Transcript Highlights:

• less and less, and at some point our actuary, PWC, would have to realize that the savings they calculated
• I think one of the challenges for me on the way that things are calculated currently by the retirement
• I think one of the challenges for me on the way that things are calculated currently by the retirement
• But some of the calculations that your organization goes through is not just based on that process, but
• you're asking a question in a context where we're faced with a $2.5 billion shortfall in the general revenue

Committee: House Elementary and Secondary Education

Transcript Highlights:

• The models require the filing of a group capital calculation by the ultimate controlling person in the
• the substantive change to the rule made by this amendment is the addition of the group capital calculation
• would then get sedation, but that's, you know, I guess that's the only way you would be able to calculate
• Is there a different way to calculate that fiscal impact? I don't know.
• talked about earlier, every business only has so much margin and therefore reduced income, reduced revenue

Committee: All ALC-ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee of the Arkansas Legislative Council reviewed several agency rules and requests. It approved without objection an Insurance Department amendment implementing Act 261’s holding company system requirements, two State Board of Election Commissioners rules on poll watchers/provisional voting and certified election monitors, and a Treasurer of State rule removing DEI-related membership requirements to comply with Act 938. The committee also held over for a month a Department of Education request related to excluding a rule from reporting requirements so it could be discussed further with the Department of Commerce. A major portion of the meeting focused on the Department of Human Services’ request to be excluded from rulemaking for Acts 567, 568, 967, and 1025. DHS said federal CMS guidance created comparability and other issues for the Medicaid-related dental and diagnostic lab provisions, making it difficult to implement the acts as written by their effective dates. DHS outlined possible paths, including broader adult dental coverage, waivers, or splitting the dental rate increase from the special-needs cap increase. The Arkansas State Dental Association disputed DHS’s approach, arguing Act 1025 is workable, that the pediatric rate increase should move forward separately, and that DHS should continue pursuing the law rather than stop rulemaking. Committee members questioned both sides extensively about CMS correspondence, waiver timelines, fiscal impact, and whether the acts could be severed. After testimony from DHS, the Dental Association, and a public commenter, the committee adopted a motion not to exclude DHS from reporting requirements for Acts 567, 568, 967, and 1025, meaning DHS must continue the normal rulemaking/reporting process. The committee then accepted the Division of Higher Education’s report, which recommended repealing three of its 32 rules and keeping the remaining 29 in effect. It also received routine written updates on older and newer rulemaking items and filed the monthly updates without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• recovery fund proposal, both business and labor representatives agree on the need to jealously guard revenue
• , but don’t look for new work, like people that choose to retire, they are not captured in that calculation
• In that calculation, the changes in workforce participation change the math and may make that rate a
• And so I wanted to know, has the department's methodology changed at all about how you calculate that
• They run a calculation that's set in statute, and that comes up with those months of benefits.

