Transcript Highlights:

• And we're using a median price of $3,500 per acre as the median price, as opposed to an average price
• Unfortunately, depending on where you are and where the mills are located, that kind of will drive the prices
• example, coastal Dixie County and you have to haul it to Valdosta, Georgia, you know, the timber prices

Summary: The Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Committee met with a quorum and heard two Department of Agriculture presentations. First, the Director of Rural and Family Lands described the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, which buys development rights through perpetual conservation easements on private agricultural land to preserve farming, wildlife habitat, water resources, and open space while keeping land taxable and avoiding state maintenance costs. He said the program has expanded rapidly since 2023 through streamlined applications, templates, and an online portal, increasing acreage protected from about 66,000 acres through 2022 to more than 210,000 acres, with a higher share in the Florida wildlife corridor. He also said review times were reduced by more than 85 days and that projects under $5 million can move faster under statutory authority. The department is seeking $200 million in nonrecurring funding on top of $100 million recurring, citing 203 existing projects and 224 new applications totaling nearly $2 billion in estimated need. Members asked about the scientific ranking process, South Florida participation, project prioritization, maintenance responsibilities, and whether landowners can exit the program; staff said land remains privately owned, easements are in perpetuity, and partnerships and cost-sharing are prioritized. The committee then heard from the Florida Forest Service director, who outlined the agency’s dual mission of wildfire response and land management. He said the service responds to roughly 2,200 to 2,500 wildfires annually, manages 38 state forests and one ranch totaling more than 1.1 million acres, and receives about 15 million visitors each year. He highlighted the impact of Senate Bill 1638 gaming compact funds, which provided $32 million for land management, recreation, equipment, roads, invasive species control, habitat restoration, prescribed burning, reforestation, and staffing support. He said Florida leads the nation in prescribed fire, with 277,818 acres burned on state forests last year and 2.47 million acres burned statewide, and noted ongoing restoration work such as Picayune Strand. He also described challenges including aging equipment, deferred maintenance, contractor availability, and timber market instability caused by hurricanes and mill closures, and suggested longer-term funding and a higher capital asset allowance. Members discussed timber markets, public communication and marketing, recreation fees, and coordination with other agencies and FDOT. The meeting ended with the chair noting that next week’s meeting would report out agency conversations and budget recommendations, and the committee rose.

Transcript Highlights:

• possible retail price that makes it competitive with every other solar product.
• And the way electricity is priced is typically upon what the high point is reached.
• And as more and more of these price.
• <01:29:20.400> comes price comes price comes down.<01:29:22.639> Mr.
• for solar rather than a mandated highest possible price for solar in the bill.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our gas prices, when you're talking about sales tax impact, our gas prices are the highest in the nation
• We know how cost of living has risen, and gasoline prices alone in L.A. and the North County area are
• the person who's in the White House, who's making the kind of decisions that have driven up our gas prices

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate committee heard AB 1768, authored by Assembly Member Brian, which would allow Los Angeles County and Contra Costa County voters to consider a local sales tax increase to help replace health care and safety-net funding lost to federal cuts, including impacts tied to H.R. 1 and Medicaid reimbursement reductions. The author and supporters argued the bill simply gives local voters the authority to decide how to respond to clinic closures, staffing shortages, and projected losses affecting Medi-Cal, CalFresh, hospitals, and community health centers. Support came from the California Primary Care Association, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, California Professional Firefighters, SEIU California, Teamsters California, the California Federation of Labor Unions, electrical and pipe trades groups, AFSCME California, and Contra Costa County. Opposition came from the cities of Glendale and Burbank, and several senators raised concerns that the measure would increase taxes and burden residents already facing high costs of living. Senator Seyarto argued the state should address its own spending and questioned whether the federal government was truly responsible for the funding shortfalls, while Senator Choi said the proposal would add to taxpayers’ burdens and could set a precedent for other local tax requests. Supporters responded that the bill does not impose a tax itself, but only permits county voters to decide whether to approve one. Senator Arreguin moved the bill for a due pass recommendation to the Senate floor. The committee approved the motion on a 5-2 vote, with the bill passing out of committee and being placed on the Senate floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Price. Thomas. Weber. Price, Thomas, Weber—okay, with only five present, we do not have a quorum.
• Price? Price? Thomas? Weber? No.

