Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:06:32.800> Senator<00:06:33.199> Neil, Senator Mills, Senator Neil, Senator Mills
• >> Senator<00:14:54.560> Mills, >> Senator Mills, >> Senator Mills, >>
• Hi, >> Senator Meredith. >> Senator Meredith. >> Hi, >> Hi, >> Hi, >> Senator Mills. >> Senator Mills
• levying authority imposing the tax. levying authority imposing the tax. Okay?
• >> Senator Mills. >> Senator Mills.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum with 34 members present and approved the prior day’s journal. The chamber also received a House message that House Bill 96 had passed and requested concurrence. During second reading, Senate Bills 17, 34, 39, and 181 were reported and sent to the Rules Committee, and Senate Resolution 56 was introduced honoring Elder Nathan Craig and Sister Amy Craig for their mission service. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 27, which would allow local governing bodies, after consulting with a coroner and making a 30-day effort to locate next of kin, to choose cremation rather than burial for indigent decedents; it also preserved options for religious organizations to take possession of a body. A committee substitute was adopted, and the bill passed 35-0. Senate Bill 30, dealing with the Motor Vehicle Commission’s restricted fee account and allowing unused funds to carry forward for commission operations, also passed unanimously 35-0. Senate Bill 40, concerning public library district boards of trustees, was amended by committee substitute and passed 34-1 after debate. Supporters said it would return county library board appointments to local officials and speed appointments, while opponents argued it could politicize libraries and weaken their independence; several members explained their votes, including concerns from library advocates and a defense that the bill still allowed local boards to seek advice. Senate Bill 76, which limits school boards from increasing occupational license taxes above the base 0.5% until a county reaches a population of 500,000, was also amended by committee substitute and passed after its sponsor argued it responded to a disputed Fayette County tax increase and would restore transparency and public trust.

Transcript Highlights:

• small businesses, but this will be a $51 million hit on counties statewide to the 36 counties that levy
• Because you said all—there's 37 counties that levy it?
• Well, there's 266 cities that levy it, and they do use it in a variety of ways.
• And there are lumber mills shutting down in the U.S. now. And it's very hard to... Oh.
• And it's very hard to open up a lumber mill again.

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met with a quorum present and first took up SB 122, which would repeal Chapter 205 governing local business taxes while allowing municipalities that already levy a gross-receipts-based business tax to continue doing so, with limits on changing the tax rate. The sponsor’s proxy and committee members discussed whether local business taxes fund identifiable services, with supporters saying the bill would reduce burdens on businesses and opponents arguing it would remove a capped home-rule revenue source used for general services, economic development, inspections, fire and police support, and business regulation. The Florida Association of Counties and the Florida League of Cities opposed the bill, citing a statewide revenue loss and concern that costs would shift to residential taxpayers, while one member noted the bill should be considered in the context of broader property tax changes. SB 122 was reported favorably by a roll call vote, with Senators Leek, Passidomo, Pizzo, Trumbull, and Chair McClain voting yes and Senator Sharief voting no. The committee then held an extended informational panel on Florida’s housing shortage and affordability challenges. Dr. Samuel Staley said Florida is in a housing crisis driven primarily by insufficient supply, arguing that the state needs far more units each year, that local comprehensive plans and zoning often fail to prioritize housing, and that the state should focus more on measurable impacts, density, accessory dwelling units, smaller lot sizes, and other ways to let the market respond. Ann Ray of the Shimberg Center presented data showing increased single-family and multifamily construction but limited condo growth, highly concentrated new development in a handful of counties, and continued high cost burdens for renters, especially lower-income and older households. Leslie Deutsch of John Burns Research and Consulting said the national housing market is slow, Florida prices are easing but remain well above pre-pandemic levels, and affordability problems are being driven by land, construction, financing, and insurance costs; she urged more product diversity, including build-to-rent, townhomes, manufactured housing, and higher-density redevelopment tailored to local demographics. Members questioned the panel about density, vertical development, impact fees, construction costs, and incentives for local governments. Several senators said local governments need clearer direction or incentives to approve more housing, while others emphasized preserving local character and avoiding overdevelopment. The panel generally agreed that no single policy will solve the problem, but that Florida needs more housing types, more density in appropriate places, updated zoning and building codes, and a more market-responsive regulatory framework. After the presentations and discussion, the committee adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I will mention that mills exist here only because working forests do.
• But I will mention that mills exist here only because working forests do.
• tax or a levy on that that product. tax or a levy on that that product.
• at these mills over there. Okay. Okay. at these mills over there. Okay. Okay.
• <00:44:30.000> started because it after the mills started because it after the mills started