Summary: The committee heard a report on the Underground Economy Task Force in Washington’s construction industry. Labor and Industries said the task force, created by a 2024 budget proviso, met 11 times and developed consensus recommendations to improve enforcement against worker misclassification, unregistered contractors, and unpaid taxes and premiums. Consensus items included defining and regulating construction labor providers, improving interagency data sharing, increasing penalties for repeat offenders, expanding L&I authority over successor accountability, reviewing agency penalty rules, and exploring tracking of cash payments. Majority-but-not-consensus ideas included posting subcontractor notices at job sites, setting an independent-contractor threshold that would trigger L&I review, holding direct contractors liable for unpaid wages owed by subcontractors, and reviewing reporting requirements. Testifiers from labor, business, and the Attorney General’s Office generally supported stronger enforcement and transparency, while business representatives cautioned against overregulation and said any new rules should avoid burdening legitimate contractors or restricting lawful cash payments and independent contracting. L&I said the final report would be distributed by December 31 and the task force work group would be reconvened. The committee then reviewed the wage recovery work group report. L&I explained current wage complaint procedures and said the work group, made up of labor and business representatives, reached five consensus recommendations: allow L&I to prioritize wage complaints strategically, permit aggregation of related complaints, raise the minimum penalty under the Wage Payment Act from $1,000 to $1,500 and create a penalty matrix, improve employer awareness with materials for new hires, and establish a wage recovery fund. The fund would be seeded by penalties, would not require new employer assessments, and would allow limited early payments to eligible workers facing hardship, with a proposed cap of $2,500 and a later review of the program. Business and labor representatives both supported the overall framework, though business raised concerns about fraud safeguards and recovery of funds if a claim is later found invalid. Members also received an overview of Washington’s apprenticeship system. L&I described the state’s apprenticeship agency structure, the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council, and the difference between Washington’s state apprenticeship standards and the federal Office of Apprenticeship system. The presentation highlighted current participation levels, program approval and objection processes, and strong post-completion outcomes, including median annual earnings above $100,000 and an estimated $7.80 return for every public dollar invested. Committee members asked about how apprentices apply, how sponsors work with L&I, and whether recurring objections could be addressed earlier in the process. Finally, the committee heard updates on wildland firefighter respiratory protection, federal cuts to NIOSH, and economic and federal policy impacts on unemployment insurance and workforce services. L&I said wildland firefighters face significant smoke exposure and cancer risk, but current rules do not require respiratory protection for that work because of technical and operational challenges; the agency is watching efforts in other jurisdictions and at the federal level. On NIOSH, L&I warned that federal staffing and grant cuts could weaken occupational safety research, training pipelines, and programs affecting Washington workers, including firefighter cancer tracking and Hanford exposure assessments. ESD reported rising UI claims, a stable unemployment rate, and pressure on the trust fund, while also describing technology and process changes that have improved claims handling. ESD also said HR1 will significantly increase demand on WorkSource services through new work-search requirements for SNAP and Medicaid recipients, creating an unfunded mandate that the agency is preparing to implement with partner agencies.

Transcript Highlights:

• The second amendment treats the funds that would be distributed to a victim from this special revenue
• The second amendment treats the funds that would be distributed to a victim from this special revenue
• um uh account in the special Revenue um uh account in the same<00:54:33.119><c> way</c><00:54:34.119
• and um uh one of them that calculation and um uh one of them that is<00:55:17.079><c> currently</c><
• </c> compensation from the special revenue compensation from the special revenue account<01:04:03.039

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> special Revenue special Revenue fund<00:12:49.000><c> um</c><00:12:49.399><c> one</c><00:12:49.519
• This is the net calculation of the impact on the general fund, so that takes into account reductions
• This includes things like the A fund, the special revenue fund, the remediation fund, gift fund, etc.
• </c><00:14:11.360><c> of</c> total and this is the net calculation of total and this is the net calculation
• fund specifically for the Revenue fund specifically for the pollinator<00:21:17.960><c> research</c>

Bills: HF1704

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So for the first time under H.R. 1, prior to the enactment of H.R. 1, the National Revenue States and
• in on the 15th, and so for that month it wasn't, and then that obviously throws off the entire calculation
• So it's as simple as if someone hits a five instead of a four, that throws off the entire calculation
• what H.R. 1 specifically requires—like I said, it's going to count against us in our error rate calculation—especially

Transcript Highlights:

