a child welfare measure from Senator Barrow that would expand notification, access, and investigative procedures for the Child Ombudsman and DCFS, including child-on-child sexual abuse cases and multidisciplinary fatality reviews. Members and agency officials debated the fiscal note, with estimates ranging from about $525,000 to $3.2 million and disagreement over whether some costs were already covered or could be absorbed; after a roll call, the bill passed 10-9 and was reported favorable as amended. Finally, the committee began Senate Bill 155, which requires insurance coverage for medically necessary dental care tied to cancer treatment. Senator Talbot and medical and cancer advocacy witnesses said the bill would remove a barrier to timely chemotherapy or radiation and could prevent more expensive complications later. Members expressed support and discussed a relatively small fiscal note, but the transcript cuts off before final action on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• ...when revenue bonds might be a better means of financing than a general obligation bond.
• bonds, and that's because revenue bonds are debt of the University.
• versus, say, state GO bonds.
• The pharmacy school at Hilo was partially funded with revenue bonds mixed with GO bonds.
• bonds and the things bonds mixed with go bonds and the things that<00:30:15.200> make<00:30:15.600

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 707, which would create a state income tax deduction for contributions to Hawaii 529 college savings accounts and conform state law to federal changes allowing 529 funds to be used for K-12 expenses. The Department of Taxation said it could administer the bill as written. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the measure but asked that ABLE accounts be included and that the program title be changed; the Department of Taxation indicated the title issue could be a problem because the bill’s expanded purpose may not fit the current program name. No vote was taken. The committee then heard House Bill 617, which would fund a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges. UH Community Colleges supported the bill, and Maui nursing staff testified that faculty recruitment is challenging but manageable, clinical placements are available, and the campus already has a statewide RN-to-BSN pathway; they said the new program would create two tracks, including a four-year BSN option. Members also heard support from several organizations, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, nursing groups, and health care associations. No action was taken. Next were several UH-related measures. HB 718 would fund faculty and staff positions at the John A. Burns School of Medicine; the dean and other supporters testified in favor. HB 1279 would create a medical education liaison position tied to Project ECHO; the Attorney General raised constitutional concerns about statewide concern and grant standards, while an individual witness supported the concept but suggested the bill should focus on liaison/support functions rather than program administration. HB 1169 would consolidate conference center revolving funds, and HB 1168 would authorize up to $800 million in UH revenue bonds; UH’s CFO said both were procedural/housekeeping measures and supported them. On HB 1168, members questioned debt service, possible uses, and whether deferred maintenance would be included; the CFO estimated annual debt service could be about $33 million to $41 million at current rates, said likely uses could include student housing and research facilities, and said deferred maintenance was not the current strategy. The CFO also explained that revenue bonds require both legislative authorization and a Board of Regents resolution approving the project and amount. Finally, the committee heard HB 548, which would authorize revenue bonds and appropriations to acquire the St. Francis School campus for UH Mānoa. UH supported the bill but noted the property is privately owned and not known to be for sale. A supporter described the site as a unique 11-acre parcel contiguous to the main campus and urged the committee to seize the opportunity for future generations. No vote or final action was taken on the bills in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• I applaud Russell Henley for his outstanding performance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I yield back.
• applaud Russell Henley for his applaud Russell Henley for his outstanding<07:17:31.440> performance
• outstanding performance. Thank you, Mr. outstanding performance. Thank you, Mr.
• Today, the Dow Jones and Standard & Poor's continued their nose dives with the worst three-day performance
• <07:18:29.440> in the worst three-day performance in the worst three-day performance in nearly

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, April 7, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We give thanks for all of these elected officials for their sacrifices and their efforts in performing
• School District Bond: HB 2320. DCS credit fees: HB 2321. DCS credit ... HB 2332.
• HB 2320, school district bond. HB 2321, DCS credit fees. HB 2332, DCS investment services.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer by Paul Sorensen, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the journal from January 15, 2026. Members also recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Tammy Penhollow, and several guests in the gallery, including education leaders and representatives from Republic Services. Attendance was recorded at 57 present, zero absent, and two excused. The main floor business was the reading of communications and a very large slate of bills. The clerk listed numerous House bills for first reading and referral to committees, covering topics such as veterans, natural resources and water, financial services, minimum wage, commerce, education, housing, child care, health and human services, public safety, artificial intelligence, taxation, transportation, agriculture, and appropriations. The House also moved through second reading of another extensive group of bills on subjects including health care, criminal justice, transportation, education, firearms, housing, and state budget matters. No substantive debate or votes on individual bills were recorded in the transcript beyond the procedural referral and reading of measures. The House then received announcements about upcoming committee meetings, birthday wishes for Representative Aaron Márquez, and notices that some committees would not meet. The chamber adjourned on a motion until 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, January 21, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• They create cultural connections with the land, and they create safe family bonding.
• That includes bonds. Right now, you're not allowed to... The general ballot that includes bonds.
• Right now, you're not allowed to have a bond on a general election because it is a partisan ballot.
• Currently, schools are limited and can only place these bond and levy elections on the regular local
• It will simply allow bond questions to be on the general election. Thank you so much. Senator vote.