Summary: The committee met without a quorum at first, but proceeded with public hearings on two Senate bills. Senate Bill 944, sponsored by Sen. Carla May, would update the statutory salary range for the City of St. Louis sheriff’s attorney, which she said has been unchanged since 1990 and no longer reflects inflation, modern legal demands, or comparable compensation in other jurisdictions. Rep. Fuchs offered supportive remarks, and there was no opposition or informational testimony. No vote was taken on SB 944 during the hearing. The committee then heard Senate Bill 1012, sponsored by Sen. Nicola, a broad artificial intelligence bill intended to clarify that AI is not a legal person, that humans remain responsible for AI-assisted decisions, and that licensed professionals must retain independent judgment. The bill also addressed companion chatbots, election-related AI disclosures, and other consumer protections. Supporters of the bill’s general accountability approach were not present in testimony, but opponents from Americans for Prosperity and the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry argued the bill was overly broad, could chill innovation, and contained numerous drafting and cross-reference errors, including unused definitions and inconsistent metadata requirements. Members questioned how liability would apply to end users and noted the need for clearer drafting. After public testimony, the committee moved into executive session on SB 1012. A motion was made for do pass, but the roll call resulted in zero ayes and 11 noes, and the bill was voted failed. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We all know how it the price goes down.
• It is a highly price-controlled market for the end-use consumer, for the patient.
• , has a lower enduse price, has a lower enduse price, a<01:33:19.040> lower<01:33:19.520><
• > patient a lower co-pay price for the patient a lower co-pay price for the patient than<01:33
• . cheaper drug price.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the previous day’s journal, and received a long list of bill status reports and enrollments. It also introduced Senate Bill 168, concerning reporting of money handled by legislative caucuses, and Senate Bill 169, a non-substantive revision bill for the Colorado Revised Statutes. The chamber then agreed to proceed out of order for moments of personal privilege and recognized the Denver and Colorado Springs chapters of The Links, Incorporated for Lynx Day at the Capitol. The Senate next took up a special-order consent calendar containing House Bill 1110, Senate Bill 78, and Senate Bill 151. All three committee reports and the bills themselves were adopted without objection, and the Committee of the Whole report was later adopted by a 35-0 vote. As reported, Senate Bill 78 was amended, Senate Bill 151 passed second reading and was ordered engrossed, and House Bill 1110 was amended, passed second reading, and ordered revised for third reading and final passage. The chamber then moved to special orders on Senate Bill 6 and Senate Bill 15, and the transcript focuses mainly on Senate Bill 6, which would require health insurers to offer at least one non-opioid pain medication option. Supporters argued the bill would expand access to safer pain-management alternatives, reduce opioid addiction, and encourage innovation; several members shared personal or professional experiences with opioid harms. Opponents argued the bill would mandate newer, more expensive drugs when less costly alternatives already exist and could raise health care costs. The debate continued in the excerpt, but no final vote on Senate Bill 6 is shown here.

Transcript Highlights:

• According to the Food Research Action Center, the benefits of a free or reduced-price school lunch, it
• school lunches um to help reduced price school lunches um to help with<01:06:13.200> reducing
• <01:06:24.480> school<01:06:24.799> lunch of a free or reduced priced school lunch
• of a free or reduced priced school lunch it<01:06:25.279> says Aloha.
• Seasonal pricing is something that I feel able... yeah. Okay. Okay. Mahalo. Thank you very much.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some families who have the means are paying a high price, but the average student price is not increasing
• at the rate of the published price.
• at the rate of the published price.
• at the rate of the published price.
• at the rate of the published price.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We had quite a bit of feedback on whether the surcharge should be tied to a vehicle's retail price or
• And so the um retail price or value.
• We should provide tax benefits or credits to bring down the initial purchase price of EVs.
• to bring down the initial purchase price to bring down the initial purchase price of<00:23:04.720
• In 2025, the average price of a new EV was in the range of $50,000 to $55,000.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• also have to look at what prices may go up if we don't have them.
• If you continue to have fewer and fewer, the prices keep going up.
• also have to look at what prices may go up if we don't have them.
• at what prices may go up if we don't have them.
• <00:51:38.920> and upward pressure on housing prices and upward pressure on housing prices

