Transcript Highlights:

• That's just high level as we go through a bunch of priorities. These were themes in our ask.
• I'm sorry I are the department priority I'm sorry I didn't<01:19:10.920> clarify<01:19:11.840
• I really am what are my priorities I really am concerned<01:36:50.440> about<01:36:50.719>
• how would that affect their priority how would that affect their District<01:59:02.480> so<01
• Yeah, it's not really a priority.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Health and Human Services committees heard Hawaii Health Systems Corporation’s biennium budget request, with testimony from HHSC leadership on the Hilo/Big Island region (HTH 212) and the Oahu region (HTH 215), plus discussion of capital improvement projects and systemwide partnerships. HHSC described its role as the rural healthcare safety net, serving a high share of Medicare, Medicaid/Quest, and uninsured patients, and said its costs are elevated by state employee fringe benefits, which it said are about 64% compared with roughly 30% in the private sector. HHSC also said pandemic-era federal aid, including relief funds and PPP loans totaling about $100 million, reduced the need for general fund support in prior years. For HTH 212, HHSC said its general fund request for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 was higher than the governor’s recommendation because of rising insurance, pharmaceutical, and contractor labor costs, and because it includes $13.2 million in FY 2026 and $2.3 million in FY 2027 for Epic electronic medical record implementation in East Hawaii. For HTH 215, HHSC said the requested general funds were aligned with the governor’s recommendation, in part because of increased Medicaid reimbursement rates for long-term care facilities under prior legislation. HHSC also said it was restoring a special fund ceiling so the region could spend its cash collections on operations. Members asked about the 64% fringe rate, and HHSC explained the difference was mainly due to defined-benefit pension and retiree health insurance costs, which private hospitals generally do not bear at the same level. Members also asked about the Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home, and HHSC said operations would be funded through the general fund corporation for the home when it opens, with management by Ohana Pacific, but no additional legislative operating funds were being requested at that time. Other questions focused on staffing and vacancies, including an abolished procurement position and an ongoing IT help desk recruitment need. HHSC highlighted several capital and partnership projects, including a $25 million state CIP request matched by $25 million from the Benioff family for the Benioff Health Center, an ER expansion and reconfiguration at Corner Community Hospital, and $7.5 million in each fiscal year for Kauai EMR capital funds to join the Epic platform. Testimony also described collaborations with Queen’s, the University of California San Francisco, Hawaii Pacific Health, the Hawaii Cancer Consortium, the Department of Health, and the state hospital to improve specialty access, clinical trials, behavioral health, and patient placement across the system.

Transcript Highlights:

• particular, Representative Donaghy and Senator Leas's work on safety to try to know this has been a priority
• that critical projects are moving forward for Washington state for so many different reasons: a priority

Summary: The House and Senate Transportation Committee conferees met to consider the conference report for SB 5161, the transportation budget for the 2025-27 biennium. Staff explained that the underlying 2023-25 transportation budget was revised downward by about $1.3 billion, from $14.5 billion to $13.2 billion, and the report included a dedication honoring the late Senator Bill Ramos for his service to Washington and its transportation system. Members from both chambers spoke in support of the budget and praised the work of committee staff, noting the difficulty and length of the negotiations. Several conferees said the budget was responsible and cautious given uncertainty around costs and federal funding, while still advancing major priorities such as ferry procurement, fish barrier removal, safety improvements, State Patrol staffing, preservation and maintenance, and key projects including the North Spokane Corridor, SR 520, Gateway, and other Connecting Washington and mega projects. After discussion, the committee adopted the conference report by voice vote, with members then recorded as recommending it. The report was advanced to the House and Senate, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we're happy to be here today to really talk about the important priority for all of us, and that's
• and your colleagues on policies that can provide needed flexibility to support About the important priority
• As we talk about, and as Adam mentioned, the priority of housing for every community in Massachusetts
• I think I had two priorities on there. One was training for boards, which is a bill, I think.
• cares for our members on the job site and at home, and stable and affordable housing is a strong priority

