Transcript Highlights:

• and we're able to leverage state appropriations at a ratio of about 1 to 1 with county appropriations
• , federal appropriations, and of course grants and contracts.
• , especially for large requests, and, uh, Mr.
• Chairman, said that We as local um appropriators that that I well how, what is your local legislator
• As the legislators are feeding that money into that.

Transcript Highlights:

• Instead of being in the revolving account, it's requested that $8 million is being requested again this
• And then finally, our ask for appropriation is just a flat appropriation this year. and just a shade
• over $4.75 million dollars is what we're requesting for appropriation.
• Are they still meeting the legislative intent of the original legislation?
• So as we talk about the macros in our budget requests this year, we're I was the request is for an adjusted

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I guess just with the budget appropriation, do you feel like that's an appropriate amount of money?
• I guess just with the budget appropriation, do you feel like that's an appropriate amount of money?
• requests from the department.
• A couple of items, legislative budget requests from the department: a forensic FACT program to help address
• request for additional beds for that.

Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee met to receive an update from the Florida Department of Children and Families on implementation of House Bill 7021, which revised the Baker Act and Marchman Act and was funded with a $50 million appropriation. Deputy Assistant Secretary Bill Hardin reported that the department has updated reference guides, training, administrative rules, and forms; launched regional behavioral health collaboratives; and created the Office of Children’s Behavioral Health Ombudsman. He said early data show continued declines in Baker Act use, high diversion rates from involuntary examinations through 988, mobile response teams, and care coordination, along with generally positive provider feedback on changes such as allowing psychiatric nurses to initiate emergency treatment orders and clarifying the 72-hour examination period. Hardin also described Marchman Act changes, including a streamlined petition process, remote testimony, improved discharge planning, and a new annual data report. He said the department has completed or is completing multiple training courses for providers and law enforcement, and has adopted or is finalizing numerous rules and forms. He reported that the regional collaboratives are identifying common statewide needs such as service capacity, resource sharing, funding flexibility, and peer support, while the ombudsman office is handling complaints and helping families navigate services. Members asked about whether the current funding is sufficient, future budget needs, outreach for the new ombudsman office, and services for juveniles. Hardin said DCF has posted legislative budget requests for additional forensic FACT services and short-term residential treatment beds, including children’s beds, and noted the ombudsman office is staffed with two FTEs and supported through existing complaint-management and regional systems. He said outreach is being done through regional collaboratives and coordination with other agencies, especially the Department of Education, and that juvenile transport and placement issues have improved with the new law. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, there have been change requests, but change requests that are within our budget authority to handle
• So no... ...change requests, but change requests that are within our budget authority to handle.
• Regarding our budget request, our governor's budget request for additional resources to support the operations
• Chas Alamo with the LAO said the request for additional appropriations is consistent with precedent in
• So I respectfully request that you support the Crop Organization's budget request. Thank you.