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting opened with roll call and approval of the prior minutes, including a requested correction to Thomas Han’s statement about a Granite State Division of the Society of American Foresters subcommittee studying the timber yield tax and current use forest land tax assessment formula. The correction was adopted, and the minutes were then approved as amended. The main agenda item was a hearing of landowners on forest taxation and carbon credits. Several scheduled speakers canceled, so the committee received a letter from Ross Karen, a Coos County landowner and forester, who opposed carbon credit sales because of “leakage” and argued that diverse local markets and productive forests are better than carbon sales. Aean Kelly of White Mountain Lumber and the Randolph Town Forest also testified, saying many Coos County landowners and forest managers have declined carbon credit offers because they do not fit New Hampshire’s working-forest tradition. He argued that carbon agreements should be treated on a level playing field with traditional harvesting and that, if they are to be encouraged, they should face a fiscal adjustment comparable to the timber tax. Kelly also gave a detailed history of the timber tax, explaining that it was created in 1948 to replace uneven local property taxation on standing timber, discourage clearcutting, and stabilize the tax base while preserving working forests. He said the tax was intended to be collected when timber is harvested, not to stop logging, and that a later commission found the 10% rate roughly matched the revenue towns lost. In response to questions, he said pre-1948 assessments varied widely by town and tax collector, and that carbon projects today are already being valued by sophisticated models, so he believes carbon should be included in the assessment system. He also said short-term carbon agreements may simply monetize existing forest value, while 100-year agreements raise enforceability concerns. No votes or other formal actions were taken beyond approving the amended minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Does that mean the other political subdivisions have to find a way to cut five mills worth of taxes?
• This is basically just a levy limit bill.
• So, I wouldn't exactly call it a levy limit, but it is levy limiting is a way to look at that.
• The last place you could do it's actually the levy at the very back end.
• And this could be turned into a bill that is a levy limit as opposed to a limit on the fair cash value

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• statement than a question for y'all, but the uniqueness about your operations is that it can't be levied
• statement than a question for y'all, but the uniqueness about your operations is that it can't be levied
• :10:48.640> come<00:10:48.800> from Funding for this facility will come from a local levy
• We plan to address these through a combination of full reconstruction and mill and overlay, ensuring
• <01:14:36.480> without into 10% annual tax levies without into 10% annual tax levies without

Bills: HF568, HF433, HF1689, HF3135, HF3137, HF3145, HF2887, HF2819, HF2802, HF2664, HF2267, HF799, HF800, HF3049, HF296, HF580, HF1438, HF1237

Keywords: special education, education funding, construction, Minnesota, regional educational programs, HF433, Cloquet Area Fire District, fire station, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, general obligation bonds, public safety, emergency services, fire protection, local infrastructure, Minnesota capital budget, DEED grant, municipal facilities, station construction

Transcript Highlights:

• There remains a dire need to protect capital funding capacity by maintaining the mill levy thresholds
• have the funding base, be it in their SB 9 current funding that they generate through their mail levies
• especially in those economically challenged districts that do not have the capacity or their mail levies
• We've been blessed because of the locale of where my district is at that our mill levy and our bonding

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AND THE REPORT REVEALS THE SMOKESCREEN OF OUT OF STATE PETITION MILLS WHO HIDE FROM PROSECUTORS.
• PICKED OUT OF A VOTER ROLL WHO MAY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROCESS THROUGH PETITION MILLS R THEN RUN
• PETITIONS THAT ARE COMING INTO THE INDIVIDUAL SUPERVISORS OF ELECTIONS OFFICE ARE COSTS THAT ARE LEVIED
• AND IF THE FINE LEVIED WAS CONSIDERABLE AND WAS DEEMED TO BE UNFAIR IT WOULD GO TO A DOA HEARING AND
• VERY DETAIL ORIENTED, NEVER PAID, NO PUPPY PETITION MILLS.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I brought this bill on behalf of the superintendent of Levis Parish Schools as well as a couple other
• I do see Gene Mills is here in favor of Louisiana Family Forum. The board is clear. No red cards.
• The board is Jean Mills is here in favor of Louisiana Family Form. The board is clear.
• Gene Mills, Louisiana Family Forum, in favor, not wishing to speak. Paige Billiard?
• Jean Mills, President of Louisiana Family Forum.