Bills: HF1277, HF812, HF457, HF633

Keywords: data centers, tax exemption, Minnesota statutes, economic development, employment growth, income tax, tax brackets, tax adjustments, Minnesota, tax policy, underutilized buildings, adaptive reuse, building conversion, historic preservation, downtown revitalization, vacant property, vacancy reduction, refundable tax credit, income tax credit, grant in lieu of credit

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's a price increase or that's going to hit people.
• So that's a price increase or that's going to hit people.
• So that's a price increase or that's going to hit people.
• So I just don't like... significantly so that's a price uh significantly so that's a price uh increase
• Seniors are very concerned they're going to get priced out of their homes.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee’s first official meeting was framed as an informational session, with the chair saying no legislation would be acted on and that testimony would focus on what is working and not working for businesses and workers in Minnesota. The stated topics included earned sick and safe time, paid family and medical leave, labor shortages, and broader business climate concerns. The chair also noted the absence of DFL members and invited questions to be held until the end so testifiers could present fully. Lauren Shodor of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce argued that Minnesota’s business climate has worsened because of high taxes, rising costs, regulation, and new workplace mandates. She cited chamber survey and research findings saying more businesses are considering leaving the state, that Minnesota companies are investing more in other states than vice versa, and that the state lags national growth rates. She said employers are especially concerned about earned sick and safe time and the upcoming paid family and medical leave program, which the chamber believes add compliance burdens and costs, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses. Matt Hilgart of the Association of Minnesota Counties said the new leave laws affect county budgets and operations because labor is the main county cost and services are often state-mandated. He said the programs were imposed outside the collective bargaining process and can duplicate existing county benefits, increase costs, and create staffing and service challenges. He asked for changes including clearer premium-sharing language, exclusion of elected officials and short-term election workers from paid leave requirements, better exemption and private-plan rules, coordination requirements for intermittent leave, and more clarity for essential employees during weather emergencies. Owen Worth of the League of Minnesota Cities said cities are facing similar implementation problems, with overlapping leave policies and concerns about stacking state and federal leave rules, and he indicated the league would support changes to reduce administrative and budget pressures on cities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most of that strength that you're seeing in the price of oil today will be fueling when that money comes
• It can't stay up for the price it is.
• Seems like we're on the roller coaster price-wise, but maybe our general fund can handle a lot of the
• Those high oil prices don't necessarily end up in the general fund.
• And you know what we missed is maybe extremely high oil prices.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tens of billions of tax dollars wasted in gas prices through the roof.
• Because since Donald Trump's election, gasoline Prices have skyrocketed.
• Now, that is more than just a psychotic lack of empathy, because he also said When oil prices go up,
• After that, crashed the price. And now those liver transplant centers are not needed.
• biggest growth of our spending is within those health care categories, what can we do to lower the price

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, June 25, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• FORCED ACCOUNT LABOR IS THE LOWEST PRICE POINT IS THE BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK YOU CAN GET.
• THERE IS NO LOWER PRICE POINT THAN CITY COUNTY STATE STAFF. WE CANNOT DO AN UP CHARGE.
• THERE IS NO LOWER OR COST-EFFECTIVE PRICE POINT THAN THIS.
• TO GO TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO GET SO THIS IS OUR LOWEST PRICE POINT.
• IN THIS ECONOMY WE NEED TO HAVE PRICE CERTAINTY.

