Transcript Highlights:

• boards, development of planning strategies, annual county audits, the requirement that surplus properties
• The proposed substitute modifies the authorization for the commission to make mortgage loans directly
• The commission is not authorized to compete with private financial institutions in the origination of
• It then limits the authorization to use on-site sewage systems to middle housing in the LAMIRDs.
• So on that larger ...the property taxes for everyone else in those communities.

Bills: HB1974, HB2118, HB2236, HB2269

Keywords: land bank, land banking authority, affordable housing, housing crisis, housing supply, public corporation, public housing authority, nonprofit housing, tax-foreclosed property, blight remediation, redevelopment, anti-displacement, equity, redlining, racial segregation, deed restriction, affordability covenant, property tax exemption, excise tax exemption, predevelopment

Summary: The House Housing Committee met to executive several bills after a staff briefing on proposed substitutes and amendments. House Bill 1974, the land bank bill, was explained as being narrowed from the original version by removing several county oversight and grant-program provisions, while adding annual reporting and a real estate excise tax exemption. Members discussed land banking as a tool to support affordable housing, but some raised concerns about expanding tax exemptions and the effect on private developers and local tax bases. The committee voted 10-7 to report the substitute bill out with a due pass recommendation. House Bill 2236, dealing with Housing Finance Commission authority, was presented with a substitute clarifying that the commission may not make residential mortgage loans directly to individual homebuyers for owner-occupied housing, while allowing certain down-payment assistance and emphasizing that the commission is not intended to function as a retail mortgage lender. Discussion focused on whether removing language about using public funds could create concern about state-backed lending; supporters said the bill modernizes outdated law and clarifies intent, while opponents worried about taxpayer exposure and competition with private lenders. The committee voted 13-4 to advance the substitute. House Bill 2269, on middle housing and on-site sewage systems, was described as restoring current law so any county may allow middle housing in LAMIRDs, while limiting septic use to middle housing in LAMIRDs and requiring public sewer in non-rural counties. The sponsor said the substitute reflected collaboration with stakeholders and was a step toward expanding middle housing in rural areas. The committee unanimously approved the substitute 17-0. House Bill 2118 was discussed in staff briefing but was not moved during the executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to get the author of the author next door. We're going to get the author next door.
• a property... an opportunity to freeze that value for that particular property.
• a property.
• Property values generally increase slowly over time. Property values are predictable, right?
• House Bill 570 by Representative Wilder authorizes the taxing authority to adjust to the maximum authorized

Bills: HB287, HB340, HB412, HB440, HB514, HB515, HB521, HB543, HB553, HB570, HB961

Keywords: HB 287, Louisiana Tax Commission, ad valorem, property tax, property assessment, assessment fees, fee extension, sunset extension, public service property, utility property, insurance company property, financial institution property, tax administration, R.S. 47:1838, Act 296, reappraisal, ad valorem tax, valuation, Louisiana tax law, homestead exemption

Bills: SB342, SB342, SB159

Keywords: land bank, land bank authority, local land bank authority, Alabama Land Bank Authority, tax delinquent property, tax sale, tax lien, redemption period, quiet title, blight remediation, vacant property, foreclosure, ad valorem tax, property tax exemption, intergovernmental agreement, county government, municipal government, redevelopment, brownfields, floodplain management

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, members, this bill deals with the Alabama Port Authority.
• Several cities got together back in the 70s, and they started the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority

Bills: HB93, HB160, HB29, HB29, HB93, HB160

Keywords: HB93, Alabama State Port Authority, State Auditor, property inventory, inventory control, audit exemption, state property, personal property inventory, public authority, port authority, Section 36-16-11, Code of Alabama 1975, administrative oversight, state audit, conforming changes, government property, Alabama Municipal Electric Authority, AMEA, municipal electric authority, board of directors

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, the multifamily property tax exemption exempts real property associated with the construction
• authority to acquire, hold, lease, and transfer real property.
• authority to acquire hold lease and transfer real property.
• The housing authority or a public corporation operating as a land bank authority could own the housing
• would be exempt from property tax.

