Transcript Highlights:

• academy maintenance building and fire commission."
• What we're also trying to do, since the maintenance building sits between a fire tower that was built
• It's also not state-restricted funds; it's restricted funds from the fire commission.
• could service the folks at the fire could service the folks at the fire tower<00:08:35.760> when
• it's restricted funds from the fire it's restricted funds from the fire commission.<00:09:13.279

Keywords: 00:02 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:45 Approval of Minutes 01:01 Information Items 06:25 Project Rpt from Postsecondary Institutions-KCTCS 10:50 Project Rpt from Finance and Admin Cabinet 18:08 Lease Rpt from Finance and Admin Cabinet 27:12 Rpt from OFM – KY Infrastructure Authority 33:56 Rpt from OFM – CED EDF Grants 47:20 Rpt from OFM – Office of Financial Mgmt 56:53 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including approval of the February meeting minutes and several information items. Those items covered university equipment purchases, school district and transportation-related debt issuances, Northern Kentucky University’s planned construction-manager/general-contractor delivery method for the medical examiner/crime lab relocation project, a lease-space advertisement, postsecondary asset preservation allocations, and lease-law compliance reports. Members then discussed the Northern Kentucky crime lab project in more detail; staff explained that the memorandum of agreement would cover the construction portion while the lease would cover operations, and members were told the project should move forward without procurement problems. The committee approved a Kentucky Community and Technical College System project to modify the fire academy maintenance building after the related dormitory project was set aside because of major cost overruns. KCTCS said the dormitory would be about $3 million over budget, so it would not be bid; instead, the maintenance building would be expanded to add showers and restroom/locker facilities, bringing that project from $2 million to about $3.2 million. The committee also approved a Transportation Cabinet project for the Hardin County I-65 southbound commercial motor vehicle station relocation, with members asking about the estimate, the lack of a direct prior example, and the fact that the loadometer equipment itself would be purchased separately and was not included in the construction estimate. Finance and Administration Cabinet lease items were then considered. The committee approved a Department of Public Advocacy lease in Christian County and a Transportation Cabinet vehicle regulation lease in Kenton County, both negotiated down from initial asking prices and both including utilities. Two lease modifications were reported without action: a Department of Revenue fit-up in Jefferson County and an expanded vehicle regulation lease in Adair County. Members also approved a package of Kentucky Infrastructure Authority items, including four loans and six Cleaner Water Program grant reallocations, covering sewer and water projects such as MSD’s Patty’s Run flood pumping station, Paducah-McCracken County’s wastewater treatment plant, Mount Washington’s lift station replacement, and Eminence’s wastewater plant expansion. Finally, the committee heard a batch of Kentucky Product Development Initiative economic development grants and approved the action items in one vote. The projects included due diligence and infrastructure work for industrial and site-development projects in multiple counties, with local match requirements and KEDFA approvals described for each. The committee also received three line-item water grants from House Bill 1 that required no action, and the meeting ended after the grant presentations and approvals.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we've got to find ways to build modern, clean, effective coal-fired power plants on the terra again
• Um, we've got to find ways to build modern, clean, effective coal-fired power plants on the terra again
• Um, we've got to find ways to build modern, clean, effective coal-fired power plants on the terra again
• Um, we've got to find ways to build modern, clean, effective coal-fired power plants on the terra again
• Um, we've got to find ways to build modern, clean, effective coal-fired power plants on the terra again

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Incarcerated firefighters who we recognized on this floor for their bravery, fighting the Eaton Fire
• A number of years ago when I worked for Cal Fire, you have never seen men work harder than with these
• But there is not a system, there is not a program better than the fire camps with Cal Fire in the state
• I want to remind everybody here that in order to be in the fire hand crews, you can't have committed
• Cal Fire uniform or an orange jumpsuit, and neither do the people who are in danger, who need help,