Bills: SB83, SB106, SB107, SB123, SJR1

Keywords: ecological monitoring, sustainability, tribal engagement, education, research funding, graduate scholarship, higher education funding, New Mexico, appropriation, financial aid, out-of-school programming, education funding, youth programs, affordability, nonprofit organizations, defibrillators, public schools, health and safety, emergency response, school elections

Transcript Highlights:

• “It’s also important to note that in August of 2024, this program underwent a rigorous performance and
• He noted that in August 2024, the program underwent a rigorous performance and financial audit from the
• requests that we've discussed in this committee prior, which is our RFA bonding authority as well as
• committee um and then our bonding committee um and then our bonding requests<00:17:52.400> that
• authority as well as our East bonding authority as well as our East Grand<00:17:56.720> Forks

Bills: HF858, HF2577, HF2576

Keywords: bioincentive payments, agriculture, job creation, environmental compliance, financial reporting, waste handling, sewage sludge, PFAS regulation, environment, record retention, fertilizer disposal, pesticide disposal, environmental impact, safety regulations, burning prohibition, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• and I think there's more work we need to do on that in this coming legislative year from the climate bond
• Fifty million dollars of that Prop. 4 bond were allocated for cross-border rivers.
• So the Prop 4 bond dollars are for both waters. We will be going through a public process.
• I think back to Prop. 1 bond dollars, and we were able to quickly get things out...
• This is nothing but performative junk.

Summary: The joint Senate and Assembly Environmental Quality/Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials informational hearing focused on the Tijuana River Valley sewage crisis, with members from both parties emphasizing that the problem is long-running, cross-border, and severe enough to require federal, state, local, and binational action. Opening remarks described the crisis as an environmental and public health emergency affecting beaches, air and water quality, marine life, tourism, and residents’ quality of life in South Bay communities. Assembly Member Boerner and Senator Jones both stressed the need for continued funding and cooperation, while Senator Padilla said the issue is underappreciated because of where it occurs but has major public health, economic, and educational consequences. Congressman Mike Levin’s office reported more than $650 million in federal funding secured for infrastructure and cleanup, along with federal legislation and requests for CDC and EPA involvement. Supervisor Paloma Aguirre gave a detailed overview of county efforts and the scope of the crisis, citing decades of sewage flows from Tijuana, nearly four years of beach closures, and the county’s expanded water-quality monitoring. She said the county is pursuing warning signs, an air purifier distribution program, an epidemiological study, soil testing, an economic impact study, and a feasibility analysis to remove the “hot spot” near Saturn Boulevard, which she described as a key local source of airborne pollution. She also pointed to binational funding for treatment plant upgrades and said the county is seeking state support, including from Proposition 4 cross-border river funds, to expand relief and mitigation efforts. Scripps researchers Dr. Sarah Giddings and Dr. Kimberly Prather presented scientific findings on water and air transport. Giddings described a high-resolution forecast model that predicts wastewater movement and beach closure risk up to five days ahead, using real-time observations and showing about 72% accuracy against county measurements. Prather said the main exposure route is through air, not just water, and reported that turbulence at the river hot spot aerosolizes pollutants, with hydrogen sulfide and other gases spiking at night and dropping when river flow is diverted. She said the team has identified thousands of gases and linked measurements closely to odor complaints, while also noting that air purifiers can reduce indoor exposure but are not a permanent solution. Dr. Paula Stigler Granados added that community health surveys and CDC assessments show widespread symptoms, sleep disruption, anxiety, and daily life impacts, especially during nighttime odor events. She said her team has found more than 900 contaminants in river water and 106 chemicals uniquely associated with the Saturn Boulevard hot spot, with passive air sampling showing similar chemical fingerprints in nearby homes. The panel discussion ended with questions about standards and accountability, and witnesses and legislators agreed that the crisis requires updated air-quality standards, more health research, and continued coordination to reduce exposure and address the source of pollution.

