Transcript Highlights:

• creating even more of a problem because there is less money to spend overall on this or any other priority
• spend overall on on this or<00:19:29.159> any<00:19:29.360> other<00:19:29.799> priority
• I'd<00:19:31.000> be<00:19:31.120> happy<00:19:31.320> to or any other priority
• I'd be happy to or any other priority I'd be happy to answer<00:19:31.679> any<00:19:32.360><

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint House Committee on Tourism and Committee on Water and Land heard HB 504, which would raise the transient accommodations tax by imposing a $20 nightly charge on stays booked with points, miles, or other rewards-program benefits, with revenues dedicated to DLNR for natural resource protection, management, and restoration. Supporters said Hawaiʻi faces major environmental funding shortfalls and that visitors should help pay for the lands and waters they enjoy. Testimony in support came from DLNR, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Care for Now Coalition, Hawaiʻi Ocean Legislative Task Force, Hawaiʻi Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, Kuaʻulu, Mālama Puka, Resources Legacy Fund, and others, many citing visitor polling showing strong support for an environmental stewardship fee and the need for a dedicated funding source and community grants. Opposition or caution focused mainly on implementation and the tax structure. The Department of Taxation said the surcharge would create administrative difficulties because it would be hard to verify the value of points, miles, and similar bookings, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi said it supported the policy goal but not the funding source, warning that tourists have limited budgets and may choose other destinations. Some members also raised concerns about the $20 rate and administrative complexity, while others said the concept was creative but needed refinement. After discussion, the chair recommended passing HB 504 as HD1 with amendments, including noting DoTax’s concerns and changing the effective date for the surcharge to January 1, 2027. Both committees adopted the recommendation and passed the bill with amendments; one member in Water and Land voted with reservations, and several members were excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• for a response after their application, which is longer than Minnesota's median time for issuing priority
• than Minnesota's uh median time for than Minnesota's uh median time for issuing<00:21:18.840> priority
• toe<00:21:19.520> two<00:21:19.720> permits<00:21:20.080> which issuing priority
• toe two permits which issuing priority toe two permits which is<00:21:20.320> what<00:21:20.440

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• and in particular Senator Marty, Senator Putnam, and Senator Verbeten, to talk about our caucus's priorities
• for this session. ...to talk about our caucus's priorities for this session.
• The first and top priority for us is balancing the budget, and we're going to do that equitably for communities
• What does that look like if you want to pass policy that aligns with DFL priorities?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Commissioners start identifying priorities for staff.
• It depends upon what priorities you think law enforcement is and how reasonable it is to provide a budget
• come to some arrangement, keeping in fact that, again, my biased approach is that public safety is priority
• come to some arrangements, keeping a fact that, again, my biased approach is that public safety is priority

Summary: The Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee met to review how county budgets are developed and how constitutional officers fit into that process. Davin Suggs of the Florida Association of Counties gave an overview of county budgeting, explaining the statutory framework, the role of property taxes and TRIM notices, the fiscal-year timeline, fund balances and reserves, and the Department of Revenue’s oversight. He emphasized that county budgets include the board’s budget plus the budgets of constitutional officers, and that relationships and communication are critical to resolving budget issues. A panel of constitutional officers then described their offices’ budget processes and responsibilities: Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons discussed law enforcement budgeting and the importance of negotiated agreements with county commissions; Alachua County Property Appraiser Aisha Solomon explained the June 1 budget deadline, valuation methods, and the appeal process for property assessments; Manatee County Clerk and Comptroller Angelina Coleniso outlined the clerk’s court and finance duties, the county-side budget process, and the clerk’s personal liability under section 129.09 for unlawful expenditures; Leon County Supervisor of Elections Mark Early described the cyclical nature of election costs, staffing, equipment, and the impact of turnout and election law changes; and Columbia County Tax Collector Kyle Keene explained that tax collectors’ budgets are reviewed by the Department of Revenue, with fee offices funding themselves through service charges and budget offices relying on county support. Members asked about personal liability for unlawful spending, conflicts between clerks and county commissions, property valuation and storm damage adjustments, reserve levels, and whether tax collectors can retain excess fees. Responses noted that clerks must refuse illegal expenditures, property appraisers use market-based assessments with VAB and court review available, counties should maintain healthy fund balances for cash flow and emergencies, and tax collectors generally must zero out year-end balances and distribute excess revenues to taxing authorities. The committee took no votes and adjourned after thanking the panelists for their testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I will say to you that if, as you think about what your priorities are, know that you have partners
• like us who are willing to As you think about what your priorities are, know that you have partners
• Your priorities regarding CTE are our college's priorities, but most important is impacting our students

