Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, this is a pretty simple amendment that authorizes $5 million of the existing $50 million of the bonds
• Would the author<00:32:57.039> yield? author yield? author yield?
• with uh both um with uh with the author with uh both um with uh with the author uh<00:49:56.079>
• bonds.
• same criteria that we use for bonding. same criteria that we use for bonding.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with a call of the Senate, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum and moved to messages from the House. The chamber received several House-passed Senate files, including SF 2814 (real estate appraisers), SF 3637 (transportation), and SF 4244 (technical corrections), and took up SF 1714 on payment transparency and public contracts. The Senate concurred in the House amendments to SF 1714, advanced it to third reading, and then passed the bill 65-0. The Senate also received House amendments to SF 3432 on public safety, but instead of concurring, it voted to send the bill to a five-member conference committee. The Senate likewise agreed to a conference committee request on HF 4188, a commerce bill dealing with consumer protections for insurance and financial products. The Senate then handled additional House messages and routine business, including first reading of several House files and adoption of committee reports. A committee report on SF 453, relating to thermal energy networks as public improvements and water works, recommended amendment and passage under Senate Concurrent Resolution 6, and the report was adopted except for the referenced resolution item. The chamber also completed second readings of several Senate bills and one House bill, and approved a motion to withdraw SF 4464 from the Committee on State and Local Government and return it to the author. The main floor debate centered on HF 1141, the housing finance and policy omnibus. Senator Port described the bill as focused on affordability, including $50 million in housing infrastructure bonds, greater Minnesota infrastructure grants, manufactured housing protections, limits on large institutional investors buying single-family homes, and increased oversight of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. The Senate adopted several amendments, including a technical A12 amendment, A7 to dedicate $5 million of bonding to manufactured home park improvements, and A4 on manufactured housing protections such as rent receipts and longer move-out time after eviction. Senator Abler then offered A14, which would limit rent increases in certain non-market-rate, tax-credit housing for seniors to CPI-based increases; supporters framed it as a humanitarian measure for elderly residents facing steep rent hikes, while opponents raised concerns about rent control, the scope of the amendment, and the need for more detail. The transcript ends during continued debate on A14, with no final vote shown on that amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:05.639> offering tourism Authority offering tourism Authority offering comments<00:
• <00:12:29.480> in um Haw green infrastructure Authority in um Haw green infrastructure Authority
• Right now, the bill does not specify that HTA has an authority. HTA has an advisory authority.
• not specify that HTA has an authority not specify that HTA has an authority HTA<00:33:36.039>
• <01:19:56.719> working bonds establishes a green bonds working bonds establishes a green bonds

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1077, a governor’s administration bill to increase transient accommodations tax revenue and split it between two new special funds: a climate mitigation and resiliency special fund and an economic development and revitalization special fund for tourism/resort areas. Supporters, including the Governor’s Office, recovery and resilience staff, climate and conservation groups, and several state agencies, said the bill would create a dedicated, more reliable funding stream for wildfire mitigation, coastal resilience, land clearing, infrastructure, and community-led projects. Some supporters also urged changes to the bill, including moving the fund to DLNR, adding DHHL and OHA representation, clarifying community grants, and ensuring the fund can support both state-led and community-led resilience work. The Attorney General’s office flagged a drafting issue, noting that the bill references fees deposited into the new fund even though the new chapter does not authorize fee collection, and recommended deleting that language or adding fee authority. The Climate Advisory Team representative also suggested adding DHHL to the decision-making body and requiring at-large members to have climate, resilience, conservation, or infrastructure expertise. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Kohala Coast Resort Association opposed the measure, arguing that the special fund structure does not meet statutory criteria, that the bill functions as a tax increase, and that the transient accommodations tax is not being collected equitably across all lodging types before any increase is imposed. Other opponents, including tourism and lodging interests, warned that hotels and timeshares already bear most of the tax burden and that raising the TAT could hurt an already struggling visitor industry and drive tourists away. Supporters countered that current funding is far short of what is needed and that a dedicated revenue stream is necessary to address climate impacts now. Committee members questioned why the Legislature should cede spending decisions to a separate executive-branch process, and the administration responded that the bill is intended to create a transparent, recurring mechanism for funding priorities that can be adjusted over time. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a bond for putting in those things, but there's no bond for maintenance, and there's nothing
• <00:17:00.320> There's<00:17:00.560> a<00:17:00.800> bond is in there, what
• There's a bond is in there, what isn't.
• There's a bond for<00:17:01.360> the<00:17:02.800> u<00:17:03.120> putting<00:17
• <00:17:59.440> and would fall to the highway authority and would fall to the highway authority