Transcript Highlights:

• And uh I we upon the the bond formula. And uh I we upon the the bond formula.
• Uh and this goes by the bond formula. Uh and this goes by the bond formula.
• Yeah. low performing or poverty schools Yeah. low performing or poverty schools is how the bill that
• Some of them may be low performing. Um Some of them may be low performing.
• It's has low performing schools. All of those has low performing schools.

Bills: HB 29, HB 125, HB 145, HB 171, HB 255, HB 50, HB 796, HB 363, HB 116, HB 491, HB 589, HB 1495, HB 368, HB 1285, HB 1905, HB 1360, HB 2002, HB 917, HB 2723, HB 2067, HB 1238, HB 2337, HB 745, HB 1188, HB 1606, HB 2003, HB 2147, HB 2391, HB 2355, HB 2546, HB 2495, HB 2818, HB 2249, HB 1749, HB 3109, HB 3228, HB 3240, HB 1507, HB 658, HB 1748, HB 1851, HB 1922, HB 2001, HB 2798, HB 107, HCR 29, SB 5, SB 262, HB 11, HJR 72, HB 106, HB 18, HB 48, HB 27, HB 37, HB 1481, HB 581, HB 1696, HB 2216, HB 1035, HB 1633, HB 742, HB 754, HB 1689, HB 1690, HB 2669, HB 391, HB 517, HB 1024, HB 1607, HB 252, HB 1716, HB 1562, HB 4116, HB 1866, HB 1741, HB 2103, HB 2637, HB 2884, HB 503, HB 1089, HB 2986, HB 972, HB 502, HB 29, HB 125, HB 145, HB 171, HB 255, HB 50, HB 796, HB 363, HB 116, HB 491, HB 589, HB 1495, HB 368, HB 1285, HB 1905, HB 1360, HB 2002, HB 917, HB 2723, HB 2067, HB 1238, HB 2337, HB 745, HB 1188, HB 1606, HB 2003, HB 2147, HB 2391, HB 2355, HB 2546, HB 2495, HB 2818, HB 2249, HB 1749, HB 3109, HB 3228, HB 3240, HB 1507, HB 658, HB 1748, HB 1851, HB 1922, HB 2001, HB 2798, HB 107, HCR 29

Keywords: water audit, water loss, water loss mitigation plan, municipally owned utility, municipal utility, water conservation, Texas Water Development Board, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water leakage, leak detection, billing data accuracy, utility validation, water audit validation, water scarcity, water management, infrastructure, public utility, conservation plan, administrative penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 2493 by Bettencourt, relating to the text of ballot propositions for bond elections, to Local
• Senate Bill 2539 by Bettencourt, relating to the adoption of an ordinance issuing a tax increment bond
• Senate Bill 2539 by Bettencourt, relating to the adoption of an ordinance issuing a tax increment bond
• Senate Bill 2572 by Middleton, relating to a prohibition on the receipt of bond proceeds by persons who
• exemption or a tax rate contingent on voter approval of the adoption of a tax rate or the issuance of bonds

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation, and adopted the previous day’s journal. Members then adopted Senate Resolution 358 honoring the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on its 10th anniversary, with remarks highlighting UTRGV’s growth, degree production, research expansion, medical school, and role in serving the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas. The chamber also recognized the doctor of the day and adopted additional resolutions, including one for Denton County Days at the Capitol and another recognizing Texas HBCU Day. The Senate gave extensive recognition to outgoing Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp through Senate Resolution 368. Senators from both parties praised his long public career, leadership of the A&M System, support for regional universities, and bipartisan approach. The resolution was adopted after multiple members added their names. The chamber also heard from advocates with the Texas Streets Coalition, and received gubernatorial nominations for the State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors and the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. On legislation, the Senate passed several major bills. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 27, relating to rights and support for public school educators, was debated and amended to address teacher vacancies, bilingual certification testing, paid leave options, classroom removals, and appeal rights, then passed unanimously. Senate Joint Resolution 12, proposing a constitutional amendment on parents’ right to direct a child’s education, advanced on a 22-9 vote. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1741, aimed at preventing foreign influence and intellectual property theft at public institutions of higher education, passed unanimously. Committee Substitute Senate Bill 29, the business entities bill, also passed after debate over corporate governance and shareholder protections. Senate Bill 857, authorizing law enforcement to tow certain vehicles driven by unlicensed or uninsured drivers, passed despite some concern about towing abuses during disasters. The Senate also took up Committee Substitute Senate Bill 1536 on dementia and Alzheimer’s training for certain guardians, but the transcript ends as that bill is being laid out.

