Transcript Highlights:

• we find a way to help the industry that is currently providing what we're enjoying in this budget surplus

Transcript Highlights:

• So, unfortunately, it has to be considered periodically whether the per-pack fee is appropriate, given
• <02:23:24.560> with same economic data was appropriate with same economic data was appropriate
• Um, there is no cost in the appropriation request for that activity.
• Um, there is no cost in the appropriation request for that activity.
• appropriation request for that activity. appropriation request for that activity.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The state surplus money investment fund loaned us an initial $2 billion to stand up the fund, and we
• But putting some of that liability back where it belongs would be appropriate, even though we all do
• for the rate base to bear the cost because the utility may act imprudently, on what basis is it appropriate

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been lucky to get between $200 million and $300 million in surplus years over the last several
• In appropriating funding for the program, it was the Legislature's intent that DWR use the funds to reduce
• Let's look at the region and where are the appropriate locations for multi-benefit aspects, but don't

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on flood risk and flood management in California, with opening remarks emphasizing that flooding is a statewide and growing threat due to climate change, including the possibility of extreme losses in a worst-case event. Members noted recent flooding in places such as San Diego, the Tulare Basin, and Pajaro, and framed the hearing as a way to better understand prevention, response, and how to capture excess water for later use. Jeffrey Mount of PPIC gave the main overview, describing California’s high flood exposure, the different flood types the state faces, and the mix of structural and non-structural tools used to manage them. He stressed that levees, dams, bypasses, land-use planning, flood insurance, and emergency response all matter, but that risk is rising because current standards are based on past hydrology rather than future climate conditions. He also warned that flood management is underfunded, that the National Flood Insurance Program is weak, and that federal support is increasingly uncertain. Members asked about groundwater recharge, permitting, NOAA and federal cuts, and which communities are most at risk; Mount said recharge can help but does not eliminate flood risk, and that small Central Valley communities and heavily developed floodplains are especially concerning. State officials Laura Hollander of the Department of Water Resources and Jane Dolan of the Central Valley Flood Protection Board described the state’s role in forecasting, emergency response, grants, planning, and the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan. They highlighted aging infrastructure, the need for better coordination, and the state’s special liability in the Central Valley after the Paterno decision. Dolan reviewed the history of major floods and said the plan calls for about $1 billion per year over 30 years to meet current needs, while Hollander said the state works with local and federal partners on preparedness, response, and subventions projects. Both emphasized that floodplain planning, regional coordination, and faster permitting are important, but that more consistent funding is needed. A later panel from local flood agencies and districts reinforced those points, arguing that the state’s annual flood funding is below identified needs and that a proposed statewide flood and dam safety bond was reduced substantially in the broader climate bond package. Witnesses urged more routine maintenance funding, support for regional flood planning, and continued federal-state-local partnerships to reduce risk and maintain eligibility for federal assistance. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the informational hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:50.639> training to ensure there is appropriate training to ensure there is appropriate
• And I'm not here to say that consolidation isn't perhaps appropriate for communities that choose it.
• <00:20:00.480> for isn't perhaps appropriate for isn't perhaps appropriate for communities
• to coming back with the appropriate to coming back with the compliance<01:04:15.760> issues<01
• Um, what is the surplus that you're not able to share?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met to hear from the New Hampshire Association of School Principals as part of its review of a proposal involving statewide administrative consolidation and changes to school governance. Members first discussed how school board witnesses would be selected, with the chair saying the committee would seek a mix of district sizes and structures and would also accept emailed input. The principals’ association said it represents more than 550 principals and assistant principals and urged caution about any mandatory consolidation, arguing that successful consolidations are gradual and voluntary. Association leaders and principals testified that principals already handle a wide range of responsibilities, including instructional leadership, student discipline, safety, staff supervision and evaluation, family and community engagement, and day-to-day crisis response. They argued that shifting more legal, budgetary, and administrative duties onto principals would reduce time for coaching teachers and supporting students, increase burnout and turnover, and create legal and training risks, especially in areas such as special education, privacy, and labor issues. They also said the roles of superintendents, principals, and school board members are distinct and require different training and expertise. Members asked detailed questions about how responsibilities are divided between principals and SAUs, whether principals recruit and evaluate staff, and how much time principals work. One principal said she works about 60 to 70 hours a week and that additional duties would be difficult to absorb. Another principal described his school’s structure, the importance of community building, and the need to preserve district-wide alignment if consolidation moves forward. No votes were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The governor has warned that revenues are down, and we expect no budget surplus to make up the difference
• The governor has warned that revenues are down, and we expect no budget surplus to make up the difference
• No appropriations have been made, and administrative burden was placed on municipalities.
• No appropriations have been made, and administrative burden was placed on municipalities.
• If I know it is appropriate that clean up our RSAs of defunct organizations referenced therein, would