Transcript Highlights:

• you have to look at in a longer-term planning analysis like this, it requires forecasting of gas prices
• forecasting of where generation will site in the future, and things like that, where there's... ...prices
• I agree, but we have to do it at a price that makes sense. So absolutely, I appreciate it.
• HB 3388 will provide new options to group shopping the market and promote competitive pricing by enabling
• HB 3388 will provide new options to group shopping the market and promote competitive pricing by enabling

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and took up a long list of pending House bills, most of them on motions by Senator King or Senator Campbell. The committee adopted committee substitutes and favorably reported numerous bills, including HB 252, HB 700, HB 1500, HB 1545, HB 1562, HB 1732, HB 267, HB 2213, HB 2221, HB 2520, HB 2818, HB 3016, HB 3214, HB 3250, HB 3512, HB 3623, HB 3689, HB 3833, HB 4063, HB 4395, HB 4690, HB 4751, HB 5331, HB 3824, HB 4464, HB 4468, and HB 5247. Most of these were sent to the local and uncontested calendar, while some, including sunset and other significant measures, were reported to the full Senate. HB 146 was the only bill reported out on a divided vote, passing 6 ayes to 4 nays. Several bills received brief explanation of committee substitute changes. HB 3016, dealing with rental car collision damage waivers and stolen vehicles, was amended to change a cooperation standard from “fully cooperate” to simply “cooperate.” HB 3689, a major ESF/TWA financing bill, was described as making technical changes to align terminology with the Comptroller’s authority and to avoid creating state debt or new liability. HB 5247, a capital cost recovery bill for transmission in the Permian Basin, was revised to clarify how the new mechanism fits with existing Utilities Code provisions and to add a 2035 expiration date. HB 3824, the battery fire safety bill, also received technical changes to align terminology with industry usage. The committee heard public testimony on several pending measures. HB 3069, which would direct the PUC to develop supplemental multi-decade planning criteria for transmission certificates in ERCOT, drew support from industry, environmental, and manufacturing witnesses who said it would help address congestion costs while balancing consumer protections; the bill was left pending. HB 5196, requiring state agencies to adopt and post telework policies and use written telework agreements, received both support and concern: supporters said it would preserve productivity and retention, while a senator raised concerns about notice and family logistics; it was left pending after testimony. HB 3112, allowing closed deliberations on cybersecurity policy details, was laid out and left pending after brief discussion. HCR 102, supporting federal nuclear tax credits, drew testimony from nuclear industry and energy advocates, who argued the credits are essential for existing plants, new nuclear development, grid reliability, and U.S. competitiveness; the resolution was left pending, with discussion about whether the language should focus more exclusively on nuclear. HB 705, creating a cosmetology licensure compact, was supported by industry, employers, and compact experts as a mobility tool that preserves state authority; HB 3516, expanding a public information exemption for Railroad Commission administrative law judges and technical examiners, and HB 3388, authorizing group property and casualty coverage for personal lines, were also heard and left pending. At the end of the meeting, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Price gouging of essential goods is part of that, meaning exorbitant prices for fuel, food, medicine,
• However, statutorily, only the Attorney General can prosecute price gouging during a declared disaster
• looking up recent disasters and during Hurricane Beryl last year, there were 113 complaints about price
• handle deceptive trade practice cases in our local communities, have concurrent jurisdiction to handle price
• our community where businesses, certain individuals took advantage of community members and raised prices

Bills: HB74, HB175

Keywords: environmental project, public money, political subdivision, greenhouse gas emissions, federal law compliance, renewable energy, water conservation, retroactive child support, child conception, paternity, family law, health care expenses

Transcript Highlights:

