Transcript Highlights:

• Has your IHBG funds, have they all come through from HUD efficiently?
• We are currently working with the federal HUD in terms of... constructing.
• you can see, if you go towards Santa Fe, you can see the 39 homes that have recently been funded by HUD
• And on that note, do you all coordinate with... a local ONAP office that is here in Albuquerque from HUD
• Like, for example, the HUD housing, you know, it's funded over 39 homes, which is... it's like a very

Committee: House Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• landlord refuses to rent to tenants solely because they use housing vouchers, including ones such as ours, HUD-VASH
• HUD puts out the guidelines to accept vouchers, which is 400 pages long. We have.
• This program was opened to very low and low-income families, as defined by HUD, which means those families
• authority undertook a Section 8 new construction project, It entered into a long-term contract with HUD
• Home Section 8 new construction HUD contracts have already expired and are being renewed going forward

Bills: HB164 , HB164 , HB411 , HB627 , HB 1226 , HB1677 , HB1865 , HB1997 , HB2985 , HB3462 , HB4188 , HB4685 , HB4840 , HB5370 , HB5424 , HB5466 , HB5509 , HB5660 , HB5673

Committee: House Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: HB 164, HB164, Texas Flood Recovery, Reimbursement, and Reconstruction Program, Texas Division of Emergency Management, TDEM, Hill Country floods, July 2025 floods, flood recovery, disaster relief, flood reimbursement, reconstruction grants, resiliency standards, floodplain, base flood elevation, FEMA, Federal Emergency Management Agency, insurance denial, property damage, tenant assistance, rental property

Transcript Highlights:

• future resistance to the audit process, we'd probably have to file some kind of complaint with the HUD
• Under HUD regulations, they have to do it this way. Okay.
• Then we have the right to audit that because other Can't under HUD regulations, they have to do it this
• And what you all should know is that this database that’s required by HUD has, as data points, your HIV
• reporting, and monthly ESG reimbursement packages. ...to a variety of esteemed agencies, including HUD

Bills: SB237

Committees: Senate Health & Welfare , Senate Health and Welfare

Keywords: child welfare, Department of Children and Family Services, mandatory reporting, abuse prevention, investigative teams, child ombudsman, forensic interviews, confidentiality

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 20, 2026, with eight members present and approved the prior meeting minutes. The committee first advanced SB 1224, which requires DCFS to look into cases where a child under 17 is involved in a pregnancy, with added oversight for children under 12; it was reported favorably. The committee also favorably reported SB 1100, described as repealing an outdated statute. White Coat Day remarks welcomed physicians to the Capitol and thanked them for their service, including efforts to improve Medicaid reimbursement. Several health-related bills were then heard and advanced. HB 1220, a continuation of prior work to codify provisions related to the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners and physician licensure, was reported favorably. HB 1231 clarified that Medicaid coverage for continuous glucose monitoring applies to insulin-dependent patients, including those with gestational diabetes, and was also reported favorably. HB 198, which sets reimbursement rates for ambulatory surgery centers for certain Medicaid procedures such as colonoscopies, eye, ENT, and gastroenterology services, passed favorably. HB 1160, creating a streamlined restricted license pathway for qualified international medical graduates, prompted a lengthy exchange about delayed rulemaking and whether the board had added requirements beyond statute; despite concerns, it was reported favorably. The committee also advanced several resolutions and oversight measures. HCR 67, prompted by a personal family experience with a special-needs child’s acute care needs, creates a task force to study gaps in acute care for special-needs adults and children; it was amended and reported favorably. HCR 27, calling for a statewide evaluation of autism services by LDH and the Department of Education, was reported favorably. HB 223, which recreates DCFS, was amended to shorten the sunset date and require law enforcement reporting through a secure web platform, then reported favorably. HCR 28, creating a task force on school nurse orientation and training for new graduates, was reported favorably after testimony from school nurses about the lack of standardized orientation and the risks of placing inexperienced nurses alone in schools. The committee also took up HB 469, which would allow pharmacy license renewal applicants to designate a portion of fees to eligible schools including Xavier University’s College of Pharmacy; after opposition from Senator Cloud and a roll call, the bill was deferred. HB 1182, a cleanup bill changing the occupational therapy certifying entity and adjusting fees, and HB 1076, eliminating one of two sunset provisions for the Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board, were both reported favorably. HB 1216, a major rewrite of clinical laboratory personnel rules, was deferred after concerns that it would restrict existing phlebotomy and lab functions in ways that could conflict with recent law. Finally, HB 457 and HB 616, both by Representative Knox and focused on homelessness, drew extensive testimony: HB 457 established minimum standards for shelters and similar facilities and was reported favorably as amended, while HB 616 would allow audits of homelessness-related funding and databases; after debate over privacy, federal funding oversight, and accountability, the committee adopted an amendment changing enforcement language from "may" to "shall" and continued hearing testimony from opponents and supporters.

