Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and may we get the limit increased. Uh, this does not use any state funding.
• Uh, this does not use any increased. Uh, this does not use any state<00:06:55.360> funding.
• Um, so I there I don't think there's any increased risk by doing more.
• <00:10:49.920> our and would we would we be increasing our and would we would we be increasing
• I think should be able to make very effective use of an increase of data in the department.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 20% increase in forensic mental health beds, 20% increase in Anoka Medical Regional Treatment Facility
• . capacity increases.
• In 2024, that number has increased to 424 individuals.
• Meet the increasing demand.
• It increases the current emergency services program.

Transcript Highlights:

• That would increase the proration rate to an estimated 42.7% in 2025-26 and 50% in 2026-27.
• That would increase payments by $100,000. Open Enrollment Program indexing.
• But he brought into evidence that it's a 2% increase for Social Security.
• The most significant increase that we saw in those projections was, I think, number one, the increase
• That's a meaningful increase in the resources that my districts will receive.

Keywords: 970, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the last 10 years, we have seen the number of players increase and our sales volume increase.
• of players increase and our sales<00:26:57.480> volume<00:26:57.720> increases.
• sales volume increases. sales volume increases.
• on to significantly increase the return on to significantly increase the return on the<00:31:
• without increasing costs substantially. without increasing costs substantially.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its January 13 meeting and then moved through a large agenda of contracts and agreements, with members repeatedly voting to review items without objection. The chair noted the agenda included 227 contracts totaling about $89.5 million, all with vendors registered with the Secretary of State. Most items were approved after brief discussion and roll-call votes. Several contracts drew questions. Kentucky State University explained two four-month contracts tied to its online academic program: one for continued implementation support and one for marketing. University officials said the program is in a transition year under a management improvement plan, that the university owns the intellectual property, and that the marketing effort is aimed at growing enrollment in targeted programs such as business and social work. They reported online enrollment had grown from 74 students to 612, with an overall university enrollment of 2,872, and said the goal is to reach about 1,000 online students by fall. The committee approved both items, though Senator Douglas said he would keep watching university spending. The Department of Education presented a contract cancellation for administrative reviews of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program. Officials said USDA changed the review requirement from every three years to every five years, making the outside contract unnecessary because internal staff can now handle the work. The committee approved the cancellation. The Transportation Cabinet also explained an increase to a professional services contract for engineering work on a section of KY 54 in Owensboro, describing it as preliminary design and commissioning work for a multi-section roadway project; the committee approved that item as well. The Kentucky Lottery Corporation sought approval for an amendment tied to its iLottery platform. Officials said the increase reflected higher sales volume, since the contract structure causes prize and platform-related expenses to rise as sales grow. The committee approved the amendment. The Department of Public Health also discussed a perinatal psychiatry consultation program funded by a five-year federal HRSA grant; members raised concerns about what would happen if federal support changes, but no action beyond discussion was noted in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• :03:31.200> uh<00:03:31.519> enable increased appropriation would uh enable increased appropriation
• increased po appropriation. increased po appropriation.
• Tuition and fee increases experience.
• So those include things like increased enrollment and increased family need due to changes in the federal
• <00:47:37.839> enrollment include things like increased enrollment include things like increased

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Increases funding.
• So there's some increases on the handout that you saw, but In the layout, as I described, the increases
• With Fort Bend County increasing in popu- increasing growth, economic opportunities that are coming up
• Increased 1.3%, 1.3% from last. budget. The GR funds, yes, they did increase 7.7 percent.
• We increased the base from like. 8.11 to 10.60.