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing held its second introductory hearing to frame the session’s housing agenda. Chairs Cyr and Haggerty described the hearing as a chance to hear a wide range of perspectives on Massachusetts’ housing crisis, including underbuilding, zoning and permitting barriers, rising costs, and the need for both state and local action. The committee heard from court, municipal, advocacy, and regional housing leaders, with recurring themes of increasing supply, preserving existing housing, preventing displacement, and expanding resources for renters and homeowners. Chief Justice Diana Horan of the Housing Court said the court is handling more than 40,000 new filings annually with only 15 judges, and estimated the court would need about 21 judges to meet demand. She described complications from RAFT-related stays, mental health and guardianship issues, aging housing stock, and the new eviction sealing law, which she said was being implemented smoothly but may require additional resources if filings continue to rise. The Massachusetts Municipal Association and MAPC emphasized that municipalities need flexibility, funding, and better tools such as MassWorks, Housing Works, H-DIP, 40R reforms, inclusionary zoning changes, and a local option transfer fee; they also said local control concerns and long permitting timelines remain major barriers. MAPC and others stressed that supply growth alone will not solve the crisis and urged continued support for subsidized housing, access to counsel, and modular/off-site construction. Advocates and housing providers focused on displacement, preservation, and tenant protections. Homes for All Massachusetts and Mass Law Reform Institute called for rent stabilization, stronger tenant protections, foreclosure prevention, elimination of junk fees, continued funding for RAFT and HomeBASE, and expanded access to counsel. Mass Union of Public Housing Tenants said the state needs far more extremely low-income housing, more operating subsidy, and major investment to repair public housing, while also supporting tenant technical assistance during redevelopment. Franklin County’s housing authority warned that rural communities are being left out of many state programs and asked for a rural LIHTC set-aside, a permanent rural credit boost, and a review of housing choice programs. A Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation researcher presented findings that communities that add housing generally see stronger municipal finances, and that housing growth can improve property tax and state aid outcomes. Seasonal community representatives from Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket described extreme affordability pressures and the need for tailored tools. Nantucket’s housing trust chair said the island has made progress through local funding, inclusionary zoning, and deed-restricted units, but still needs a real estate transfer fee and faster ways to preserve year-round housing. Across the hearing, members and witnesses repeatedly returned to the need for a mix of production, preservation, tenant protections, and local flexibility, rather than relying on any single policy solution.

Transcript Highlights:

• deploy those funds either to a local area or we can put them into statewide workforce development priorities
• to better engage employers, to be involved, and to have the flexibility to make sure that their priorities
• I just want to make sure I understand that, you know, during the last session, a priority for me and
• we'll be able to see a lot of fruits of our labor from LEARNS and ACCESS and how that has changed priorities
• we'll be able to see a lot of fruits of our labor from learns and access and how that has changed priorities

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am pleased to see our priorities reflected in the legislation that you're hearing today.
• It revises the existing order of priority for housing trust fund awards that occurred during the first
• to congratulate and express my gratitude to those that negotiated this budget for making that a priority
• You know, we are a member of the minority party, and we fight for the priorities and the values and..
• And we fight for the priorities and the values and the things that we hold dear.

Bills: HB4154, HB4155, HB4156, HB4157, HB4158, HB4159, HB4160, HB4161, HB4162, HB4163, HB4164, HB4165, HB4166, HB4167, HB4168, HB4169, SB1847, SB1848, SB1849, SB1850, SB1851, SB1852, SB1853, SB1854, SB1855, SB1856, SB1857, SB1858, SB1859, SB1860, SB1861, SB1862

Keywords: general appropriations act, budget, biennial budget, state spending, fiscal year 2026-2027, appropriations, state agencies, public funding, education funding, health and human services, public safety, transportation, government operations, budget bill, fiscal policy, state finance, spending plan, legislative budget, capital appropriations, operating budget

Transcript Highlights:

• referred to as 4-9s, 5-9s, and because... ...the enormous power needs that they have and the highest priority
• First off, like I mentioned, they reviewed an order of priority, so in order of first in time, first
• And then the other part of our advantages are partnerships and then our priorities.
• So certainly the priorities of the state of North Dakota are key, but also beyond that, to benefit the
• I talked about our priorities.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And because of the enormous power needs that they have and the highest priority on that power, the data
• First off, like I mentioned, they reviewed an order of priority, so in order of first in time, first
• And then the other part of our advantages are partnerships and then our priorities.
• So certainly the priorities of the state of North Dakota are key, but also beyond that to benefit the
• I talked about our priorities.