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education received an overview of Florida’s career and technical education (CTE) system from Chancellor Kevin O’Farrell, who described the state’s CTE pathways, program types, enrollment and completion growth, quality audit metrics, and the Master Credentials List used to identify credentials of value. He highlighted record postsecondary CTE enrollment and completions, strong statewide performance in talent attraction, and several funding tools supporting expansion, including Open Door, the Florida First Responder Scholarship, Workforce Development Capitalization grants, Perkins funding, CAPE performance incentives, and apprenticeship grants. Senators asked about eligibility for Open Door and first responder aid, top industry certifications, and the teacher apprenticeship initiative. A panel of college and technical school leaders then described how state and federal funding has supported local program growth and facility expansion. Santa Fe College, Palm Beach State College, North Florida Technical College, Lake Technical College, Florida Gateway College, and Manatee Technical College each cited increases in enrollment, high placement or licensure pass rates, and new or expanded programs in nursing, welding, CDL, automotive, manufacturing, public safety, and apprenticeship. Several speakers emphasized partnerships with hospitals, employers, school districts, and local governments, and noted that grants helped fund equipment, renovations, and new training hubs. Palm Beach State also raised a request to broaden line funding beyond nursing to other health science fields, and multiple presenters asked for more flexibility, multi-year support, and continued or increased funding to sustain growth. Members discussed broader challenges, including the difficulty of sustaining grant-funded growth after initial awards, the lag between enrollment growth and funding formulas, and alignment problems for dual enrollment and technical programs with high school schedules. Senators also noted the need to balance support for high-demand core programs like nursing and welding with the ability to respond quickly to emerging industries such as AI and space. The meeting ended with no formal action beyond adjournment after Senator Davis moved to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• to do great things for the state of New Mexico and continue to do great things for our number one priority
• You were handed out a **Senate Finance Committee** Priority Bill submission process.
• So if you open the iPad, you will see a little icon that says SFC priority bill.
• Or start reviewing the bills that you deem priority and so forth. So this is not due today.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let me just ask you a question or two to start with about the priorities at SBA.
• And let me just ask you about another priority.
• What will you do to make sure that small businesses in rural America are a priority, that they're getting
• I'd be interested in what your priorities would be for SBIR as a program and whether you would...

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:27:51.120> when there's a hierarchy of priorities when there's a hierarchy of priorities
• <00:43:34.640> list applications using the priority list applications using the priority list
• But that's how I would think if we moved the part about priorities up front and have that tiered priority
• So, as long as we're doing it like that and we put those priorities in place. Um, yes. >> Okay.
• priorities in place. Um, yes. priorities in place. Um, yes.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On the programs and activities, expenditures, and accomplishments, and his future priorities for the
• , wave one, wave two, wave three—balancing priority of use case and balancing availability of drone.
• And so we will look to the Governor's Office and Commerce to help us decide those priorities for the
• Trevor Woods: We will look to the Governor's Office and Commerce to help us decide those priorities for
• So those, I would say, are the priority projects.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• wave one, wave two, wave three—balancing priority of use case and availability of drone.
• We will look to the Governor’s Office and Commerce to help us decide those priorities for the state of
• look to governor's office and commerce to help us decide those priorities for the state of North Dakota
• So those, I would say, are the priority projects.
• In this particular topic, I think at the end of the day, life safety is the number one priority to our