• revenue growing, but growing at a much more modest rate.
• revenue growing, but growing at a much more modest rate.
• starts with our consensus revenue that we negotiate with the chairs.
• the revenue has increased over, in fact, even our last year's estimates.
• Nevertheless, revenues are up there. There are other aspects of my office.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The joint budget hearing opened the FY27 budget process with remarks from the Senate and House Ways and Means chairs, who described the fiscal outlook as challenging because of slow revenue growth, rising health care and other costs, and uncertainty from federal policy changes. Governor Healey and Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew Gorzkowicz then presented House 2, a $62.8 billion budget that they said grows by about 1% and does not raise taxes or fees. They emphasized affordability, fiscal discipline, protection of core services, and continued investment in education, transportation, housing, child care, health care, and public safety. The administration also discussed a separate bill to delay and phase in certain federal tax-code changes from the so-called OB3 law, especially research and experimental expense provisions, to reduce immediate budget impacts and preserve competitiveness. A major portion of the hearing focused on education and municipal aid. The administration said House 2 provides about $7.6 billion for Chapter 70 aid, fully funds the final year of the Student Opportunity Act, increases special education circuit breaker funding, and raises rural school aid. Senators and representatives from both parties raised concerns that Chapter 70 and other aid formulas are not equitable for small, rural, and low-wealth communities and are not keeping pace with inflation, and several called for broader review of the formula and related funding streams. The governor and secretary said they are open to further discussion, pointed to additional support through rural aid, special education, transportation reimbursements, and minimum aid, and said total Student Opportunity Act investment would reach about $2.1 billion over the life of the law. Transportation, housing, and fair share spending were also central topics. The administration said fair share revenues are being used holistically, with education-heavy spending in the operating budget and transportation-heavy spending in the supplemental budget, and estimated the overall split to date at roughly 57% education and 43% transportation. They highlighted MBTA stabilization, regional transit authority support, microtransit, fare-free regional transit, and bridge and commuter rail investments, while noting the MBTA remains a major fiscal concern. On housing, the governor stressed production, permitting reform, ADUs, down-payment assistance, and support for public housing authorities, while lawmakers pressed for more funding for local housing authorities and for ways to address out-migration, energy costs, and affordability. The governor also said the administration will not withhold fire safety grants from communities over MBTA Communities Act noncompliance and will handle such issues case by case. No votes were taken at the hearing; it was an informational presentation and question-and-answer session.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we just look at the power plants from which the power is coming from and make those calculations,
• We look at the generation sources and make calculations from there.
• So we just look at the power plants from which the power is coming from and make those calculations,
• </c><00:43:10.920><c> and</c> reductions how is that calculated and reductions how is that calculated
• </c> Highway funds so alternative Revenue Highway funds so alternative Revenue sources<01:26:47.400><

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:17:48.880><c> for</c> got a negative number in revenue for got a negative number in revenue for
• ,</c> going to be bringing in revenue, going to be bringing in revenue, what<00:19:00.400><c> this</c
• My problem is on the revenue part. Okay.
• My problem is on the revenue part. Okay.
• Now it's revenues above plan for certain revenues by month, but in one case it's by year and in one case

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Last line: calculating the allowable density on a given lot. Senator. Senator Alvarado.
• Secondly, the per capita revenue for these suburban cities is much lower than, for example, in Seattle
• And so it brings up the question of where do those cities get their tax revenue from?
• But let's take that out of our calculation.

Bills: SB5223 , SB6071 , SB5966 , SB6061 , SB5520 , SB6016 , SB5890 , SB5973 , SB5053 , SB5249 , SB5536 , SB5879 , SB5899 , SB6190 , SB6086 , SB5574 , SB5873 , SB5924 , SB6134 , SB6263 , SB6282 , SB6302 , SB5950 , SB6074 , SB6096 , SB5970 , SB5609 , SB5827 , SB5862 , SB5880 , SB5901 , SB5943 , SB5971 , SB5975 , SB5981 , SB5988 , SB6097 , SJM8016 , SB5496 , SB5907 , SB6031 , SB6155 , SB6158 , SB6227 , SB5947 , SB6085 , SB6234 , SB6274 , SB6194 , SB5909 , SB5868 , SB6026 , SB6044 , SB6239 , SB5923 , SB6045 , SB6106 , SB6089 , SB6170 , SB5954 , SB5968 , SB5489 , SB5762 , SB5832 , SB5847 , SB5963 , SB5969 , SB6027 , SB6032 , SB6049 , SB6066 , SB6079 , SB6082 , SB6113 , SB6114 , SB6160 , SB6162 , SB6164 , SB6176 , SB6289 , SB6309 , SB6319 , SB6347 , SB6308 , SB6200 , SB6080 , SB5911 , SJM8014 , SB6177 , SB6052 , SB6182 , SB5828 , SB6335 , SB6017 , SB6346 , SB6262 , SB5470 , SB5990 , SB6244 , SB5961