Transcript Highlights:

• And could that potentially also affect your bond rating?
• I don't have tax credits, bonds.
• And there was no bonds, there was no tax credits.
• These bonds are already used for seaports and airports.
• They make determinations regarding bonds and the issuance of bonds and all those types of things that

Bills: HB21, HB211, HB223

Keywords: HB 21, Texas Tax Code, ad valorem tax, property tax, delinquent taxes, tax delinquency, penalty reduction, interest rate, split payment, installment payment, tax relief, county tax collector, taxing unit, property owner, tax collection, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax increase election, supermajority, 60 percent threshold

Transcript Highlights:

• nutritional supplements as allowable, aligning statute with existing practice, and with guardianship performance
• lease all vending machines and Senator Simon: removes the requirement that the lottery require performance
• bonds with the duration of the contract with the retailer.
• The bill increases the maximum bond amount and further authorizes the lottery to maintain an interest-bearing
• sex acts with animals or fighting or baiting an animal in front of a minor or enticing a minor to perform

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We performed the audit, basically, short answers you told us to perform it. We did.
• Okay, so by statute, within 18 months, we're going to go back and perform a follow-up audit to find out
• The committee has directed the Auditor General and Opaga to perform the work since 2003.
• We have a motion to direct these two offices to perform the work required by law for the 2024 to 2025
• The committee has directed the Auditor General and OPPAGA to perform the work since 2003.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee heard the Auditor General’s operational audit of the City of Mexico Beach, which identified nine findings. The audit cited significant turnover in key management positions, late filing of required annual financial reports, weaknesses in competitive procurement and purchase approval controls, a duplicate payment on stormwater repairs that was later largely refunded, issues with the city accountant’s contract and IRS classification, IT access control problems, and the lack of fraud-reporting policies. Committee members asked about corrective action, and the Auditor General said a follow-up audit is required by statute within 18 months, with no enforcement authority beyond reporting progress back to the committee. Mayor Rich Wolf and city staff responded that the city had experienced major turnover and was rebuilding its finance and administrative team. He said the city had hired a city administrator, financial director, city clerk, and accounting firm, and was working to create policies, procedures, forms, and review processes to address the findings. Members discussed whether the turnover and hurricane-related workload contributed to the problems, and city officials said some of the larger purchases were storm-related and tied to FEMA or emergency work. The committee then received a staff update on enforcement for local governments that have not filed required financial reports. Staff said 400 entities had been notified, and as of the meeting two counties, 33 municipalities, and 48 special districts still owed reports or audits. The committee adopted a motion to proceed under section 11.42, Florida Statutes, including possible withholding of state funds for municipalities and enforcement actions for special districts, with authority for the chair and vice chair to delay action if new information warranted it. Finally, the committee unanimously directed the Auditor General and OPPAGA to conduct the required 2024-2025 audit of the Department of the Lottery, with the Auditor General handling financial, internal control, and compliance issues and OPPAGA developing operational recommendations. Members also briefly discussed whether the committee had reviewed transportation surtaxes and expressed interest in improving the timeliness and transparency of the audit and enforcement process before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:46:14.920> payments infrastructure with Bond payments infrastructure with Bond payments
• cannot force municipalities pass a bond cannot force municipalities pass a bond is<00:50:27.839>
• <00:53:07.440> vote find out what you want get a bond vote find out what you want get a bond
• with a voter approval every single bond with a voter approval every single bond to<00:53:18.400>
• districts again this is performance districts again this is performance Project<01:27:28.119>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Committee held a hearing on several bills and announced at the outset that no votes would be taken because the measures would go to divisions later. The first major bill, HB 197, would require the state to pay 7.5% of political subdivision employer pension contributions for teachers, police officers, and firefighters. Representative Mike Edgar, the prime sponsor, argued the state had repeatedly reduced and then eliminated its promised share of retirement costs, shifting the burden to municipalities and property taxpayers. He said the bill would partially restore that commitment and provide relief to local governments, businesses, and taxpayers. Several witnesses testified in support of HB 197, including Representative John Cluder, Bradford selectman Marlene Fryer, the New Hampshire Municipal Association’s Margaret Burns, and Epping representative Mark Fone. Supporters said the bill would help with property tax pressure, school budgets, and municipal hiring, and they emphasized that much of the retirement cost reflects unfunded liability decisions made at the state level rather than by local governments. Committee members questioned whether the bill would change local incentives to control costs and how it would affect hiring and compensation. Burns said the state contribution would function as property tax relief because it offsets existing municipal expenses, and she noted the state is already on a long-term schedule to pay down the retirement system’s unfunded liability. After closing the hearing on HB 197, the committee opened a hearing on HB 97, introduced by Representative Tom Buco. He said the bill would continue funding for delayed and deferred wastewater projects and help municipalities finance expensive wastewater infrastructure, which he tied to housing development and local debt planning. No action or votes were taken on either bill during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you turn to slide 10, statute requires that all agencies be assigned performance measures in House
• These performance measures are how you all gauge how effectively or efficiently each agency is using
• So, for example, fine and Performing arts, physical and health education, those extracurriculars, and
• We've actually been looking at this for several years, and we know that other high-performing systems
• I regularly tell people education in New Mexico is like buying savings bonds.