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long floor file of bills. Early measures passed with little or no debate, including AB 698 on local transfer taxes and affordable housing analysis, AB 456 on mobile home sales, AB 1129 on reportable infant health conditions, AB 69 on Fair Plan insurance notices and voluntary market searches, AB 357 on expedited student and faculty housing permits, AB 383 on firearms code cleanups, AB 426 on drones interfering with emergency response, AB 825 on energy affordability and transmission financing, and AB 699 on ballot transparency for local tax and bond measures. Most of these bills passed unanimously or with strong bipartisan margins, while AB 825 drew the most extended debate over whether it would lower costs or expand state control of energy infrastructure; it ultimately passed 45-5. The most contentious item was AB 84, which would strengthen oversight of non-classroom-based charter schools and tighten accountability for charter spending and operations. Supporters argued it was needed to stop fraud and misuse of public education dollars, citing major scandals and audit findings, while opponents warned it would harm legitimate charter schools, reduce educational options, and disproportionately affect rural and special-needs students. Several members said they supported the bill only to keep negotiations going, and others urged more targeted or delayed action. After extensive debate and multiple amendments, the Assembly passed AB 84 on a 41-22 vote. The chamber also took up AB 610, a housing bill that would require cities and counties to disclose planned housing restrictions and limit new constraints for three years after housing element approval. The author framed it as a certainty and transparency measure to help address the state’s housing shortage, while noting continued discussions with local governments and housing advocates. The transcript ends with the bill’s presentation and request for an aye vote, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• The fire truck is very important for us; you helped us with that.
• That fire truck now, this is 2017, but 2024, that fire truck now is a million dollars. ...but in 2024
• , that fire truck now is a million dollars.
• Right now, we have loans for a fire truck and some equipment.
• We just recently took over a county fire station.

Transcript Highlights:

• served Dawson County with unwavering commitment, drawing from years of experience with the O'Donnell Fire
• committee substitute for Senate Bill 628, relating to the administration and enforcement of county fire
• Current law does not explicitly authorize county commissioners' courts to delegate fire code enforcement
• into interlocal agreements to delegate all or part of the county's authority to enforce the county's fire
• code, and require the county fire marshal to delegate authority to administer and enforce county fire

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum, an invocation, and routine business including dispensing with the previous day’s journal, receiving a House message on HB 104/HJR 34, and a gubernatorial message naming two appointees to the Texas Real Estate Commission. The chamber also adopted several resolutions recognizing Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day, Golf Day in Texas, Cindy Ramos-Davidson, and the 50th anniversary of the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District. Members then adopted memorial resolutions honoring fallen first responders, including Deputy Jesse Ray Perez and Deputy Melissa Pollard, and the Senate agreed to adjourn in their memory. The Senate considered and passed several bills. SB 2199 increased penalties for loading overweight vehicles transporting hazardous materials; SB 1959 adjusted permit factors for the North Texas Groundwater Conservation District; SB 1376 changed supervision rules for code enforcement officer trainees; SB 2595 created a new offense for harassing, intimidating, or threatening someone while concealing identity with a mask or similar headgear; SB 1012 authorized sale or lease of certain surplus state property in Austin; SB 2245 revised bonded title procedures; SB 2605 created a municipal housing authority asset commission; SB 3044 expanded and adjusted the board of the Presidio County Underground Water Conservation District; SB 628 clarified county fire code enforcement authority through interlocal agreements; SB 2778 raised the spending threshold for emergency services district employees; SB 3039 addressed public higher education transfer issues; and SB 2523 allowed release from municipal extraterritorial jurisdiction by petition. Most of these bills were passed to engrossment, the three-day rule was suspended, and final passage was completed, often by wide margins. The chamber also took up SB 1844, which would require cities to provide services before expanding taxing areas into limited-purpose jurisdictions; a floor amendment narrowed the bill, and it was passed to engrossment. SB 2284 clarified municipal and county authority over firearms, airguns, archery equipment, and related items, and was passed despite opposition. SB 2529, dealing with the vote threshold for taxing units to adopt higher tax rates or issue tax bonds, prompted extended debate over voter approval and representative decision-making; after questions, the bill was passed to engrossment and held. At the end of the session, the Senate recessed for 20 minutes and announced it would meet as the Caucus of the Whole.