Bills: HB1983, HB1974, HB2334, HB2367, HB2650, HB2655

Keywords: timberland, real estate, excise tax, governmental entities, property taxation, land bank, land banking authority, affordable housing, housing crisis, housing supply, public corporation, public housing authority, nonprofit housing, tax-foreclosed property, blight remediation, redevelopment, anti-displacement, equity, redlining, racial segregation

Summary: House Finance held public hearings on several bills. HB 2451, a substitute bill on local tax increment financing, would add conditions on where increment areas can be designated, require more detailed project analyses and earlier notice/consultation with affected taxing districts, expand dispute resolution steps, and exempt preexisting TIF areas from some changes; cities, ports, and fire/public safety stakeholders testified in support, saying the bill reflects a negotiated compromise and improves protections for impacted districts. HB 2322 would change the alternative jet fuel incentive program from a production-capacity trigger to a date-certain start, add carbon-intensity scoring for fuels outside the Clean Fuels Program, and extend the credits through 2046; supporters said it gives certainty and helps develop sustainable aviation fuel, while an opponent argued the bill subsidizes continued fuel burning and urged reducing flights instead. HB 2590 would exempt limited equity cooperatives from WUCIOA unless they opt in, move and revise the statutory definition of LECs, and let cooperatives set certain resale and return terms in their governing documents; supporters said it removes mismatched legal barriers to affordable homeownership, while members raised concerns about unintended restrictive eligibility rules and asked about fair housing limits. HB 2655 would create a new sales and use tax exemption for certain new data centers in a specific eastern Washington county, conditioned on labor standards, job creation, and sustainability certifications; labor and economic development supporters said it would bring jobs and support related clean-energy projects, while opponents criticized the subsidy and the project labor/community workforce agreement requirements. The committee then took executive action and reported out HB 1983, HB 1974 as amended, HB 2334 as amended, HB 2367, and HB 2650, all with do-pass recommendations; HB 2367’s amendment to remove the emergency clause failed, and the committee adjourned after passing HB 2650 unanimously.

Bills: SB 250, SB 375, SB 536, SB 845, SB 1633, SB 1944, SB 1957, SB 2081, SB 2137, SB 2262, SB 2299, SB 2419, SB 2452, SB 2522, SB 2549, SB 2594, SB 2605, SB 2631, SB 2639, SB 2675, SB 3029, SJR 60, HB 22, HB 1392, HB 2525

Keywords: municipal annexation, railroad, adjacent areas, local government, property rights, healthcare provider, Harris County Hospital District, hospital funding, healthcare services, public health program, home loans, nurses, veterans, public servants, Texas Heroes program, low-interest loans, social workers, housing assistance, housing tax credits, disaster recovery

Transcript Highlights:

• First, land owned by a nonprofit land bank is exempt from property tax.
• from property tax or leasehold excise tax.
• In addition, the bill exempts all property sales to or by a land bank from real estate excise tax.
• as land banks to hold property tax-free.
• Banks to hold property tax-free.

Bills: HB2367, HB1974, HB2650, HB2626

Keywords: coal-fired plant, preferential treatment, energy policy, electric generation, regulatory reform, land bank, land banking authority, affordable housing, housing crisis, housing supply, public corporation, public housing authority, nonprofit housing, tax-foreclosed property, blight remediation, redevelopment, anti-displacement, equity, redlining, racial segregation

