Transcript Highlights:

• We strive to be transparent with our local governments.
• , so not just cities but every level of government.
• Government. Sure, I 100% agree with you.
• One, it says open government requirements.
• And we call those core functions of government.

Summary: The committee heard testimony first from the Texas General Land Office and School Land Board. GLO officials described the agency’s role in managing more than 13 million acres of state lands and mineral interests for the Permanent School Fund, overseeing the Alamo, coastal programs, veterans’ services, and federal disaster recovery. They said the agency has generated about $6 billion for the Permanent School Fund since Commissioner Buckingham took office, and that its disaster recovery portfolio is about $14 billion across multiple events, with more than 22,000 housing units rebuilt or reconstructed since Hurricane Harvey. Members asked about land purchases such as Brewster Ranch, rare earth mineral leasing, SpaceX-related beach access, and whether the lands are public access lands; GLO staff said the holdings are managed to maximize revenue for education, that most land is leased rather than open to public access, and that they are coordinating on coastal access and compliance. On the School Land Board, members sought clarification on the difference between GLO-managed lands and the Permanent School Fund Corporation’s investment role, and staff explained that GLO generates the revenue while the separate corporation invests it. No votes or formal actions were taken. The Board for Lease of University Lands then testified. University Lands officials explained that they steward 2.1 million acres of surface and mineral interests in West Texas for the Permanent University Fund, which supports UT and Texas A&M institutions. They said a 2025 lease sale produced about $50 million in bonus revenue from 28,000 acres, and described the Board for Lease’s role in approving lease forms, lease sales, and development agreements. Members asked about the size and use of the PUF, how distributions work through UTIMCO, whether PUF money can be used for athletics, and how the land is managed; the witness said the fund is a constitutional endowment, the land is largely leased rather than sold, and distributions are generally used for buildings, labs, and other permanent structures, with some institutions also using a portion for operations. No votes or formal actions were taken. The committee then took up municipal utility districts. Testimony from a law firm, the Texas Municipal League, Fort Bend County Commissioner Vincent Morales, and Johnson Development largely supported MUDs as a financing tool for infrastructure tied to growth. Witnesses said MUDs help fund water, sewer, drainage, roads, parks, and related infrastructure, allowing development to proceed without shifting costs to existing taxpayers and helping keep housing affordable. They emphasized that MUDs are created with disclosure to homebuyers, are subject to the Open Meetings Act and Public Information Act, and are overseen by TCEQ for bond issuance and related financial stress tests. Members questioned whether MUDs are taxing entities, whether they can be created inside city limits or ETJs, how much control cities and counties retain, and whether MUDs are becoming permanent local governments; witnesses acknowledged they levy taxes and debt, can exist within city limits with city consent, and often function as long-term local entities. The committee did not take any formal action during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• state government has administration, the state government has grown<00:13:53.120> by<00:13:53.280
• for irresponsible government for irresponsible government that<00:14:10.240> has<00:14:10.960
• <00:21:00.200> policy deliberate government policy deliberate government policy to<00:21:02.200
• <00:34:23.240> and be brand new in state government and be brand new in state government and
• . government. government.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House considered the conference committee report on House File 1141, a housing bill, and moved to adopt the report and repass the bill as amended. Rep. Howard said the compromise would help build thousands of new homes, keep Minnesotans housed, and improve transparency and collaboration with the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, while remaining budget-neutral. He highlighted investments in housing infrastructure bonds, greater Minnesota workforce housing, manufactured housing, EHPAP, supportive housing, and a new provision for greater public access at MHFA board meetings, while noting that some Senate proposals, including a manufactured housing bill of rights and a ban on private equity home purchases, were not included. Several members spoke in support of the compromise. Rep. Kozlowski emphasized the bill’s role in addressing housing instability, homelessness, and workforce shortages, citing investments in first-generation homebuyer assistance, supportive housing, and preservation of beds and units. Rep. Skraba and Rep. West also supported the bill, with Skraba praising the bipartisan process and West arguing the bill focused on supply-side solutions such as manufactured housing and easing development constraints. Rep. Schultz opposed the bill, arguing the money should instead go to school safety, fraud prevention, asset preservation, and lowering costs for taxpayers. After brief discussion, the House adopted the conference report and advanced the bill to third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, agencies and local government So, agencies and local government construction<00:04:24.120>
• :04.640> at government relations director at government relations director at Minnesota<00:14:
• health of society and government. health of society and government.
• Government Committee. Government Committee.
• Government Committee is adjourned. Government Committee is adjourned.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• contracts with the federal government. contracts with the federal government.
• They have to get through the best they can with state government and local governments.
• that is dispersed to local governments. that is dispersed to local governments.
• governments are having. governments are having.
• When you get another layer of government When you get another layer of government involved, involved