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, we hope that the judiciary steps in to overturn the bond decision. ...to overturn the bond decision
• It's not legal authority to hold anyone.
• No, I'm talking about the federal authorities.
• Federal authority.
• Enforcement authority, discretionary enforcement authority, like the district attorneys and the Attorney

Transcript Highlights:

• To work on these projects, we secure specific insurance and bonds.
• To work on these projects, we secure specific insurance and bonds.
• To work on these projects, we secure specific insurance and bonds.
• For the record, I am one of the co-authors.
• and co-author and before we testifier and co-author and before we proceed<01:02:18.520> to<01

Bills: HF1234, HF1956, HF1025, HF1172, HF791

Keywords: payment transparency, public contracts, contractor rights, government accountability, construction payments, municipal finance, liquor store, audit requirements, state auditor, local government, historic flag, state flag, display standards, ceremonial, Minnesota Statutes, Ursa Minor, state symbol, Minnesota state laws, constellation, official state designation

Transcript Highlights:

• Local property tax authority decreased significantly with...
• Local property tax authority decreased significantly with statewide taxes making up the difference.
• restrictions on or send the wrong message to the bonding agencies that bond our stuff.
• restrictions on or send the wrong message to the bonding agencies that bond our stuff. the wrong message
• to the bonding agencies that bond our stuff that, you know, but we're not really talking mills anymore

Summary: The Tax Reform and Relief Advisory Committee met with a quorum, approved the March 17, 2026 minutes, and heard a lengthy update from Tax Commissioner Brian Croshys on property tax relief programs. He reviewed the Homestead Property Tax Credit, Disabled Veteran Credit, and Primary Residence Credit, noting increased relief after House Bill 1158 and House Bill 1176, but also discussing how some households “income adjust out” of eligibility over time. Members asked about indexing income thresholds, expanding eligibility by age alone, simplifying administration, county-level notices, and whether the county and state systems could be streamlined. Croshys said the programs are heavily used, largely administered at the county level, and that the department is still refining compliance and reporting; he also said there were no material findings or overarching concerns in the latest review. The committee agreed more detailed PRC information would likely come back in a September meeting, and the chair announced an afternoon recess for lunch before later reconvening. Shelly Myers then presented the statewide property tax increase report, the zero-growth report, and a statistical report on property values and tax levies by class. She explained how county auditors report levy and valuation data, how increases and decreases are counted, and identified counties and cities with the largest percentage changes in growth or decline. She also summarized recent trends: agricultural values remain relatively flat, while residential, commercial, and centrally assessed values have risen over the last five years; in 2025, residential property accounted for the largest share of statewide property tax levies, followed by commercial, agriculture, and centrally assessed property. Committee members asked about unusual zero-growth figures, the effect of annexation and land-use changes, and whether the 3% levy cap was forcing political subdivisions to use reserves or defer spending. Myers said many counties complied by using reserves, delaying capital projects, or limiting increases, and that some counties had not used their full cap. The committee then moved to the stripper oil extraction tax exemption. Commissioner Croshys reviewed the state’s oil tax structure and estimated the revenue impact of keeping stripper wells exempt from extraction tax while still paying production tax. He said the exemption saves operators hundreds of millions of dollars over a biennium, while the state still collects production tax on those wells. He also discussed projected impacts if the exemption were changed for future wells and noted that future outcomes depend on oil prices, production declines, and technology such as CO2 enhanced oil recovery. Nathan Anderson of the Department of Mineral Resources briefly explained the historical difference between the 35-barrel and 30-barrel thresholds for certain wells, citing differences in completion costs and lateral lengths. The committee then heard from EERC CEO Charles Gorecki, who presented an analysis of oil well life cycles and said most oil is produced before wells reach stripper status, but that refracturing or other reinvestment can significantly extend production and keep wells above the threshold for years.