Transcript Highlights:

• So HUD has given jurisdictions money for that type of Housing First model, but I'm not sure if that was
• So, HUD has given jurisdictions money for that type of housing first model, but I'm not sure if that
• It's ordered by HUD, called Point-in-Time Count, and that's how many homeless people you can find in
• The reality is it's legislation like this and work with LDH that will help to access funding through HUD
• The reality is it's legislation like this and work with LDH that will help to access funding through HUD

Bills: HB29 , HB39 , HB77 , HB153 , HB183 , HB211 , HB263 , HB299 , HB324 , HB519 , HB520 , HB533 , HB538 , HB559 , HB562 , HB805 , HB823 , HB1004 , HB1011 , HB1018

Committee: House Judiciary

Keywords: insurance fund, retired employees, Ascension Parish, court clerks, premium costs, investment advisory board, HB 39, Act 283, peace officer, law enforcement officer, police certification, citizenship requirement, U.S. citizen, United States citizen, naturalization, lawful permanent resident, green card holder, immigration, public safety, law enforcement hiring

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:21.360><c> However,</c><00:03:21.920><c> with</c> funding has come from HUD.
• However, with funding has come from HUD.
• c> administrations,</c> recent changes in uh administrations, recent changes in uh administrations, HUD
• <c> severely</c><00:03:27.040><c> shrink</c><00:03:27.440><c> their</c><00:03:27.680><c> shrink</c> HUD
• has severely shrink their shrink HUD has severely shrink their shrink their<00:03:28.239><c> funds</

Committee: Joint Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to ensure investments align with HUD to ensure investments align with HUD national<00:20:55.400>
• These funds are administered under HUD-approved guidelines and compliance oversight and are allocated
• It needed to be approved by HUD.
• It needed to be approved by HUD.
• </c> to be approved by HUD. to be approved by HUD.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, the unit will be set right at the HUD table price rate, but... between line 6 and 7 this is
• Of course, the unit will be set right at the HUD table price rate, but...
• The unit will be set right at the HUD table price rate, but how do you confirm that the person is actually

