Transcript Highlights:

• If you're not subject to the Municipal Fiscal Procedures Act, then you can have cash-based financial
• If you're not subject to the Municipal Fiscal Procedures Act, you can Municipal Fiscal Procedures Act
• So, if I wanted to show in this fiscal year fewer wanted to show in this fiscal year fewer revenues,
• .regarding violations of the Fiscal Procedures Act. >> No, thank you, Mr.
• That's a... >> Second concurs. >> Didn't have all my notes correct here. >> Didn't have all my notes

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So writing a fiscal impact, like I mentioned, right now we are worried...
• Those savings happen across many systems that are difficult to capture in a single fiscal note.
• Now, that increase sounds expensive, and it will add up to the fiscal note that you are about to hear
• We are currently finalizing the fiscal estimate.
• We are currently finalizing the fiscal estimate. It should be completed very soon.

Bills: SB1086, SB1193, SB1318, SB1345, SB1346, SB1451, SB1496, SB1611, SB1630, SB1631, SB1632, SB1672

Keywords: reimbursement, healthcare, laboratory services, noncontracting providers, Arizona health care cost containment, personal identifying information, PII, privacy, confidential records, public records exemption, commercial disclosure, data privacy, licensure, certification, health professions, health care licensing, Arizona Department of Health Services, ADHS, emergency medical care technician, EMCT

Summary: The committee first approved the February 4 minutes and then heard Senate Bill 1086, which would require AHCCCS contractors to reimburse non-contracting providers for certain laboratory services when a member was referred by a contracting provider, and would bar prior authorization for diagnostic services and retaliation tied to such referrals. AHCCCS testified neutral but warned the prior-authorization ban could increase utilization and create fiscal and federal compliance concerns. The committee adopted the Warner amendment limiting non-contracting reimbursement to no more than contracting-provider rates, then passed SB 1086 as amended on a 4-2 vote. The committee next took up Senate Bill 1611, an emergency measure to require AHCCCS to contract with an administrative services organization for program integrity and case management functions for the American Indian Health Plan, while keeping AHCCCS ultimately responsible. The chair’s amendment expanded the ASO’s duties to include provider support, quality improvement, and data analytics, removed AHCCCS claims payment authority, added more tribal observers, and exempted IHS and tribal facilities. Testimony strongly supported reforming the system after fraud and overcorrection harmed Native members and providers, but AHCCCS raised concerns about the fast timeline, possible duplication of fraud-fighting functions, and the need for 45 days of tribal consultation. The committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1611 as amended on a 5-2 vote. Senate Bill 1630 would create a Medicaid-funded home and community-based services program for adults with serious mental illness, capped initially at 250 members under the Angius amendment, with semiannual reporting and a process for future expansion only if costs are reduced or neutral. Supporters said the bill would help the sickest SMI patients avoid repeated hospitalizations, jail, and homelessness, and could save the state general fund by shifting costs to federal Medicaid funding; AHCCCS was neutral and said it was finalizing the fiscal estimate. The committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1630 unanimously. The committee also passed SB 1193, protecting emergency medical care technician personal information from disclosure; SB 1318, repealing an outdated state dense-breast notification requirement to align with FDA language; and SB 1345, restricting anonymous complaints against health care institutions, though AHCCCS warned that federal law may still require investigation of complaints from any source and that the bill could reduce reporting and invite litigation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a fiscal analyst with the Office of Senate Council Research and Fiscal Analysis.
• our new fiscal analyst. our new fiscal analyst.
• I'm a fiscal analyst with Erikica Bird.
• Um, I Research and Fiscal Analysis.
• c> uh<00:41:21.520> DLI<00:41:22.319> does note that functionally uh DLI does note

