Transcript Highlights:

• And then the analysis is done on the data that's been entered.
• The cost analysis study, though, will actually look at the cost, the true costs that it would take to
• As opposed to a cost analysis study looking at the real live, real-time reality of the cost of living
• The data on the market rate survey looks at provider-reported tuition as opposed to the cost analysis
• The cost analysis study looks at modeled programs using actual cost drivers, and then there's a list

Summary: The Early Childhood Committee met for an update from the Office of Early Childhood within the Department of Education. Members heard that the office’s goals under the LEARNS Act are to improve kindergarten readiness, support families, ensure quality providers, and expand affordable, accessible child care. Staff reviewed the local lead system, licensing, quality efforts such as CLASS and QRIS, and the two main funding streams: School Readiness Assistance (SRA), a federal CCDF-funded voucher program serving about 14,600 children with a wait list of a little over 3,000, and Arkansas Better Chance (ABC), a state-funded program serving about 21,000 children with authority recently increased to 24,000 slots. A major topic was the difference between market rate surveys and cost analysis studies. Officials said the department is procuring both through an RFP, hoping to begin by August and have results by late in the year. Members pressed for current reimbursement levels, the gap between ABC and SRA funding, and whether ABC funding should be increased to better match costs. Staff explained that SRA rates are set at 75% of the market rate, while ABC per-child funding is much lower, and that ABC slots are limited by the overall allocation. They also explained that some ABC slots were increased by moving children from a discontinued federal pre-K arrangement into ABC to preserve continuity of care. Committee members raised concerns about rural access, infant and toddler shortages, provider stability, workforce pay, and communication with families and providers. Officials said local leads are now helping identify underserved areas, that no county with absolutely no care is known, and that the department is trying to get a truer statewide count of children and providers. They also described efforts to improve communication through monthly provider calls, website postings, and direct case contacts with families. Members discussed possible funding increases, including ideas to reduce the SRA wait list and raise ABC funding, but no formal vote or action was taken beyond approving prior meeting minutes and receiving the update.

Transcript Highlights:

• I can share from an I-Budget waiver perspective.
• All of those services different than I-Budget for this population.
• How do those compare to the I-Budget?
• So, yes, we are paying more than some of the I-Budget providers for I-Budget services.
• That is true, but we're not trying to recruit them away from I-Budget.

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee received an overview of Florida’s intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) managed care pilot, created by legislation in 2023 to test whether a managed care model could integrate Medicaid medical services with iBudget waiver home- and community-based services for adults in pre-enrollment categories. AHCA explained the existing system, the pilot’s scope in Regions D and I, and the rollout timeline, including federal approval, contract execution with Florida Community Care, and the October 2024 go-live. Officials reported that, as of early February, 370 individuals had been sent for onboarding and 168 more were in queue, with about $35.8 million of the appropriation remaining. APD also clarified the difference between the pre-enrollment categories and the waiver waitlist, and noted that crisis cases can be enrolled more quickly depending on eligibility and funding. Florida Community Care described the pilot as a comprehensive managed care model offering medical, long-term care, and iBudget services, plus enhanced benefits such as bed-hold days, caregiver transportation, and help with legal guardianship costs. The plan said it uses one care coordinator, a 1:18 coordinator ratio, a face-to-face assessment within five days of enrollment, and 180 days of continuity of care for existing providers. The company emphasized that it is recruiting providers by offering higher rates than some iBudget rates, lower administrative burden, and network adequacy incentives, while APD said it continues to monitor provider supply and demand and recruit across service types and regions. Members repeatedly questioned whether the pilot’s costs, provider rates, and service levels were truly comparable to the iBudget system, and AHCA and APD said it was too early to draw firm conclusions because claims data are still lagging. Committee members also raised concerns about communication, enrollment delays, provider shortages, and whether the pilot could scale statewide. APD said it has used letters, phone calls, texts, emails, and community meetings to reach eligible individuals, and that some delays stem from required assessments, Medicaid eligibility checks, and level-of-care determinations. Several members asked for more detailed comparisons of costs and provider reimbursement between the pilot and iBudget, and APD said it would provide additional data. Public testimony at the end was strongly critical of managed care, with a participant and his mother describing poor service, transportation failures, and loss of control under prior managed care arrangements, and urging the committee not to expand such a model without safeguards. No votes or formal committee action were taken before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• letter one week prior to the hearing in order for your organization's position to reflect in the bill analysis
• And in the face of a structural budget deficit, as we've been talking about this week, of course, cuts
• deficit and the legislative budget plan proposes to underfund schools by $3.9 billion.
• The Legislature needs to look at all options to stabilize the budget and prevent cuts in the future.
• , they may do things. ...disturbing, considering we know that when people are on a tight budget they