Bills: HB310 , HB323 , HM51 , HB194

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Summary: The committee first heard HB 310, which would appropriate $1 million to continue planning and development for a Lowrider Museum in Española. The sponsor said the project had already received prior capital outlay support and that the new funding would help complete the study and planning phase for a future world-class museum. Members asked about the increase from prior funding levels and discussed the broader cultural and economic value of the museum. The bill received a do pass recommendation. The committee then considered House Memorial 51, which addresses the economic and community impacts of ending civil immigration detention in affected rural counties. Sponsors said the memorial would call for planning around workforce retraining, economic diversification, community services, and possible repurposing of detention facilities. Testimony and discussion focused on the short-term harm to workers and local economies, the role of Workforce Solutions, and concerns about family disruption, housing, property tax revenue, and whether facilities might close or be repurposed. The memorial passed on a 7-0 vote. Finally, the committee took up HB 194, which would expand the Metropolitan Redevelopment Code to support housing shortage areas and workforce housing through property tax freezes and related incentives. The sponsor and Apartment Association representative described the bill as a tool to increase missing-middle housing, with affordability requirements, voucher acceptance, audits, and reporting provisions. Members raised concerns that the amendment was very large and difficult to absorb in the committee timeframe, and several said they preferred to see it as a substitute bill. No motion was made to adopt the amendment, HB 194 was rolled, and HB 323 was also rolled because the sponsor was unavailable. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• the potential cuts, and I know USDA is one of those that may have some potential cuts similar to, to HUD
• That includes the, uh, the home program that is HUD funded.
• or on our tax credits, and also the loan servicing audits could come from Fannie Mae, Jennie Mae, or HUD
• The first one is H HUD, which is the Housing and Urban Development, and there are various programs.
• city and county reentry program for people exiting incarceration, and then, um, we do have our own HUD

Committee: House Mortgage Finance Authority Act Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• But in the HUD situation in the Moy, it's a little different because it also has tax credits and bonds
• So we're in the process of discussing with the light tech funders, but also the HUD, to make sure that
• But in the uh HUD situation in that out.
• But in the uh HUD situation in the<01:04:17.920><c> Moy,</c><01:04:18.720><c> it's</c><01:04:18.880><
• more comfortable, not only comfortable but are able to pay the rent because the rents are based on HUD

Summary: The Act 279 working group met for an informational briefing with DHHL on its use of the $600 million appropriation and progress on the department’s implementation plan. The chair reviewed the working group’s oversight role, noting that it was created to monitor expenditures, project development, and progress toward reducing the Hawaiian Homes waitlist, and that the group must submit a progress report before the 2026 session and a final report before the 2027 session. DHHL said it had provided an updated booklet reflecting the Hawaiian Homes Commission’s February 2024 recommendations and a detailed accounting of encumbrances and project progress across the islands. DHHL highlighted several implementation themes: innovative financing and construction methods, land acquisitions and exchanges, technology, beneficiary services, and partnerships with counties and private entities. The department described a “project lease” model that gives beneficiaries access to a project rather than a specific lot, with options such as turnkey homes, owner-builder, self-help, or rent-to-purchase arrangements depending on financial qualification. Officials said this approach is intended to serve lower-income beneficiaries, expand access for people on the waitlist, and allow beneficiaries to receive support services such as financial literacy and down payment assistance. The department reported that roughly $511 million had been encumbered for infrastructure, about $152.8 million for acquisitions, financing, and beneficiary services, and about $36 million in other covered costs, with about $588.9 million encumbered as of December 31 and about $120 million expected to be spent by that date. Officials said the original implementation plan covered about 2,722 units, while the updated plan projects roughly 6,000 to 7,000 leases and 2,472 lots to be occupied. They also described phase-two needs for additional funding, including projects on Hawaiʻi, Maui, Kauaʻi, and Oʻahu, and said they would need continued legislative support, including possible bonding and private activity bond set-asides, to complete remaining projects. Members discussed the distinction between encumbered and spent funds, and DHHL explained that encumbrances reserve money for specific contracts while construction spending occurs over time through progress payments. The department also showcased examples of innovative projects, including a high-rise project in urban Honolulu financed through a mix of private activity bonds, tax credits, and state funds, and an acquisition-based project in Kapaʻa, Kauaʻi using multiple funding sources. DHHL emphasized partnerships with the City and County of Honolulu and Maui County, and said it is still assessing future projects to keep infrastructure costs manageable and ensure homes are safe and affordable for beneficiaries.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up, we have a panel of Michael Kane, Mass Alliance of HUD Tenants.
• We were able to reduce the 40% with the help of the Mass Alliance of HUD Tenants and our tenant association
• I'm Michael Kane, the director of the Mass Alliance of HUD Tenants, and we work with...
• The director of the Mass Alliance of HUD Tenants and we work with David and Carmen and a lot of other