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• a note to Mr. Lander and myself. a note to Mr. Lander and myself.
• :50.800> year,<01:13:51.040> fiscal recall our current fiscal year, fiscal recall our current
• fiscal year, fiscal 25,<01:13:51.920> it's<01:13:52.239> under<01:13:52.560> 70%
• million more than current law in fiscal million more than current law in fiscal 27<01:19:21.600>
• So it fiscal 26 in this amendment.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met with Lottery Director Charlie McIntyre and Charitable Gaming Chief Compliance Officer Kulie Aoyo to review proposed changes in HB 2 and related amendments affecting video lottery terminals, historic horse racing, charitable gaming, and scratch tickets. McIntyre said the late-arriving amendment made revenue estimates difficult, especially because the bill would allow operators to decide when to convert from HHR to VLTs and would change the floor-space rules. He explained that the existing 70/30 floor-space split between machines and table games was negotiated to protect charity revenue, and warned that moving to a 90/10 split could reduce charity revenue, potentially by as much as $17 million, while also changing the character of the facilities. Committee members discussed whether to keep the 70/30 split, and McIntyre said he could provide updated estimates later that day, including net impacts after any offsetting gains or losses under current law. Members also asked about the governor’s proposed operator share versus the Sweeney amendment’s higher operator share. McIntyre said the governor’s 45% figure was based on his own estimate and on comparable rates in other states, and he supported it as a way to maximize revenue for the state and charities. He also described a change to high-stakes tournaments: after speaking with Rep. Sweeney, he said the amendment was clarified to apply only to those tournaments and would lower the house take from 10% to 5% to encourage participation in rare, high-buy-in events. The committee also discussed a separate proposal to raise the maximum scratch ticket price from $30 to $50; McIntyre said the change would take time to implement, would likely increase net state revenue by about $1 million in year two, and was consistent with pricing in neighboring states such as Massachusetts and Connecticut. Additional questions covered sports betting and a separate Kino-related estimate. McIntyre said March Madness is the busiest period for sports betting and that the state’s sports betting revenue has exceeded initial expectations. He also said he had estimated that removing a municipal-vote restriction for Kino could cost about $12 million total, with $2 million in the first year and $10 million thereafter. No formal votes were taken during the discussion; the chair indicated the committee would revisit the VLT amendment and other sections later, and McIntyre agreed to send updated revenue estimates to committee members.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're six months into our fiscal year at the end of March.
• And it's important to note that the assessment mechanism is by statute.
• And were they effective in the prior fiscal year or the current fiscal year?
• And so they're split between fiscal... ...in the prior fiscal year or the current fiscal year.
• And so they're split between fiscal year. They're called pool years.

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee held an oversight hearing on the California Fair Plan, focused on the plan’s rapid growth, its financial stability after the January Southern California wildfires, and its role as the insurer of last resort. Fair Plan officials explained that the plan was created in 1968, is a not-for-profit involuntary association of licensed property insurers, and is intended to be a temporary safety net until policyholders can return to the admitted market. They emphasized that the plan is not a state agency or taxpayer-funded, but is regulated by the Department of Insurance and supported by member-company assessments if claims exceed available funds. Victoria Roach and Armand Feliciano said the Fair Plan has grown sharply since 2018 and especially after market pullbacks by major insurers, reaching about 575,000 policies and roughly $600 billion in exposure by spring 2025. They noted that growth is increasingly occurring in lower wildfire-risk areas, where the plan can sometimes be cheaper than the voluntary market, and said this undermines depopulation back into the private market. They also discussed recent policy expansions, including coverage for farms, higher residential and commercial limits, and pending or proposed changes such as AB 290, SB 525, and AB 226, which would add tools like a line of credit and bond access. A major portion of the hearing addressed the January wildfire losses and the plan’s financial response. Fair Plan officials said they assessed member insurers for $1 billion after determining claims and cash flow would exceed available resources, and that the process was approved quickly and paid smoothly, with more than 80% of the assessment collected within 10 days. They also described the reinsurance tower, the plan’s limited surplus, and the need for actuarially sound rates to reduce future reliance on assessments. On claims handling, they said the plan has received over 5,500 claims from the fires, has paid more than $2.9 billion so far, expects total payments near $4 billion, and has focused on advancing payments quickly for total losses and other urgent needs. Members questioned the plan’s solvency, the growth in non-wildfire areas, claim denials, smoke-loss coverage, and how depopulation works. Roach said most closed claims without payment were duplicates rather than denials, and that smoke claims require direct physical loss under the policy, with coverage determined case by case. Public commenters from the California Building Industry Association and the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of California said the Fair Plan’s growth reflects a weak voluntary market, inadequate rates, and insurer fear of future assessments, and urged support for rate increases and AB 226. The hearing concluded with no vote, but with a commitment from Fair Plan officials to follow up on unanswered questions and continue providing more transparency through public data and website disclosures.