Summary: The subcommittee heard a series of budget and trailer bill presentations focused on labor and public employment programs. The first item covered EDD Next modernization, where EDD described progress on customer service improvements, fraud prevention, language access, and the Integrated Claims Management System. The LAO urged stronger legislative oversight as the project enters its most difficult phase, and members questioned the revised schedule, total cost, change orders, stress testing, SB 1090 implementation, and how race and ethnicity data will be protected. EDD said the overall project cost remains about $1.2 billion, that the work is being phased with disability insurance and paid family leave first, and that fraud has been greatly reduced since pandemic-era programs ended. Members also asked for follow-up information on SB 590 outreach and equity impacts. The committee then reviewed the California Workforce Development Board’s request to reduce staffing as one-time grant workloads wind down, along with trailer bill language to streamline reporting requirements. The board and Department of Finance said the staffing reductions reflect the end of surge funding and that the proposal would consolidate roughly 10 to 12 reports into one annual report, with additional reporting only if new funds are appropriated for certain programs. Senator Durazo questioned the policy direction of reducing workforce staffing, while the administration said the positions were tied to temporary grant programs and that current staffing is sufficient for ongoing duties. Members also asked about the board’s role in AI-related workforce planning and the rationale for using state funds for the High Road Construction Careers Program. A major portion of the hearing focused on the Subsequent Injury Benefits Trust Fund reforms and related staffing request at DIR. The administration and LAO described rapid growth in applications, backlog, and liabilities, saying the program’s eligibility has expanded beyond its original intent and that liabilities could reach about $30 billion by 2030 without reform. The trailer bill would tighten eligibility, apply the changes to open cases, and use the QME process and contemporaneous evidence to document preexisting disabilities. Members raised concerns about fairness to pending claimants, evaluator capacity, and the relationship to other SIBTF legislation, while the LAO said the proposal largely aligns with its prior recommendations. DIR also presented a request to eliminate vacant positions under a statewide vacancy sweep, which drew criticism from members who argued the cuts could weaken enforcement and backlog reduction efforts; the committee asked DIR to return with more detail on impacts and on its use of temporary-help authority. The final items addressed a request for additional Cal/OSHA investigative staff and a trailer bill to make permanent the revised Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board petition timeline. DIR said the BOI staffing would help investigate fatalities and serious injuries more quickly, while members emphasized the importance of family contact and timely investigations. For the WCAB item, the chair explained that the 2024 change to Labor Code section 5909, which starts the 60-day decision clock when a case is transmitted rather than when a petition is filed, has reduced pending cases and should be made permanent; the remaining backlog was reported at 460 cases, down from 637 before the change.

Transcript Highlights:

• Turning to page 6, agency exceptional item requests, not included in recommendations, as of their legislative
• appropriations request, total $11.3 million and include nine FTE positions.
• This does not include $358.9 million of exceptional item 22 from their legislative appropriations request
• Turning to page 10, agency exceptional items as of their legislative appropriations request that were
• appropriations request.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee heard a presentation from the Legislative Budget Board on the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Article 5 budget. LBB recommended $3.7 billion in all funds for 2026-27, a 5.2 percent decrease from the base, while FTEs would rise by 856.7. Major items included funding for driver license services, DPS facilities, troopers and recruit schools, crime labs, vehicle and aircraft operations, border security, and rider changes. The committee also reviewed DPS exceptional items not included in the recommendation, including additional staffing, technology, and facility requests. Members focused heavily on driver license operations, criticizing long wait times, call abandonment, and repeated staffing increases without clear process improvements. LBB said the agency’s call-answer rate was about 9 percent in fiscal 2024, with average hold times around 34 minutes, later reduced to roughly 22-25 minutes. Senators questioned whether more FTEs alone would solve the problem and urged a broader efficiency study and better use of technology. DPS officials said they were pursuing process changes, including appointment-system upgrades, online pre-population of forms, and remote issuance options, while noting that Real ID requirements and population growth continue to drive demand. DPS leadership then outlined the agency’s priorities: completion of the Williamson County training academy, recruitment and retention of troopers, capital needs for vehicles and aircraft, and expanded responsibilities at the Capitol complex and the Alamo. Officials said the new trooper funding would help address staffing shortages, public safety, and border operations, and that overtime and deployment patterns had been adjusted to reduce burnout and improve flexibility. They also discussed Operation Lone Star, saying DPS spending is largely overtime, travel, and fuel, and that the agency continues to coordinate with federal partners while awaiting clarity on possible federal reimbursement for border security costs. Senators also raised concerns about oilfield theft, cartel activity, high-speed pursuits, bilingual pay, and the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, and DPS said it would follow up on some of those issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• the request.
• I move the recommendation to the Joint Finance Appropriations Committee appropriate $692,240 in one-time
• I would move that the recommendation for the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee appropriate 3.5
• I move that the recommendation to the Joint Finance Appropriations Committee appropriate $3 million in
• I move that the recommendation to the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee appropriate $5 million