Transcript Highlights:

• And also just reducing the capital budget authority tied to enrollment.
• And also just reducing the capital budget authority tied to enrollment.
• As you know, we had a bond.
• They went out to the bond; they had a bond approved this year, and some of that was appropriated for
• Well, how long is the term of that bond that passed? I think it's five years. Okay, five-year bond.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bond, would you please take the roll? >> Yes, sir.
• Bond. All right, let's dispense with the approval of minutes from our last meeting.
• That it would not approve any loans or bonds or disperse any funds for loans or bonds for the programs
• The authority will still be there.
• So, eliminating the program So, eliminating the authority for it.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We haven't bonded capital in 6 years.
• The Water Trust Board has authorized the finance authority to use those dollars in two very specific
• It was for projects that were authorized before 2024.
• planning and made a run at the federal authorization.
• I'll just warn you, but that's because our authority is very busy.

Transcript Highlights:

• The districts I'm talking about are at 0% of voter-approved operating levy authority.
• That is mainly due to a successful bond referendum that the district passed in 2015.
• That is mainly due to a successful bond referendum that the district passed in 2015.
• 2023 action to Grant the same Authority 2023 action to Grant the same Authority for<00:58:44.039
• Members, any comments or questions for either the author or any of these testifiers?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So starting off, it prohibits advertising tax proposals and tax bond issues as no tax increases.
• We heard a lot of... ...proposals and tax bond issues as no tax increases.
• Those would get stuck into the new current calculated rate without the voters actually authorizing the
• I think it was the smaller counties haven't authorized to do that at this point. So this bill...
• Would seniors be able to get a credit if their county excluded bond indebtedness?

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the May revision specifically, we had some updates to the climate bond proposition for proposals.
• The governor's budget proposed $2.1 billion in 2026-27 from the climate bond to continue critical projects
• wildlife refuges and wetland habitat areas, the May revision proposes $23.2 million from the climate bond
• Moving on from the climate bond, other significant investments...
• The first proposal authorizes the use of an automated enforcement system on the state highway system

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee heard the Department of Finance’s May Revision overview and the LAO’s budget assessment, then questioned administration officials on several natural resources and transportation proposals. Finance described the state’s improved near-term fiscal picture, but also highlighted continued budget balancing measures, including use of the temporary surplus holding account, climate bond spending, transportation and DMV/CHP augmentations, and changes affecting CEQA filing systems, water programs, CalRecycle, and food and agriculture. The LAO argued the budget still relies heavily on reserves and borrowing, recommended rejecting or delaying many new discretionary proposals, and urged caution about ongoing costs and future-year impacts, especially for the General Fund, Motor Vehicle Account, and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. A major portion of the hearing focused on the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes proposal for Bay-Delta water quality implementation. Secretary Wade Crowfoot and Finance officials said the $25 million request would support early implementation of an enforceable program combining environmental flows, habitat restoration, and scientific monitoring, with the State Water Board retaining regulatory authority. The LAO said the proposal was premature because the updated Bay-Delta plan had not yet been adopted and asked for more clarity on the state’s existing commitments and future funding expectations. Several members expressed support for the program as a way to reduce long-running conflict over water policy, while others echoed concerns about timing and fiscal exposure. The committee also examined the proposed $125 million Proposition 4 contribution toward acquisition of the Golden Gate Fields property for a shoreline park and habitat restoration. State agencies said the project had a completed appraisal, was moving through a rolling grant process, and would leverage philanthropic and local funding, while members questioned why it was being elevated ahead of other park and conservation requests and whether it was the best use of limited bond dollars. The hearing then turned to transportation items, including $40 million for Clean California litter abatement, $6.2 million for Caltrans homeless coordinators, $73.4 million in DMV/Motor Vehicle Account requests, and funding for the 2028 Games route network. The LAO generally recommended rejecting or delaying the Clean California and homeless coordinator proposals pending more information, while members debated the need to preserve essential CHP and DMV operations despite the Motor Vehicle Account’s structural imbalance.