Transcript Highlights:

• And just for just for note, been the initiation and going up on a wire.
• And of course, drugs makes this a constantly evolving and monitored data set last fiscal year alone.
• It's also very important to note that 467 agencies submit to FDLE forensics every couple of years.
• Last fiscal year, we had a 97% satisfaction response.
• Last fiscal year. We gave 214 hours of training to reaching 4200 partners.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please note for those on Zoom: keep yourself muted and your video off while waiting to testify, and the
• Please note for those on Zoom: keep yourself muted and your video off while waiting to testify, and the
• Please note for those on Zoom: keep yourself muted and your video off while waiting to testify, and the
• <01:15:29.679> expansion annual basis uh no also noting expansion annual basis uh no also
• noting expansion of<01:15:30.159> the<01:15:30.280> red<01:15:30.480> light<01:15

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The meeting included a joint public hearing of the House Housing and Transportation committees, followed by a Transportation Committee hearing. In the joint hearing, members considered SB 662 SD1, which concerned transportation and included two parts: transferring certain streets to the city and clarifying police authority on state streets. The chair recommended moving the bill out as an HD1 with Part One removed, explaining that the street-transfer issue should be worked out by the county and state and that removing it would improve the bill’s chances. The committees voted to pass the measure with amendments, and the recommendation was adopted. The Transportation Committee then heard several bills. SB 1095, relating to license plates, would increase decal size restrictions for special number plates; the Department of Transportation offered written comments, with testimony split between two individuals in opposition and one in support, and no questions were raised. SB 344 would require skateboard users under 16 to wear helmets; DOT supported the bill, as did TRIAA Hawaii, the Injury Prevention Coalition, and other individuals, while two individuals opposed it. SB 30 would require all moped riders to wear helmets regardless of age; DOT supported it, but Moped Doctors and Hawaiian Style Rentals and Sales opposed it, arguing the bill was overreaching, could be hard to enforce, and should be more narrowly targeted or replaced with education efforts. The committee also heard SB 1216, which would tighten noisy muffler and exhaust enforcement by conditioning inspection certificates, adding inspection-station penalties, increasing fines, and prohibiting repair or installation of noisy systems. DOT supported the measure, and Waiʻanae Neighborhood Board testified in support, while Moped Doctors and the Motorcycle Industry Council opposed it, saying the bill would burden inspection stations, create liability concerns, and raise questions about insurance-related language as applied to mopeds. The hearing included discussion of enforcement, inspection burdens, and whether the bill’s insurance references applied to mopeds. No final vote was taken on the Transportation Committee bills in the portion provided, and the hearing adjourned after testimony and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review will come to order. The committee will come to order.
• I want to note that this is an informational hearing.
• That's how we protect essential services and maintain long-term fiscal stability.
• Proposition 2, I should note, also has provisions as they relate to school reserves.
• , ideally more fiscally responsible.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Will the Secretary please note the attendance?
• So the SNAP program, formerly food stamps, is fiscally out of control in this state.
• on either your fiscal year 2025 or 2026 error rate.
• It is important to note that this amendment is explicitly...
• It is important to note that this amendment is explicitly CMS compliant.

Bills: SB1017, SB1149, SB1162, SB1192, SB1249, SB1253, SB1331, SB1333, SB1334

Keywords: informed consent, surgical procedures, healthcare professionals, patient rights, regulatory compliance, child welfare, dependency hearings, foster care, court procedures, parental rights, healthcare compliance, behavioral health technicians, licensing, monitoring, administrative burdens, basic first aid, good samaritan, medical licensing exemption, Arizona medical board, A.R.S. 32-1421

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee opened with approval of the January 28 and 29 minutes and a welcome to Arizona Physical Therapy Day at the Capitol, including remarks from physical therapy advocates and students. The committee then took up several bills related to SNAP, health care oversight, child welfare, dementia planning, and safe haven newborn surrender. On SNAP, SB 1334 would bar DES from seeking or renewing federal waivers of work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents unless authorized by law; it passed 4-1. SB 1333 would require DES to reduce the SNAP payment error rate to 3% by 2030, with regular reporting, corrective action plans, and possible funding penalties; an amendment changed the reporting to quarterly and required a special audit, and the bill passed 4-1 as amended. SB 1331 would require able-bodied adults under 60 receiving SNAP to participate in mandatory employment and training unless exempt; testimony split between supporters citing work incentives and opponents warning of administrative burden and impacts on families and food banks, and it passed 4-2. The committee also advanced SB 1162, which clarifies DHS as the lead licensing and monitoring agency for health care institutions and, as amended, requires DHS and AHCCCS/Access to coordinate to identify duplicative oversight and report back periodically; it passed unanimously. SB 1017, requiring signatures on emergency informed consent forms for surgical procedures, passed 4-2. SB 1149, dealing with DCS periodic review hearings and notice/reporting requirements, including for tribal parties, passed 5-1. SB 1249, which designates DHS as the lead agency on Alzheimer’s and dementia planning and creates a dementia services program funded through lottery monies under the adopted amendment, passed unanimously after emotional testimony from advocates and family members. Finally, SB 1253, clarifying that a parent may surrender a newborn at the hospital of birth without leaving and returning, passed 5-0. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I forgot, um, because it doesn't have a fiscal note.
• note uh le clor as I had stated fiscal note uh le clor as I had stated when<01:00:05.319> we<
• Perhaps in that time we can figure out if it needs a fiscal note, and we can go from there.
• So, we will see if it needs a fiscal note.
• If it does need a fiscal note, we'll have your assurances that you'll let us talk about the fiscal note

