Transcript Highlights:

• We are convening the House Committee on Finance in Conference Room 306 at the Hawaii State Capitol, scheduled
• I'm Robin Magastadman with the Hawaii State Ethics Commission.
• Hawaii State Ethics Commission in support.

Bills: HB2240, HB2272, HB2273, HB2274, HB2275

Keywords: appropriations, legislative expenses, auditor, legislative reference bureau, state ethics commission, ombudsman, government transparency, HB2272, Act 026, public employment cost items, emergency appropriations, collective bargaining, bargaining unit 11, BU-11, state employees, excluded employees, salary increases, cost adjustments, health premium payments, benefits

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• access to state support, forcing them to rely more heavily on state and local dollars than other districts
• We see community forest popping up kind of all over the state.
• , county road, or a state highway, those sorts of things.
• We've helped invest in several communities on state lands throughout the state to build things.
• and the west side of the state were both being considered.

Bills: HB2470, HB2353, HB2420, HB2338

Keywords: HB2470, school construction assistance, capital budget, school facilities, on-base schools, military base schools, military installations, public school construction, school plant projects, state funding assistance, superintendent of public instruction, OSPI, school capital funding, instructional space, school district construction, alternative learning experience, ALE, free and reduced-price meals, special housing burden, district growth

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• This is why we support adding in-state residency and employment requirements and focusing state aid on
• When looking at projected employment growth or the highest number of job openings in the state, state
• Our state colleges, our state universities, and the University of Minnesota, and my question is why?
• A lot of state investment into our state colleges and universities.
• the state of Minnesota.

Bills: HF2634, HF2241, HF2649, HF2520, HF2610

Keywords: North Star Promise, scholarship, higher education, Minnesota Office of Higher Education, in-demand jobs, workforce development, career training, job market, high-demand occupations, high-demand industries, college aid, state financial aid, FAFSA, student eligibility, program of study, degree program, certificate program, community college, university, labor market data

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• And I should state that 25% of the students at Winona State University come from Wisconsin alone and
• Minnesota State doesn't charge out-of-state tuition.
• </c><00:59:59.359><c> Other</c><00:59:59.680><c> states</c> the state of Minnesota.
• Other states the state of Minnesota.
• </c> gone or out of state for multiple years. gone or out of state for multiple years.

Bills: HF2634, HF2241, HF2649, HF2520, HF2610

Keywords: North Star Promise, scholarship, higher education, Minnesota Office of Higher Education, in-demand jobs, workforce development, career training, job market, high-demand occupations, high-demand industries, college aid, state financial aid, FAFSA, student eligibility, program of study, degree program, certificate program, community college, university, labor market data

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• As it stands today, you can leave the State of Oklahoma, if there's another state that allows these types
• , but referring a child out of state.
• entity that received state payer or, State tax dollars, no conversations, no access to, like we said
• Now we're seeing states such as New York State, of all places, now stand up and protect children.
• state.

Bills: HB3057, HB3130, HB3310, HB3314, HB3985, HB4113, HB4486

Keywords: government reporting, information technology, child welfare, environmental policy, state agency compliance, gender transition, minors, health services, punitive damages, parental rights, health care providers, purchasing, compliance, state employees, longevity pay, contract management, marijuana tax, public service impact tax, county funding, voter approval

Transcript Highlights:

• , but referring a child out of state.
• who receive state health insurance.
• Now we're seeing states such as New York State, of all places, now stand up and protecting children.
• They would hope that the priority of funding in our state, or really in their community, not the state
• At the end of the day, cities only exist in the state of Oklahoma because the state of Oklahoma's government

Bills: HB3057, HB3130, HB3310, HB3314, HB3985, HB4113, HB4486

Keywords: government reporting, information technology, child welfare, environmental policy, state agency compliance, gender transition, minors, health services, punitive damages, parental rights, health care providers, purchasing, compliance, state employees, longevity pay, contract management, marijuana tax, public service impact tax, county funding, voter approval