Summary: House Finance heard public testimony on several bills. HB 2367 would end certain exemptions for the Centralia coal plant by limiting its Climate Commitment Act exemption to pre-2026 emissions, removing restrictions on additional greenhouse gas requirements, and repealing coal sales and use tax exemptions. Staff and the sponsor said the bill would help keep the plant’s transition away from coal on track; business and utility-related witnesses asked for amendments to preserve allowance market stability, while climate advocates strongly supported the bill. The hearing was closed without a vote. HB 1974 would authorize public housing authorities, public corporations, and nonprofits to operate as land banks for affordable housing, give counties priority to land banks for tax-foreclosed property, and create property tax, leasehold excise tax, and REET exemptions tied to land bank activity, with a JLARC review required. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would help move underused and public land into affordable housing production, including starter homes and mixed-income projects. One question focused on whether public land should remain in public ownership longer-term; the sponsor said land banks and land trusts can work together, but financing can be difficult with very long covenants. The hearing was closed. HB 2650, an agency-request bill from the Department of Revenue, would standardize notice and effective-date rules for local REET and lodging tax changes and clarify documentation for affordable housing sales and use tax deferrals. DOR said the changes would improve administration with minimal fiscal impact, and the bill’s sponsor described it as a simple alignment measure. The only public testimony was from DOR in support, and the hearing was closed. HB 2626 would raise the premium tax on health maintenance organizations, health care service contractors, and self-funded multiple employer welfare arrangements from 2% to 3%, remove a dentistry-related exemption, and create a new 1% tax on certain disability and group stop-loss insurers. The sponsor said the bill is intended to help backfill expected health care funding gaps and support Apple Health and subsidies, and asked about a possible amendment to prevent pass-through to consumers. Insurers, business groups, and dental plans opposed the bill, warning it would raise premiums, reduce affordability, and potentially affect employer coverage decisions; patient and advocacy witnesses supported the revenue concept but urged that proceeds be directed to health care subsidies and protections against pass-through. No vote was taken, and the committee also announced amendment deadlines and a 4 p.m. meeting the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• is no. local authority that can cancel that plant or that subdivision.
• This, this, I don't know that it. has the authority to do anything with them.
• I don't think it overlaps in grants authority over a MUD other than what the authority . . . that they
• Morgan, we do get increased property value.
• The developer assembles... assembles the property, as Ms.

Bills: HB23, HB363, HB447, HB954, HB23

Keywords: third-party review, property development, local government, permits, construction inspection, regulatory authority, land development, liability, occupancy certificate, municipal utility district, petition, county clerk, water code, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, traffic impact studies, bonds, road projects, eminent domain, extraterritorial jurisdiction, county authority

Bills: HB23, HB23, HB363, HB447, HB954

Keywords: property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, Texas Tax Code, nonprofit corporation, charitable organization, educational nonprofit, scientific nonprofit, agriculture support, youth programs, community education, county population threshold, large county, local government revenue, leasehold interest, possessory interest, county property tax, nonprofit-owned property, third-party review, property development, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• What we're deciding as an authority, what are the proper authorities that we should be looking at for
• The having a federal authority on food safety and labeling, uh, gives us predictability in what we can
• We have been working through our concerns with the bill with the bill authors, and we believe that all
• We've, we've done a lot of work with the bill authors on that and have talked about specific ingredients
• Um, but we will continue to work with the bill authors to work, to work through that, to try to get the

Bills: HB25, HB38

Keywords: ivermectin, pharmacist authority, prescription-free, healthcare regulation, patient access, interest rate, ad valorem taxes, homesteads, property tax, tax deferral

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Alabama Republican Party Secretary and the author of the March 7th Republican Party State Executive
• 00:30:36.399><c> Secretary</c><00:30:37.360><c> and</c><00:30:37.520><c> the</c><00:30:37.679><c> author
• and the author of the March<00:30:38.720><c> 7th</c><00:30:39.279><c> Republican</c><00:30:40.240><c
• I'm the author of Unshackling Democracy, Racing Term Limits, and Powered Citizens.
• I'm the author of Unshackling Democracy, Racing Term Limits, and Powered Citizens.

Bills: HB541, SB194

Keywords: PFAS, drinking water, public health, environmental management, liability, agriculture authority, eminent domain, property rights, tax exemption, agriculture center, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They would be responsible for trying to find the owners of the properties or just selling the property
• proof that they own the property. provide proof that they're going to do something with the property
• You mentioned property taxes; why are they not foreclosing on these properties?
• without the approval of property owners.
• I bought the property lot back in 2017.