Transcript Highlights:

• A bonding bill if we can pass a bonding bill with three-fifths.
• We already have the authority.
• We already have the authority.
• We already have the authority.
• We already have the authority.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Brian and Jacking with the Regional Water Authority in support.
• , the question—and I've been intimately involved in working on water bonds—is you need to know what's
• We're going to need to do another water bond in the near future, and if we have the plan, that's going
• So I want to thank the author for bringing the bill. And I think you're on the right track.
• And Coachella Valley Water District or the authority, what is their position on this?

Summary: The committee heard several water- and environment-related bills. SB 72, by Senator Caballero, would modernize the California Water Plan and set long-term water supply targets, including an interim goal of 9 million acre-feet of additional water by 2040. Supporters from water districts, local governments, business groups, and agricultural interests argued the bill is needed to address climate-driven shortages, protect the economy, and improve planning for droughts, flooding, recharge, recycling, storage, and conveyance. Opponents, including environmental and conservation groups, argued the bill could overstate demand, increase costs, and make it harder to protect instream flows and ecosystems. The committee discussed the science behind the 9 million acre-feet target and the need to balance water supply planning with fish and ecological needs. SB 72 passed on a do-pass motion to Appropriations. SB 369, by Senator Padilla, would require a local skilled and trained workforce for all Salton Sea restoration work. The author and sponsors said the bill would protect workers exposed to hazardous conditions at the Salton Sea, create good local jobs in Imperial County, and ensure long-term workforce standards for publicly funded restoration projects. Support came from labor organizations, contractors, and other regional stakeholders; no opposition testified. Members emphasized the region’s high unemployment and the importance of workforce development. The bill passed on a do-pass motion to Labor and Employment. SB 697, by Senator Laird, would update the stream system adjudication process by allowing the State Water Board to use modern technology, such as stream gauges and digitized records, when investigating water rights claims, while still allowing field investigations when needed. The author said the process has not been updated since 1976 and should be streamlined. After amendments addressed stakeholder concerns, there was no opposition testimony. The committee asked whether the bill would affect pre-1914 water rights, and the author said it would not. SB 697 passed as amended to Judiciary. The committee also approved consent calendar items SB 599, SB 609, and SB 765 earlier in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, any discussion is to get the bill into shape the author like. All in favor say aye. Aye.
• for allowing me to present House File 526 and also thank you Representative Kazowski for being a co-author
• I know you're also seeking bonding dollars and, you know, added strain on communities because there's
• I know you're also seeking bonding dollars and, you know, added strain on communities because there's
• I know you're also seeking bonding dollars and, you know, added strain on communities because there's

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This authority has been shut down.
• And I understand that for many of you, the premise is people are here without authorization and that
• The president has authorized the continuation of this meeting until completion of the edge.
• It would be hard to avoid the authorities before you enter.
• So remember, this is a statute that's focused on people who enter while avoiding the authorities.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The proposed committee substitute first proposes an amendment to the Florida Constitution to authorize
• The PCS also authorizes the Legislature to limit the increase in the assessed value of real property
• But this gives locals the ability and the authority to oversee and implement as they need.
• So that local authority then has the ability to cross-reference and do their research, because it does
• These bonds roughly add $10,000 to each home.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on March 27, 2025 and first considered HJR 1257 and its implementing bill, HB 1259, which would create two $25,000 property tax exemptions and an assessment cap for long-term rental properties owned by Floridians who also have a homestead in the state. Supporters argued the measure would increase long-term rental supply and help Florida residents, while opponents from counties and cities warned of a large revenue loss, potential tax shifts to businesses, and weak guardrails against abuse. Members raised concerns about wealthy owners holding many condos, possible family-member workarounds, and whether savings would actually reach tenants. The committee adopted an amendment to the implementing bill, then reported both measures favorably after party-line-leaning debate and recorded votes. The committee then unanimously reported HB 761, which limits deferred ad valorem and non-ad valorem tax relief to properties with a just value of $1 million or less and raises the minimum tax certificate sale amount from $250 to $500. Members also unanimously approved CS/HB 733 on brownfields, which expands and clarifies the state brownfields program, and two Osceola/Sunbridge local bills, CS/HB 4043 and HB 4059, dealing with special district infrastructure and district boundary expansion subject to voter approval. HB 995 on Areas of Critical State Concern, focused largely on the Florida Keys, was amended to remove the ad valorem tax exemption portion and to adjust the growth cap from 500 to 825 units, then was reported favorably. Later, the committee approved HB 6021, which repeals sales tax on all bullion purchases of gold, silver, and platinum, with supporters calling it a sound-money measure and critics asking about future revenue effects if related legal-tender legislation passes. Finally, the committee passed HB 1339, which excludes wind-damage mitigation improvements from assessed value for property tax purposes, after adopting a clarifying amendment about secondary water barriers. Throughout the meeting, most bills were reported favorably, often after brief debate and with little or no public testimony beyond support or opposition from affected local-government and industry groups.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we own, uh, Lake Houston and fund the Coastal Water Authority.
• And these are companies that can get billion-dollar bonds any day.
• Authority.
• I'm the general manager of Trinity River Authority.
• Unfortunately, Trinity River Authority has never been able to pay its full 30%.