Bills: SR119, SCR65, HCR47, HB196, HB218, HB256, HB325, HB352, HB434, HB448, HB476, HB608, HB624, HB626, HB632, HB749, HB818, HB1059, HB1112, HB1242, HB1249

Keywords: SR119, Senate Resolution 119, D-D Breaux, Sara Breaux, LSU gymnastics, LSU Gymnastics Training Center, LSU Board of Supervisors, facility naming, honorary resolution, public buildings and grounds, women's athletics, Title IX, college gymnastics, SEC gymnastics, Louisiana State University, Tiger Athletic Foundation, women in sports, coach recognition, sports legend, campus naming

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met with four members present and took up a long agenda of education-related bills. Early items included SCR 65, which would create a K-12 student success task force to study statewide career and academic pathway advising; the committee adopted a substantive amendment adding designees and then reported the resolution favorably. The committee also reported favorably on SCR 119, honoring Coach D.D. Breaux, after brief remarks about her LSU gymnastics legacy and the request that LSU study naming its gymnastics training facility in her honor. Several bills affecting school operations and student support were heard and reported favorably, including HB 434 on probationary school bus driver employment and superintendent authority over dismissal; HB 484 expanding scholarship benefits for children and spouses of fallen or disabled firefighters and police officers; HB 749 and HB 1059 on savings accounts and TOPS math eligibility alignment; HB 218 adding food insecurity questions to student questionnaires, which was amended and reported favorably; HB 325 expanding TOPS Tech eligibility through dual enrollment and part-time use; HB 476 requiring Safe Haven law postings in middle and high school restrooms; HB 1249 clarifying access to school-based health centers, with an amendment adopted; HB 1242 allowing more than one early learning center license at the same location under certain circumstances; HB 632 improving data protections and functionality for LA First; and HB 352 on behavioral health services for public school students, which was amended to address IEP and dispute-process concerns before being reported favorably. Two bills drew extended debate over transparency, privacy, and school autonomy. HB 608 would create confidentiality for intercollegiate athletics revenue-sharing documents; LSU representatives argued the bill was needed to protect student-athletes and competitive information, while PAR and the Louisiana Press Association opposed it as an improper secrecy carve-out for state-generated revenue. Despite the opposition, the committee reported HB 608 favorably. HB 1112, which would exempt BESE-approved non-public pre-K programs from certain licensure and safety requirements and adjust related definitions, was amended and then heard with testimony from the Pelican Institute in support, arguing it corrects overreach from prior law and protects private school autonomy and parental choice.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those that have more capacity, for the simple reason maybe they have a mill levy and another district
• and then we've also, in Appropriations, listened to our conservation districts that don't have the mill
• levies, don't have the capacity.

Transcript Highlights:

• Ruth Levy, who also drove all the way from Santa Rosa.
• Ruth Levy, who also drove all the way from Santa Rosa and is part of the Santa Rosa Democratic Club.
• Terry Moravitz, Mill Valley. Amy Huey, Indivisible Resistors, Contra Costa, in strong support. I...
• Gary Appell, Mill Valley, strong support for this bill.
• Gary Appell, Mill Valley, strong support for this bill.