Summary: The committee first received a general fund and revenue update from the Office of Management and Budget. Staff reported that the state started the biennium about $176 million above prior estimates, but year-to-date revenues were now running below legislative forecast, mainly due to lower individual income tax and sales tax collections. The budget stabilization fund was above its cap, the legacy fund continued to grow, and oil revenues were slightly above forecast overall. Members also asked about federal funding uncertainty and mineral leasing variability, and OMB said agencies would be asked to address potential federal reductions case by case during budget preparation. The committee then reviewed compliance reports and trust fund analysis materials, followed by a bill draft for a fixed-route city transportation grant program. Testimony from transit officials in Fargo and Minot supported the proposal, saying state aid would help match federal transit funds and support operations, but members raised questions about the funding source, fare structures, and whether the program should be limited to the current four fixed-route cities or allow future eligible cities. Several members asked for more time to study the formula and possible funding options before moving the bill forward. Next, the committee approved a bill draft repealing obsolete language related to a proposed North Dakota-South Dakota bi-state authority. Staff explained the provision had been unused for about 30 years and that existing law likely already allowed joint powers agreements without the specific language. The committee voted to adopt the repeal bill draft. The Department of Commerce and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site then provided an update on uncrewed aircraft system initiatives, including the Vantis radar data enclave, the drone replacement program, and future revenue models. Officials said North Dakota had received FAA approval to operate the radar data pathfinder, had begun replacing non-compliant drones from restricted foreign sources, and was working on phased procurement and cost-recovery plans. Members asked about deadlines, funding, supply-chain issues, and how the system would be used; staff said the federal restrictions were already in effect and that Vantis was being positioned as infrastructure for future beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. Finally, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation presented on the design of a new minimum-security prison and on a reentry housing task force. The new facility is planned for the penitentiary grounds, with a reduced estimated cost of about $263 million, 600 beds initially, possible expansion to 732 beds, and completion projected around 2031 if funded in 2027. The reentry housing task force described a data-driven effort to identify housing needs for people leaving incarceration, with the goal of reducing homelessness and recidivism through targeted housing support and possible subsidies. Members asked about staffing, site selection, housing duration, and whether employment and transportation needs would be included in the assessment.

Transcript Highlights:

• implemented a strategic hiring plan that evaluates every faculty position through institutional priorities
• Instead, every request must demonstrate why that investment is a priority for the university and the
• academic year are due from the deans. that evaluates every faculty position through institutional priorities
• Instead, every request must demonstrate why that investment is a priority for the university and the
• Political considerations are described as influencing priorities or influencing messaging in ways that

Summary: The Higher Education Institutions Committee met at NDSU and heard an extensive presentation from President David Cook/President Stewart and NDSU leadership on the university’s priorities, including enrollment, student success, research growth, and use of New Horizons funding. Leaders emphasized NDSU’s land-grant mission, its role in workforce development, and its goal of becoming more distinctive through strategic planning, recruitment and retention, commercialization, and partnerships. They highlighted that NDSU awarded 2,370 degrees in 2025, produces a large share of the state’s engineering, nursing, and agriculture graduates, and reported strong outcomes for graduates staying and working in North Dakota. They also noted enrollment headwinds, competition from other institutions, and the need to manage tuition waivers more carefully through a scholarship optimization effort. Provost Sherry Vale outlined academic stewardship efforts, including review or consolidation of low-producing programs, strategic hiring tied to institutional priorities, faculty workload policy changes, and expanded online and regional offerings. She said the university is using New Horizons dollars to strengthen advising, student support, and programs in engineering, agriculture, and health. NDSU leaders also described new or expanded academic offerings such as robotics and automation, artificial intelligence, material science and engineering, nuclear engineering certificates, accelerated nursing, nurse practitioner certificates, a Master of Health Administration, and a clinical research master’s program with Sanford Health. They stressed that these investments are intended to improve student completion, meet workforce needs, and increase return on public investment. The committee also heard testimony from students and recent graduates who described the value of NDSU’s education, mentorship, internships, research opportunities, and support services. Alyssa Hodges spoke about pharmacy education, public health work, and campus support as a parent and student; Ethan Blessy described engineering coursework, internships with Marvin, and career preparation; and Aiden Freolic discussed neuroscience research, federally funded projects, and plans for graduate study. Their testimony was followed by presentations on partnerships with Gateway to Science for K-12 STEM outreach and with Sanford Research on biomedical research, clinical trials, obesity research, and a joint biostatistics hire. NDSU also highlighted systemwide shared services, Governor’s School programming, and research growth, including a reported 8% increase in research expenditures from $199 million to $215 million. No bill votes were taken; the meeting was informational and featured presentations, testimony, and discussion of future planning and partnerships.

