Transcript Highlights:

• In the city of Shreveport, stuffed shrimp has been very critical to our history.
• I could not think of a better city to have nominated as the city...
• The substance of the bill was to allow three cities to vote? Yes.
• cities.
• It started in the 90s in Orleans with the city council term limits.

Bills: HB9 , HB177 , HB181 , HB202 , HB225 , HB398 , HB459 , HB540 , HB906 , HB1052 , HB1057 , HB1245

Committee: Senate Senate & Governmental Affairs

Keywords: HB 9, HB9, Act 527, Shreveport, Stuffed Shrimp Capital, state symbol, Louisiana symbols, municipal designation, honorary title, cultural designation, tourism, local pride, seafood, shrimp, stuffed shrimp, cuisine, city branding, Louisiana Revised Statutes 49:170.26, court reporter, official court reporter

Transcript Highlights:

• It is the one that would authorize entertainment districts in the city of Alabama. >> In Alabama, anybody
• If you just share that with us, bud. >> Senate Bill 276, Alabaster-related, City of Alabaster. >> Senate
• Bill 276, Alabaster-related, City of Alabaster.
• >> 276 alabaster related city of alabaster. >> 276 alabaster related city of alabaster.

Bills: SB275 , SB276

Committee: House Shelby County Legislation

Keywords: entertainment districts, Alabaster, alcohol regulations, city council authority, open containers, weed nuisance, abatement procedures, city authority, public health, local government, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One city. >> One city. A pastor, but we have two bills. >> And both are represented Bed Souls.
• </c><00:01:06.799><c> One</c><00:01:07.119><c> city.</c> bills. I'm sorry. One city. bills.
• One city. &gt;&gt; One<00:01:08.400><c> city.
• of their city.
• </c> their city. their city.

Bills: SB275 , SB276

Committee: House Shelby County Legislation

Keywords: entertainment districts, Alabaster, alcohol regulations, city council authority, open containers, weed nuisance, abatement procedures, city authority, public health, local government, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They have a contract with the city? Yeah, they will have a contract with the city. Yes, sir.
• And the city of Baton Rouge has no intent.
• The city did not have a police force or an active force.
• George to the city government.
• There are many cities that have provisions like this.

Bills: SB348 , SB444 , SB485

Committee: House Municipal

Keywords: motor vehicles, enforcement, administrative support, law enforcement, private service provider, regulatory compliance, expropriation, public purpose, property rights, compensation, city governance, St. George, insurance premium tax, city of St. George, municipal authority, local taxation, East Baton Rouge Parish, 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rebecca O'Hara, Florida League of Cities.
• to Tallahassee now 10 years ago, we were not funding at the time, but the city, even in the current city
• One other from Jacksonville, and then I have a few other cities and counties I can name, is the city
• Hiring of people that work for the city could be the part of violating a contract with the city.
• for the city could be the part of violating a contract with the city so-called DEI, diversity, equity

Bills: S0484 , S0698 , S0706 , S0968 , S1118 , S1122 , S1134 , S1320 , S1342 , S1548 , S1614

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Keywords: data centers, large load customer, large-scale data center, electric utility, public utility tariff, Florida Public Service Commission, FPSC, water permit, consumptive use permit, reclaimed water, groundwater, surface water, water management district, DEP, OPPAGA, economic development, land use, comprehensive plan, zoning, ratepayer protection