Transcript Highlights:

• In a time in which Los Angeles has just experienced the worst fires in history, the fashion industry
• Local governments end up shouldering the cost of extinguishing and cleaning up dangerous battery fires
• These fires pose an existential risk to the entire recycling system and a gigantic cost to rate payers
• Embedded batteries. particular cause fires that are really hard to put out.
• Because, you know, I come from San Mateo, I remember the fire.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And of course, the fires in the north and in Rioso. These communities are really struggling.
• So in 2024, emergency funding for fires and floods provided over $141 million in emergency funding.
• And those fires burn so much more intensely.
• Certainly, they were implicated in the fires up north, so that's kind of on them.
• So, I mean, when I left the floor, we were debating a watershed and fire suppressant bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• By the Fire Marshal, the Tax and Revenue Department, Department of Health, and it got changed further
• The firefighters are supervised by one entity, the fire chiefs; the EMTs.
• We appreciate the continued support to stand up our fire and EMS in the state. Thank you.
• So it was endorsed by two interim committees, and then the State Fire Marshal came to us with further
• with the fire chiefs around the state for their own rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:33:44.880> So<02:33:45.680> you and stuff from fighting fires.
• So you and stuff from fighting fires.
• The fire chiefs, like my good colleague from Montrose mentioned, spoke against this bill.
• Without the cancer trust, over the past nine years, 55 fire districts, which are your fire districts,
• > fire which are your fire districts, my fire which are your fire districts, my fire district,<02

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is related to removing a cola fire.
• Thank you, Chair France. that applies to the PAR police and fire that applies to the PAR police and fire
• So when this um Fire Relief Association.
• you know in the as you know in the fire you know in the as you know in the fire services<01:04:31.760
• He keeps running into the fire and gets burned.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She has questions, fire impacted. Hi. Hi. Hi.
• So I had some questions about the fire-impacted districts.
• I just want to make sure that we're not cutting our budget on the backs of fire victims.
• So the $9.7 million one-time property tax backfill, what fires is that pertaining to?
• Those are for the LA County fires.

Summary: The committee heard the May Revision presentation for the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, with public comment focused heavily on K-12 priorities such as universal school meals, kitchen infrastructure, food service and custodial support, youth leadership grants, Special Olympics funding, English learner support, universal pre-K, literacy investments, and concerns about community college funding shifts. Speakers also urged support for expanded learning, teacher recruitment and training, and maintaining or increasing funding for community colleges and student support programs. Finance and the LAO then reviewed the Proposition 98 outlook. Finance said the May Revision lowers the 2025-26 Prop. 98 guarantee to $114.6 billion, about $4.3 billion below January, due mainly to lower revenue estimates, with smaller effects from attendance and property tax changes. The administration also described rebenching for universal transitional kindergarten and a one-time rebench tied to Los Angeles fire-related property tax losses, along with changes to the Public School System Stabilization Account, deferrals, and updated COLA assumptions. The LAO said the budget relies too much on deferrals and one-time funds, creates a structural shortfall, and should instead align ongoing spending with the guarantee and preserve a reserve buffer. Members questioned the TK rebench and the shift of funding from community colleges to K-12, asking why it was being applied retroactively and how colleges would be held harmless. Finance said the changes align funding with where TK costs are being incurred and that reappropriation funding and other adjustments would offset impacts on community colleges. The LAO argued the historical split formula is outdated and should be abandoned in favor of budgeting around current priorities rather than fixed percentages. Members also raised concerns about draining the rainy day reserve and using deferrals, while the LAO said preserving reserves would better protect against future volatility. The committee then moved to specific K-12 and education proposals. Finance outlined May Revision changes including state operations adjustments for the Department of Education, technical trailer bill changes, a $100 million student teacher stipend program administered by Kern County, and updates to the charter school facility grant program. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposed increases for expanded learning, literacy coaches, and the student teacher stipend as currently structured, while supporting the minimum grant increase for expanded learning. Members expressed support for teacher recruitment efforts but questioned whether one-time funding can sustain ongoing programs and whether the student teacher stipend should be targeted to shortage areas or low-income communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now everybody knows it's 911 for EMS, ambulance, fire, and police. So that's going to happen.
• Now everybody knows it's 911 for EMS, ambulance, fire, and police. So that's going to happen.
• Now everybody knows it's 911 for EMS, ambulance, fire, and police. So that's going to happen.
• Now everybody knows it's 911 for EMS, ambulance, fire, and police. So that's going to happen.
• <00:26:49.159> and it's 911 for EMS Ambulance fire and it's 911 for EMS Ambulance fire and