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We are on receipt of Governor's Message No. 9, transmitting proposed changes to the fiscal biennium 2025
• We are in receipt of a communication returning the noted House bills, both having passed third reading
• <00:17:29.440> BM<00:17:30.000> 2025<00:17:30.840> 2027 changes to the fiscal
• BM 2025 2027 changes to the fiscal BM 2025 2027 executive<00:17:32.240> budget<00:17:32.600><
• house bills both having pass the noted house bills both having pass third<00:17:45.320> reading

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• extension for fiscal year 2026 to<00:18:03.520> 2027.
• I'd like to note that we're requesting an effective date of January 1, 2027.
• I'd like to<01:31:38.200> uh<01:31:38.400> note<01:31:38.920> that<01:31:39.760>
• uh to uh note that uh to uh note that uh we're we're we're requesting<01:31:42.760> an
• Noting that there's no testimony from the Attorney General, Judiciary, or any prosecuting attorney.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee began with resolutions HCR 93 and HR 85, which ask the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, in collaboration with the Department of the Attorney General, to form a working group and report on ways to strengthen protections for survivors of image-based sexual abuse. The Attorney General’s office said it could support the effort as legal counsel to the commission but preferred not to be an active working-group member, and suggested the Legislative Reference Bureau could instead conduct a nationwide study for stakeholders. The Commission on the Status of Women supported the resolutions but urged broader scope to include prevention and intervention, expanded stakeholder membership, keeping the Attorney General involved, and adjusting the report deadline. Testimony in support also came from the Emoa Alliance, which emphasized the prevalence and harms of image-based abuse and the need for stronger protections. Members asked questions about current criminal and civil remedies, reporting barriers, and whether the commission could administer the effort without the Attorney General; no votes were taken on the resolutions during the excerpted discussion. The committee then heard HCR 113 and HR 106, supporting the Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group’s request for more resources and a timeline extension to fiscal year 2026-2027. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs testified in support, saying Native Hawaiian culture, traditional knowledge, and cultural expressions are increasingly being commercialized and exploited without adequate protection, and that the working group needs more time, resources, and community consultation to complete its work. The committee noted six supporters and no opposition or comments. The hearing also covered HCR 193 and HR 183, which would establish a court security and Department of Law Enforcement capacity working group to address staffing shortages and the use of private security at state courts. The Judiciary supported the intent, asked that the working group supplement rather than replace its budget request, and proposed allowing the chair to add members with relevant experience. In response to questions, Judiciary said it has requested $3.25 million for armed private security, which it said would cover about 18 contracted individuals, though with significant company overhead. The committee then moved through several bills: SB 2667, which restricts certain commercial vehicles and trailers from the far-left lane on multi-lane roads, received support from the Department of Transportation; SB 2851, which allows deaf vehicle owners to register a deafness designation for law enforcement access, drew testimony in support; SB 2521, which updates emergency vehicle rules and exempts EMS personnel from CDL requirements, received testimony from Honolulu Emergency Services; and SB 2466, which would make the Chief Elections Officer terminable only for cause, drew support from the League of Women Voters and opposition from Hawaiian Islands Republican Women, who argued the change could reduce accountability and create election disruptions if litigation over termination occurs.

Transcript Highlights:

• I did note note note I<00:12:40.160> did<00:12:40.400> note<00:12:40.640> on<00:
• On line 26, is a State Patrol deficiency of 1,920,000 in fiscal year '26.
• of 1.47 million dollars a year beginning in fiscal year 28.
• of 1.47 million dollars a year beginning in fiscal year 28.
• of 1.47 million dollars a year beginning in fiscal year 28.