Transcript Highlights:

• The proposal in Senate File 1710 supports that priority and puts us back on that map.
• The proposal in Senate File 1710 supports that priority and puts us back on that map.
• The proposal in Senate File 1710 supports that priority and puts us back on that map.
• The proposal in Senate File 1710 supports that priority and puts us back on that map.
• <00:54:01.840> is<00:54:02.040> to One of our top priorities is to One of our top priorities

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :23:49.040> state of attention to is the SPP or state of attention to is the SPP or state priority
• priority projects. priority projects.
• We should just put forth our version like we did with the budget, say what's our priorities, send it
• We should just put forth our version like we did with the budget, say what's our priorities, send it
• Discussion of the matter. the budget, say what's our priorities, the budget, say what's our priorities

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , say, 10 to 15 years, the victims in court cases and restitution have become less and less of a priority
• 58.240> restitution<00:57:58.720> shall<00:57:59.040> have<00:57:59.280> priority
• order of restitution shall have priority order of restitution shall have priority over<00:58:00.640
• gt;> victims are becoming less and less of a >> victims are becoming less and less of a priority
• priority in this case. priority in this case.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• these caseload trends and consider the extent to which they continue to reflect the Legislature's priorities
• expenditure plan and has determined that the naloxone distribution project is an administration priority
• for the naloxone distribution program, funding for the provision of naloxone, is an administration priority
• Building workforce capacity and creating a sustainable funding source has been a priority of CYBHI.
• This is a high priority for the department. Thank you. Thank you for that.

Summary: The committee heard a budget oversight hearing on the Department of Health Care Services, focusing first on the overall Medi-Cal budget and a March General Fund loan to cover a current-year shortfall. DHCS said the 2025-26 budget proposal totals $193.4 billion, with Medi-Cal projected at $188.1 billion total funds and $42.1 billion General Fund, driven by higher enrollment, pharmacy costs, managed care growth, and costs tied to eligibility expansions and the COVID-era redetermination unwinding. The department said the $3.44 billion loan was needed to manage cash flow and ensure timely payments to providers and plans, while the LAO noted Medi-Cal’s cash-basis budgeting creates volatility and that more detailed estimates would come with the May Revision. Members discussed federal Medicaid threats, the need for transparency on cost drivers, and the impact of pharmacy spending, long-term care, and immigration-related coverage expansions. The second major topic was family health programs, including California Children’s Services, the continuous coverage unwinding, and opioid settlement fund spending. DHCS described CCS funding methodology changes, ongoing county stakeholder work, and a delayed rollout of CCS monitoring and oversight until July 1, 2025, while county representatives and advocates argued the program is underfunded and asked for more technical assistance and a delay in implementation. On the unwinding, the department explained that federal redetermination flexibilities helped maintain coverage after the pandemic, but the Governor’s budget proposes ending them at the end of June 2025; advocates urged making the flexibilities permanent to avoid coverage losses. For opioid settlement funds, DHCS and Finance said the budget increases funding for naloxone distribution while reducing other harm-reduction spending based on updated settlement revenues, prompting criticism from members and public commenters who argued the change would weaken effective harm-reduction programs. The hearing also included an update on Proposition 35 implementation. DHCS said the voter-approved measure continuously appropriates MCO tax revenues beginning in 2025, with up to $4.6 billion annually available for specified Medi-Cal and provider investments in 2025 and 2026, but implementation depends on consultation with the required stakeholder advisory committee. The department and LAO noted uncertainty about future federal rules affecting the MCO tax after 2026. Public testimony largely supported maintaining Medi-Cal expansions, protecting immigrant coverage, preserving harm-reduction funding, and increasing support for community health workers, pediatric dental care, and CCS county administration. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• S. 1645, an act in the Executive Law in relation to providing priority status to victims of human trafficking
• S-1645, an action in the executive law in relation to providing priority status to victims of human trafficking

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction, chaired by Senator Salazar, met with Senators Harckham, Murray, and Bailey present, and considered 10 bills related to correctional policy, reentry, victim services, and public health in facilities. Measures discussed included educational access for incarcerated individuals, a phone call before transfer, expanded substance abuse programming for non-English speakers, commissary/canteen issues, a reentry pilot program, SNAP screening before release, discharge planning for wrongfully convicted individuals, public water testing transparency in correctional facilities, evidentiary standards in disciplinary hearings, and notification to victims about the address confidentiality program. The committee also corrected the record on one bill title during the meeting, clarifying that S. 1645 was actually a human trafficking assistance priority bill. Members generally expressed support for the bills, with brief comments highlighting the importance of reentry services, public health, and victim protections. Senator Harckham spoke in support of the water testing bill, citing PFAS and other contaminants, and Senator Murray praised the address confidentiality program bill. Most bills were moved by motion and seconded without substantive debate. All bills were reported out of committee, with several specifically reported to Finance. Senator Murray cast negative votes on some measures, while the rest were approved by the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll start just with a couple of the priorities, and then we can always talk about it as in the next
• Starting with Tier 6, and I want to be very, very clear, this is the priority of the New York State AFL-CIO