Summary: The committee heard several housing, local government, utility, and transparency bills. SB 1342 on transportation infrastructure and land development regulations, by Sen. Rouson, was presented as a housing-affordability measure modeled on the Live Local Act for transit corridors. After adopting an amendment that removed the bill’s compelling-governmental-interest language in enforcement provisions, the committee heard testimony from local-government and housing interests both supporting and opposing the bill’s zoning preemption approach. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably CS/SB 1614, by Sen. Leek, which was amended to remove stormwater and code-enforcement spending provisions and to tighten restrictions on local governments seeking state appropriations after audits or without required affirmations. SB 1548, the next Live Local Act iteration by Sen. Claddie Ude, was also reported favorably; it expands where Live Local projects may be located and adds fair-housing protections. SB 968 on home backup power systems, by Sen. McLean, was reported favorably after testimony from builders and energy-related stakeholders, with the sponsor noting he was still working on amendments to refine permit provisions. The committee then approved CS/SB 698, by Sen. Martin, which allows building permits for single-family homes to be issued before septic permits are finalized if application has been made, while still requiring septic approval before occupancy. Builders testified that septic permit delays were causing lengthy project delays and contract cancellations. The committee also reported favorably SB 1320, by Sen. Martin, requiring county tax-increase referenda to include a Department of Financial Services spending analysis if available; the sponsor said the goal was to give voters more standardized fiscal information, while opponents argued existing law already provides similar transparency. SB 484, by Sen. Avila, on data centers, was reported favorably after an amendment adding a knowledge requirement to the foreign-country-of-concern service prohibition; the bill addresses local planning authority, nondisclosure agreements, utility tariff requirements, and water-use limits for large data centers. The committee also reported favorably SB 1118, by Sen. Avila, creating a one-year public-records exemption for data-center location and proprietary information, with testimony split between economic-development supporters and transparency concerns. Finally, the committee took up SB 706, by Sen. Mayfield, preempting naming of major commercial service airports to the state and designating Palm Beach International Airport as Donald J. Trump International Airport subject to federal and trademark conditions; it was reported favorably after questions about local input and airport naming. The committee then heard extensive public testimony on SB 1134, by Sen. Yarbrough, which would prohibit counties and municipalities from funding, promoting, or taking official actions related to DEI and would create penalties and a private right of action for residents. The sponsor argued the bill was aimed at preventing taxpayer-funded DEI programs and cited examples from Jacksonville and other jurisdictions; opponents said the bill was vague, overbroad, and would chill local programs, public education, and civil-rights-related activities. The transcript ends during continued public testimony on SB 1134, with no final committee action shown in the excerpt.

Keywords: Capital City Revitalization - Room 113, Dec. 11, 2025; 9:30 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It establishes the entertainment district within the city of Alabaster, following the same parameters
• I mean, this relates to the city of Alabaster.
• This is what's been done in a lot of other cities I've seen. We have a motion. No questions?
• It would be found in their related city ordinances or their local regulations.

Bills: HB393 , HB497

Committee: House Shelby County Legislation

Keywords: entertainment district, alcohol consumption, local governance, city council, public spaces, 1136, house, all

Keywords: Capital City Revitalization Committee - Room 113, August 27, 2025; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Develop a market access strategy, align and harmonize state branding initiatives, and report certain
• Does this affect the Department of Agriculture and the city from injecting trees with neonicotinoids?

Bills: SB2350 , SB2349 , SB2407 , SB3320

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: agriculture, aquaculture, livestock, agribusiness, Department of Agriculture, regulatory functions, employee benefits, restorative practices, sustainability, environmental stewardship, local food systems, Native Hawaiian, workforce development, agricultural development, Hawaii Island, property manager, state employment, SB3320, Hawaii, Agribusiness Development Corporation

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SP 2350, which would transfer oversight of the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Development Division and the aquaculture and livestock support services branch to the Agribusiness Development Corporation. The Department of Agriculture and ADC both testified, with ADC opposing the bill as written while supporting the goal of strengthening agriculture. ADC said the transfer could create federal operational and coordination risks, jeopardize federal funding and program continuity, and was unnecessary because ADC is a business development entity, not a regulatory agency. The Hawaii Farmers Union also expressed concern that moving the programs could weaken the department’s ability to access federal resources, while the Hawaii Farm Bureau submitted written testimony and the Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association and H-Plan were noted as supporting the measure; the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council was noted as opposing it. Much of the discussion focused on aquaculture’s economic potential and the role of regulation, permitting, and funding. Committee members questioned why aquaculture had not grown faster, citing current gross revenues of about $66 million last year, a prior high of $82 million, and a possible long-term target of $500 million. Testimony identified permitting and feed costs as major barriers, along with market conditions and water quality issues affecting producers. ADC described ongoing efforts on feed development, permitting streamlining, coastal-state collaboration on seaweed and restorative aquaculture, and national advocacy for more parity in seafood import standards. Members also pressed the Department of Agriculture on its leadership and priorities, criticizing the lack of bills and resources dedicated to aquaculture and asking whether the department should have more authority to pursue land purchases and development opportunities. The department said it relies on divisions and industry feedback for bill ideas, noted it funds an annual aquaculture survey, and said it was pursuing congressional earmarks and other funding for aquaculture parks, research, and export/import issues. ADC said it would work with the department if the bill passed, but that its current statute does not give it regulatory authority and any such change would require a statutory amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:09:06.560><c> have</c> um they have passed some cities have um they have passed some cities have
• </c> that um pipes and so on run under city that um pipes and so on run under city streets<00:25:09.360
• </c><00:25:18.679><c> council</c> cities because I was on the city council cities because I was on the
• instance what is good for one city is good for every city, and that people who want information from
• </c><01:32:09.000><c> of</c> that but what I'm we have cities of that but what I'm we have cities of