Summary: The committee opened with prayer and then took up several bills, beginning with HB 3057, a government efficiency cleanup measure that removes more than 50 obsolete statutory report requirements. A member raised a concern that the bill might inadvertently remove language related to a child abuse response team, and the sponsor said that would be corrected before floor consideration. HB 3057 was then approved 14-0 and sent to the floor. Members then debated HB 313, which prohibits state funds from being used for gender reassignment surgeries. The sponsor said the bill is intended to ensure taxpayer dollars are not used for such procedures, while opponents argued it goes beyond funding restrictions and could affect adults, referrals, private conversations, and medical judgment. Supporters framed it as protecting children and public funds. After debate, the bill passed 16-3. The committee also approved HB 4113, clarifying that people with felony convictions regain voting rights after completing incarceration, parole, supervision, and probation, and HB 3310, the Agency Accountability and Budget Transparency Act, both by 15-0 votes. The committee next considered HB 3314, a county-option marijuana public safety impact fee allowing a 15% tax on retail marijuana sales. Questions focused on the 5% petition threshold and who should initiate the tax request, and the sponsor said he was open to changes. The bill passed 12-3. Members then debated HB 3985, which would create a private cause of action against certain large municipalities, mainly in the two largest metro areas, for failing to enforce laws related to issues such as camping, loitering, and panhandling. Opponents said it intrudes on municipal home rule and could raise constitutional issues; supporters said it would encourage cities to enforce their own laws. It also passed 12-3. Finally, the committee approved HB 4486, authorizing a Gold Star Family Memorial Monument funded by the Woody Williams Foundation, after discussion about how it fits with existing veterans memorials at the Capitol. The bill passed 14-0. The chair announced the committee would meet again on Tuesday and then adjourned.

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• </c> United States and the state of United States and the state of Minnesota.<00:27:08.880><c> And</c
• So, correct, federal has federal laws and state have state laws.
• :24.400><c> for</c><01:01:24.640><c> state</c><01:01:24.880><c> and</c> stated, the the overlap for state
• and stated, the the overlap for state and federal<01:01:25.680><c> state</c><01:01:25.839><c> and</c
• </c> for our state peace officers? for our state peace officers?

Bills: HF3477, HF3414, HF103, HF3661, HF3146

Keywords: civil rights, law enforcement, federal collaboration, accountability, state law, constitutional rights, color of law, 42 U.S.C. 1983, section 1983, civil action, damages, injunctive relief, attorney fees, law enforcement task force, federal-state cooperation, intergovernmental agreement, federal agency partnership, Minnesota Constitution, U.S. Constitution, police accountability

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• State Representative, we'll be a suci.
• I am State Representative Theresa Martinez, LD-16.
• Chairman, members, there are 31 states that have enacted state programs.
• Shepherd members, there are 31 states that have enacted state programs.
• state.

Bills: HB2352, HB2388, HB2418, HB2499, HB2500, HB2579, HB2584, HB2804

Keywords: funding, auditor general, county treasurer, procedural reviews, state appropriations, HB2388, Arizona Commerce Authority, ACA, small modular reactor, SMR, nuclear energy, advanced nuclear, data center, data centers, economic development, study, appropriation, general fund, jobs, wages

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• That's the reason I'm stating that.
• It's a hot issue across the United States. Florida and Tennessee just passed bills.
• I think there are now something like 31 states... Tennessee just passed bills.
• A number of states have banned this. It's banned throughout Europe.
• And I was aware that there were still flights of gray wolf pups into the state.

Bills: SB1005, SB1202, SB1278, SB1279, SB1280, SB1287

Keywords: cosmetics, animal testing, prohibition, manufacturers, sales regulation, state preemption, groundwater, water conservation, Arizona water resources, drought management, water quality, solar radiation management, environment, regulation, Arizona Revised Statutes, weather modification, licensing, environmental impact, public safety, cloud seeding

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• And there's, what, 32 transits in the state of Washington.
• The State Route 165 Fairfax Bridge across the Carbon River.
• A clear, accountable response when state infrastructure fails.
• Yes, our national parks, State.
• We can't get there because of state action.