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Housing

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing held a hybrid hearing on a broad slate of housing and homelessness bills. Chairs Rich Haggerty and Julian Cyr opened by noting the committee’s focus on EOHLC programs such as RAFT, MRVP, and HomeBASE, and several members and advocates emphasized the urgency of the state’s homelessness crisis, including rising family homelessness and the need for earlier intervention, more stable subsidies, and stronger long-term housing tools. A major theme was homelessness prevention and rehousing. Multiple witnesses supported bills to codify and strengthen RAFT and HomeBASE, arguing that assistance should be available earlier in a crisis rather than only after a notice to quit or imminent loss of housing. Testimony from legal services, homelessness coalitions, social workers, municipal housing staff, and tenant advocates said the programs help families avoid eviction and shelter, but need more flexibility, higher benefit caps, and permanent statutory protection. Several speakers also urged support for codifying the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP), describing it as a critical long-term subsidy for low-income households and older adults, and warning that codification would protect the program from future budget or policy changes. The committee also heard testimony on housing stability for older adults, affordable homes for people with disabilities, supportive housing, housing cooperatives, home sharing, local preference, and reentry housing for returning citizens. Advocates for older adults described a Somerville bridge subsidy pilot that helped stabilize seniors while they waited for permanent housing, and urged statewide expansion. Supporters of supportive housing called for an interagency board to streamline funding and development, while cooperative housing proponents backed creation of a Massachusetts Center for Housing Cooperatives and a dedicated funding reserve. A bill to secure housing for returning citizens drew support from reentry providers and Senator Adam Gomez, who said stable housing is essential to successful reintegration. No votes were taken during the hearing; witnesses generally asked the committee to report the bills favorably, and some members asked follow-up questions on data and program details.

Transcript Highlights:

• This funding will provide 800,000 HUD.
• More than 80% of the families that we serve are HUD-eligible to receive TANF.
• More than 80% of the families that we serve are HUD-eligible to receive TANF.
• More than 80% of the families that we serve are HUD-eligible to receive TANF.
• More than 80% of the families that we serve are HUD-eligible to receive TANF.

Summary: This joint informational briefing on Act 310 grants and aid focused on organizations describing how federal funding cuts, Medicaid/SNAP changes, and related policy shifts are affecting their services and budgets. Committee members explained there would be no Q&A, testimony would be limited to one minute, and in-person participants would be heard before Zoom callers. Members repeatedly asked testifiers to identify the amount of federal funding lost or at risk. Testimony came from a wide range of nonprofits and community providers, including Aloha Care, Hawaii Bicycling League, Hawaii Literacy, Hawaii Youth Symphony, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawaii, the Tsunami Museum, The Kohala Center, West Hawaii Community Health Center, West Hawaii Region Hospital Foundation, Sounding Joy Music Therapy, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii, Dynamic Community Solutions, Feeding Hawaii Together, Girl Scouts of Hawaii, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Hawaii Youth Services Network, Hawaiian Lending and Investments, Homana, Honolulu Theatre for the Youth, Kids Hurt Too Hawaii, and Kokua Kalihi Valley. Most described reduced or threatened federal support and requested state funding to maintain services such as health care access, food security, disaster preparedness, literacy and digital inclusion, youth mentoring, arts education, housing, and climate or agricultural resilience. Several speakers emphasized direct impacts on vulnerable populations, including kūpuna, low-income families, immigrants, homeless youth, and people with disabilities. Requests ranged from relatively small planning or program grants to multi-million-dollar stabilization asks, with some organizations citing specific losses such as reduced Medicaid or USDA funding, canceled EPA or FEMA support, or expiring federal grants. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, we have funding that comes in for HUD, and for—it's called HEK funding—specifically from
• For example, we have funding that comes in for HUD, and for—it's called HEK funding—specifically from
• also funded services but then they're also funded through<00:08:03.319><c> like</c><00:08:03.520><c> HUD
• and</c><00:08:04.039><c> other</c><00:08:04.319><c> things</c><00:08:04.639><c> so</c> through like HUD
• and other things so through like HUD and other things so this<00:08:05.199><c> isn't</c><00:08:05.599