Bills: HF484 , HF483 , HF1447 , HF1496 , HF554

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: natural gas, gas hookups, residential construction, energy policy, local control, state preemption, municipal regulation, county ordinance, electrification, climate policy, housing development, building codes, energy source, utility infrastructure, Minnesota Statutes chapter 326B, propane, utility service, building permits, local government, energy choice

Transcript Highlights:

• is our city administrator and my mayor, so the City of Buffalo mayor, um, and he will introduce himself
• I am the city administrator for the City of Buffalo, and I am here today to testify in support of House
• </c><00:12:17.360><c> duth</c> question uh the first class cities duth question uh the first class cities
• </c><00:13:28.320><c> have</c> past by um looks like 13 cities have past by um looks like 13 cities have
• </c><00:48:12.240><c> and</c> voter fund through our cities and voter fund through our cities and counties

Bills: HF1345 , HF71 , HF993 , HF1943

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: HF1345, statutory city, public utility commission, municipal utilities, city council, local government, utility governance, commission membership, staggered terms, vacancy appointment, ordinance, Minnesota Statutes 412.341, municipal ordinance, city commission, public utilities, HF71, Minnesota, public safety, peace officers, correctional officers

Transcript Highlights:

• You see how close that city is? That city, Lemons. This city, Lons.
• Is a Baldwin County annexation within the city of Daphne.
• As you see on the map, here is where the city limit ends.
• So, Wesley, this is the Daphne Junior City Council, and they all represent the city of Daphne through
• Every time the Junior City Councils come up from the cities, they...

Bills: HB446 , HB485

Committee: House Baldwin County Legislation

Keywords: HB446, Daphne, Baldwin County, annexation, municipal boundary, corporate limits, local act, municipal incorporation, city limits expansion, zoning, land use, property tax, municipal services, Section 11-42-6, Judge of Probate, County Road 54 W, County Road 64, Rigsby Road, Highway 181, Alabama State Highway 181

Bills: HB0076 , HB0084

Committee: Senate Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions

Keywords: annexation, landowner rights, municipal law, city planning, property, local government, elections, falsification, misleading, post-election, audit, state law, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These charter changes went through the public process in the city and were determined by the city commissioners
• In the one-square-mile city, it's a small commission.
• I am the city solicitor for Rehoboth. I appreciate the rhetoric. I do.
• The loss of trust in the city still has not been repaired.
• This includes the city of Newark, Delaware, so this hits close to home.

Bills: SB268 , SB306 , SB264 , SB312

Committee: House Administration

Keywords: federal workers, government shutdown, interest-free loans, tax deferral, public transportation, Rehoboth Beach, municipal charter, city charter amendment, commissioners, mayor, local government, election qualifications, affidavit of eligibility, domestic partner, cohabitant, conflict of interest, freeholder, leaseholder, municipal court, Alderman

Summary: The House Administration Committee met to consider a series of resolutions and bills covering arts districts, child care background checks, federal worker relief, health care reform, court transparency, school tax reassessment, municipal charter changes, constitutional amendment procedures, data center nondisclosure agreements, state employee benefits governance, and lieutenant governor vacancies. Members also noted that House Concurrent Resolution 12 had been removed from the agenda and that public comment would be limited to one minute per speaker. The committee released SCR 167 to study arts, culture, and creative districts in Delaware; HB 438 to close a loophole in the child care service letter requirement; SB 268 to provide interest-free loans, free transit, and tax deferrals for federal workers during shutdowns; SS2 for SB 1 to expand and permanently strengthen primary care investment while also addressing hospital cost growth; HCR 147 to request a Court of Chancery report on audio recordings and automated case assignment; SB 322 to replace the current post-reassessment 10% school revenue increase authority with a 2% annual increase option under safeguards; SB 306 to amend the Rehoboth Beach charter; HB 440 to require voter approval for constitutional amendments after legislative approval; SB 312 to bar nondisclosure agreements for large data center projects; SS1 for SB 289 to change State Employee Benefits Committee governance; and SB 264 to require a special election to fill a lieutenant governor vacancy. Testimony was mixed on several measures. Arts, child care, federal worker relief, primary care, court transparency, data center transparency, and the lieutenant governor vacancy bill drew mostly supportive testimony, while SB 322 and SB 306 drew both support and opposition, especially over tax impacts and the proposed spouse/partner restriction in Rehoboth Beach. HB 440 prompted debate over whether 55% voter approval was the right threshold for constitutional amendments, and SB 312 was supported as a transparency measure by residents affected by prior data center NDAs. All of the listed measures were released from committee by roll call vote, with some members voting no on HB 440, SB 306, SB 312, SS1 for SB 289, and SB 264.