Bills: SB1, HB500, SB1, HB1400, HB 1094, HB365, HB 1109, HB647, HB500

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:55:49.000> in to betting sites those uh increases in to betting sites those uh increases
• <01:08:51.920> by intimate partner violence increase by intimate partner violence increase
• <01:14:26.679> in shows us the percentage increase in shows us the percentage increase in
• <01:14:50.600> in 10 percentage Point increase in 10 percentage Point increase in instances
• <01:23:03.679> in legalized have seen huge increases in legalized have seen huge increases

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The increase presented is 6,600, bringing the new total to 56,600.
• That's an $8.4 million increase.
• This is a $4.4 million increase, approximately.
• Now we're estimating a slight increase to about $35 million or $1.8 million.
• So then we had to further increase the building footprint to meet that.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the budget increase, are you also increasing any of your fees to the cities and counties with the
• However, with increased pay, it will need to be increased, and that's primarily driven by salaries.
• But as far as a cost increase, we won't know that yet.
• The Legislature has allowed us to increase to two additional antitrust attorneys, and it has increased
• Has allowed us to increase to two additional antitrust attorneys, and it has increased the size of the

Bills: HF627, HF474, HF361, HF1837

Keywords: HF627, fiscal note, fiscal notes, Minnesota Legislature, state government, committee procedure, ranking minority member, minority party, standing committee, Ways and Means, Finance Committee, legislative process, budget analysis, fiscal impact, Minnesota Statutes 3.98, committee chair, legislative transparency, HF474, Hubert H. Humphrey, Henry Mower Rice

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, we are seeing a significant amount of increase in accounting requirements going forward.
• The AG has a lot more flexibility with regards to how they do pay increases.
• This also is an increase in the fringe benefit rate.
• BF 143 uh this also is an increase in BF 143 uh this also is an increase in The<00:11:26.120> Fringe
• Again, within the EF, this is increasing costs.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're increasing the total funds per FTE by $135.26, a 1.5% increase, and we're also increasing the base
• This is a $700 million increase.
• , 5% increase, and then a 2.75% increase, when you average all that out, that is in fact averaging to
• increases for these folks who work with this population, which was about a $200 million increase.
• It's increased by like 24.85 percent.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several gallery introductions before taking up Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, on mental health. Senator Bradley explained that the bill is intended to divert clinically appropriate defendants with mental illness from jail to treatment, create pretrial mental health diversion programs, expand grant uses for mental health and substance abuse reinvestment, require evaluations and treatment follow-up in certain probation and prison settings, add Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, and establish a Florida Behavioral Health Data Repository. Senators from both parties spoke in support, emphasizing treatment over incarceration, public safety, and the Murphy family’s role in the bill. The Senate passed the bill 37-0 and then recorded 37 co-sponsors. The chamber then moved into presentations on SB 2500, the 2025-26 General Appropriations Act. Chair Hooper said the Senate budget totals $117.4 billion, reduces overall spending from the prior year, maintains reserves, keeps employee health contributions level, and includes major investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and nearly $1 billion in education capital outlay. Committee chairs outlined their portions of the budget, including increased funding for K-12 schools and scholarships, higher education workforce programs, Medicaid and health services, corrections and courts, transportation and housing, and environmental restoration such as Everglades and water quality projects. Members then asked extensive questions, especially about education funding, school choice, AP/IB and accelerated programs, the Family Empowerment Scholarship, and the FEFP calculations. Senator Burgess repeatedly explained that scholarship funding is being moved “below the line” to improve tracking and that the Senate position is to preserve funding while giving districts more flexibility. Senators also questioned the APD wait list for disability services, opioid settlement spending, arts funding, the My Safe Florida Home condo pilot, and proposed IT and agency restructuring. Several chairs said some issues would be resolved in conference, and no final vote on the budget was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Without just CalFresh, it would have increased by 1.1 million.
• That is a 20% increase in over two years. The USDA's methodology is lagged.
• That increased benefits quite significantly for families.
• The increase in sales is very real.
• We have to increase funding. We have to continue participation.