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, overpayment recovery, modernization, health care, legislation, healthcare, nutrition, medically tailored meals, dietary support, food security, chronic illness, tourism, self-supported assessment, funding, statewide promotion, economic development

Transcript Highlights:

• complexity of construction costs, as well as local, um, the ability of local school districts to generate revenue
• And, you know, I, off of the chart here, did some very quick calculations.
• I actually had the same calculations. So, so he just, uh, and, and, and that's my concern.
• that they have had, um, particularly the Mexico School for the Blind has had dwindling, um, lease revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• My sole goal is to protect the welfare of our children, and I've had revenue meet with these parties
• Revenue keeps that registry and there are a lot of bad products that are on there, and there are some
• So, my calculations, the first chance would be to not commit a crime. That's your first chance.
• So, we're kind of stuck with the number of cases that I've been able to calculate, and y'all tell me

Bills: SB210 , SB292 , HB360 , HB233 , HB66 , HB356 , HB164 , HB238 , HB209 , SB223 , HB307 , SB210 , SB292 , HB360 , HB233 , HB66 , HB356 , HB164 , HB238 , HB209 , SB223 , HB307

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• You have the fair share revenues that are spent in the operating budget.
• Still revenue growing, but growing at a much more modest rate.
• with our consensus revenue that we negotiate with the chairs.
• the revenue has increased over, in fact, even our last year’s estimates.
• Nevertheless, revenues are up there. There are other aspects of my office.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• So you can imagine that I think I would bet that this, if you really do the calculations, this is actually
• I bet that if you really do the calculations, this is actually a net gain in emissions reduction, excuse
• So you can imagine that, I think I would bet that this, if you really do the calculations, is actually
• So you can imagine that I think I would bet that this, if you really do the calculations, this is actually
• a net gain in emissions. bet that this, if you really do the calculations, this is actually a net gain

Committee: Senate Environmental Quality

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, we passed legislation that commits revenues available through the 2021 compact to make sure
• We, like, the EDR calculates significant fiscal impacts in certain situations based on our population
• requires that any county or municipality that may incur a significant fiscal impact, and that is calculated
• So this shortens the time frame to five years, which will force counties to look at impact fees, calculate
• them, and assess them sooner. ...to look at impact fees, calculate them, and assess them sooner, so

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of introductions and moments of silence recognizing recent tragedies and public figures, including students affected by the FSU shooting, John Thrasher, Coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, and conservation and youth groups visiting the chamber. The body also adopted Senate Resolution 1878 honoring Coach Abdur-Rahim and Senate Resolution 1892 recognizing Florida Wildlife Corridor Week. The chamber then moved through a long special-order calendar, passing several bills with little or no opposition. Measures approved included child care and early learning provider regulation updates (SB 738, 37-0), false reporting/swatting penalties and cost recovery (SB 726, 38-0), health care billing and collection protections/medical debt (SB 656, 38-0), hazardous walking conditions for schoolchildren (SB 650, 38-0), young adult housing support for foster and homeless students (SB 584, 38-0), the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program disclosure bill (SB 508, 37-1), trust fund interest for court-approved purposes after a debated amendment (SB 498, 28-10), transportation and traffic-safety changes including school bus camera hearings and micromobility rules (SB 462, 37-0), public records exemptions for AHCA investigators and JQC/appellate court clerks (SB 342, 34-4; SB 302, 35-3; SB 300, 35-3), municipal water and sewer utility rate fairness for Miami Gardens/North Miami Beach (SB 202/HB 11, 36-2), motor vehicle offenses involving obscured plates and impersonation (SB 44/HB 253, 36-0), trespass at large-scale ticketed events and law-enforcement-controlled sites (SB 1828/HB 1447, 35-1), patient refund of overpayments (SB 1808, 37-0), stem cell therapy standards (SB 1768, 37-0), insulin administration by direct support professionals and relatives (SB 1736/HB 1567, 38-0), and pre-arranged transportation services/rideshare impersonation (SB 1696/HB 1525, 37-0). Several bills were temporarily postponed, including cardiac emergencies, chemicals and consumer products, motor vehicle manufacturers and franchise dealers, and education. Debate centered most heavily on the trust fund interest bill, with supporters arguing it would stabilize funding and better reflect market rates, and opponents warning it would sharply reduce legal aid funding and hurt access to justice. The transportation bill also drew extensive questions and amendments, including removal of a speed-limit increase, changes to school bus infraction hearing procedures, micromobility regulation, and flood-wake enforcement. The municipal water bill prompted constitutional and fairness concerns, while the public records bills were defended as necessary to protect investigators and court personnel from doxing and harassment. Most measures ultimately passed with strong bipartisan support, though the scholarship disclosure bill and trust fund interest bill drew the most visible dissent.