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As detailed in the excellent committee analysis, SB 983 would allow the port to utilize JOC authority
• Alameda County has one of the most transparent budget processes in the state.
• public, and all budget documents are posted to the county's website.
• As a matter of course... ...all budget documents are posted to the county's website.
• The budget itself, to quote the actual budget and not necessarily, hey, you guys have a budget, it highlights

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• California Health Benefit Review Program, also known as CHBRP, by six years and increase its annual budget
• Our work is really designed to help provide credible analysis in a really complicated arena, as you know
• Senator Weber Pearson and the committee analysis have described our work clearly and well.
• As noted in the analysis, CHBRP has had just one budgetary increase in 20-plus years.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on June 17 and began with procedural announcements, quorum, and a consent calendar. The consent items included SB 246, SB 278, SB 317, and SB 386, which were moved together and approved by roll call. The committee then took up its only presentation item, SB 439 by Senator Weber, which would extend the sunset of the California Health Benefit Review Program (CHBRP) by six years and increase its annual budget by $1 million. Support testimony came from Jen Chase on behalf of the University of California and Garin Corbett, CHBRP’s director. They described CHBRP as providing objective, evidence-based analysis of health benefit mandate bills, noted its workload and public resources, and argued that the program needs the extension and funding increase to keep pace with inflation and the growing complexity of health policy. No opposition testimony was offered. Committee members expressed support for CHBRP’s role in informing health policy and fiscal analysis. SB 439 was then moved due pass to Appropriations and approved on a unanimous roll call vote. The hearing concluded after additional add-on votes confirmed the measures were out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, you appropriated more money than that in the budget with the 85 this time.
• budgets.
• Beds and some other things that included air conditioning, that's in the budget as well.
• Fire alarms, and lots of other projects that we have within that budget.
• Forgive me real quick — you said that's in the base budget, which is now past that $118 million?

Bills: HB1826, HB2854, HB3006, HB4614, HB5261, HB5639

Keywords: mental health, women's health, county jail, depression screening, criminal justice, HB 2854, Pokuaa-Flowers Act, parole, mandatory supervision, electronic monitoring, releasee, parole officer, hospital visit approval, general hospital, law enforcement notification, DSHS, Department of State Health Services, corrections, public safety, liability immunity

Transcript Highlights:

• Granite State Division of the Society of American Foresters, and a subcommittee is conducting an analysis
• subcommittee is Foresters and a subcommittee is conducting<00:04:36.720> an<00:04:37.040> analysis
• <00:04:38.080> of<00:04:38.320> the conducting an analysis of the conducting an analysis
• But as a overall budget,<00:17:56.559> as<00:17:56.880> long<00:17:56.960> as<00
• >> Finalize<00:53:39.440> our<00:53:39.760> county<00:53:40.079> budget.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting opened with roll call and approval of the prior minutes, including a requested correction to Thomas Han’s statement about a Granite State Division of the Society of American Foresters subcommittee studying the timber yield tax and current use forest land tax assessment formula. The correction was adopted, and the minutes were then approved as amended. The main agenda item was a hearing of landowners on forest taxation and carbon credits. Several scheduled speakers canceled, so the committee received a letter from Ross Karen, a Coos County landowner and forester, who opposed carbon credit sales because of “leakage” and argued that diverse local markets and productive forests are better than carbon sales. Aean Kelly of White Mountain Lumber and the Randolph Town Forest also testified, saying many Coos County landowners and forest managers have declined carbon credit offers because they do not fit New Hampshire’s working-forest tradition. He argued that carbon agreements should be treated on a level playing field with traditional harvesting and that, if they are to be encouraged, they should face a fiscal adjustment comparable to the timber tax. Kelly also gave a detailed history of the timber tax, explaining that it was created in 1948 to replace uneven local property taxation on standing timber, discourage clearcutting, and stabilize the tax base while preserving working forests. He said the tax was intended to be collected when timber is harvested, not to stop logging, and that a later commission found the 10% rate roughly matched the revenue towns lost. In response to questions, he said pre-1948 assessments varied widely by town and tax collector, and that carbon projects today are already being valued by sophisticated models, so he believes carbon should be included in the assessment system. He also said short-term carbon agreements may simply monetize existing forest value, while 100-year agreements raise enforceability concerns. No votes or other formal actions were taken beyond approving the amended minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we just had the governor's announcement yesterday on budget.
• So we just had the governor's announcement yesterday on budget.
• I appreciate your analysis about the competition for employees out west.
• But the first one for us was conducting that market analysis.
• This goes to our page of all the work we did as our market analysis.