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Of course, the bulk of that is being paid off by, in most cases, either the surplus because it's 120%
• As you recall, we paid off a significant portion of the cost through a general fund appropriation in
• As you recall, we paid off a significant portion of the cost through a general fund appropriation in
• As you recall, we paid off a significant portion of the cost through a general fund appropriation in
• You mentioned the appropriation we made in 2022.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:02 Attendance Roll Call: 00:49 Approval of Minutes: 01:55 CERS Retiree Health Subsidy Proposal: 02:14 SB 58: 24:05 TRS Sick/Annual Leave Proposal: 32:53 Adjournment: 48:00, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the prior month’s minutes after a roll call established a quorum. It then heard testimony on a draft proposal from Senator Robbie Mills to increase CERS retiree health subsidies for members retiring on or after July 1, 2003. The bill would raise the non-hazardous subsidy from $14.63 to $40 per month per year of service and the hazardous-duty subsidy from $21.94 to $50, with employee contribution rates adjusted based on the health trust’s funded status. Supporters from sheriffs, firefighters, police chiefs, and the Kentucky League of Cities said the change would improve recruitment and retention, better align the subsidy with the cost of a single health plan, and preserve the system’s financial footing through shared employer-employee costs and funding triggers. Committee members asked about the fiscal impact, the effect of funding levels above 150%, and how the subsidy would work for rehired retirees or employees who later take private-sector jobs. Mills and other witnesses said preliminary actuarial work was still forthcoming, that the bill was intended to be revenue-neutral or close to it, and that the subsidy would continue to be paid monthly; they also noted existing 2008 rules for rehired retirees and said the benefit would still be available even if a retiree later had other insurance. One member suggested looking at stable accounts as an additional option for special-needs planning in a later bill. The committee then heard Senate Bill 58 from Senator Robin Webb, which would allow state employees to designate a Special Needs Trust as a beneficiary for retirement benefits. Webb said the measure would help employees provide for disabled dependents without jeopardizing SSI or Medicaid eligibility, and that the bill follows federal special-needs trust rules. He said the proposal could be revenue neutral, but actuarial analysis was still pending and KPPA had asked for electronic rather than paper transfer provisions. Members questioned whether the authority already exists, how the trust would work, and whether stable accounts should also be considered; Webb said he would follow up with additional information.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is appropriation. We're in our statute. And this is appropriation discussion.
• The executive recommendation instead includes a $45 million appropriation as a one-year special appropriation
• It’s an appropriation. So if you had an appropriation for a project in, say, 2026, mm-hmm...
• An appropriation for a project in, say, 2026, that appropriation could be reauthorized once for a maximum
• If you had another appropriation in 2028, or maybe the second phase of the same project, that appropriation

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Massive In fact, the Republican president at that time in 2001 inherited a budget surplus from President
• Bill Clinton and immediately turned around and took that budget surplus and turned it into a deficit
• from President Bill a budget surplus from President Bill Clinton Clinton Clinton and<04:22:14.159>
• <04:22:18.399> and<04:22:18.800> turned<04:22:19.120> it that budget surplus
• and turned it that budget surplus and turned it into<04:22:21.279> a<04:22:21.520> deficit

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, July 3, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will do that whenever the appropriate number of people arrive, and public comment will be heard after
• Additionally, there is $6.4 billion set aside in the surplus holding account.
• for the program. ...to accompany a $20 million Budget Act appropriation for the program.
• Finally, it appropriates up to $576 million over four years from the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, or
• Why do we, LAO, I'll ask you, why do we continue to appropriate money?

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That funding was appropriated in Senate Bill 3 of the 88th Fourth called and was appropriated for transfer
• The agency was appropriated Page 5, Item 6 relates to the agency's appropriation out of the opioid abatement
• A rider was also added stipulating that funding in the account not appropriated elsewhere was to be appropriated
• in the '24-'25 Appropriations Act.
• Act or in the Special Appropriations Act Supplemental Appropriation Bill coming up.