Summary: The committee met in Grand Forks, approved the February 26 minutes by voice vote, and recessed for a tour of the Mincota Power Cooperative headquarters before returning for presentations on large energy consumers, especially data centers. The first presentations focused on how North Dakota should respond to rapid growth in energy-intensive projects, with speakers emphasizing the need for reliable transmission, local decision-making tools, and factual information for county and township officials who are being asked to weigh major projects with limited staff and technical support. The North Dakota Transmission Authority director said local governments are being asked to make high-impact decisions on pipelines, transmission lines, large agriculture, wind, solar, carbon dioxide pipelines, direct-air capture, and data centers, and urged development of simple statewide decision tools and support from the League of Cities and Association of Counties. The Department of Environmental Quality’s air division director said North Dakota’s air remains among the cleanest in the nation, but large data centers can create air-quality concerns because of diesel backup generation; he said the department is requiring air monitors at some facilities and expects grid power and, potentially, cleaner natural gas backup to reduce emissions. Members asked about emissions standards, misinformation, monitoring costs, and staffing succession at DEQ. The Department of Water Resources director said North Dakota’s water law is based on common ownership and prior appropriation, and that data centers generally use relatively small amounts of water, often in closed-loop systems. He said the Missouri River and groundwater supplies are ample for projected needs, that the department’s permitting process protects senior water rights, and that even a worst-case data center scenario would use a very small share of Missouri River flow. Members asked about downstream impacts and compared data center water use with fracking. Later, McLean County State’s Attorney Ladd Erickson urged the committee to study how other states regulate data centers, warned against litigation-driven delays and overly broad local ordinances, argued reclamation bonding should be handled at the state level if at all, and said data centers can bring jobs and tax base but should remain subject to local zoning. The committee ended the morning session for lunch and later heard an EERC update from CEO Charles Gorecki on the center’s 75 years of work in energy and environmental technologies, especially oil and gas development and related research.

Transcript Highlights:

• state agencies, counties, county representatives, and IT experts to guide system development, set priorities
• older adults, operating caps, and rising expenses, timely Medicaid enrollment is becoming a top priority
• Medicaid enrollment is becoming<00:28:26.280> a<00:28:26.360> top<00:28:26.720> priority
• <00:28:27.280> for<00:28:27.440> long-term becoming a top priority for long-term becoming
• a top priority for long-term care<00:28:28.080> providers<00:28:28.640> to<00:28:28.760

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They said this is one of the state superintendent's top priorities this session around literacy.
• :09.280> top one of the state superintendent's top one of the state superintendent's top priorities
• this session um around priorities this session um around literacy.<00:01:12.960> And<00:01:13.200
• My number one priority when I got elected was the safety and security of my citizens.
• My number one priority when I got elected was the safety and security of my citizens.

Bills: HB0111, HB0112, HB0122

Keywords: capital construction, state funding, Wyoming, major maintenance, community colleges, task force, legislative services, budget appropriation, unexpended funds, sunset clause, healthcare, rural health, transformation program, funding, incentives, training, access, perpetuity fund, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It then prohibits ADOT or the departmental committee that recommends priorities on transportation facilities
• and construction projects from recommending a priority for a transportation construction project based
• on transportation facilities and construction projects from recommending a priority for a transportation
• impede any other projects currently in the pipeline that the ACA has, but that this does take a priority
• Under this bill, this would no longer be a priority, and these communities will no longer be able to

Bills: HB2014, HB2113, HB2145, HB2331, HB2340, HB2389, HB2400, HB2401, HB2428, HB2494, HB2696, HB2756, HB2795, HB2955, HCM2008

Keywords: air emissions, fuel blends, environmental quality, feasibility study, Arizona Department of Agriculture, utility consumer, rate intervention, public service corporation, Arizona Revised Statutes, residential rates, consumer protection, fuel reformulation, gasoline standards, environmental regulations, ethanol supply, Air Quality, energy reliability, electric service providers, reliable resources, public power entity