Summary: The joint oversight hearing focused on food insecurity in California and how state and federal nutrition programs, agricultural production, and food distribution systems intersect. Assemblymembers emphasized that many Californians, including farmworkers, seniors, children, and communities of color, remain food insecure despite California’s agricultural abundance. Panelists and members discussed CalFresh, WIC, school meals, Sun Bucks, food banks, and the impact of federal policy changes, including possible nutrition cuts, tariffs, and immigration enforcement, on access to food and the agricultural workforce. Secretary Karen Ross described CDFA programs aimed at improving access to fresh food and supporting local agriculture, including the senior farmers’ market program, California Nutrition Incentive Program, Healthy Refrigeration Grant Program, Community Food Hubs, Farm to School, urban agriculture, and a proposed tribal food sovereignty program. She said these efforts help connect local producers to consumers, expand healthy food access, and build infrastructure such as refrigeration, mobile markets, and aggregation hubs. Department of Social Services Deputy Director Alexis Fernandez Garcia outlined CalFresh, CFAP, Sun Bucks, CACFP, emergency food programs, and tribal nutrition assistance, noting that CalFresh and related programs significantly reduce poverty and food insecurity, but participation gaps remain for non-English speakers, some Asian American communities, and undocumented households. PPIC researcher Tess Thorman presented data showing that 13% of California households experienced food insecurity in 2023, with higher rates among households with children and Latino, Black, and other households. She said nutrition programs reduce poverty and food hardship, but federal rules, income thresholds, immigration restrictions, and high living costs limit their reach. Members asked about simplifying applications, improving call center access, increasing outreach in multiple languages, and adjusting benefits for inflation. Officials said the state has used available federal options to streamline enrollment, improve customer service, and target outreach, but many core rules and benefit levels are set federally. The second panel shifted to food production and market access. A farmer, a UC food systems leader, and a produce distributor described efforts to connect small and medium farms with food banks, schools, universities, and Medi-Cal food-as-medicine programs. They highlighted programs such as Farms Together, the USDA Southwest Regional Food Business Center, Farm to School, food hubs, and climate-smart infrastructure grants as ways to create stable markets for local growers while improving food access. Speakers also raised concerns about land tenure, consolidation, regulatory burdens, labor constraints, and the loss of federal funding, and members discussed whether state investments and Prop. 4 funds could help sustain and expand these efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• And lastly, we increase reservations.
• This increases the um charter schools.
• <00:29:03.279> the<00:29:03.440> regional increase to MDE and the regional increase
• This is an increase analysis software.
• Um we've kept um increase in revenue.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That increases it, especially right now.
• No, I would just add, though, that the increase to Chapter 90 and then the boutique authorizations, if
• Certainly there have been some infusions and some supplemental increases in the interim.
• But does this increase bring us to a point?
• We have seen our prices increase by as much as 20% on some projects, so it's definitely gone up.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Bonding, State Assets, and Capital Expenditures held its first public hearing on House Bill 4257, a transportation bonding bill. The administration testified in support, describing the bill as a $1.185 billion authorization: $300 million for Chapter 90 municipal road funding and $885 million for statewide transportation capital programs. Officials said the bill would increase municipal aid by 50%, with $200 million distributed under the traditional Chapter 90 formula and $100 million based solely on road mileage to better help rural communities. They also highlighted $500 million for bridge and pavement lifecycle asset management, $200 million for culverts and small bridges, and $185 million for congestion, safety, ADA, sidewalk, and multimodal improvements. Committee members asked about how municipalities would apply, how the road-mile formula would affect rural towns, and how the bill would interact with federal funding uncertainty and debt financing. Administration witnesses explained that projects would be administered through MassDOT district offices and Grant Central, that the bill would not backfill rescinded federal funds, and that the proposal would likely use special obligation bonds backed by Fair Share revenues to reduce pressure on the Commonwealth’s general obligation debt limit. Members also pressed the administration on the shift from general obligation to special obligation financing and on whether the Chapter 90 increase keeps pace with inflation. Administration officials said the special obligation structure would be credit-rated separately and was intended to expand available capital without affecting the GO bond cap, while acknowledging that the Commonwealth’s debt portfolio would grow. They said the Chapter 90 increase would roughly restore purchasing power lost since 2012, though construction inflation has outpaced general inflation. Several members and witnesses emphasized the importance of the road-mile formula for rural communities and the need for technical assistance for small towns. The Massachusetts Municipal Association testified in strong support of the bill, calling Chapter 90 and the new infrastructure authorizations critical for cities and towns facing federal uncertainty and rising costs. The Massachusetts Aggregate and Asphalt Pavement Association also supported the bill, citing the importance of the funding for road and bridge work, the construction season, and the industry’s economic impact. A committee member asked about asphalt price inflation, and the witness said liquid asphalt costs rose sharply after COVID, including increases of around 20% in some years. At the end of the hearing, the chair said members would receive a poll by email to move the bill out quickly, and the committee then voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• At current or increased levels.
• There's a 52% decrease in substance use, and their hours worked are increasing and their income is increasing
• it had not been increased in several years.
• And then we increased 70% the administrative cap.
• We've increased waiver utilization, and we've increased provider participation.