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:07 Roll Call 00:00:13 Approval of Minutes from August Meeting 00:01:55 Discussion of County Jails 00:03:31 Discussion of Centralized Collection of Net Profits and Occupational License Taxes 01:02:12 Adjournment 01:54:56, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the August 26 minutes, and then took up a discussion of county jail funding. KACO representatives and county officials said jail operations are an ongoing strain for counties because they must pay for inmate care, facilities, and mandated standards, while many counties also rely on jail revenue to offset costs. They described Kentucky’s jail system, including 77 jails, 43 closed counties without jails, and the mix of county, state, federal, and controlled-intake inmates. KACO emphasized that counties remain financially responsible for inmates even when they must contract with other jails, often at costs above the state’s per diem rate, and said it is developing a broader proposal to present later. The testimony focused on rising expenses and shrinking revenue. KACO said counties spent about $374 million on jail operations in FY24, up 24% from FY19, and about $41 million on jail medical costs, up 40%. General fund support for jails was said to total $147 million in FY24, more than double pre-COVID levels. Speakers also noted that state inmate populations in county jails have fallen from about 11,500 in 2019 to 7,212 in 2025, while federal inmates have increased because they are more lucrative for counties. The state jail per diem of $35.34 was described as insufficient to cover actual costs, especially medical care. County judges from Webster, Knox, and Hardin counties gave examples of local budget pressure. Webster County said it now houses 114 state prisoners, 47 county prisoners, and 24 out-of-county prisoners, and that it transferred $512,000 from its general fund to the jail last year, about $77 per taxpayer. Knox County said its jail budget has grown from an initial $2.8 million projection to $5.7 million, with $3 million coming from occupational tax revenue. Hardin County said its jail has an approximate $11 million expense budget against $5 million in revenue, creating a $6 million deficit, driven by higher payroll, medical, and insurance costs and a 29% drop in state prisoner revenue. The judge said the county has responded with property tax increases and an expanded occupational tax district, but still uses reserves to cover other county services. A Grant County magistrate then began speaking from the perspective of magistrates and commissioners, describing her background working at a local jail before serving in county government. The discussion remained centered on the fiscal burden of jails and the need for counties and the legislature to work together on a long-term solution.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:18:02.400> that interaction with their government that interaction with their government
• and tribal governments because transparency in public timelines holds everyone—government, permittees
• and tribal governments because transparency in public timelines holds everyone—government, permittees
• and tribal governments because transparency in public timelines holds everyone—government, permittees
• and tribal governments because transparency in public timelines holds everyone—government, permittees

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• costs are paid by local government costs are paid by local government Senate<00:29:56.039> file
• As you know, having one level of government pay taxes to another level of government for a public facility
• As you know, having one level of government pay taxes to another level of government for a public facility
• you know having one level of government you know having one level of government pay<00:55:03.920
• pay taxes to another level of government pay taxes to another level of government for<00:55:06.160