Summary: The Assembly Elections Committee met on July 2, 2025, with a quorum present and took up eight agenda items, including four consent bills. The committee first approved the consent calendar, which included SB 280, SB 621, SB 851, and SB 852, all moving forward without objection. The committee then heard several bills from Senator Umberg focused on election administration and campaign finance, along with SB 408 on voter-roll maintenance. SB 249 would require county board of education elections to be consolidated with the statewide general election. Supporters, including the League of Women Voters, argued this would increase turnout and make those elections more representative; opponents, including Orange County education officials, argued it would override local control, increase costs, and add ballot fatigue. The bill passed 5-2 and was re-referred to the Committee on Education. SB 398 would make it a crime to pay or offer contingent payments or other valuable consideration to induce voting or voter registration, closing what supporters described as a loophole involving lotteries and incentives. It passed 5-0 as amended and was re-referred to the Committee on Public Safety. SB 42 would remove the state ban on public financing for campaigns in general law cities and counties, allowing local voters to decide whether to adopt such systems. Supporters from Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, and many local advocates said it would broaden participation and reduce the influence of big money; opponents raised concerns about taxpayer funding, guardrails, and local oversight. The bill passed 5-2 and was re-referred to Appropriations. Finally, SB 408 would require election officials to use U.S. Postal Service change-of-address data to help maintain voter rolls; supporters said it would improve accuracy and trust in elections, while one commenter questioned reliance on postal data. The bill passed unanimously 6-0 and was re-referred to Appropriations. The committee then completed the remaining roll calls and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Levi. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee.
• Thank you, Levi. Any questions from any of the committee members regarding this study?
• Thank you, Levi.
• We go through levy inspections for quality control by the Corps.
• Some of the design components: there is a concrete mill wall.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• $0. $0 for voterapproved operating levy $0. $0 for voterapproved operating levy authority.<01:16
• operating levies. operating levies.
• properties should pay into a state levy properties should pay into a state levy instead.<01:17:10.159
• <01:25:41.040> That's referendum levies. That's referendum levies.
• Between fiscal needed operating levies.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some are by Mill<00:59:30.400> Levy,<00:59:30.880> some<00:59:31.119> are<00:59:
• 31.280> by<00:59:31.520> our<00:59:31.760> county Mill Levy, some are by our county
• Mill Levy, some are by our county commissioners<00:59:32.640> and<00:59:32.960> stuff<
• So the water conservancy district has the ability to levy up to one mill of taxes to create a major maintenance
• So the water conservancy district has the ability to levy up to one mill of taxes to create a major maintenance

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• you've got people popping up signs—effectively roadside stands—and they've got, whether it's puppy mills
• But we're saying in here that no county ad valorem taxes can be used, but the district itself can levy
• As I said, similar to a MUD, a MUD has taxing as well as levying fees. Does that include sales tax?
• I didn't get that far. into it, but any sales tax... it could levy a sales tax.
• And Senator Middleton, we have a taxing jurisdiction that doesn't get to levy a tax. I love it.

Bills: HB1532, HB2731, HB3483, HB4308, HB4580, HB4582, HB5509, HB5663

Keywords: Lake Houston, dredging, maintenance district, flood control, environment, public works, HB 2731, roadside vendors, solicitors, county regulation, border counties, Mexico border, Transportation Code, unincorporated areas, right-of-way, public highway, parking lot, livestock sales, live animals, vendor regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• Levi. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee.
• Thank you, Levi. Any questions from any of the committee members regarding this study?
• Thank you, Levi. Any questions from any of the committee members regarding this study?
• Thank you, Levi.
• Some of the design components, there is a concrete mill wall.

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met to receive interim status updates on several water-related studies and Department of Water Resources projects. The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes, observed a moment of silence for the late Representative Conmy, and then heard updates on the watershed management study and the stormwater/wastewater study. Staff reported that the committee had already received the testimony contemplated in the study plans, including input from state agencies, local governments, and out-of-state entities, and that any further action would be at the committee’s discretion. The Department of Water Resources then provided project and budget updates on NAWS and the Southwest Pipeline Project. Reese reported NAWS is expected to serve about 81,000 users, with a total projected cost of about $571 million and about $96 million remaining, while the Southwest Pipeline Project is estimated at $1.06 billion total with about $409 million remaining. Members asked about funding sources, capacity needs, and whether current and future construction is being designed for increased demand; department staff said current work is designed for ultimate capacity, but some future components may need redesign based on new requests. The committee also discussed local cost shares, Minot’s role in NAWS funding, and whether the system is adequate for peak demand. A major portion of the meeting focused on the department’s cash management, carryover, and long-term water funding outlook. The department said Resources Trust Fund revenues are tied to oil extraction taxes and are affected by stripper well exemptions and future oil price declines. Members expressed concern about large carryover balances and whether the state is obligating more money than can realistically be spent in a biennium. The department reported about $340.6 million in remaining carryover and said it is trying to reduce that through a two-tier pre-construction/construction process and closer project vetting. The department also summarized the Deloitte studies on regional governance and finance and on cost-share policy. Stakeholders generally favored keeping the current governance structures for NAWS and Southwest with improvements, while Red River stakeholders leaned toward a different option; the department said it will bring an implementation plan back in September. On cost share, Deloitte’s recommendations would reduce some percentages, prioritize projects differently, and use other measures to close a projected long-term funding gap. Members debated affordability, local burden, deferred maintenance, and whether statutory changes may be needed to allow the commission more flexibility in prioritizing and funding projects. No formal votes or final actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• Figueroa, Amber Mills, Ed Johnson, Francesca Leahy.
• We're looking for Luis Figueroa, Amber Mills, Ed Johnson, Francesca Leahy.
• Amber Mills, Anthony Gutierrez. Marriage. Ibarra. Is Ms. Leahy here still with us?
• Mills welcome.
• Mills, thanks for your testimony. Mr. Atreall, you have the panel.