Bills: HB2550, HB2645, HB2109, HB2134, HB2323

Keywords: transit, community colleges, student transportation, free rides, public transportation, HB 2645, HB2645, Fairfax Bridge, State Route 165, SR 165, Carbon River, Washington State Department of Transportation, WSDOT, emergency infrastructure replacement, bridge collapse, bridge closure, transportation emergency, public safety, infrastructure repair, bridge replacement

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• The benefits also span across the entire state all the way to Spokane County.
• We are a nonprofit working on transportation issues in the state.
• No fiscal impact was identified by State Patrol or the Traffic Safety Commission.
• So the definitions in state law... ...a federal statute that defines this?
• Route 520 floating bridge, the State Route 99 tunnel, new sections of State Route 167 and State Route

Bills: HB2307, HB2374, HB2379, HB1823, HB2111

Keywords: commute trip reduction, definitions, transportation, environmental impact, urban planning, electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, regulation, vehicle classification, tolling, emergency suspension, public access, state highways, transportation improvement board, TIB, transportation improvement account, motor vehicle fund, arterial streets, local match, private match

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• </c><00:01:58.719><c> of</c> executive branch in the state of executive branch in the state of Minnesota
• </c> welcome to the committee please state welcome to the committee please state your<00:05:06.759><c
• He said Minnesota is state administered and state supervised, county administered, and that Minnesota
• He said Minnesota is state administered and state supervised, county administered, and one of 10 states
• Are getting state grants, state funding, for some of the work that they do.

Bills: HF1, HF98

Keywords: Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices, government transparency, accountability, law enforcement referrals, sanctions, debarment, payment withholding, public assistance fraud

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• </c> former well, she's a retired state former well, she's a retired state employee employee employee
• EMS director for the entire state.
• EMS director for the there as a state EMS director for the entire<00:28:28.000><c> state.
• In other states, the ERISA plans have participated. Not in all states.
• In other states, the ERISA plans have participated. Not in all states.

Bills: HB424, SB63, SB269

Keywords: HB424, Montgomery County, sheriff, county sheriff, salary increase, expense allowance, local act, county general fund, retirement contributions, public official compensation, law enforcement pay, elected official salary, Montgomery County legislation, sheriff compensation, term-based salary, immigration, law enforcement, fingerprints, DNA collection, illegal aliens

Bills: SB48, HB250, SB17

Keywords: State Fairgrounds District, fairgrounds bonds, public financing, bond authorization, gross receipts tax, gaming tax, tax-backed bonds, infrastructure funding, Albuquerque fairgrounds, State Fair Tid, economic development, municipal bonds, revenue pledge, capital projects, New Mexico finance, technology, innovation, advisory board, entrepreneurial support, stakeholder representation

Transcript Highlights:

• So you'll have a minute to state your opinion. You'll have a minute to state your opinion.
• In the state right now.
• We have around the state.
• But I think that in a good chunk of our state, that is a good chunk of our state.
• Madam Chair, we have laws in this state. Madam Chair, we have laws in this state.

Bills: SB48, HB250, SB17

Keywords: State Fairgrounds District, fairgrounds bonds, public financing, bond authorization, gross receipts tax, gaming tax, tax-backed bonds, infrastructure funding, Albuquerque fairgrounds, State Fair Tid, economic development, municipal bonds, revenue pledge, capital projects, New Mexico finance, technology, innovation, advisory board, entrepreneurial support, stakeholder representation

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• It prohibits the state protocol officer, the Secretary of State, from encouraging a sister city or sister
• state affiliation.
• The state protocol officer, the Secretary of State, is prohibited from encouraging a sister city or sister
• state affiliation with a foreign country of concern or its subdivision, and the Department of State
• states to help them build out state solutions to national security problems.

Bills: S1622, S1178

Keywords: financial disclosure, statement of financial interests, ethics, late filing, late-filed disclosure, automatic fine, waiver, Florida Commission on Ethics, public officials, state officers, local officers, state employees, ethics enforcement, government transparency, sunshine law, reporting persons, penalty reduction, first-time offender, election ethics, general revenue fund