Transcript Highlights:

• That funding was appropriated in Senate Bill 3 of the 88th fourth called. and was appropriated for transfer
• A rider was also added stipulating that funding in the account not appropriate elsewhere, was to be appropriated
• Contribution in appropriation and biennium.
• in the 24-25 Appropriations Act.
• Appropriation Bill coming up.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If we were talking about fraud, let's talk about the fraudulent assumption that there is a surplus of
• <00:52:15.200> for onetime $1 million appropriation for onetime $1 million appropriation for
• Instead, the only way to provide a more substantial raise is through legislative appropriation.
• Instead, the only way to provide a more substantial raise is through legislative appropriation.
• Instead, the only way to provide a more substantial raise is through legislative appropriation.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• world to see in an appropriate manner. world to see in an appropriate manner.
• . appropriation. appropriation.
• appropriation here. appropriation here. Right? Right? Right?
• appropriated by your JAC. No new money. appropriated by your JAC. No new money.
• the money that they have appropriated. the money that they have appropriated.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• appropriate, insurance should cover it. appropriate, insurance should cover it.
• of New Hampshire's appropriation. of New Hampshire's appropriation.
• appropriate section of law. appropriate section of law.
• appropriate motion to come forward? appropriate motion to come forward?
• Speaker. appropriateness." Unquote. appropriateness." Unquote.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And if we have a little surplus each year, we put it into a capital account.
• We have a little surplus each year, we put it into a capital account.
• We have a little surplus each year, we put it into a capital account.
• <01:25:19.360> Uh are appropriate for New Hampshire.
• Uh are appropriate for New Hampshire.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion is do pass to Appropriations. Item number 11, SB 1168.
• The motion is do pass to Appropriations. Item number 15, SB 1337.
• The motion is do pass as amended to Appropriations. Item number 17, SB 1366.
• The motion is do pass to appropriations. Petrie-Norris, aye. Patterson, no.
• And we think that's equitable and appropriate.

Summary: The committee first heard SB 804, the Hydrogen Pipeline Safety Act, from Senator Arreguín. He said the bill would designate the State Fire Marshal as the safety regulator for intrastate hydrogen pipelines and require hydrogen-specific standards, while not mandating any pipeline construction or bypassing environmental review. Supporters included labor groups, utility employees, and the City of Burbank, while Air Products opposed unless amended, citing concerns about the bill’s specificity, fee structure, and the need for a hydrogen-specific rulemaking process. The committee discussed safety, fees, and regulatory certainty, and later passed SB 804 on a 9-0 vote to Emergency Management with commitment to take amendments. The committee then took up SB 905 by Senator Becker, aimed at reducing electricity rates by changing utility incentives. The bill would tie part of executive compensation to keeping rates below inflation, require more performance metrics, and allow the CPUC to consider lower returns on equity for certain lower-risk investments and alternative financing options. Support came from consumer, environmental, agricultural, and large energy user groups, while Southern California Edison, CalChamber, PG&E, and utility labor groups raised concerns that the bill could reduce investment, create regulatory uncertainty, and raise borrowing costs. After extensive discussion about utility affordability, wildfire costs, and capital markets, the committee passed SB 905 on a 7-1 vote to Appropriations. SB 913, also by Senator Becker, would create a clearer pathway for distributed energy resources such as batteries and smart thermostats to participate in the resource adequacy market and compete with utility-scale resources. Supporters said the bill would better use existing grid capacity, lower costs, and build on the state’s Demand Side Grid Support Program; PG&E opposed unless amended, saying the use case was not yet proven and was already being addressed in other rulemakings. After the committee accepted amendments, one opposition group moved to neutral and another said it might do so after reviewing the changes. The bill passed 8-0 to Appropriations and was placed on call. Several other measures were heard and advanced, including SB 1196 on faster utility hookups for small energization projects such as ADUs and EV chargers, SB 931 reauthorizing the Diablo Canyon Essential Services Mitigation Fund through 2028, SB 1158 reducing the frequency of joint reliability assessments from quarterly to twice yearly, and SB 1245 directing further study of California’s gasoline market and potential use of non-CARBOB fuel during supply disruptions. SB 1196 and SB 931 both passed with broad support and no opposition after amendments, SB 1158 passed without testimony, and SB 1245 drew strong support from consumer and environmental advocates but opposition from fuel industry and business groups concerned about costs, confidentiality, and fuel standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:06.960> Um<00:10:07.160> is<00:10:07.880> Senator think it's appropriate
• Um is Senator think it's appropriate.
• For those students, seclusion is not appropriate. This is not a one-size-fits-all tool.
• But we do believe that these changes are necessary and appropriate. That is a resounding yes.
• That is a necessary and appropriate. That is a resounding<01:29:52.360> yes.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the House Committee on Appropriations.
• Welcome to Appropriations, Rep. Always good to be in front of you, Rep.
• It wouldn't cut into surplus funds or anything like that.
• I’d like to ask a question if it’s appropriate to invite them to come up.
• Thank you, Appropriations members.