Summary: The committee heard several energy and transportation bills, with testimony largely split between sponsors, industry groups, local governments, and environmental advocates. HB 2428, dealing with county and ADEQ authority to issue voluntary permits certifying emission reduction credits for mobile and non-road sources, drew neutral support from ADEQ and support from Maricopa County; it was amended and passed 10-0 with a due pass recommendation. HB 2145, which expands who may petition on gasoline supplier alternative standards, also passed, 5-4, with no amendment. A lengthy debate followed on HB 2331, as amended, which would require electric utilities to ensure 85% of generating capacity serving retail load comes from “reliable resources” by 2030. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill was needed to preserve affordable, dependable power and prevent overreliance on intermittent renewables, while opponents from the Sierra Club and Rural Arizona Action said it would effectively favor fossil fuels, raise costs, and limit cleaner energy options. The committee adopted the strike-everything amendment and the sponsor’s amendment, then passed the bill 6-4. HB 2795, which limits county zoning authority over small modular reactors once federal permitting and certification steps are met, drew strong support from nuclear and business advocates and opposition from county, city, and environmental representatives concerned about local control, safety, waste, and preemption; it passed 6-4 after amendment-related discussion. The committee also passed HB 2340, which allows the power plant and transmission line siting committee to evaluate the plant itself when reviewing transmission line applications, by a 5-4 vote. Finally, HB 2400, an emergency measure to suspend the motor vehicle fuel tax in Areas A and C during summer months and replace the lost revenue with state highway funds, prompted testimony about gas prices, boutique fuel requirements, and transportation funding needs; cities and counties opposed the diversion of highway funds, while the sponsor argued it would help consumers facing higher fuel costs. The Griffin amendment was adopted, and the bill passed with a due pass recommendation after debate on affordability versus road funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• And when we talk about teacher pay... we're talking about that being a priority.
• Serving low-income and at-risk families is a priority of the Child Care Assistance Program.
• In recent rulemaking, we've removed activity requirements for priority families, making it easier for
• Our budget priorities for 2027 are to achieve universal access.
• early childhood ecosystem, getting families involved, listening to families, and bringing Local priorities

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Doña Ana County, as well as some of the neighboring region that Johanna shared, again as one of our priority
• But one of our core priorities is ensuring equal market access for producers.
• Which of your recommendations in terms of priorities will give us the most resilient food system if we're
• for the last year and the years to come did identify sustainable and value-added agriculture as a priority
• who have the educational level that most New Mexicans have, and we don't always see that in our priority

Transcript Highlights:

• And this bill is in line with the other work that we've done successfully with other legislative priorities
• As you heard, this will be an opportunity to really align our economic and workforce development priorities
• With that, I respectfully ask for an eye vote. workforce development priorities here in California.
• Academic Senate has taken a high-priority support position for AB 958.
• The Senate has taken a high-priority support position for AB 958, and respectfully we urge you to do

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard a series of bills focused on expanding access to higher education, addressing workforce shortages, student housing, and labor standards on campus projects. AB 662 would create a South County Higher Education Task Force to explore a mixed-use, intersegmental institution in Chula Vista; supporters said South San Diego County is a “college desert,” while the bill passed on a due pass as amended motion to Appropriations. AB 885 would establish a College Access for All Fund to help make CSU and UC attendance more affordable; supporters cited student debt and affordability concerns, and it also passed to Appropriations. AB 730 would provide $15 million to help establish a medical school in the Central Valley to address physician shortages, and it advanced on a due pass motion. AB 1400 would let up to 15 community college districts pilot bachelor’s degrees in nursing; supporters argued it would expand affordable BSN access and keep students local, while CSU, UC, and other higher education groups opposed it as unnecessary and inconsistent with the master plan. The bill passed to Appropriations, with members raising questions about clinical placements, faculty shortages, and possible effects on associate-degree programs. The committee also considered AB 1235, which would require CSU design-build projects to use a skilled and trained workforce, aligning CSU with other public higher education construction standards. Supporters said it would improve safety, training, and local job opportunities, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 1247 would restrict contracting out of classified school and community college jobs unless workers meet training and qualification standards and would address pension and training concerns; supporters said it would protect students and classified employees, while school and college groups warned it would disrupt services and add unfunded mandates. The bill passed to Appropriations with one no vote. AB 1470, presented on behalf of Assemblymember Haney, would allow a portion of student housing revolving loan funds to be used for affordable student, faculty, and staff housing in downtown and commercial districts; it was discussed as a housing and downtown revitalization measure, but the committee held off on a motion pending more members. ACA 3, also on behalf of Haney, would require UC to offer limited down payment loans to eligible long-term support staff first-time homebuyers; it drew extensive support from UC workers and unions, while UC and business groups opposed it as costly and outside UC’s mission, and the measure was still under discussion at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• This cultural restoration should be a priority on equal footing with other water planning priorities
• That's, like you said, priority.
• In 2014, the state passed the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act to bring high- and medium-priority
• As far as the basins that are medium priority or low priority, hopefully there's no reason for them to