Transcript Highlights:

• He added that this does not account for utilities or the bonding bill that just passed.
• We appreciate the bonding bill that passed.
• Chair, how is this part of the argument on the bonding bill?
• I think the big bonding bill, Mr.
• And there are funding sources, fee sources, for retiring the debt on the bonds.

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The committee heard a District 5 New Mexico Department of Transportation presentation from Rhonda Lopez, who reviewed the district’s FY26 budget, staffing vacancies, and the status of special appropriations from 2020 through 2025. She described numerous completed and ongoing projects across the district, including roadway overlays, bridge work, intersection improvements, ADA upgrades, and maintenance projects, and also summarized STIP, TPF, LGRF, and equipment needs. Members asked about a guardrail issue near U.S. 64 in Hogback, the 5% local match for TPF projects, and the status of the New Mexico 371/U.S. 36 intersection funding agreement with the Navajo Nation; DOT said the match is secured or waived where applicable and that the Navajo agreement is nearly finalized. The committee then heard House Bill 270, which would amend the Public Works Apprentice Training Act to require contributions to apprenticeship and training programs for certain public works contracts, including highway-related work, while creating an exception where no approved apprenticeship program exists for a trade classification. The sponsor said the bill was intended to strengthen workforce development and support apprenticeship training. Contractors and asphalt industry representatives opposed the bill, arguing it would raise road project costs and duplicate existing training contributions. A motion to table failed on a tie, and a later motion to pass also failed on a tie, leaving the bill in committee. Next, the committee heard House Bill 322, which would create a transportation trust fund and transportation program fund, dedicate additional revenue sources including a portion of electricity GRT and motor vehicle excise tax, and begin annual distributions for federal matching funds in 2029. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would help address a multi-billion-dollar road funding gap, improve maintenance, and provide a stable source for matching federal dollars. Some members raised concerns about the electricity tax component, its effect on utility bills, and overlap with recently enacted transportation financing measures; others supported the concept but questioned timing and funding priorities. A motion on the bill resulted in a tie and failed, leaving the bill in committee. The meeting concluded with a District 4 NMDOT legislative presentation. The district outlined its geography, budget, staffing vacancy rate, completed special appropriations, active construction and maintenance projects, wildfire-related recovery work, local government funding allocations, and equipment replacement needs. Members asked about school district uses of local funding and the impact of aging equipment and weather on maintenance costs. The presentation ended without any formal action on District 4 items, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• empowered to both Palestinian Authority empowered to both govern<00:10:17.279> in<00:10:17.480
• And despite what the authors of this legislation have said, many of those organizations have already
• standing up the Great Lakes Authority standing up the Great Lakes Authority and<01:19:39.080>
• Authorities across the country as it Authorities across the country as it should<02:37:12.880> be<
• States. made the bond market made the bond market nervous<05:25:48.360> oh<05:25:48.558> but

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, 1012, house, all