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The committee first approved the January 29, 2006 minutes, then spent most of the meeting reviewing Idaho Children’s Trust Fund and related prevention-focused grant requests. Members repeatedly discussed whether proposals fit the committee’s mission of youth substance-abuse prevention, the need for measurable outcomes and oversight, and whether some requests were more like child care or general social services than prevention. Several members also noted that future legislation and a clearer planning framework may be needed so the committee is not simply reacting to applicants’ own goals. The committee then considered individual funding requests. It approved one-time funding for the Idaho Children’s Trust Fund ($692,240), the Idaho Safety Assessment Center Coalition ($1 million through the Department of Juvenile Corrections), the Idaho Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers ($3 million through ICDVVA), a recovery center request ($150,000 ongoing through Health and Welfare), a statewide drug awareness media campaign ($5 million through the Office of Drug Policy), and the governor’s recommended $25 million one-time transfer to the Department of Health and Welfare/Division of Medicaid to help address the Medicaid forecast and general fund impact. The Children’s Bridge request for $3.5 million did not receive a second and died. Throughout the meeting, members emphasized that any approved funding should include intent language for distribution, oversight, reporting, and in some cases procurement or performance measures. There was also discussion that some programs should have a designated state agency “home” for long-term sustainability, and that the committee should better track whether funded programs are actually reducing youth substance use and related harms. The meeting ended after the committee adopted the motions and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's dress appropriately.
• Let's dress appropriately.
• Let's dress appropriately.
• Let's dress appropriately.
• Is the people's house an appropriate or a necessary place for legislators to carry guns or other weapons

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She's the chair of the Appropriations Committee on Higher Education.
• I'm surprised it didn't come up in the full Appropriations Committee.
• I heard in your highlights when you And their budget request.
• Yet the request from Secretary Dixon was $155 million to sort of catch up and a request for 291 FTEs.
• Senate Bill 2500, a bill to be entitled an act making appropriations.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was a standard request for the amount owed, plus costs and attorney fees.
• appropriate money through, there's usually every fiscal session, regular session, there's a claims appropriation
• We need to fix that during the next legislative session.
• At your request? No. I requested that the lawyer remain. Okay. Do you still have a lawyer?
• At your request? No. I requested that I, that lawyer, the attorney remained, be remained. Okay.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is $500,000 set aside in GROW right now that hasn't been appropriated, and that's going to be appropriated
• Why didn't this go through your capital outlay request? Mr.
• Legislators had asked for this, and I had supported it.
• In terms of the capital piece, it has been requested in the form of two of these bills for legislation
• Appropriations, if there are any, will be overseen and managed through the appropriate UNM business.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice will come to order.
• It's a pleasure to be here this afternoon to share a few of our legislative budget requests that the
• Are you enjoying public records requests in your department?
• It was federal legislation. It wasn't state or at our level. And we have legislation moving.
• It was federal legislation; it wasn't state or at our level.

Bills: S0054, S0156, S0296, S0298

Keywords: cognitive function, psychotropic drugs, violent offenders, autopsy procedures, medical records, school safety, public records, open government, sunshine law, victims of dating violence, domestic violence, address confidentiality program, confidential address, voter registration, voting records, elections, supervisor of elections, Department of State, Attorney General, privacy