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• And we do receive HUD funding for our COC, or Continuum of Care, funds from HUD, and we receive some
• </c> something about you're receiving a HUD something about you're receiving a HUD funds<03:33:20.120
• So that $11 million is all HUD, is that what you're saying?
• HUD funding um for our sis or uh our HUD funding um for our sis or uh our um<03:33:42.840><c> blanking
• <03:34:43.920><c> funding</c><03:34:44.920><c> um</c> HUD funding um HUD funding um this<03:34:46.880

Summary: The House Finance Committee’s Division 3 held a public work session on the Behavioral Health budget on February 27, 2025. The chair opened by explaining the schedule, materials, and deadlines for the budget process, and noted there would be no motions or votes in the division that day. Division of Behavioral Health Director Ktia Fox and DHHS CFO Nathan White then walked the committee through the division’s mission, structure, and budget materials, describing the division’s four bureaus: Mental Health Services, Children’s Behavioral Health, Drug and Alcohol Services, and Homeless Services, along with the policy unit. They emphasized the division’s role in oversight, technical assistance, quality assurance, contracting, and the continuum of care from prevention and early intervention through crisis and residential services. Much of the discussion focused on major programs and funding lines, including the 988 Lifeline contract with Headrest, a technical assistance contract with UNH, Medicaid pass-through payments to New Hampshire Hospital and Glencliff, crisis response services, cold-weather homeless responses, housing supports, and the children’s system of care. Members asked about the UNH contract, the 988 program, crisis stabilization centers, and the peer certification program; Fox explained that the peer certification is a training-and-credentialing pathway for people with lived experience to enter community-based behavioral health work, not a volunteer program. The committee also discussed the “Choose Love” program, which Fox said was created after the Sandy Hook tragedy to build resilience and strength-based emotional regulation in schools and communities. On the children’s side, Fox described the system of care account as the place where many contracted services are budgeted, including community mental health centers, care management entities, rapid response services, and residential programs. Members asked about temporary staffing, and Fox said roughly $500,000 in temporary staff costs shown in the current year would not be spent next year because the money came from a nonlapsing appropriation in HB 1573 for oversight of children’s residential services. She also said provider rate increases were a prioritized need but were not funded in the governor’s current budget, and that the Children’s Behavioral Health Resource Center was not funded, resulting in about a $1 million reduction. The session ended while the division was still moving through the children’s behavioral health slides, including questions about the Fast Forward high-fidelity wraparound program and medication management.

Transcript Highlights:

• These proposed changes upend the foundation and put more than 1 million Californians who rely on HUD
• It will simply prohibit public housing authorities and HUD-subsidized housing providers from imposing
• HUD housing programs are a critical source of stable and accessible housing for low-income families.
• recipients of HUD housing assistance to harsh work requirements and strict time limits will not lift
• , The rule will be optional, but we expect HUD to exert significant pressure on housing authorities to