Transcript Highlights:

• It basically says misconduct and failure to perform duties. That could be read many multiple ways.
• page 2, lines 4 and 5, that they could, that the secretary can request a suspension for failing to perform
• That the secretary can request a suspension for failing to perform the duty or any other law or rule
• But the standard that's in the bill is failure, willfully failing to perform a duty required by the Public
• the intention, and, you know, I'm looking at the Public School Code and it's like issuance of GEO bonds

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 289, truth and taxation bonds notices.
• SB 383, school district support attendance performance-based pay.
• HB 2532, homeless and state of performance audit appropriation. SB 2575, and D77 of.
• HB 2666, utility relocation funding bonds.
• HB 4087, school district property bonding authority.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, recorded attendance, approved the journal, and welcomed several guest groups, including the City of Maricopa Youth Council, students from Alpha School in Scottsdale, Brianna Andrew, and students from Gilbert Edu-Prize. The chamber also adopted a proposed amendment to Senate Rule 7A and then adopted the rules of the 57th Legislature, and the President announced a temporary committee appointment for Senator Shamp and a request to adjourn after Wednesday’s session until Monday, March 16. The floor then considered a long list of bills, with several third-reading votes. Measures that passed included SB 1654 on elections funding, SB 1711 on school safety-related information, SB 1743 on campaign contribution address disclosure, SB 1747 on access technology content, SB 1284 on moving violations, SB 1336 on State Land Department issues, SB 1365 on property tax exemptions for veterans, SB 1655 on juror summons/poll worker service, SB 1662 on probation, SB 1803 on Department of Veterans’ Services claims assistance, SB 1494, SB 1497 on school insurance, SB 1503 on pension benefit plans, SB 1584 on Department of Corrections recruitment, SB 1632 on DES, SB 1723 on bail, SB 1206 on insurance claims, and SB 1827 on aviation. Several bills failed, including SCR 1047 on marijuana establishment licenses, SB 1134 on political signs before reconsideration, SB 1544 on probation, and SB 1585 on sex offender monitoring. SB 1134 was later reconsidered and passed. Many of these votes featured debate over elections administration, privacy, health care access, veterans’ benefits, probation, and public safety. The Senate then resolved into the Committee of the Whole for Calendar One and later Calendar Two. In Committee of the Whole, members adopted amendments and recommended do pass on SB 1009, SB 1050, SB 1054, SB 1071, SB 1086, SB 1317, SB 1461, and SB 1672, with discussion focusing on school training standards, veterans’ park passes, local measures, Arizona Rangers oversight, AHCCCS provider reimbursement, reentry programming, allied health workforce development, and anti-psychotic drug authorization. On Calendar Two, the committee also advanced SB 1173, SB 1234, SB 1295, SB 1611, and SCR 1022 after amendments and extended debate, especially on AHCCCS fraud, juvenile court proceedings, inmate medical release, and the American Indian Health Program. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, the bills were properly assigned, and committee announcements were made for the next day’s meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think this could go... ...go to infrastructure needs, ultimately reducing bond costs over the long
• we're looking at all the options on the table to meet our fiscal needs, efficiency, staffing, and performance
• You are also putting the bond ratings at risk. ...Had we bankrupted these counties and the county and
• the other jurisdictions, our bond ratings would have probably caught the radar of the mining companies
• and seen this as a threat to the bonds because of the shortfall. ...It doesn't just happen at the M&

Bills: HB511, HB972, HB 1035, HB2481, HB2723, HB2742, HB2894, HB2962, HB3077, HB3093, HB3307, HB3684, HJR67, HJR72

Keywords: ad valorem taxation, caregiver exemption, Medicaid, long-term services, tax relief, assisted living, housing support, property tax exemption, caregiver support, residence homestead, tax exemption, unpaid caregiver, state tax code, property tax, caregiver, waiting list, intellectual disability, developmental disability, ad valorem tax, family support