Summary: The Higher Education Institutions Committee met on the Minot State University campus for presentations on campus operations, enrollment, and new academic initiatives. President Shirley reviewed recent audits, noting mostly clean results with only minor technical findings, and highlighted MSU’s broad academic offerings, specialized accreditations, athletics, and partnerships with Minot Air Force Base and the MSU Development Foundation. Members asked about declining interest in teacher education, tuition waivers for athletes, dual credit incentives, and how MSU decides when to launch new programs and avoid duplication within the university system. Shirley also discussed several workforce-focused initiatives supported by the Legislature’s Workforce Education Innovation Funds, including the purchase of the Trinity Health Center West building for a downtown health sciences hub, a new daycare/preschool partnership near campus, the Aspire program to recruit rural students into teaching, and a paraprofessional-to-special-education degree pathway. Enrollment data showed overall headcount was flat at just under 2,750, but full-time equivalent enrollment rose slightly and new student numbers increased, including the largest freshman class in 15 years. The committee also discussed Minot State’s in-state tuition rate for all students, its dual credit “Emerging Scholars” scholarship, and concerns about the share of high school graduates who do not immediately pursue postsecondary education. Faculty then presented two new programs funded in part by WEAF: an Innovation Engineering degree and a master’s program in counseling with an integrated addiction studies focus. The engineering program was described as industry-driven, designed with broad early coursework, hands-on learning, and local employer input to prepare students for western North Dakota workforce needs; officials said it had already drawn more applicants than expected and would use renovated library space and donated or grant-funded equipment. The counseling program will be mostly face-to-face with hybrid options, aims to address shortages in mental health and substance use providers, and is structured to help students meet licensure requirements. Committee members asked about startup costs, licensure supervision hours, and whether the programs would be on campus rather than online, and presenters said both programs had recently received required approvals and were moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• attract top-tier talent in election law, election administration, and statistical and quantitative analysis
• attract top-tier talent in election law, election administration, and statistical and quantitative analysis
• Follow-up: So in the budget for future, it will be recurring.
• Through the chair: Yes, they are requesting to be put in the budget for recurring dollars.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education Postsecondary met with a quorum present and first considered CS/SB 1356, relating to the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases. Senator Burton explained a delete-all amendment that would create the institute at Florida State University, establish the Sunshine Genetics Pilot Program for newborn screening at select sites, and form a Sunshine Genetics Consortium to coordinate researchers and clinicians. The amendment also included $5 million in recurring funding for the institute and $2 million in nonrecurring funding for the pilot program. The committee heard supportive testimony from Gavin Lambert and his mother, who described the benefits of earlier diagnosis for Friedreich’s ataxia, along with support from representatives of Alexion Pharmaceuticals, FSU, BioFlorida, and the Biotechnology Innovation Organization. Senators Berman and Harrell spoke in favor of the bill, emphasizing early detection and collaboration. The amendment was adopted, and CS/SB 1356 was reported favorably on a roll call vote. The committee then took up SB 892, which would codify the Florida State University Election Law Center in statute and make it eligible for recurring funding. Senator Simon said the center was created in 2023 with a $1 million nonrecurring appropriation and that the bill would help sustain its work and attract talent in election law and related fields. Senator Berman asked about current funding and whether the center would be supported through recurring General Appropriations Act funding in the future; Senator Simon responded that the bill would allow it to compete for recurring dollars. Jack Rowan, an FSU law student, testified in support and highlighted the center’s work, including a Bush v. Gore 25th anniversary conference. Professor Michael Morley and Lena Rojas also supported the bill. No opposition was presented, and SB 892 was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• As we know, we have spent many hours deliberating the budget, which we know impacts many of our food
• I'll be accepting the committee amendments outlined in the analysis.
• And I'll be accepting the committee amendments outlined in the analysis.
• As noted in the bill analysis, the PCOR is an administrative document designed to be used exclusively
• As noted in the bill analysis, the PCOR is an administrative document designed to be used exclusively

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As we know, we have spent many hours As we know, we have spent many hours deliberating the budget, which
• And I'll be accepting the committee amendments outlined in the analysis. Well, good evening, Mr.
• And I'll be accepting the committee amendments outlined in the analysis.
• As noted in the bill analysis, the PCOR is an administrative document designed to be used exclusively
• The technical clarifying amendments are spelled out in comment J of the bill analysis.