Summary: The committee heard a long housing agenda with several bills presented before quorum was established. AB 1725, as amended, would require disclosure of nearby oil wells and methane monitoring issues in a specific district; the author and community witnesses described serious health and safety risks in Vista Hermosa Heights, while the California Apartment Association, California Building Industry Association, and California Chamber of Commerce opposed, arguing the bill targeted the wrong industry and that the state should instead fix abandoned wells directly. AB 2110, a local finance tool to create tax increment districts for workforce housing for education, health care, manufacturing, and public safety workers, drew no witnesses in support or opposition and was presented as a way to help workers live closer to jobs. AB 1732 would expand CEQA streamlining for public university and college housing projects; UC and several housing and labor groups supported it, while housing advocates raised concerns about amendments affecting existing 100% affordable housing exemptions. AB 1771, amended into a study bill, would direct HCD to report on the long-standing resident manager requirement for apartment buildings with 16 or more units; the rental housing industry supported studying the issue, while the chair emphasized the need to consider tenant protections and the impact on current resident managers before changing the law. The committee also heard AB 2185, which would direct state affordable housing programs to update guidelines to better support factory-built housing; it drew broad support from housing, labor, technology, and local government groups, with no opposition. AB 2748 would delay new EV-readiness requirements for 100% affordable housing developments, keeping the prior 40% standard through 2035; supporters said the higher standard would add significant costs and threaten project feasibility, while clean air and transportation advocates argued the code changes are modest, important for equity, and should not be rolled back. Members split along those lines, with some emphasizing housing production and others urging more public subsidy for EV infrastructure rather than delaying the code. SB 417, a proposed $10 billion affordable housing bond for the November ballot, received extensive support from housing organizations, local governments, labor, and business groups, but Habitat for Humanity and the Los Angeles mayor’s office asked for specific allocations for CalHome and interim housing; the bill was ultimately moved to Appropriations on an 8-0 vote, with members noting ongoing negotiations over funding priorities. Finally, AB 1740 would create an urban multimodal community designation for Santa Monica, allowing local approval of certain low-impact coastal-zone activities—such as some housing, bike and bus lanes, outdoor dining, and building changes—without Coastal Commission review. The author and Santa Monica officials said the bill would reduce delays and uncertainty for infill housing and local economic recovery while preserving protections for sensitive coastal resources; supporters included housing, business, and city groups. The Coastal Commission and environmental organizations opposed, saying the bill would carve out broad exemptions, weaken public access and appeal rights, and bypass the local coastal program process that Santa Monica has not completed. Committee members debated the Commission’s role, with some criticizing it for opposing legislation and others arguing the bill was a common-sense way to modernize coastal permitting. A motion and second were made on AB 1740, and the bill was left pending with the committee’s action to be taken when appropriate.

Transcript Highlights:

• These proposed changes upend the foundation and put more than 1 million Californians who rely on HUD
• It will simply prohibit public housing authorities and HUD-subsidized housing providers from imposing
• HUD housing programs are a critical source of stable and accessible housing for low-income families.
• Subjecting recipients of HUD housing assistance to harsh work requirements and strict time limits...
• Subjecting recipients of HUD housing assistance to harsh work requirements and strict time limits will

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Transcript Highlights:

• portion of those units being affordable housing for a set period of time—not an onerous period, not like HUD
• here that possibly have the ability of stacking these credits at the state level plus federal and or HUD
• are out here that possibility have of stacking these credits at the state level plus federal and or HUD