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• government shutdown. government shutdown.
• not govern and keep the government open. not govern and keep the government open.
• government, every branch of government government, every branch of government controls<00:35:54.079
• controls could not government govern, controls could not government govern, could<00:35:56.000> not
• local governments. local governments.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . governance. governance.
• a governing board.
• a governing board.
• a governing board.
• a governing board.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:04.399> and people have on their own government and people have on their own government
• This metropolitan unit of government.
• <01:13:04.640> to metropolitan unit of government to metropolitan unit of government to include
• Minnesota Government Relations Council. Minnesota Government Relations Council.
• So government that we're talking about.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill exempts flight simulators from a government unit, leased from a government unit, from TPP tax
• So the local government could lower the millage rates.
• The government has, in perpetuity, forever.
• This bill gives local government more control over these taxes and the ability to right-size government
• Local government are also accountable to the voters.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for fallen Oviedo Officer Jimmy Serrano-Torres, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Chief Joseph Tuminelli as law enforcement officer of the day. The chamber approved the journal and adopted the special order report, and the Speaker announced a schedule change canceling the floor on Monday and starting Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. The main business was CS for HB 7033, the House tax package, presented by Rep. Duggan. He described a broad set of tax changes, including the previously passed sales tax rate reduction from 6% to 5.25%, exemptions for certain bullion sales, changes to tourist development tax (TDT) use, property tax administration updates, affordable housing-related exemptions, repeal of the aviation fuel tax, delayed natural gas fuel tax implementation, corporate income tax changes, and other provisions. Debate focused heavily on the TDT section and the bill’s property tax relief structure. Amendments to preserve local flexibility or remove the TDT restrictions were offered and debated; one Duggan amendment was adopted to allow local governments to keep 25% of TDT revenues for general use while directing 75% to property tax relief, and another amendment requiring audit certification of compliance was also adopted. A combined reporting amendment offered by Rep. Eskamani to close corporate tax loopholes was debated at length but failed. On final passage, supporters argued the bill provides immediate, permanent tax relief and affordability help, while opponents said it diverts tourism dollars away from local needs and could harm tourism-dependent counties and services. CS for HB 7033 passed the House 78-29. The chamber then took up CS for CS for HB 1221 on local option taxes, which would give local governments more control over certain local taxes and, as presented, redirect TDT revenues toward property tax relief with some local flexibility. After questions and amendments, including a Miller amendment allowing 25% of TDT revenue for general purposes and another accountability amendment, the bill moved to final debate. Members split sharply: supporters framed it as immediate tax relief and local accountability, while opponents warned it would undermine tourism marketing, infrastructure, and county budgets. The transcript ends during closing debate on HB 1221, before final passage is recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Don SB 1188, or local governing authorities. >> You are recognized.
• So why do local governments require these now?
• We went in local government committees.
• We have to go into local governments in is traffic stacking in telling local governments that they cannot
• It's unfortunate that locals and some mobile home of some local governments.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > us<00:43:46.800> the The federal government gives us the The federal government gives
• are paid 100% by the federal government. are paid 100% by the federal government.
• They then load up these government.
• That's not not government funded. That's not not government funded.
• <01:07:31.680> Um, upon the government. Um, upon the government.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It covers some really important funding that allows for the continuation of state government until we
• , including local government assistance payments for the City of Yonkers, which I think speaks to the
• President, no, the budget extender allows for functioning of state government to get through the next
• , INCLUDING LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS FOR THE CITY OF YONKERS WHICH I THINK SPEAKS TO THE
• Will our local governments, or schools or healthcare providers, will they and will this body, will we

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate met on May 6, 2026, approved the prior journal, and accepted a Rules Committee report advancing the government appropriations bill to third reading. The chamber then took up the tenth budget extender, which sponsor Senator Serrano said would keep state government operating through Monday, May 11 and contained $482 million in new spending, bringing the total across extenders to $20.3 billion. In questioning, Senator O’Mara and Senator Helming pressed Serrano for details on the reported $268 billion budget deal, policy outcomes, revenue raisers, and whether local governments, schools, and rural health programs would receive certainty; Serrano said final budget bills were not yet in print and declined to speculate on unresolved issues. The extender passed 60-1, with Senator Weik voting no. The Senate also adopted several previously adopted resolutions honoring the North Tonawanda High School girls varsity basketball team, the Tappan Zee High School girls basketball team, and SUNY student Chriss-Ann Pryce. Members praised the teams’ state championships and Pryce’s academic and leadership achievements through the Educational Opportunity Program. The chamber then returned to legislation and passed a bill designating May 9 as Overdose Awareness Day in New York; Senator Fernandez said it recognized the harm of overdose and the need to continue funding harm reduction and recovery services. Additional bills passed included a statewide domestic violence lethality assessment measure, with Senators Murray, Rolison, Webb, and Ramos describing it as a tool to identify dangerous situations and prevent fatalities; a mental health insurance bill limiting step therapy/prior authorization for serious mental health medications, supported by Senator Fahy; and measures on education, real property tax, election law, general business law, kitchen incubator economic impacts, public buildings, state finance, and mental hygiene. Several bills drew recorded opposition, including the real property tax bill and the election law and general business law measures. The Senate concluded by adjourning until Monday, May 11 at 3:00 p.m., with intervening days designated legislative.