Summary: The Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee held a final hearing on a series of Senate bills, with the chair explaining the committee’s suspense-file process and then taking up measures in regular order and later from suspense. SB 1329 on solar property tax assessment drew the most extensive testimony: the author and industry supporters said it would create statewide assessment standards, exclude intangibles, and provide certainty for solar development, while county assessors and county representatives opposed it as a statutory formula that would undercut fair market value and reduce local revenue. The bill was sent to suspense during the first portion of the hearing and later passed suspense 5-2 after amendments. SB 661, dealing with airport funding and aviation fuel tax revenues, also generated support from airport and local government representatives but opposition from airlines over the proposed distribution formula; it was referred to suspense and later passed 7-0 with amendments. SB 1172, which places guardrails on tax-sharing agreements, was supported by local governments and retailers; after the author accepted committee amendments, opposition was withdrawn and the bill passed 4-2 to the floor. SB 9-1-1, a wildfire safety measure using the Preliminary Change of Ownership Report to notify fire agencies about defensible-space compliance, was supported by fire chiefs and wildfire-safety advocates but opposed by assessors; it passed 5-2 to Appropriations. SB 1408, authorizing Contra Costa County to place a transportation sales tax on the ballot, passed 4-2 to the floor. SB 1072, the housing omnibus bill, passed 7-0, and SB 1424, expanding a sales tax exemption for zero-emission vehicle fueling equipment, was held in committee after support from hydrogen and electric transportation advocates and no opposition. In suspense-file action, the committee also passed SB 1435, SB 288, SB 296, SB 420, SB 881, SB 888, SB 1053, SB 1406, and SB 1407, while SB 353 and SB 1249 were held. The chair closed by thanking members, staff, stakeholders, and a retiring consultant, and adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• The author has put in a budget request to fund implementation. Thank you.
• The author has put in a budget request to fund implementation. Thank you. Thank you.
• The true fiscal impact is far greater than what is currently reflected in the analysis.
• The true fiscal impact is far greater than what is currently reflected in the analysis.
• How does the committee analysis account for this?

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• our budget. our budget.
• , sure that the the data, the analysis, sure that the the data, the analysis, the<02:17:24.360>
• We can do that internally and analysis.
• <03:27:02.320> from But again, I don't have an analysis from But again, I don't have an analysis
• So, I think those are the state budget.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > and<00:19:29.200> SNAP, This budget slashes Medicaid and SNAP, This budget slashes Medicaid
• That's 13% of our budget.
• just immediately bring the budget just immediately bring the budget reconciliation<02:40:52.399>
• the nonpartisan Congressional Budget the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.<02:58:23.760><
• Congressional Budget Office. Nothing. Congressional Budget Office. Nothing.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Budget and policy subcommittee will now come to order. Faith. Please call the roll Chair.
• Welcome to I'd and it budget and policy subcommittee today.
• So employees report that AI has been especially helpful and drafting the basic outlines for Bill Analysys
• One of our legislative analysts have recently used AI to prepare an initial outline for a bill analysis
• The end result was a more organized analysis completed in less time.

Transcript Highlights:

• There would be an environmental review with an alternatives analysis.
• <00:16:44.160> and Alternatives and do a full analysis and Alternatives and do a full analysis
• provide a level of urban impact analysis provide a level of urban impact analysis comparable<00:
• <01:07:18.079> of that there is no specific analysis of that there is no specific analysis
• I encourage everybody to vote yes. analysis um doesn't make sense to me um analysis um doesn't make sense

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This obviously can create some concerns about overruns and, you know, mismanaged budgets.
• Historically, our analysis has focused on questions such as: Is additional generation capacity needed
• It requires a cost-benefit analysis to be completed prior to consideration of a direct investment.
• They took uranium analysis off those samples.
• They took uranium analysis off those samples.