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, when I talk about the fire academy at the school, you know, there were several fires last
• ; Fire Science, which is our firefighters program, and EMT paramedic program.
• We've got the firing range. We've got... ...and we've got everything else.
• We've got the firing range, we've got the shooting simulation building, we've got the fire tower.
• The training center has three different programs: police, fire, and EMT paramedic.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• how can you be comfortable with the shooter having easy access to legally buy an AR-15 capable of firing
• At Annunciation, the shooter fired more than 100 rounds with a high-powered rifle.
• At Annunciation, the shooter fired more than 100 rounds with a high-powered rifle.
• Our nonfatal... and we have cleared shot-fire cases at a higher rate than the national average.
• I still carry a badge that has Fire Marshal on it, and many times I do carry it.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:07:57.520> detection fire detection fire detection systems,<02:08:00.159> borrowing
• After the worst fire in California's history hit, it happened again and again and again.
• After the worst fire in California's history hit, it happened again and again and again.
• After the worst fire in California's history hit, it happened again and again and again.
• Fires, and a hard limit on how much they owe regardless of the damage.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The House bill authorizing the town of Colrain to continue the employment of Fire Department Chief Nicholas
• The House bill authorizing the town of Colrain to continue the employment of Fire Department Deputy Chief
• Bill authorizing the town of Colrain to continue the employment of Fire Department Deputy Chief Kevin
• An act authorizing the town of Colrain to continue the employment of Fire Department Chief Nicholas Anzoni
• An act authorizing the town of Colrain to continue the employment of Fire Department Deputy Chief Kevin

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then concurred in a Senate referral concerning a petition from Joanne M. Comerford to designate an official vegetable of the Commonwealth, sending it to the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight. The Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling reported several local bills for consideration, including measures affecting Topsfield, Andover, Colrain, Salem, Oxford, and South Hadley. The House suspended Rule 7A and took up second readings, then ordered those bills to a third reading. The House also passed to be enacted House No. 4399, amending the charter of the town of Middleton. Several other local bills were then released from the Committee on Bills in Third Reading and passed to be engrossed, including a Rutland recall elections bill, a Rehoboth tax exemption for the surviving spouse of a deputy chief, a Millis senior property tax exemption for school construction, and a Falmouth sewer-related funding bill. The House also considered a Springfield disability pension bill for Ms. Al Rodriguez, which was amended by substitution with House No. 5391 before being engrossed. Additional amendments were adopted on bills concerning North Adams special police officers, a North Attleboro senior property tax exemption, and a Salem excise on the transfer of parking spaces, after which each bill was passed to be engrossed as amended. The House then held a moment of silent tribute for Stephen Fennell of Falmouth. Finally, the House adopted an order to adjourn until Monday at 11 a.m. and adjourned to meet then in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• a fire your house is going to burn down.
• <00:06:51.919> your fire because if there's a fire your fire because if there's a fire your
• It's quite the effort to get a fire truck down there, back it up.
• truck first and salt it and then get your fire truck in there.
• truck first and salt it and then get your fire truck in there.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I did spend 21 years in the San Antonio Fire Department there in, in Bear County, and, uh, while she's
• We are an all hazards organization from floods to fires to tornadoes to terrorism.
• Had 41 new state assisted fire starts.
• fact that in this critical fire weather.
• Fire away. Mr. Chairman, I'm, uh, members of this committee. I'm Ryan Walters.