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and first took up Senate Bill 1178, the Foreign Interference Restriction and Enforcement Act, sponsored by Senator Garcia. The bill would expand state restrictions on foreign countries of concern and designated foreign terrorist organizations, including creating a state registration framework for foreign agents, banning gifts to public officials from covered foreign entities, requiring ethics training on foreign influence, tightening procurement limits for information technology and critical infrastructure, restricting sister-city/sister-state encouragement, revising linkage institute rules and tuition provisions, and criminalizing certain conduct tied to foreign governments or unauthorized enforcement of foreign law. Members asked extensive questions about how the bill would affect election technology, software development, federal foreign-agent registration, educational exchanges, and the treatment of organizations such as CARE; the sponsor said the bill focused on ownership/control and foreign countries of concern, not specific components or general participation in events. An amendment by Senator Grall was adopted to clarify definitions, align penalties with willful violations, and specify that new ethics training content is additive. The committee then heard supportive testimony from Kelly Curry of State Armor and Rob Pierce of American Global Strategies, both of whom argued the bill would help Florida counter foreign influence, protect data and infrastructure, and improve transparency. CS for SB 1178 was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1622, which provides a one-time waiver of the automatic fine for a late-filed financial disclosure under specified conditions, including that the filer submitted the disclosure before the maximum fine accrued and had not previously received such a waiver. Carrie Stillman of the Commission on Ethics testified in support, saying the bill preserves transparency and compliance goals while making the fine and appeals process more workable. The bill was reported favorably by roll call vote. Finally, the committee took up confirmation hearings for appointments in tabs 3 through 26. No separate votes were requested, no public testimony was offered, and the block of appointees was recommended favorably to the full Senate by roll call vote. The meeting then concluded with no further business.

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• And the great state of Texas prospers. If you'll look at... Texas, they'll stay in rural Texas.
• And the great state of Texas prospers.
• They're all coming from the great state of Texas.
• And here in Texas, with four million people living in rural Texas, that would be the 25th largest state
• if rural Texas was its own state.

Bills: HB42, HB125

Keywords: special prosecutor, state law, criminal justice, accountability, law enforcement, stormwater management, counties, regulation, environment, water quality

Summary: The Committee on Higher Education met to hear several bills and first corrected the minutes from its April 1, 2025 meeting to reflect that a committee substitute for HB 271 had been adopted before the bill was reported favorably. The committee then heard HB 3326, which would help Texas higher education employees, especially adjunct faculty, qualify for federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness by counting classroom hours toward full-time status, requiring institutions to verify employment within 60 days, and requiring annual notice to eligible employees. No witnesses testified against the bill, and it was left pending. Members then heard HB 2853, authorizing UTEP to phase in a student union fee increase to fund demolition and reconstruction of its aging student union. Representative Perez and UTEP student and university witnesses said the current facility is outdated and insufficient for a campus of more than 25,000 students, while some members raised concerns about the size of the fee increase and its impact on low-income students. UTEP representatives said most students receive aid, the fee would be phased in over time, and the project was student-approved; the bill was left pending. The committee also heard HB 4066, a one-line bill to abolish the Texas Research Incentive Program after the state cleared its backlog of matching obligations, with the author saying the program was no longer needed in light of newer research funding approaches. The bill was left pending. The committee spent substantial time on HB 125, which would create the Tarleton State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Supporters, including Tarleton leadership, the founding dean, a rural hospital CEO, and a feasibility consultant, argued the school would address severe rural physician shortages by recruiting Texas and rural students, training them in rural settings, and developing new residency slots rather than competing for existing ones. Members asked about affordability, residency placement, and whether the school would draw students from rural Texas; Tarleton said it would seek to keep tuition and debt low, had already raised private donations, and would request $25 million in state support over the biennium. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard HB 42, which would increase the annual Higher Education Fund appropriation and adjust its allocation methodology. The chair and university witnesses described rising deferred maintenance, inflation, cybersecurity needs, and enrollment growth at HEAF-eligible institutions, with witnesses from Texas Tech, Sam Houston State, and UNT saying the additional funding would help address aging facilities and technology needs. After testimony, the committee left HB 42 pending and recessed.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do a lot of across the state driving and working on These projects.
• House Bill 49193 members just simply seeks to prevent state contracts and state taxpayer funds from flowing
• There's latitude granted to the state purchasing director, which, by the way, OMES and the state purchasing
• This bill's been adopted by several states already.
• I'm not aware of any of our state banks that are having trouble.