Bills: SB1280 , SB1392 , SB1393 , SB1395 , SB1400 , SB1405 , SB1832 , SB1839 , SB1989 , SB2001 , SB2143

Committee: Senate Revenue and Taxation

Summary: The Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee took up a mix of tax policy, incentive, and administrative measures, beginning with an annual motion authorizing the chair to request OSBI background checks for any Horse Racing Commission nominees. The committee then passed Senate Bill 1839, as amended, to create a de minimis ad valorem tax exception for personal property valued at $5,000 or less per account. The committee also confirmed Daniel LaFortune to the Oklahoma Tax Commission by a 12-0 vote, with LaFortune emphasizing his IRS background and commitment to customer service and fairness. Several other bills were approved, including Senate Bill 1280 to align the plugging fund sunset date in the tax code with another statute; Senate Bill 1832 to reauthorize income tax refund checkoffs for veterans programs; Senate Bill 2001 to freeze property taxes for three years for homeowners displaced by a turnpike or eminent domain, though members raised concerns about downsizing and future valuation; and Senate Bill 1405 to renew the wildlife diversity checkoff, with testimony clarifying it would fund non-game species rather than predator reintroduction. Senate Bill 1989 also passed, expanding the Oklahoma College Savings Plan to accept digital payment platforms such as Venmo and PayPal, with members discussing how deposits would be tracked. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2143, which would allow counties to use aerial or satellite imagery and fixed-wing aircraft for property assessment while excluding drones; supporters cited efficiency, safety, and accuracy, while opponents raised privacy, foreign-company, and taxpayer-frustration concerns. The bill passed 7-4. Senate Bill 1393, a housing redevelopment tax credit for vacant and abandoned properties, passed 8-3 after discussion about affordable housing requirements and project ranking. The committee also approved three Incentive Evaluation Commission recommendations: Senate Bill 1392 to increase the aerospace engineer employee tax credit, Senate Bill 1395 to limit carryforward of the new jobs tax credit to seven years, and Senate Bill 1400 to consolidate aircraft-related sales tax exemptions. The meeting adjourned after the chairman noted more bills would be heard at a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the former mayor of the city of Kissimmee and the former HUD Regional Administrator for Region 4,
• I'm the former mayor of the city of Kissimme and the former HUD Regional Administrator for Region 4,
• which turns and the former HUD Regional Administrator for Region 4, which served the southeast, Kentucky

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on March 13, 2025, for its first meeting of the session, with member and staff introductions followed by consideration of several tax-related bills. The committee first heard HJR 163 and its implementing bill HB 165, which would extend the homestead property tax exemption for quadriplegics to surviving spouses, similar to the treatment for surviving spouses of certain disabled veterans. Sponsor Rep. Tant and constituent J.R. Harding described the financial and caregiving burdens faced by spouses of quadriplegics. The committee heard supportive testimony from the Florida Association of Property Appraisers and members voted both measures favorably without opposition. The committee then considered HB 785 on heated tobacco products. Rep. Tramont said the bill would create a new tax/regulatory category for the product, and an amendment clarifying the definition was adopted. The James Madison Institute offered a resource on the issue, the Florida Retail Federation waived in support, and Ranking Member Eskamani said she had concerns about the excise tax treatment and would vote no. The bill passed 16-1. Next, HB 321, a property tax exemption clarification for homes for the aged, was presented by Rep. Smith as a technical “glitch bill” to align state law with IRS tax code and ease development of low-income senior housing. It drew supportive testimony and passed unanimously. The final bill, HB 503 by Rep. Botana, would cap local government revenue from local business taxes and require refunds if collections exceed the cap, with carve-outs for fiscally constrained areas. Local government and economic development groups, including the Florida League of Cities, the City of Winter Haven, the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, and the Florida Association of Counties, opposed the bill, arguing it would limit funding for public safety, inspections, economic development, and other services and create administrative refund problems. Several members supported the bill as a tax-cutting measure, while others warned of impacts on local services and revenue flexibility. The committee reported HB 503 favorably on a 14-5 vote, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Alternatives like CHAMP or HUD have closed or have years-long waiting lists.
• I'm the director of the Mass Alliance of HUD Tenants.
• The Mass Alliance of HUD Tenants is a statewide tenant union and privately subsidized housing, including
• federal government is about to consider raising the rents to up to 35% or 40% of income for rent for all HUD

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Those funding sources include the federal government from HUD and the Department of Energy.
• This provides a lot of subsidies from some HUD monies for those rental developments, a lot of gap financing
• cases, they live in the colonias or on tribal land or are elderly, and we bring their homes up to the HUD

Committee: House House Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:44:25.480><c> a</c><01:44:25.800><c> median</c> what we use is we use the Huds a median what
• we use is we use the Huds a median income<01:44:27.080><c> which</c><01:44:27.480><c> applies</c><01:
• But according to HUD, it's still low and moderate income.
• </c><01:48:05.920><c> it's</c> household but according to HUD it's household but according to HUD it's
• They are eligible as long as they're low- and moderate-income for HUD, right?