Transcript Highlights:

• have comments other agencies fire have comments other agencies fire department<00:36:53.119>
• But this will allow, you know, all of our employees again who lost their homes in the fire.
• We contribute very heavily to Maui before the fires, through the fires, and after the fires.
• fires through the fires Maui before the fires through the fires and<01:48:18.679> after<01:48
• feel like I have to talk about the fires feel like I have to talk about the fires to<01:48:24.840

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 946 on wastewater management, which would clarify that the ban on discharging wastewater or raw sewage into state waters after 12/31/26 applies to treatment plants. Testimony was in support from the Department of Health, Maui County Council, Mayor Bisson, and individuals, and no one testified in opposition. SB 849 on wildlife conservation would prohibit intentional taking, harming, or killing of the Hawaiian hawk (ʻio) and increase penalties for taking native aquatic life, wildlife, and land plants; DLNR supported the bill, noting the ʻio was delisted federally in 2020 and that the measure also updates penalties and adds a rehabilitation/community service option. No questions were raised, and the bill drew support testimony only. For SB 330 on invasive species prevention, the Attorney General raised a supremacy clause concern with language requiring state enforcement of federal quarantines and recommended reverting to a prior version with a catchall for federal regulation. The Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species supported the bill as a way to close a biosecurity gap, while the Department of Agriculture said it supported the intent but wanted to avoid acting without a cooperative agreement with USDA and suggested deleting the portion allowing action without such an agreement. The committee also heard SB 1393 on public land use, which would require the School Facilities Authority to consult with DOE and other agencies before land conveyances or leases and repeal a requirement that DOE transfer title upon request; both SFA and DOE supported the measure, with DOE emphasizing the need for early communication and consultation, and members asked about possible disagreements or stalemates. The committee then heard SB 321 on private roads and ways, which would deem certain privately owned roads and similar ways transferred to adjacent owners or community associations if conditions are met. The Hawaii Land Title Association said the bill as drafted would create uncertainty and proposed a court process to clarify ownership and create a recordable order; written support came from the Mortgage Bankers Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Financial Services Association, and one individual. SB 66 on housing permitting would require permit decisions within 60 days for certain housing projects and deem permits approved in some circumstances; DLNR’s historic preservation office supported the intent but noted county historic preservation roles, OHA suggested amendments to clarify county duties, and DPP opposed the time limits as risky for health and safety reviews, warning about back-and-forth review cycles and possible mismatches between approved plans and field work. Realtors, NAIOP, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Hawaii YIMBY, and the Maui Chamber supported the measure, while Lahaina Strong, Hawaii Good Neighbor, and two individuals opposed it. Finally, the committee heard SB 1170 on expeditious redevelopment of affordable rental housing, which would speed permits for rebuilding permanently affordable multifamily rental housing damaged by natural disasters and exempt certain projects from EIS requirements. HHFDC supported the bill, citing the Front Street Apartments rebuild and the long SMA permit timeline on Maui, and the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development supported the intent while suggesting technical placement of amendments. Testimony in support also came from the Maui Chamber of Commerce and Joe Blanco, who described difficulties rebuilding a project originally developed under older statutory requirements and said the bill’s added language addressed those issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• the need for increased funding for acequias, particularly in light of the damage caused by forest fires
• We think this fund is critical for us to prevent massive fires and flooding in the future.
• We have 45 acequias there that have been severely impacted by the Gap Cannon Fire.
• The acequias there have been severely impacted by the Gap Cannon Fire.
• But Mora is our neighbor, and other people have had fires and need help.

Bills: SB193

Keywords: SB193, acequia, community ditch, irrigation works construction fund, water infrastructure, ditch infrastructure, irrigation, New Mexico water law, agricultural water, farmers, Rio Grande, acequia association, forest land protection revolving fund, state fund transfer, irrigation projects, 996, all