Transcript Highlights:

• the state has provided increased General Fund support and tuition increases are bringing in more revenue
• CSU also saw a 6% increase in tuition revenue in 2024-25.
• In addition, CSU estimates its tuition and fee revenue will increase by about $188 million in 2025-26
• Those are our two major revenue sources.
• And the special fund revenue that supports this is roughly $300,000 a year now? Thank you.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance met to review CSU and State Library budget issues, enrollment trends, the Capital Fellows program, and a Title IX update. Chair David Alvarez opened by stressing that CSU faces serious financial pressure, including a systemwide deficit and proposed cuts that he and several members said were too large and likely to harm access, course offerings, and student services. Public comment focused heavily on the Braille Institute Library, with patrons, staff, veterans, and advocates urging restoration of funding and warning that the proposed cut would severely affect blind and visually impaired Californians across Southern California. Several CSU faculty, staff, and union representatives also opposed the proposed reductions and warned of larger class sizes, fewer sections, and layoffs. On the CSU core operations item, the Department of Finance explained the Governor’s proposal to reduce ongoing General Fund support by about $375 million and defer a 5% base increase, while the LAO said CSU core funding would be roughly flat once tuition and targeted augmentations were considered, but warned that rising costs and prior shortfalls would still force campuses to cut spending. CSU’s Chancellor’s Office said the proposed cut would deepen existing problems, citing prior-year budget gaps, job losses, reduced course sections, and student-service reductions. Members pressed Finance and the LAO on whether cuts could be made more surgically, especially at the Chancellor’s Office or in institutional support rather than in instruction, and the LAO said the Legislature has flexibility to target cuts more specifically. CSU also described ongoing consolidation efforts, including shared services among campuses and the planned Cal Maritime/Cal Poly San Luis Obispo integration, while cautioning that savings are not yet fully known. The committee then discussed CSU enrollment. The LAO recommended holding enrollment targets flat because the budget does not add new funding, while CSU reported strong recent growth, including more California residents, record first-year enrollment, and expanded direct admissions and transfer pathways. Members questioned why some campuses with high demand turn away many applicants while others continue to lose enrollment, and CSU said it is shifting resources from campuses with sustained declines to those with demand, using a 10% below-target threshold. The committee also discussed whether enrollment declines mirror local population trends, how to improve marketing and program alignment, and whether lessons from Cal Poly Humboldt’s conversion could inform other campuses such as Sonoma State. The Capital Fellows item drew a Finance proposal for a salary increase and an LAO counterproposal for a smaller raise plus future COLA language; the committee kept the item open. Finally, CSU reported progress on Title IX compliance, saying it has completed most State Auditor recommendations, expanded civil rights staffing, and increased training, prevention, and case-management efforts, though members asked how proposed budget cuts might affect those services.