Bills: HF4810, HF4597, HF1082, HF3230

Keywords: public safety, radio communications, infrastructure funding, county funding, interoperability, ARMER network, local jurisdictions, HF4597, Minnesota public safety, 911, emergency dispatch, emergency communications, public safety appropriation, Metropolitan Emergency Services Board, PSAP, dispatch interoperability, real-time coordination, emergency response coordination, cross-jurisdictional response, 911 center awareness platform

Transcript Highlights:

• Of these items, the table at the very bottom of page 8, award language changes, fiscal impact, shows
• In effect, or the fiscal impact. These items are on the square foot variance.
• As indicated, We are in Fiscal Year 26, yet we're still in Calendar Year 25.
• So moving into January, we'll be in Calendar Year 26, but still in Fiscal Year 26.
• The other thing I noted is that there does appear to be a continued demand for teacherages.

Transcript Highlights:

• Leading to the substitute was the estimated fiscal note for this bill, which we now can see the fiscal
• note is slightly over $1 billion over the next biennium.
• To evaluate the feasibility fiscal impact and policy implications of modifying the dual credit, fundable
• But I would note that we have known about the ill effects of tobacco, literally. my entire life.
• health for 61 years, the heart disease, the lung disease, the cancer that's associated And as was noted

Bills: HB173, HB184, HB484, HB678, HB 1211, HB1507, HB1705, HB1868, HB2290, HB2851, HB2856, HB3041, HB3204, HB173, HB184

Keywords: foreign donations, higher education, public institutions, national security, funding, prohibition, Texas law, healthcare, insurance, affordability, access, public health, foreign influence, education policy, student loan repayment, prosecuting attorneys, border prosecution unit, financial assistance, tobacco, cigarettes

Transcript Highlights:

• but at the same time do so in a fiscally but at the same time do so in a fiscally responsible<00
• >> Yeah, be fiscally conservative. Um, focus on the things that make a difference.
• >> Yeah, be fiscally conservative. Um, focus on the things that make a difference.
• >> Yeah, be fiscally conservative. Um, focus on the things that make a difference.
• <00:19:05.840> responsible model on how to be fiscally responsible model on how to be fiscally

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The governor discussed Minnesota’s budget outlook ahead of a supplemental budget release next month, saying the state remains financially strong but should be cautious because of federal uncertainty and a structural imbalance in spending. He said the administration’s approach will be measured, with limited new spending and possibly modest revenue measures, while prioritizing a bonding bill and maintaining the state’s AAA bond rating, reserves, and middle-class tax cuts. He also praised the 2023 legislative session and bipartisan cooperation as the basis for the state’s current position. A major topic was spending growth in special education and the broader human services system. The governor said special education is a fundamental service the state is legally and morally obligated to provide, but costs need to be managed more efficiently. He pointed to legacy IT systems in the Department of Human Services and county service delivery as expensive, antiquated, and error-prone, and said the state needs a multi-year modernization plan and continued reorganization. He argued that reforms such as prepayment verification and other fraud controls should reduce costs without cutting services. The governor also addressed federal actions affecting Medicaid and other programs, sharply criticizing efforts to withhold funds and claims of widespread fraud. He said Minnesota’s Medicaid error rate is lower than the national average and argued that the federal government’s approach would harm children, pregnant women, and seniors without improving fraud prevention. He also said the state’s gun violence prevention and fraud-fighting packages are expected to be relatively close to budget neutral. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken in the meeting, which was primarily a press availability and Q&A.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> A second concern here is the fiscal >> A second concern here is the fiscal note.<
• is a old fiscal note that's dated 120. is a old fiscal note that's dated 120.
• bill but we've fiscal note is for this bill but we've again<00:40:34.000> for<00:40:34.240>
• notes needs to be updated >> So this fiscal notes needs to be updated because<00:40:42.079>
• So, the fiscal note needs to year. Okay.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I would love for somebody to actually request a fiscal note, if possible, to see how much it would
• I'm not convinced that it's a zero cost, so I've already asked for a fiscal note.
• I will vote yes now, pending the fiscal note and just more answers. So yes for now.
• I will vote yes now, pending the fiscal note and just more answers. So yes for now. Senator Brown?