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Labor met for its second meeting of the 2026 session, with Chair Senator Ramos welcoming members and inviting Mario Celento, president of the New York State AFL-CIO, to speak. Celento thanked the committee for its past labor-related work and outlined the AFL-CIO’s priorities for the session, including fixing Tier 6 public pensions, responsible regulation of artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles, child care, staffing ratios in health care, housing-related labor standards, prevailing wage and project labor agreements, and protecting workers from federal actions affecting unions, organizing, OSHA, and collective bargaining. The committee then took up six bills. It reported Senate Bill 372A, relating to labor law and establishing certain notices, by a vote with one nay and an abstention. Senate Bill 681, concerning fingerprinting or mandatory iris and retina scanning of applicants, was reported with one nay. Senate Bill 1514, relating to support orders for a police classification, was reported unanimously. Senate Bill 4424A, the anti-labor of women rights bill, was reported with abstentions. Senate Bill 4479, requiring the Workers’ Compensation Board and Department of Labor to publish a list of DRMDs as open data, was reported unanimously. Senate Bill 7776A, relating to an act for a thinkless servant form act, was also reported with abstentions. All six bills were moved to the calendar, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• But the point is that the priority would be given to a person with a disability.
• But the point is that the priority would be given to a person with a disability.
• But the point is that the priority would be given to a person with a disability.
• But the point is that the priority would be given to a person with a disability.
• But the point is that the priority would be given to a person with a disability.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Part of the issue is that as things progress, those priorities change, and so what we're trying to do
• <00:25:23.720> for<00:25:23.919> the if that is a priority for the if that is a priority
• change and so progress those priorities change and so what<00:25:36.120> we're<00:25:36.360><
• Safety is priority number one, and I think the utility would agree with that.
• 2045 on top of our number one priority 2045 on top of our number one priority which<01:50:38.080

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 1077, a governor’s administration bill to increase transient accommodations tax revenue and split it between two new special funds: a climate mitigation and resiliency special fund and an economic development and revitalization special fund for tourism/resort areas. Supporters, including the Governor’s Office, recovery and resilience staff, climate and conservation groups, and several state agencies, said the bill would create a dedicated, more reliable funding stream for wildfire mitigation, coastal resilience, land clearing, infrastructure, and community-led projects. Some supporters also urged changes to the bill, including moving the fund to DLNR, adding DHHL and OHA representation, clarifying community grants, and ensuring the fund can support both state-led and community-led resilience work. The Attorney General’s office flagged a drafting issue, noting that the bill references fees deposited into the new fund even though the new chapter does not authorize fee collection, and recommended deleting that language or adding fee authority. The Climate Advisory Team representative also suggested adding DHHL to the decision-making body and requiring at-large members to have climate, resilience, conservation, or infrastructure expertise. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Kohala Coast Resort Association opposed the measure, arguing that the special fund structure does not meet statutory criteria, that the bill functions as a tax increase, and that the transient accommodations tax is not being collected equitably across all lodging types before any increase is imposed. Other opponents, including tourism and lodging interests, warned that hotels and timeshares already bear most of the tax burden and that raising the TAT could hurt an already struggling visitor industry and drive tourists away. Supporters countered that current funding is far short of what is needed and that a dedicated revenue stream is necessary to address climate impacts now. Committee members questioned why the Legislature should cede spending decisions to a separate executive-branch process, and the administration responded that the bill is intended to create a transparent, recurring mechanism for funding priorities that can be adjusted over time. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• a very granulated map of where those locations are in Minnesota that are eligible, but first our priority
• a very granulated map of where those locations are in Minnesota that are eligible, but first our priority
• Minnesota that are eligible but first Minnesota that are eligible but first our<00:12:50.800> priority
• has to be to the unserved our priority has to be to the unserved locations<00:12:53.199> in<00
• One and then another 48 uh our Priority One and then another 48 uh 195<00:15:37.880> of<00:15

Keywords: 1187, senate, all