Summary: The committee first heard an update on North Dakota’s Interagency Council on Homelessness and Continuum of Care funding. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency reported that homelessness remains driven by tight housing markets, low incomes, rising rents, and barriers to rental assistance, public benefits, and disability determinations. She said the state’s one-time North Dakota Homeless Grant is serving all regions but reaches far fewer households than the former Rent Help program, and that aging homelessness, shelter staffing shortages, and limited affordable units are growing concerns. Members discussed the need for more housing supply, better coordination with Health and Human Services, landlord engagement, reentry housing, and possible continued one-time funding for the $10 million Homeless Grant and $25 million Housing Incentive Fund. Henderson also warned that federal Continuum of Care funding is uncertain, with HUD expected to issue a new notice June 1 and possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing toward transitional housing and other models. The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, or hard of hearing. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described the school’s services for infants, children, and adults, including screenings, mobility training, assistive technology, and outreach across the state. He said the agency works closely with Vocational Rehabilitation and is also involved in improving website and document accessibility, especially for PDF materials. Public testimony highlighted barriers such as inaccessible CAPTCHA systems, online forms, driver’s license requirements on job applications, and limited transportation in rural areas. A deaf resident urged broader use of video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training so people know how to use them effectively. Finally, Kay Larson presented the final report on the child care provider licensing study. The report recommended streamlining North Dakota’s child care licensing structure into three provider types plus a preschool designation, while preserving health and safety standards and maintaining eligibility for child care assistance. The committee discussed simplifying training and qualification rules, revising ratio and group-size requirements, and adjusting age bands for infants and toddlers. The report also noted that some changes would require statutory amendments and later administrative rule changes, with a transition period likely extending through 2029. No formal votes were taken in the transcript, but the committee accepted the updates and scheduled follow-up presentations for a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:57.959> the uh Judiciary package to increase the uh Judiciary package to increase the
• The next is an increase from DAGS for risk management. DAGS has advised us the cost has increased.
• The next is an increase from DAGS for risk management. DAGS has advised us the cost has increased.
• The next is an increase from DAGS for risk management. DAGS has advised us the cost has increased.
• before we passed the bill to increase before we passed the bill to increase court<00:18:55.880><

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Judiciary heard the Judiciary’s budget presentation from Brandon Kimura and other court administrators. The Judiciary outlined its mission and access-to-justice programs, including specialty courts, self-help centers, online small claims dispute resolution, and e-reminders. It requested an operating budget of $6.17 million in FY 2026 and $6.25 million in FY 2027, along with 17 permanent and one temporary position, and described a series of staffing and program requests tied to specialty courts, district court operations, technology, and public guardianship. Major program requests included making women’s court permanent by converting seven temporary positions to permanent and adding a substance use counselor; expanding truancy court and the Early Education Intervention Program on Oahu; and making the driving while impaired court permanent. The Judiciary also sought staffing and funding for the new Wahiawa District Court, including security, janitorial, IT, clerical, bailiff, and social worker support, plus an additional district court judge and staff in Kona. Technology requests included cybersecurity tools and a cybersecurity unit, enhanced email protection, and replacement of aging network switches. Other operating requests included continued funding for the Criminal Justice Research Institute, restoration of 12 positions cut during the pandemic, and added support for the Office of the Public Guardian. For capital improvement projects, the Judiciary’s top priorities were $4 million to design a new South Kohala District Court, $900,000 to replace an aging AC chiller on Kauai, and $5 million for lump-sum facility preservation work. Members asked questions about purchase-of-service contract rates, implementation of court-appointed fee increases, federal grant dependence, specialty court effectiveness, truancy court outcomes, and the condition of the Ewa District Court site. Judiciary witnesses said they were working to raise provider rates through contracts and a separate bill, cited low recidivism and reduced petitions as evidence that specialty courts and truancy efforts are working, and said the Ewa site has significant foundation issues that may require further assessment or a different location.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 434 requires that the increase in just value attributable to improvements made to increase
• Senate Bill 434 requires that the increase in just value attributable to improvements made to increase
• property taxes as a result of the increased value.
• That was increased a little bit because of some refunds. Thank you.
• And the rate, the corporate income tax rate, was adjusted to account for that increase.