Summary: The Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee met to review prior minutes and hear a series of presentations on advanced nuclear technology and state readiness. The committee approved the April 21, 2022 minutes. Nucleon’s William Bridge outlined the advanced nuclear landscape, distinguishing near-term light-water SMRs from more advanced Gen 4 reactors and microreactors, and emphasized that fuel supply, especially HALEU, remains a developing supply chain. He said light-water designs are the most deployable in the near term, while advanced reactors may be better suited for industrial heat applications and could face a 2- to 3-year delay from fuel availability. Representatives from NASEO described how other states are supporting advanced nuclear through task forces, roadmaps, pilot programs, financing tools, workforce and supply-chain efforts, and regional coordination. They highlighted the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative and stressed that states are focusing early on emergency preparedness, community engagement, waste management, affordability, and consumer protections. They also noted that some states are creating nuclear-ready community programs and cost-recovery guardrails, while public utility commissions are examining long-term lifecycle costs and rate impacts. North Dakota agencies then outlined their potential roles. The Public Service Commission said it would likely be involved in public-interest review, siting, and rate regulation, but noted current statutes may not fully address long-term nuclear projects, co-location, or decommissioning. The Department of Environmental Quality said it would continue to regulate radioactive materials and likely support emergency planning, while fission reactor oversight remains federal. The Department of Emergency Services said it would serve as the lead off-site preparedness agency, needing a radiological emergency program, training, exercises, equipment, and possibly industry funding. The Department of Water Resources said North Dakota has sufficient surface water, especially from the Missouri River, but that water planning would be important; it did not recommend statutory or budget changes at this time. The committee recessed for lunch after these presentations, with no additional votes or actions taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Read the fiscal analysis that was finally put out last night or yesterday.
• Small towns and rural counties do not have litigation budgets.
• Small towns and rural counties do not have litigation budgets.
• I deeply worry about that as we're stretched to fill increasingly aggressive court budgets. Mr.
• And there's just not the budget in these small communities for that.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Their detailed analysis and commitment to strengthening DIR's mission have been critical in crafting
• One budget. One phone number when the unthinkable happens.
• And there's still going to be influence over that budget, the facilities.
• We call them before Senate Finance, and they have to present their budgets separately.
• Named Senate confirmation, not just the budget.

Bills: HB146, HB150, HB1500, HB1545, HB1562, HB2067, HB2520, HB2818, HB3214, HB3250, HB3466, HB3512, HB3623, HB4063, HB4395, HB4464, HB4668, HB4690, HB5331, HB3833, HB146, HB150

Keywords: HB 146, Texas Capitol, State Capitol, State Preservation Board, Congress Avenue, Travis County, traffic lanes, lane closure, road closure, municipal authority, local control, Capitol area, downtown Austin, special events, construction traffic plan, pedestrian safety, public works, transportation policy, government code chapter 443, cybersecurity

Transcript Highlights:

• And could you tell us what the current budget of this board is? What's your base budget?
• That's about 72% of our budget.
• That's about 72% of our budget.
• That's about 72% of our budget.
• That's about 72% of our budget.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Judiciary and Civil Law Committee met to hear an informational presentation from the Board of Judicial Standards. After brief member and staff introductions and a review of committee rules, the board’s executive secretary, Sarah Bas, and Mary Pat Maher explained the board’s history, mission, and operations. They described the board as an independent state agency that handles complaints about judicial misconduct and disability, issues advisory opinions, and educates judges on ethics. The presentation covered the board’s composition, complaint intake and screening process, and the levels of discipline available, ranging from summary dismissal and letters of caution to private admonitions, deferred disposition agreements, public reprimands, and formal complaints that can lead to Supreme Court review. Members asked about the board’s budget, public access to discipline records, confidentiality of complaints, and how the board balances accountability with protecting public confidence in the judiciary. The board said public discipline is posted on its website, while private admonitions, deferred dispositions, dismissals, and letters of caution remain confidential. It also said judges generally are told who complained so they can respond, though the board can withhold the source for good cause. Questions also focused on whether attorneys are underreporting misconduct, how many complaints are nuisance complaints, and whether the online complaint system changed the types of complaints received; the board said nuisance complaints make up more than half, the complaint types have not changed much, and it does not have data comparing complaint sources to outcomes. No votes or formal committee actions were taken.