Bills: HB1175 , HB1376 , HB1500 , HB1796

Keywords: HB1175, small business, residential zoning, land use, zoning reform, neighborhood store, neighborhood cafe, convenience store, minimarket, corner store, mixed-use, local government, city zoning, town zoning, code city, parking regulations, hours of operation, alcohol service, food requirement, commercial use in residential areas

Summary: The House convened, the clerk called the roll, and a quorum was declared present. The chamber then proceeded with the Pledge of Allegiance and an opening prayer, followed by approval of the previous day’s minutes without objection. Under messages from the Senate, the clerk reported that the President had signed House Concurrent Resolutions 4406 and 4407 and Resolution 8407. The Speaker then signed Senate Concurrent Resolution 8407. The House also agreed to treat the bills, memorials, and resolutions on the day’s introduction sheet as first-reading items and refer them to the appropriate committees. No substantive debate or bill action occurred beyond these procedural steps. Representatives Ortiz-Self and Abbarno announced that the Democratic and Republican caucuses, respectively, would meet after adjournment. The House then adjourned until 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 15.

Transcript Highlights:

• conformed to the comprehensive plan and regulations of that city, unless the city has agreed that the
• So the cities need to be able to...
• That's city, county, private planning. Washington chapter. That's city, county, private planners.
• and surrounded by city limits.
• from the other cities.

Bills: HB2201 , HB2154

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: urban growth, city planning, county regulations, development standards, land use, land ownership, conservation districts, property rights, regulatory authority, environmental policy, 904, all

Bills: HB595 , HB583

Committee: Senate Madison County Legislation

Keywords: boundary alteration, corporate limits, Madison County, City of New Hope, local government, sheriff compensation, salary increase, law enforcement, elected officials, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• decisions with a little bit more local control rather than a state mandate so an allowance for smaller cities
• So we were able to work with the cities throughout the state, being able to find a solution that they
• can still have these neighborhood operations that are very limited, but there are parameters so the cities
• It allows for cities to have ...in the middle of your block.
• It allows for cities to have reasonable restrictions and encompasses a vision of building a community

Bills: HB1175 , HB1376 , HB1500 , HB1796

Keywords: HB1175, small business, residential zoning, land use, zoning reform, neighborhood store, neighborhood cafe, convenience store, minimarket, corner store, mixed-use, local government, city zoning, town zoning, code city, parking regulations, hours of operation, alcohol service, food requirement, commercial use in residential areas

Bills: HB1175 , HB1376 , HB1500 , HB1796

Keywords: HB1175, small business, residential zoning, land use, zoning reform, neighborhood store, neighborhood cafe, convenience store, minimarket, corner store, mixed-use, local government, city zoning, town zoning, code city, parking regulations, hours of operation, alcohol service, food requirement, commercial use in residential areas

Transcript Highlights:

• That's designated by the city that sits on city-owned land, which is either connected to or within a
• And again, you start with a hotel that's designated by the city on city-owned land, again connected..
• The previous cities get under 351.156.
• The cities right now can designate multiple project financing zones, and currently, it's only the cities
• The City of Anna, located in Collin County, is... ...the fourth largest, fourth fastest-growing city

Bills: SB1071 , SB1444 , SB1483 , SB1556 , SB1703 , SB1756 , SB1854 , SB2036 , SB2133 , SB2297 , SB2622 , SB2779 , SB2955 , SB2979

Committee: Senate Economic Development

Keywords: municipality, tax revenue, hotel project, convention center, economic development, hotel tax, municipal authority, local governments, local authority, convention centers, hotel occupancy tax, municipal finance, local tax revenue, tourism, hotel and convention center project, Tax Code Chapter 351, city revenue, special district, Texas municipalities, venue financing