Bills: SB1079, SB1243, SB1504, SB1579, SB1708, SB1844, SB1851, SB1879, SB1921, SB1951, SB2237, SB2238, SB2406, SB2407

Keywords: SB 1079, Texas, county government, commissioners court, Local Government Code, Chapter 263, surplus property, salvage property, data storage device, hard drive, electronic media, digital records, confidential information, protected information, privacy, records retention, information security, data destruction, device disposal, sensitive data

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, uh, local bill, Senate Bill 1504 amends Chapter 409 of creating the 61st legislature to authorize
• the Gulf Coast Authority to hold meetings by telephone, video conference, or other similar telecom communication
• Members, any questions of the author.
• Alright, ah, members, any more questions of the author?
• creates additional wear and tear on the road which then translates to higher repair costs and higher property

Bills: SB 1079, SB 1243, SB 1504, SB 1579, SB 1708, SB 1844, SB 1851, SB 1879, SB 1921, SB 1951, SB 2237, SB 2238, SB 2406, SB 2407

Keywords: SB 1079, Texas, county government, commissioners court, Local Government Code, Chapter 263, surplus property, salvage property, data storage device, hard drive, electronic media, digital records, confidential information, protected information, privacy, records retention, information security, data destruction, device disposal, sensitive data

Transcript Highlights:

• property acquisition costs, the amount paid to the property owners, is a very small part of virtually
• , the property acquisition costs, the amount paid to the property owners is a very small part of virtually
• I know it's important to property owners and I get the balancing act that is required in condemning property
• This document doesn’t have any legal authority to it.
• the value of the whole property.

Bills: HB5489, HB5695, HB5699, SB291, SB292

Keywords: impact fee, moratorium, local government, Texas legislation, infrastructure funding, municipal utility district, eminent domain, bonds, assessments, infrastructure, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Harris County, Municipal Utility District, territory exclusion, debt service taxes, property taxation, condemnation, property acquisition, real property, appraisal reports

Bills: HB 537, HB 594, HB 1629, HB 2014, HB 2273, HB 3733, HB 1862, HB 2413, HB 3335

Keywords: noise regulation, criminal offense, public health, residential areas, county authority, Texas, local governance, sheriff's department, civil service, exempt positions, local government, police oversight, fireworks, retail sales, permits, Texas-Mexico border, seasonal sales, election, hospital district, board of directors

Transcript Highlights:

• the Gulf Coast Authority to hold meetings by telephone, video conference, or other similar telecommunication
• The legislature charged the Gulf Coast Authority (GCA) with a broad mission to protect the waters of
• For several years, the Gulf Coast Authority has offered open meetings via video conference.
• Members, are there any questions for the author? All right, seeing none, we're going to...
• Any other questions of the author? Seeing none, we will begin.

Bills: SB 1079, SB 1243, SB 1504, SB 1579, SB 1708, SB 1844, SB 1851, SB 1879, SB 1921, SB 1951, SB 2237, SB 2238, SB 2406, SB 2407

Keywords: SB 1079, Texas, county government, commissioners court, Local Government Code, Chapter 263, surplus property, salvage property, data storage device, hard drive, electronic media, digital records, confidential information, protected information, privacy, records retention, information security, data destruction, device disposal, sensitive data

Summary: The meeting of the Senate Committee on Local Government was marked by significant discussions on multiple bills aimed at enhancing governance and protecting taxpayer interests. Among the notable legislations was SB1951, where Senator Paxton emphasized reforms to reduce erroneous penalty notices imposed by appraisal districts, eliminating the financial incentive for such penalties. The session concluded with public testimonies that highlighted the importance of transparency and accountability in taxpayer dealings. Additionally, Senator Middleton presented SB1504 and SB2237, focusing on the operational frameworks of local authorities and executive severance payments, respectively, both of which sparked considerable debate among committee members.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, some entities that use eminent domain to acquire real property don’t pay their property taxes
• non-historic properties due to the restrictions those historic properties have.
• non-historic properties due to the restrictions that those historic properties have.
• property owner from keeping chickens, even in a municipality that authorizes it.
• I'm legal counsel for a district hospital authority and Tomball Hospital Authority.