Summary: The committee heard several water, wildlife, conservation, and local government bills. AB 362, by Assembly Member Ramos, would add tribal water uses as a statewide beneficial use and strengthen tribal consultation in water planning; tribal representatives and conservation groups supported it as a long-overdue correction, while water agencies, business groups, and agricultural interests raised concerns about CEQA, regulatory uncertainty, and impacts on existing water planning. The bill was moved on a due pass motion to Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials, with some members noting ongoing stakeholder discussions and one abstention. AB 1089, by Assembly Member Carrillo, would expand local permitting authority under the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act to include commercial and industrial projects. The author and the City of Adelanto argued it would speed housing and economic development in the high desert while preserving the overall conservation framework, but environmental groups opposed it as premature and potentially weakening protections for Joshua trees. The committee approved the bill on a due pass motion to Appropriations. AB 1024, by Assembly Member Harabedian, would require a regional black bear mitigation plan for the San Gabriel Valley and related areas; Sierra Madre officials described rising bear intrusions and the need for state help, and the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 846, by Assembly Member Connolly, would streamline permitting for local wildfire preparedness and vegetation management projects in local responsibility areas by creating a faster review process at Fish and Wildlife and improving mapping coordination with Cal Fire. Local government, fire service, and agricultural witnesses supported the bill as a common-sense wildfire prevention measure, and it passed to Natural Resources with no opposition. AB 263, by Assembly Member Rogers, would extend emergency minimum-flow regulations for the Scott and Shasta Rivers for five years or until permanent rules are adopted; supporters said it protects salmon recovery, tribal subsistence, and the fishing economy during a transition period, while opponents argued it bypasses normal regulatory process and harms farmers. The committee approved it on a due pass as amended motion to Appropriations, with one abstention and two no votes. AB 1044, by Assembly Member Bains, would create a new Tulare County groundwater sustainability agency for undistricted lands after other local agencies split off; the bill passed to Local Government. AB 1426, by Assembly Member Arambula, began testimony on creating a Diablo Range Conservation Program to fund habitat protection and restoration across the range.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're encouraged, however, that housing investment is a priority even in this incredibly challenging
• We're encouraged, however, that housing investment is a priority even in this incredibly challenging
• We're encouraged, however, that housing investment is a priority even in this incredibly challenging
• however, that housing investment<00:32:30.159> is<00:32:30.399> a<00:32:30.640> priority
• even in this uh investment is a priority even in this uh incredibly<00:32:32.720> challenging

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first priority, the pathway. I just wanted to give you a sense on slides 7, 8, and 9.
• The supports for, in priority two on slide eight, the support. supports for the workforce, the supports
• So hearkening back to the three key operational priorities pathways work, category number two supports
• So I also know that part of what y'all's priorities are is in regard to support. court, which includes
• I probably put them at the same level as an athlete in terms of priority registration.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yu discussed, our highest priority is the 10% increase. for all eligible employees.
• The first gives some background on the agency's highest priority. $125,000 in general revenue to fund
• I don't want to take up too much of your time but that is our number one priority is to take care of
• We're focused on the priority. and directives that we have been given and that we're developing.
• I am worried about the regulatory and the enforcement priorities of the Texas Medical Board.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of you have seen that 20% of respondents felt it should be the top priority of the Minnesota Legislature
• Many of you have seen that 20% of respondents felt it should be the top priority of the Minnesota Legislature
• We know it's our top priority.
• We know it's the citizens' top priority, and you'll see it evolve a little bit.
• bipartisan bill that we can put on the governor's desk and say, listen, the Republicans, it's a priority

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the outset we'd like to thank you for the invitation today to come and discuss the legislative priorities
• the outset we'd like to thank you for the invitation today to come and discuss the legislative priorities
• has faced challenges we would like to share with you for awareness, along with our legislative priorities
• :20.640> with<00:26:20.760> our<00:26:20.960> legislative<00:26:21.520> priorities
• <00:26:21.919> to along with our legislative priorities to along with our legislative priorities

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The recently expanded universal EFA program already has multiple priority categories.
• In fact, the vast majority of students enrolled in the program qualify for priority status.
• Housing Champions has not been a priority in the budget, and it was not funded.
• It has to be, as we heard from Governor Ayotte this morning, our top priority.
• Ayat this morning, our top priority. Ayat this morning, our top priority.

Keywords: 1189, house, all