Transcript Highlights:

• Problems for those in that branch of government.
• Those meetings have some of the most sensitive information that the United States government has.
• I will always advise a client when they're in private practice or in government to comply with court
• I want to encourage folks throughout the government to reach out to the Civil Division to solicit our
• Senator, a universal injunction is what we call an order from a court enjoining the government.

Keywords: John Eisenberg, assistant attorney general, national security, China Initiative, Department of Justice, judicial authority, executive actions, nomination hearing

Summary: The committee meeting primarily involved discussions around key nominations and pressing legal issues pertaining to the Department of Justice. Notable discussions included the nomination of John Eisenberg for assistant attorney general for national security, where concerns over the revival of the China Initiative were raised. Senators expressed significant apprehensions regarding previous actions taken under this initiative and its implications for national security. Additionally, there were critiques of the broader implications of executive actions that challenge judicial authority, aligning with ongoing dialogues about the integrity of the judiciary and executive oversight.

Transcript Highlights:

• Leo University's student government is above me watching over us as we govern and legislate.
• University's student government is above me watching over us as we govern. And legislate.
• But no religion can become governing authority of our nation.
• The Constitution governs us all, and religious liberty Constitution governs us all, and religious liberty
• Government, I agree with the principles of lesser government.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several guest introductions before moving into a long special-order calendar. The chamber first considered two claims bills: SB 6/HB 6507 for relief of L.E. through the Department of Children and Families, described as compensation for severe injuries after DCF returned the child to unsafe parents, and SB 26/HB 6509 for the estate of Mark Legata, involving catastrophic injuries tied to FDOT negligence. Both bills were substituted with their House companions and passed overwhelmingly. Members then approved several policy bills focused on child welfare, education, and professional regulation. CS/CS/SB 42/HB 47 required child protective investigators to consider certain medical diagnoses before proceeding in abuse cases; CS/SB 206/HB 851 expanded autism-related training and incentives for teacher preparation programs; SB 556/HB 453 allowed Special Olympics participation to satisfy PE requirements for students with disabilities and clarified marching band credit; SB 688 reestablished licensure and regulation for naturopathic doctors; SB 878/HB 1347 addressed clinical laboratory personnel shortages by aligning more closely with federal CLIA standards; and SB 914/HB 867 clarified that licensed occupational therapists may perform dry needling. Each of these measures passed, most by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The chamber also approved bills on court administration, public records, financial disclosure, and child welfare. SB 326/HB 131 modernized rules for curators of estates; SB 758/HB 625 updated the composition of the Justice Administrative Commission, with an amendment broadening the judicial member to a judge or senior judge; SB 830 created a public records exemption for certain local government executives and their families; SB 964/HB 6011 revised how gifts and honoraria are reported and, via amendment, restored a percentage-based reporting option for financial disclosures; and SB 1002 clarified that acute or chronic parental drug abuse can constitute harm or neglect and allow courts to order assessment and services. These bills all passed, with SB 830 drawing the most opposition among them. The most contentious debate centered on CS/CS/CS/SB 354, the Blue Ribbon Projects bill, which would create a framework for very large planned communities with substantial conservation set-asides. Supporters argued it would provide a new growth-management tool and economic opportunity, while opponents warned it was too broad, lacked specificity, weakened local control, and could be exploited by large developers. After extensive debate and an amendment limiting data centers in commercial areas, the bill was temporarily postponed rather than brought to a final vote. The Senate also passed SB 530 on lottery operations, SB 1632/HB 1471 on foreign law and domestic terrorist designations after a lengthy and divisive amendment debate over references to Sharia law, and SB 21/HB 218 on land-use regulations tied to hurricane recovery, which preserves SB 180 restrictions in storm-affected counties while lifting them later for unaffected counties.