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice heard a presentation on the Governor’s fiscal year 2026-2027 public safety budget, which totals $117.4 billion overall and includes $8.2 billion for the public safety silo. Caitlin Dawkins of the Governor’s Office outlined proposed funding and reductions across FDLE, DJJ, DOC, and related justice agencies. Agency heads then presented major budget requests: FDLE sought funding for fentanyl enforcement, a career offender registry unit, a missing persons alert system upgrade, alcohol testing modernization, officer wellness, criminal intelligence, and illegal immigration-related intelligence work; DJJ requested funds for the Florida Scholars Academy, uniforms, residential services, a new Broward detention center, and facility repairs; and DOC requested major increases for officer pay, 500 additional FTE, facility construction and maintenance, communications technology, inmate health care, pharmaceuticals, and food service. Members questioned FDLE about the scope of immigration-related enforcement and public records burdens, and DOC about staffing, inmate health care, substance use treatment, prison capacity, and whether prison beds were being used for immigration detainees. A public commenter also urged attention to basic conditions in prisons, including clothing, food, medical care, and facility maintenance. The committee then considered several bills. CS/SB 156, the Jason Rayner Act, was presented as a response to the killing of Daytona Beach Officer Jason Rayner and would clarify that a person may not use violence against an officer performing official duties, while also increasing penalties related to manslaughter involving law enforcement. An amendment conforming the bill’s language was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably after debate and a roll call vote. CS/SB 54, dealing with substances affecting cognitive function and law enforcement access to certain medical records, also received an amendment clarifying that only records relevant to an investigation of a violent offender may be furnished; the amended bill was then reported favorably. The committee next heard CS/SB 296, the Haven Act, which would direct a study of a secure web-based alert system for domestic violence victims so they can contact 911 without alerting an abuser, and would expand the Address Confidentiality Program to include dating violence victims. Testimony from advocates and survivors strongly supported the measure, and the bill was reported favorably. Its companion, CS/SB 298, a public records exemption for victims of domestic and dating violence in the Address Confidentiality Program, was also reported favorably. The meeting concluded after the committee approved all four bills and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's just appropriate.
• That is 4% of our total request.
• I think that legislation would be appropriate to strengthen the Massachusetts Sheriffs' Association and
• And we went and we put legislation out there, requested legislation to amend that to...
• the legislation passed.

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:04.680><c> over</c> unanticipated mutual aid requests over unanticipated mutual aid requests
• </c><00:03:59.840><c> need</c> loud and clear that legislators need loud and clear that legislators need
• </c> also are concerned that the legislation also are concerned that the legislation could<00:18:18.640
• &gt;&gt; Constituent<01:43:23.640><c> requests.</c> &gt;&gt; Constituent requests.
• &gt;&gt; Constituent requests. &gt;&gt; Constituent<01:43:24.680><c> requests.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was a standard request for the amount owed, plus costs and attorney fees.
• If this body chooses to, it can appropriate money through... appropriation bill that would not necessarily
• “At your request?” “No, I requested that the attorney remain.” “Okay. Do you still have a lawyer?”
• to be relieved, or you requested.
• Unless that lawyer requested to be relieved or you requested that the lawyer withdraw from your case.

Summary: The committee first reviewed several wage-claim and labor-related litigation reports from the Department of Labor and Licensing. Members questioned the department’s authority and jurisdiction, whether it was acting like a court, and why it sought attorney’s fees and costs. Department staff explained that the claims arose under the Arkansas Minimum Wage Act and related labor statutes, that the department investigates small wage claims and can file suit when informal resolution fails, and that filing fees are waived by statute though service costs may be incurred. The committee reviewed individual cases, including one where the employer had not proven cash payments, another that had already been paid and dismissed, and a third where service could not yet be completed. The committee then voted to review or batch-file the labor items. The University of Arkansas System then reported on three pending lawsuits under the litigation-notification statute. One case involving a tenured professor alleging age and race discrimination had already been resolved and dismissed after the university re-engaged in discussions about a position. A second case involving a former employee alleging ADA and FMLA retaliation was moving forward after partial dismissal and an answer denying liability. A third case involved a former vendor employee alleging retaliation tied to a parking ticket; members asked about individual-capacity exposure for a university police sergeant, and counsel explained that punitive damages could potentially create personal exposure. The committee reviewed each report. The Department of Finance and Administration presented a proposed tax settlement reducing a sales-and-use tax assessment from about $48,000 to $20,000, with interest and penalties waived, and the committee approved it. The Claims Commission then presented several claims and settlements, including an unpaid salary differential for the Department of Health, reissued warrants, unpaid bills for DHS, and multiple negotiated settlements involving UAMS, Arkansas State Police, and ARDOT; these were generally approved or batched for approval. The most extensive discussion involved a settlement between the Teacher Retirement System and Tetronics International Limited in liquidation, arising from losses tied to the failed Blue Oak project; members questioned the company’s liquidation status, the prior investment loss, and why the matter was settling for $65,000, and the committee ultimately affirmed the settlement. The committee also heard a disputed tax-sale claim involving the Commissioner of State Lands, where a claimant argued that excess proceeds from a 2009 tax sale should have gone to her family rather than escheating to the county. After testimony from the claimant and counsel, members debated sovereign immunity, heirship, and whether the committee could or should award the $4,200 overage. The motion was amended and then replaced with a motion to hold the matter over for further review in a future joint session, which passed. Finally, the committee considered an appeal by Andrew Simpson challenging dismissal of his claim against the Arkansas Court of Appeals; after Simpson and court staff explained the underlying dispute, the committee reviewed the dismissal and the matter was held over for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• legislative legislative changes<00:08:41.560><c> this</c><00:08:41.680><c> would</c><00:08:41.880><c
• Roll call has been requested.
• Roll call has been requested.
• Roll call has been requested.
• That is it for appropriations.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And that this is a supplemental request?
• Well, that is not the legislation... OPC indirectly?
• That year we also had an appropriation, my record...
• The first piece of legislation that ran off this floor was actually an opt-in piece of legislation.
• It will be enforced just as the other four pieces of legislation.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sometimes they request shade structures; maybe they sometimes request equipment that allows them to engage
• So it really depends on the individual request.
• Is there an appropriation for this?
• I just have one more request.
• I did want to ask about—we see a sheet here, a request for a special appropriation.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We assist them with actually submitting those legislative capital requests through the session.
• I think when Request or an official letter to the LFC chair requesting that we be placed on a future
• Out of a special legislative appropriation in our very first year, we were allocated five hundred thousand
• So, all federal legislation has to have a long name and an appropriate acronym.
• So we will be approaching HED to request that they put a request in to you all to increase our budget