Bills: SB16, SB76, SB310, SB311, SB396, SB505, SB827, SB964, SB1209, SB1210, SB1386, SB1470, SB2035, SJR37, SB 16

Keywords: voter registration, proof of citizenship, Election Code, criminal offenses, limited federal ballot, transportation, infrastructure, funding, public safety, state regulation, election, polling places, voter access, state oversight, electronic voting, voting, polling place, elections, countywide program, election integrity

Bills: SB15, SB9, SB4, SB8, SB60, SB4, SB8, SB60, SB4, SB8, SB60, SB15, SB9

Keywords: real property, fraud, theft, elderly, disabled, statute of limitations, criminal offense, property rights, property tax, ad valorem tax, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax rate calculation, Tax Code, local government finance, municipality, county, special taxing unit, sales and use tax, property tax cap

Bills: SB15, SB9, SB4, SB8, SB60, SB4, SB8, SB60, SB4, SB8, SB60, SB15, SB9

Keywords: real property, fraud, theft, elderly, disabled, statute of limitations, criminal offense, property rights, property tax, ad valorem tax, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax rate calculation, Tax Code, local government finance, municipality, county, special taxing unit, sales and use tax, property tax cap

Transcript Highlights:

• So we went back to the counties with the report that they had submitted to us with the mill levy data
• We're not levying that many mills.
• So if you see the golden one, do not look at the mill levy data.
• Section B rank-orders every school district in the state by their highest mill levy to lowest.
• Section C does the school district mill levies by fund by county.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we went back to the counties with the report that they had submitted to us with the mill levy data
• We're not levying that many mills.
• So if you see the golden one, do not look at the mill levy data.
• Section C does the school district mill levies by fund by county.
• I would say the mill levy is the most common thing that I get questions on and reviewed on, which is

Summary: The committee met to hear presentations on dual credit programs from North Dakota higher education leaders, a school superintendent, and teachers. Valley City State University described its dual credit model, emphasizing quality control through annual teacher training, syllabus and outcomes alignment, faculty qualification review, school visits, and pathways aimed at the College Studies Certificate. Members asked about teacher employment, course scheduling, revenue, scholarships, and whether a centralized model might improve efficiency; VCSU said most instructors are K-12 employees, online offerings are still small, and centralization could weaken local relationships and choice. Lake Region State College similarly stressed access and partnerships, noting about half of its headcount is still in high school, with both online and face-to-face dual credit options, district reimbursement arrangements, and support for rural schools. Lake Region also said dual credit helps students who might not otherwise see themselves as college-bound, but reduced tuition can still be a barrier for some families. Fargo Public Schools reported continued growth in dual credit, with 50 courses offered in partnership with several NDUS institutions and a 12.61% increase in participation. The superintendent highlighted a growing education pathway, including students completing Introduction to Education and field experience, and said the district is exploring a grow-your-own teacher pipeline. He also raised concerns about inconsistent institutional processes, teacher credentialing requirements, and transfer clarity, arguing for more aligned statewide systems. In response to questions, he said AP and dual credit can coexist, with AP often better for highly selective out-of-state colleges and dual credit better for students targeting North Dakota institutions, and he described some use of Arizona State online courses in earlier rural partnerships but said Fargo is focused on local institutions. Two teachers then testified on the classroom perspective. A West Fargo anatomy and physiology teacher said dual credit has expanded access, lowered costs, and prepared students well, but agreed that foundational science courses may be more effective when taken later in high school to reduce knowledge loss before college. A Drake-Anamoose English teacher, who has taught dual credit for more than 20 years, said the program has supported many students who went on to a wide range of careers and emphasized that small rural schools rely on dual credit to provide opportunities they otherwise could not offer. No formal votes or actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.