Transcript Highlights:

• AND THIS BILL SIMPLY STATES THE EXISTING PUBLIC RECORDS EXEMPTION AND THE REPEAL UNDER THE OPEN GOVERNMENT
• BUT I JUST DON'T THINK IT SHOULD BE PART OF OUR STATE GOVERNANCE.
• BUT I DO NOT THINK THIS IS THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT.
• THIS IS NOT IN LIEU OF WHAT MAY BE GOVERNMENT IS ABLE TO OFFER SOMEONE I SEE IT AS IN ADDITION TO.
• I LOVE OUR GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. AND THE FOLKS WHO WORK THERE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a Government Committee amendment.
• Senator Hoffman, I move the Government Committee amendment to HB 2745 be adopted.
• There is a Hoffman floor amendment to the Government Committee amendment.
• I move the following amendment to House Bill 2745, relating to government, reference to Government Committee
• I move that the Government Committee amendment as amended to HB 2745 be adopted.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and a series of guest introductions recognizing Maricopa County community college leaders and students, a doctor of the day, and other visitors. The chamber also received a gubernatorial withdrawal of a nomination to the State Board of Psychologist Examiners. The Senate then moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars and later third-reading votes on a large number of House bills, concurrent memorials, and a Senate bill. On the first calendar, the Senate considered HB 2342 (planned communities), HB 2456 (small modular reactors and siting), HB 2457 (power plant and transmission line siting), HB 2752 (Arizona Commerce Authority trade offices), and HB 2923 (court-ordered mental health treatment). Several floor amendments were adopted, including changes to HB 2456, HB 2752, and HB 2923, and all five measures received due-pass recommendations from the Committee of the Whole. On the second calendar, the Senate handled HB 2249 (Parents’ Bill of Rights remedies), HB 2482 (school facilities/building renewal grants and job order contracting), and HB 2895 (Native American language instruction certification), while HB 2379 was retained on the calendar; the first three bills advanced, with HB 2249 amended by a Mesnard floor amendment and HB 2482 amended on job-order contracting limits. On the third calendar, the Senate considered HB 2661 and HB 2662 (both family-law/parental-rights related), HB 2793 (annexation procedures), HB 2805 (electronic signatures on nomination petitions), HB 467 (voter registration), H.C.M. 2005 (foreign government property ownership limits), and H.C.M. 2006 (Endangered Species Act reform). The chamber also took up HB 2641 (PFAS firefighting foam prohibition), HB 2673 (mental illness and prisoner diagnosis/treatment), HB 2745 (legislative subpoena/perjury/contempt), HB 2763 (shooting ranges), and H.C.M. 2011 (Mexican wolf delisting), with amendments adopted on HB 2641, HB 2673, and HB 2745. In third reading, the Senate passed HB 2035, HB 2109, HB 2189, HB 2244, HB 2440, HB 2594, HB 2932, H.C.M. 2007, H.C.R. 2059, and SB 1503; HB 2035 and HCR 2059 drew notable debate, and SB 1503 passed with the required emergency and supermajority votes. The Senate also concurred in House amendments to SB 1503, appointed a free conference committee on HB 2000, announced upcoming conference committee meetings, and adjourned until the next scheduled session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Overdorf: members transition between administration at critical moment for state government.
• Government Operations Subcommittee bill extends the repeal date for public records Rep.
• This tax goes into the general revenue fund for local governments.
• On to lighter topics - bankrupting local governments is what I call this bill.
• Amina Spark: The affordability crisis in Florida is not from local governments.

Transcript Highlights:

• AT THE END OF THE DAY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND MANY TIMES THEY GOVERNMENT AND I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE
• ANOTHER GOVERNMENT MAY NEED.
• THOSE TWO TEAMS HAVE NOT RECEIVED A PENNY FROM STATE GOVERNMENT OR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
• AND WE WORK THROUGH THOSE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO HELP THEM.
• THIS ROADWAY IS TO BE A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WROTE.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also want to say that as a part of our good government caucus, government reform is necessary, and
• I also want to say that as a part of our good government caucus, government reform is necessary, and
• <00:27:29.440> caucus<00:27:30.000> and<00:27:30.240> government good government
• caucus and government good government caucus and government reform<00:27:31.000> is<00:27:31.200
• republican thing to want government republican thing to want government reform<00:27:41.559>

Keywords: 910, house, all