Transcript Highlights:

• and denied one agency's request.
• The subcommittee received reports, reviewed requests, and approved the following: various temporary appropriations
• The hold came with a request for the department to revise and resubmit the request for the acquisition
• It will go through an appropriation process. He'll come here for the funds to be appropriated.
• You'll give us appropriation.

Summary: The Arkansas Legislative Council meeting began with approval of the December 2025 minutes and a presentation from the Bureau of Legislative Research on the December revenue report. Dr. Carlos Silva said gross collections were about $4.02 billion, up slightly from the prior year, and net available for distribution was also above last year but down modestly from the previous month because of higher-than-expected corporate income tax refunds. Members asked about corporate tax trends, tariffs, and inflation, and Silva said it was too early to call the corporate decline a trend and that tariff effects would likely show up mainly in sales tax collections. The council then adopted several subcommittee reports, including the Executive Committee Subcommittee, Administrative Rules, Hospital/Medicaid/Developmental Disabilities, Occupational Licensing Review, PEER, Review, State Insurance Program Oversight, and Personnel. The PEER report drew the most debate because of a Department of Agriculture grant tied to Perry County and Central Arkansas Water; members discussed whether removing the Perry County portion would affect the grant’s competitiveness, and the report was ultimately adopted with the item included. The Review Subcommittee also heard questions about a BDO contract for the rural health transformation program, with DFA explaining that the contractor would manage the program while state agencies would make funding decisions consistent with the state’s application. A major portion of the meeting focused on the Education Freedom Account appropriation tied to LEARNS. Senators and representatives debated whether the program helps families or diverts money from public schools, with supporters arguing it funds students and choice and opponents arguing it is costly, vulnerable to fraud, and harms public school funding. Department of Education officials said roughly 28,000 private school students and 17,500 homeschool students were participating, that EFA students must submit standardized tests annually, and that the requested $32 million was to cover existing participants. After multiple substitute motions and extended debate, the body rejected a motion to strip out the $32 million and then adopted the report and related motions. The meeting ended after routine approvals of additional agency items and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• But let me get straight to the appropriations request for this year.
• The first request comes for personnel.
• , my appropriations request, so we'll do that.
• So it's broken down in the request summary. And number one, so that's our first request.
• So, that request is $100,000. Our last request is training for our personnel.

Keywords: 914, all