Bills: HB1245, HB2588, HB3024, HB3172, HB3279, HB3919, HB3306, HB3383, HB3431, HB3435, HB4352, HB3883, HB3942, HB4193, HB4203, HB4303, HB4311, HB4484

Keywords: retirement, pension, public employees, Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, benefits, survivorship, contribution rates, disability retirement, owners associations, membership requirements, property ownership, board governance, residency requirements, salary increase, state employees, public finance, bonus limits, job performance, Fair Banking Act, financial institutions

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• House Bill 4193, members, simply seeks to prevent state contracts and state taxpayer funds from flowing
• House Bill 493 members just simply seeks to prevent state contracts and state taxpayer funds from flowing
• It's supposed to be that they travel out of state or around the state.
• It's supposed to be that they travel out of state or around the state.
• It's supposed to be if they travel out of state or around the state.

Bills: HB1245, HB2588, HB3024, HB3172, HB3279, HB3919, HB3306, HB3383, HB3431, HB3435, HB4352, HB3883, HB3942, HB4193, HB4203, HB4303, HB4311, HB4484

Keywords: retirement, pension, public employees, Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System, benefits, survivorship, contribution rates, disability retirement, owners associations, membership requirements, property ownership, board governance, residency requirements, salary increase, state employees, public finance, bonus limits, job performance, Fair Banking Act, financial institutions

Summary: The Government Oversight Committee met with a quorum and heard a series of bills, beginning with HB 3942, which tightens the state’s incentive evaluation process; it passed 11-0. HB 4203, allowing the Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission to explore guidelines for small multifamily housing of eight units or fewer and four stories or less, passed 10-1. HB 2588, which requires HOA board members to own and live in the HOA, passed 12-0, and HB 3024, limiting large agency pay raises/stipends to 10% unless reported through OMES, passed 12-0. HB 3383, limiting state employees to 14-hour shifts in a 24-hour period with emergency exceptions, passed 10-2, and HB 3279, a cleanup bill related to last year’s government corruption legislation, passed 12-0. The committee also advanced HB 3919, reducing county fair board size from nine to five members at county option to address quorum problems, and HB 3883, which imposes utility-system inspection, notice, and backflow-preventer-related requirements on governing bodies in exchange for reducing litigation exposure; both passed 12-0. HB 4193, as amended, would restrict state contracts and taxpayer funds from going to foreign adversaries or related entities, with exceptions and purchasing-director discretion; it passed 9-3. HB 3431 expanded foreign-adversary property restrictions to critical rare earth minerals and passed 13-0. HB 3435, a municipal bond single-subject bill, passed 12-0, and HB 4352, a Uniform Law Commission mortgage refinance update, passed 13-0. Later, HB 4484, allowing Corporation Commission employees to take state vehicles home for travel purposes under existing-style oversight, passed 13-0. Committee members then presented HB 1245, moving certain DHS Inspector General law enforcement officers into hazardous pay retirement coverage; it passed 13-0. HB 3172, the Fair Banking Act, would limit adverse banking actions against lawful economic activity at large banks and create a complaint/reason-request process; after extensive questions about thresholds, exceptions, and constitutional issues, it passed 11-3. HB 3306, increasing transparency requirements for campaign statement-of-organization reporting with a $400 threshold and a delayed effective date, passed 14-0. The committee laid over HB 4303 and HB 4311 until the next meeting and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This saves $282,000 of general fund state in 2027 and $564,000 of general fund state in 2029.
• These are general fund state costs.
• Amendment 17 by Senator Gildon limits the amount the state may retain to only the general fund state
• state institutions, state agencies, and any unit of local government, including, but not limited to,
• For non-state-funded TTK children.

Bills: SB5808, HB2254, HB2385, SB6006, SB6351, SB6198, SB6260, SB6353, SB5949, SB6129, SB6228, SB6231, SB6229, SB6173

Keywords: health insurance, premium assistance, funding, healthcare access, state budget, HB 2254, Washington, Health Care Authority, partnership access line, psychiatric consultation line, first approach skills training, behavioral health, mental health, assessment, administrative costs, health carriers, self-funded plans, multiple employer welfare arrangement, MEWA, employers