Bills: SB2784, HB23, HB247, HB1533, HB2011, HB2013, HB2273, HB2421, HB2464, HB3120, HB3424, HB3575, HB3788, HB4370, HB4809, HB5057, HB5084, HB5534, HB5668, HJR34

Keywords: Somervell County, hospital district, board of directors, elections, local governance, staggered terms, third-party review, property development, local government, permits, construction inspection, regulatory authority, land development, liability, occupancy certificate, border security, tax exemption, ad valorem, real property, infrastructure

Summary: The committee heard and left pending several local government, property tax, development, and public safety measures before later voting some of them out. Senator Birdwell explained SB 2784 for the Somerville County Hospital District, which would move the board to staggered four-year terms after a transition and was requested to be held pending until the House companion could be acted on; no public testimony was offered. HB 5084 would allow local approval for fireworks sales tied to Lunar New Year celebrations, with testimony from Hutchinson County Judge Cindy Irwin emphasizing local fire risk and the need for county discretion. HB 5534 would let county commissioners post agendas electronically instead of on a physical bulletin board. HB 4370 would expand permissible projects for certain special districts to include geothermal water conveyance systems, and HB 312 would require residential child detention facilities to enter local MOUs, report health and safety information, and conduct background checks for state-funded facilities; both drew supportive testimony and were left pending. HB 5057 would give displaced solid waste providers time to wind down after a city grants an exclusive franchise, and HB 2421 would extend the life of the Save Historic Muni District to continue work on preserving Lions Municipal Golf Course; both were left pending after supportive testimony. HB 2011 would let former owners repurchase property taken by eminent domain if the acquiring entity fails to pay property taxes for two years, and the committee substitute to SB 3065 was also laid out and left pending after a technical correction to eminent-domain language. The committee then took up additional bills on development, appraisal, and local regulation, including HB 3575, HB 4809, HB 2273, HB 247/HJR 34, HB 2464, HB 3424, HB 2013, HB 5668, HB 3788, HB 1533, and HB 23, with testimony ranging from support to opposition on issues such as appraisal procedures, historic property valuation, Galveston emergency governance, border-security tax treatment, home-based businesses, chicken covenants in HOAs, municipal utility district authority, hospital authorities’ use of assets, and third-party building review. HB 23 drew the most extensive testimony, with builders, engineers, counties, and cities split over third-party plan review and inspection authority, liability, licensing, and local code enforcement; many witnesses said the House amendments created problems and the bill was left pending. In the end, the committee voted SB 2784, SB 3065, HB 5686, HB 247, HJR 34, and HB 2011 out of committee, with the first several receiving local and uncontested calendar recommendations where applicable.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, and thank you to the authors of the bill, the co-authors who brought the bill forward.
• ,</c> contract for the use of real property, contract for the use of real property, then<00:45:04.079
• After the a property tax increase.
• Of a property tax increase.
• </c> everybody's property values went up 10%. everybody's property values went up 10%.

Bills: HF4077, HF3798, HF3886

Keywords: municipal nondisclosure agreement, NDA, public records, transparency, local government, county, city, town, school district, housing and redevelopment authority, economic development authority, port authority, economic development, land development, public financing, tax increment financing, TIF, abatement, municipal bonds, debt obligations

Transcript Highlights:

• It authorizes parish governing authorities to implement a property tax exemption for the rehabilitation
• the property, and that adds value to the property.
• taxes, or they have less $10,000 dollars of property taxes to pay on that property.
• It stays with the property and the title property owner. The exemption is not transferable.
• It stays with the property and the title property owner.

Bills: HB214, HB217, HB514, HB593, HB618, HB732, HB908, HB961, HB1010

Keywords: property tax, blighted properties, urban rehabilitation, tax exemption, local government, financial incentives, blighted property, derelict property, property tax exemption, local redevelopment plans, rehabilitation standards, ad valorem tax, community development, senior citizens, homestead exemption, Louisiana Constitution, motor vehicles, local fees, transaction fees, funding

Transcript Highlights:

• on that acquired property.
• the property.
• non-historic properties due to the restrictions that those historic properties have.
• property owner from keeping chickens, even in a municipality that authorizes it.
• Both of those authorities have...

Bills: SB2784, HB23, HB247, HB1533, HB2011, HB2013, HB2273, HB2421, HB2464, HB3120, HB3424, HB3575, HB3788, HB4370, HB4809, HB5057, HB5084, HB5534, HB5668, HJR34, HB23, HB247, HJR34

Keywords: Somervell County, hospital district, board of directors, elections, local governance, staggered terms, third-party review, property development, local government, permits, construction inspection, regulatory authority, land development, liability, occupancy certificate, border security, tax exemption, ad valorem, real property, infrastructure