Bills: SB1009

Keywords: cardiopulmonary resuscitation, AED training, high school curriculum, public school, safety training, emergency response, 1182, all

Summary: The committee meeting began with member and staff introductions, followed by consideration of SB 1009, which would expand Arizona high school emergency response training to include instruction on using automated external defibrillators (AEDs) alongside CPR. The sponsor, Senator Kavanaugh, argued the bill would improve school safety, cost schools nothing because it would be folded into existing CPR instruction, and would help students and staff respond to sudden cardiac arrest. Supporters included the American Heart Association and student witnesses, who emphasized that AED and CPR training can save lives and should be available in schools. The Arizona Education Association opposed the bill, saying it adds an unfunded mandate, could take instructional time away from core subjects, and may require staff time and resources that schools do not have. The Arizona School Boards Association was neutral but raised concerns about funding and implementation, especially for rural districts. During questions, senators debated whether AED instruction is already included in existing CPR standards and whether the bill would create new costs. Senator Kavanaugh said many programs already include AED training and that the bill simply ensures it is part of all school CPR instruction. Opponents questioned the lack of a fiscal note and the reliance on tax credit funding. After discussion, the committee voted on SB 1009 and passed it with a due pass recommendation by a 5-2 vote. Senators Diaz and Brown voted no, while Senators Dunn, Mesnard, Miranda, Werner, and Angius voted yes.

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll see the elimination of House Rule 1.22, which is the fiscal calendar, and on page five is the
• c><00:01:22.600> the of uh house rule 1.22 which is the of uh house rule 1.22 which is the fiscal
• 01:24.439> page<00:01:24.720> five<00:01:24.960> is<00:01:25.079> the fiscal
• calendar and on page five is the fiscal calendar and on page five is the elimination<00:01:25.720>
• I'll note that in the packet there's an amendment to clarify that that exception applies only to days

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration met to approve the January 15, 2025 minutes and then reviewed proposed permanent House rules for the 2025 session. House Research outlined the main changes, including eliminating the fiscal calendar and consent calendar, denying per diem reimbursement when a member is absent from a floor session, clarifying germaneness for certain statutory amendments, codifying election-challenge procedures from the temporary rules, updating the list of major finance and revenue bills, revising committee listings to match the new committee structure, and adding remote-operation rules that require the House Journal to identify members attending or voting remotely and bar per diem on those days. The committee first adopted an A6 author’s amendment clarifying that the per diem restriction for remote participation applies only to days a member attends and votes remotely during a floor session. Representative Schultz then offered the A4 amendment, which he described as improving public access to legislators and encouraging greater public engagement with members in their offices; it was adopted after no further discussion. After the amendments were approved, the committee adopted the permanent rules of the House as amended. The chair noted that the permanent rules would be taken up during session on Monday, January 27, 2025, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• A budget note...
• For the record, my name is Travis Miller with the Legislative Fiscal Office.
• For the record, Steve Robbins from the Legislative Fiscal Office.
• Note objection from Representative Evans. So, no further objections. Motion passes.
• Note objection from Representative Evans. So you know further objections.

Summary: The Emergency Board approved a series of consent federal grant applications from the Natural Resources and Public Safety subcommittees, along with several budget and position requests. The board approved grant applications for parks, transportation, judicial, emergency management, higher education, school nutrition, and other programs, including retroactive approvals where deadlines had passed. One member objected to the Natural Resources consent grants over concerns about future funding needs, but the motion still passed. The board also approved a one-time increase for Judicial Department court security, including digital privacy protections, circuit court security, and a statewide facilities assessment. A major discussion centered on Southern Oregon University’s financial stability. The Higher Education Coordinating Commission reported on SOU’s structural deficits, declining enrollment, and projected cash shortfall. The subcommittee recommended, and the board approved, allocating $7.5 million from the special appropriation for short-term stability, with a required update at the September 2026 Emergency Board meeting and a future request for the remaining funds. Members debated the broader crisis in higher education, with several saying SOU’s situation reflects systemwide enrollment and funding pressures and that long-term restructuring will be needed. The board also approved an AmeriCorps volunteer generation grant, an apprenticeship expansion grant, and a Department of Education nutrition equipment grant. In public safety, it approved funding for Oregon Military Department readiness facilities, a statewide evacuation planning tool, and a juvenile justice information system modernization report, while requiring a follow-up viability report. The Department of Justice received approval for additional antitrust positions and expenditure limitation, though several members raised concerns about the funding structure and incentives tied to settlement revenues; the motion passed despite objections. In natural resources, the board approved funding for the Water Resources Department’s well abandonment, repair and replacement grants, an assistant water master position in Washington County, groundwater data collection in the Lower Umatilla Basin, a wetlands remote sensing pilot, and parks-related grant applications for operations, maintenance, and capital improvements. Members generally supported the requests but raised concerns about geographic equity, long-term sustainability, and whether some county responsibilities were being shifted to the state. The meeting also included discussion of a Department of Emergency Management evacuation tool as an urgent wildfire preparedness measure, with members emphasizing its potential to save lives.