Summary: The committee took up three tax-related bills and a staff presentation on the state revenue forecast and the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act. SB 856, by Senator DeSigley, would require online real estate listing platforms to display estimated property taxes using state-prescribed methods rather than the current owner’s taxes. Supporters from county, city, and property appraiser groups said the bill would improve transparency for homebuyers, especially first-time buyers and those facing large tax increases after a homestead cap reset. Senators discussed ensuring the estimate appears directly on listing platforms. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered SB 110, by Senator Arrington, which clarifies that people holding 98-year-or-longer residential leases remain eligible for the homestead exemption even if the lease ends upon death, aligning such leases with life estates for estate-planning purposes. An amendment was adopted to clarify that leases terminating at the lessee’s death are valid under current law. The Florida Bar’s Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section supported the bill, and Senator Gates noted its importance for long-term leaseholders on barrier islands. The amended bill was reported favorably. SB 434, by Senator Leak, would prevent property tax assessments from increasing because of improvements made to harden homes against wind damage, such as stronger roof attachments, shutters, and secondary water barriers. The sponsor said homeowners should not be penalized for resilience upgrades, and the bill was also reported favorably. Staff director Mr. Khan then reviewed the latest general revenue forecast, noting collections were running about $230 million above prior estimates through November and that the new forecast added roughly $500 million in the first budget year, with a smaller increase in the second year. He said corporate income tax was the main weakness in the forecast, due to softer collections and uncertainty around tariffs, while other sources were generally stronger. In the second half of the presentation, he explained that the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act would significantly affect Florida’s corporate income tax base if fully conformed to, with an estimated $3.5 billion general revenue impact in fiscal year 2026-27, largely because of retroactive provisions such as bonus depreciation and research expensing. Senators and the appropriations chair discussed the budget implications, including possible ways to limit the impact through decoupling or prospective treatment. No votes were taken on the forecast presentation, and the committee adjourned after members requested to be recorded as voting in favor on SB 856 and SB 110.

Transcript Highlights:

• If 10% do, then the increase would be something like 150%, and that increased usage would likely build
• <00:03:49.959> be 10% do then the increase would be 10% do then the increase would be something
• ridership on Transit and by the increase ridership on Transit and by the way<00:04:26.280> increase
• So I think it’s going to be a net increase in the amount of folks using Transit and a net increase in
• folks using Transit and a net increase folks using Transit and a net increase in<00:10:43.279>

Bills: HF1367, HF2732, HF1897, HF1424, HF1383, HF2728, HF2863, HF1685, HF2929

Keywords: child maltreatment, child abuse, neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, labor trafficking, human trafficking, child protection, local welfare agency, county social services, Minnesota Department of Human Services, judicial review, district court appeal, venue, out-of-state abuse, cross-border investigation, Minnesota child welfare, family assessment, maltreatment determination

Transcript Highlights:

• estimated in November that increase estimated in November that increase occurs<00:04:08.920>
• income as employers face increased income as employers face increased competition<00:14:51.199><
• <00:29:15.279> in chart shows those projected increases in chart shows those projected increases
• federal funding will result in increased federal funding will result in increased cost<00:30:46.120
• funding for K12 education will increase funding for K12 education will increase automatically<01

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Do I get a gumball or a toy or increased literacy?
• But graduation rates are increasing.
• We are seeing increasing graduation rates. We are seeing slowly increasing proficiency rates.
• , over $2 billion increase in funding.
• And we're talking about increasing bonding amounts and we just increased them in 2018.