• How will direct sales to vendors impact consumer pricing? Will it impact it at all?
• think if anything, you're skipping a middleman to a point, but I don't think this is really about pricing
• How will direct sales to vendors impact consumer pricing? Will it impact it at all? You recognize.
• unmonitored sales agreements between manufacturers and vendors, making it harder to regulate fair pricing
• And the bill sponsor wasn't clear on if the direct sales was going to affect consumer pricing.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard seven measures, including four bills and three proposed committee substitutes. HB 6033, repealing the Labor Pool Act, was presented as a cleanup measure to remove duplicative regulation; supporters argued workers would still be covered by OSHA, wage laws, workers’ compensation, and liability insurance, while opponents raised concerns about losing specific protections for day laborers. The bill was reported favorably on a 4-? vote, with several members voting no over concerns about worker protections. HB 453, dealing with pool and spa contractors, was described as a technical update to Chapter 489 that would better align licensing scopes with current industry practice and allow contractors to perform related work without stopping for additional licensed trades. An amendment making only drafting changes was adopted, and the bill passed unanimously. CS/HB 277 on veteran benefits assistance was also reported favorably unanimously after testimony focused on protecting veterans from predatory claims-assistance practices while preserving choice and requiring disclosures, fee limits, and data-security safeguards. The committee then approved PCS for HB 291, which would require personal mobility device batteries sold in Florida to meet an IPX-7 certification standard, after the sponsor cited fire risks from lithium-ion batteries; the measure passed unanimously. PCS for HB 709, allowing valid pari-mutuel permit holders to lease facilities to nearby high-li permit holders, was amended to require a minimum of 59 live performances and then passed unanimously. CS/HB 4011, expanding who may serve as a building official on Palm Beach County’s Building Code Advisory Board, passed unanimously as a good-government fix to fill vacancies. Finally, PCS for HB 499, allowing small craft breweries under 31,000 gallons to self-distribute, drew extensive testimony from brewers and distributors about small-business growth versus the three-tier alcohol system; despite concerns about weakening distribution safeguards, the bill was reported favorably by a 13-2 vote. The meeting then adjourned with no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• sphere, because what I do worry about is, at scale, as hard as it is to say, could really affect pricing
• <00:20:38.640> down more more options um to bring price down more more options um to bring
• price down like<00:20:39.280> this<00:20:39.600> actually<00:20:39.840> would<00
• <00:47:42.720> and<00:47:42.960> do<00:47:43.119> it figure out the price and
• do it figure out the price and do it themselves<00:47:44.240> because<00:47:44.480> then

Bills: HF4207, HF3639, HF3981, HF3064, HF2123

Keywords: housing aid, local housing trust, funding projects, income provisions, technical changes, landlord regulations, tenant rights, minor children, lease agreements, eviction, privacy protection, housing, lease termination, medical care, death, infirmity, landlord obligations, St. Paul, public housing, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, we want to avoid this because we believe it'll raise prices for the end consumer and uncertainty
• When fewer bids are received, prices go up overall.
• to make sure that we protect the pricing to make sure that we protect the integrity<00:26:18.480>
• for the end consumer it'll raise prices for the end consumer and<00:26:24.720> uncertainty.
• prices go up overall. prices go up overall.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up Senate File 1750, an HOA/common interest community reform bill, and first adopted the DE9 amendment after the chair moved it to put the bill in the form the author wanted. The bill was described by supporters as a consumer and homeowner protection measure intended to add transparency, dispute-resolution rights, conflict-of-interest rules, and limits on fees and late charges in Minnesota HOAs, which supporters said have grown rapidly and are not adequately covered by current law. Supporters, including legal aid, the Minnesota Home Ownership Center, and Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, said the bill responds to longstanding complaints about HOA abuse, lack of transparency, escalating attorney fees, foreclosure-related problems, and management-company conflicts of interest. They argued the revised bill reflects extensive stakeholder work and would help homeowners resolve disputes without costly escalation while improving fairness and accountability. Opponents, including attorneys and representatives of HOA management interests, argued the bill is too rigid and one-size-fits-all, would raise costs for all homeowners, and could make associations harder to govern. They said fee caps, contract restrictions, procurement mandates, and dispute procedures would increase assessments, reduce flexibility, discourage board service, and create more legal and administrative burden, especially for smaller or financially strained communities. No final vote on the bill itself was taken in the portion provided; the bill was laid over for possible inclusion.