Bills: HB165, HB175, HB198, HB272, HB457, HB488, HB566, HB603, HB763, HB902, HB909, HB971, HB981, HB1066, HB1125, HB1154, HB1231

Keywords: HB165, lottery proceeds, Lottery Proceeds Fund, Veterans Service Grant Fund, constitutional amendment, veterans, military veterans, veterans' benefits, veterans services, family support, state lottery, education funding, Minimum Foundation Program, problem gambling, compulsive gaming, state treasurer, ballot proposition, constitutional referendum, lottery revenue, Louisiana resident veterans

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the House Committee on Appropriations.
• It wouldn't cut into, like, surplus funds or anything like that.
• This is my first appearance in Appropriations, so be gentle.
• Thank you, Appropriations members.
• But for the sake of the fiscal note, I mean, this is appropriations.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee met on April 27 and first took up House Bill 175 and its companion House Bill 165, both dealing with lottery proceeds for veterans. HB 175 was amended to create a Veterans Service Grant Board within the Department of Veterans Affairs and direct $500,000 annually from Louisiana Lottery net proceeds into a Veterans Service Grant Fund, with unused money returned to the lottery proceeds fund that supports the MFP. Supporters, including the bill sponsor, The Boot Louisiana, LDVA Secretary Charlton McGinley, and Bastion Veterans Organization, argued the grants would help veteran services, workforce placement, mental health, housing, entrepreneurship, and retention of veterans in Louisiana. Members raised concerns about drawing from lottery proceeds that traditionally support education, but the committee adopted amendments and reported HB 175 favorably as amended. HB 165, the constitutional amendment companion, was also amended for technical and ballot-language changes and then reported favorably as amended for voter consideration. The committee then considered House Bill 457, which would authorize the Louisiana Department of Health and the State Fire Marshal to set minimum housing standards for homeless shelters, group homes, and halfway homes. The sponsor said the bill responded to a state auditor recommendation and to unsafe conditions in some facilities; he also explained an amendment changing the Fire Marshal’s duties from mandatory to permissive to reduce fiscal impact and allow agencies flexibility. Some members questioned whether local standards already existed and how enforcement and funding would work, while others supported the need for statewide minimum standards for human housing. The committee adopted the amendment and reported HB 457 favorably as amended. House Bill 488, by Representative Brough, sought to create a Belle Chasse Bridge Merit-Based Special Fund using recurring severance tax revenues from Plaquemines Parish to help buy out the Belle Chasse toll bridge and end what the sponsor described as excessive tolls and fees. He and several local witnesses, including business owners, a YMCA representative, and a parish council member, testified that the tolling arrangement had harmed access, businesses, and quality of life. The committee adopted a technical amendment clarifying the revenue source and then reported HB 488 favorably as amended. House Bill 566, which would prohibit state funds from supporting net-zero greenhouse gas initiatives tied to the 2022 Louisiana Climate Action Plan, drew significant debate over whether it would interfere with agency funding and economic development efforts; the sponsor argued the plan lacked legislative approval and should be repudiated, while members urged caution and suggested hearing from affected agencies. The sponsor agreed to consider deferring the bill, and the committee did not advance it at that time. House Bill 603, a constitutional amendment authorizing investment of state funds in digital assets and precious metals, was discussed as a way to hedge inflation and preserve value; members asked about limits and safeguards, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then began hearing House Bill 763, a transparency measure creating a public database for settlement agreements involving state agencies.