Transcript Highlights:

• This generates approximately 3.8 billion dollars to the state each year. 50,000 of that revenue goes
• to the state highway fund, 25% of that revenue goes to public education, and the remaining 25% goes to
• It just doesn't make sense for the county to raise revenue with a property tax only to pay a sales tax
• The calculations used for both the companies as well as the Comptroller's office and the audit.
• Today, Texas does not receive the lion's share of MROs. sales tax revenue.

Bills: SB214 , SB935 , SB1030 , SB1901 , SB2018 , SB2020 , SB2066 , SB2206

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> is</c><00:14:07.760><c> $3.7</c> taxation, their calculation is $3.7 taxation, their calculation
• , which translates into $55 billion in tax revenue and 140,000 new jobs.
• , which translates into $55 billion in tax revenue and 140,000 new jobs.
• But damn it, does anyone own a calculator?
• It's just this place is calculator.

Transcript Highlights:

• You have the fair share revenues that are spent in the operating budget.
• Still revenue growing, but growing at a much more modest rate.
• with our consensus revenue that we negotiate with the chairs.
• the revenue has increased over, in fact, even our last year's estimates.
• Nevertheless, revenues are up there. There are other aspects of my office.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The hearing opened the FY27 budget process with remarks from the Senate and House Ways and Means chairs and testimony from Governor Healey and Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz. The chairs emphasized fiscal caution amid choppy revenue growth, rising health care and education costs, and federal uncertainty, while the governor framed House 2 as a $62.8 billion budget that grows spending by about 1% without new taxes or fees and aims to protect core services while advancing affordability. The administration said the budget uses efficiencies, program integrity, and Fair Share surtax revenue to support education, transportation, housing, child care, health care, and public safety, and it also filed a supplemental Fair Share bill using surplus FY25 funds. Much of the questioning focused on the federal “OB3” tax law and the administration’s separate proposal to delay or phase in certain corporate tax changes, especially research and experimental deductions, to avoid in-year budget shocks. Members also pressed the administration on Fair Share allocations, with the governor and secretary explaining that operating-budget surtax spending is weighted more toward education while supplemental spending is more transportation-focused, and that combined spending is roughly balanced overall. The administration highlighted Chapter 70 aid, special education circuit breaker funding, rural school aid, local aid, child care, the MBTA deficit, regional transit authorities, and a new HHS transportation line item as part of the broader transportation strategy. Several members raised concerns about Chapter 70 equity, rural districts, municipal overrides, out-migration, housing affordability, public housing repairs, and the MBTA Communities Act. The governor and secretary said they are open to further discussion on school funding formulas, PILOT, and municipal aid, and stressed housing production, energy affordability, and workforce development as key responses to out-migration. On energy, the governor defended an all-of-the-above approach, including renewables, gas, and exploration of nuclear, while saying she would continue pushing utilities and regulators to reduce ratepayer costs. The governor also said fire safety grants would not be withheld for noncompliance with the MBTA Communities Act, and members discussed public safety, housing, and local grant impacts in that context. Other topics included the Bright Act and higher education capital investments, with the administration saying it is preparing to support campus infrastructure across the public higher education system and that the bill is intended to strengthen Massachusetts’ competitiveness and retain graduates. Members also questioned cuts to the PCA program and EAEDC, and the governor responded that the state’s PCA program remains strong but is under pressure from large federal health care reductions. No votes were taken; the session was a hearing on the governor’s budget proposal and related policy bills, with the administration taking questions and offering explanations of its recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• They want to make sure revenue works.
• "We're really grateful that y'all brought revenue in because revenue are our guns and badges for the
• "We're really grateful that y'all brought revenue in because revenue are our guns and badges for the
• We're really grateful that y'all brought revenue in because revenue are our guns and badges for the cannabis
• We're really grateful that y'all brought revenue in because revenue are our guns and badges for the cannabis

Committee: Joint Appropriations