Transcript Highlights:

• and we do see businesses leaving the state of New Hampshire over our electricity prices.
• and we do see businesses leaving the state of New Hampshire over our electricity prices.
• and we do see businesses leaving the state of New Hampshire over our electricity prices.
• and we do see businesses leaving the state of New Hampshire over our electricity prices.
• and we do see businesses leaving the state of New Hampshire over our electricity prices.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, this helps the retention of assets, just really helps us be able to use leverage on the pricing when
• use leverage helps us um be able to um use leverage on<00:05:35.120> the<00:05:35.280> pricing
• we<00:05:35.919> buy<00:05:36.080> these<00:05:36.400> mutual on the pricing
• when we buy these mutual on the pricing when we buy these mutual funds.<00:05:37.440> So<00:05
• . pricing. pricing.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:35 Attendance Roll Call: 00:00:55 Approval of Minutes: 00:02:56 Deferred Compensation Authority Update: 00:03:12 Retiree Health Update - TRS: 00:15:58 Retiree Health Update - KPPA: 00:56:13 Adjournment: 01:20:33, 958, all

Summary: The Public Pension Oversight Board received updates from the Kentucky Public Employees Deferred Compensation Authority and the Teachers Retirement System. Chris Biddle reported that deferred compensation assets had grown to about $4.787 billion with roughly 88,000 participants, crediting auto-enrollment, targeted marketing around pay raises, and retiree-focused services. He said the board’s self-directed brokerage account, authorized by last year’s legislation, is being designed around a $40,000 account-balance threshold with up to 25% transferable into the brokerage window, tentatively for July 1 of the coming year. He also described the free financial planning program, which has been used by about 3,300 to 3,500 participants with an 87% return rate, and noted that the plan is currently in a fee holiday; members asked about the fee structure and whether the CFP service is provided through Nationwide, which Biddle confirmed. Board members praised the deferred compensation program’s growth and asked for the legislation referenced by Biddle. He said the plan’s annual fees are capped, with a $1 monthly fee plus other charges up to a $225 cap, for a maximum of $237 per year absent a managed account. He also said the program is seeking unified payroll access to expand participation, especially among teachers, and that prior lineup changes saved about $6 million annually in participant fees. Bo Barnes of TRS then addressed retired teachers’ health insurance, first clarifying a prior question about declining federal contributions to the retirement annuity trust. He explained that federally funded school positions generated contributions that rose from $72 million in 2019 to $109 million in 2022, then fell to $85 million this year, with a projection of $80 million over the next three years; if those dollars do not come from federal sources, they would have to be replaced through the SEEK formula. Barnes then reviewed TRS health coverage, explaining that the statutory contract guarantees access to group coverage but not fixed premium levels, and that TRS administers two retiree plans: KEHP for retirees under 65 or otherwise not Medicare-eligible, and MEHP for retirees 65 and older or Medicare-eligible. Barnes said TRS completed RFPs for the 2026 plan year, retaining Express Scripts for prescription drugs and switching the Medicare Advantage medical provider from UnitedHealthcare to Humana, while keeping plan design, provider access, out-of-pocket costs, and benefits materially unchanged. He noted a modest hearing-aid improvement of $500 per ear beginning in 2026. He also reported that the TRS Board approved the maximum state contribution for KEHP at $1,044.96, up from $930.76, an 18% increase that he said would require about $15 million to $16 million more annually, while the MEHP premium would drop from $210 to $200 per month because of the new contract. Using the 2024 valuation, he said the KEHP increase would slightly reduce the health trust funded ratio from 80.4% to 80.1% and raise unfunded liability from $4.036 billion to $4.051 billion. Barnes closed by reviewing the 2010 shared-responsibility reforms that shifted retiree health costs away from a pay-as-you-go model, including phased employee and district contributions and Commonwealth stabilization funding. No votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.