Transcript Highlights:

• outlay, repairs and equipment surplus appropriation to Welch Community Hospital; $3.4 million to a new
• capital outlay, repairs and equipment surplus appropriation to William R.
• Sharp Hospital; and $4,404,000 to a new capital outlay, repairs and equipment surplus appropriation to
• outlay, repairs and equipment surplus appropriation within the Division of Culture and History.
• outlay, repairs and equipment surplus appropriation within the Division of Natural Resources.

Summary: The West Virginia Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approval, and numerous introductions of honorary pages, guests, chaperones, and visitors, including a large McDowell County Day delegation. The Senate also received a governor’s executive message containing 76 nominations, which were referred to the Committee on Confirmation, and then set those nominations as a special order of business for 4 p.m. later that day. On legislation, the Senate rejected House amendments to Senate Bill 493 on open captioning for motion pictures and requested the House recede, saying the amendments changed the bill’s intent by making captioning mandatory and expanding its scope. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 587 on county officials’ salaries, adopted an amendment restoring county control over future pay increases while keeping a 5% raise, concurred in the House amendments as amended, and passed the bill 34-0 with immediate effectiveness. The Senate also fast-tracked and passed several supplemental appropriations bills, all by 34-0 votes and all made effective from passage: House Bill 527 for health facilities, House Bill 528 for the Department of Agriculture’s spay-neuter assistance fund, House Bill 5307 for the Division of Culture and History, House Bill 5317 for the Division of Natural Resources, and House Bill 5694 for the Department of Education. The Senate received House Bill 5286 on corrections and referred it to Finance. Finally, the Senate adopted Senate Resolution 66 designating March 14, 2026, as McDowell County Day at the legislature, with remarks highlighting the county’s history and current economic efforts, and then recessed for 30 minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also wanted to ask, just moving forward from now on, to move through percent of our capital outlay
• With capital outlay, we do have capital outlay requests in for 6.15 million for our main school building
• Including the services that we provide, just a little bit budget-wise to touch base on capital outlay
• The capital outlay, in particular, is appropriated by you all.
• This is a presentation of Special Appropriations and Capital Outlay.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm a capital outlay analyst with the Legislative Finance Committee.
• Today, I will be presenting a capital outlay policy brief on containing construction costs in higher
• The legislature's going to have to say, you're not bringing us any capital outlay projects until we see
• I mean, because The legislature does so well with capital outlay and how we appropriate it and how we
• I mean, $6.3 billion in capital outlay projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2 by Representative Bacala provides for the comprehensive capital outlay budget.
• outlay program.
• Bond Commission meeting, the state will be selling general obligation bonds to continue to fund the capital
• outlay program.
• And bond proceeds are deposited into the capital outlay escrow account.

Summary: The House Ways and Means Committee met on April 13, 2026, with a quorum present and began by reviewing House Bill 2, the comprehensive capital outlay budget. The committee adopted amendment set 3575, including a technical correction, and heard the chairman explain how the proposal reallocates limited surplus and bonding capacity by trimming some P1 requests, redirecting dormant projects, and creating project bundles for certain university and DOTD projects to allow funds to move more flexibly between projects. He said the approach was intended to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and allow agencies to manage overruns and underruns within bundled projects. The committee then reported HB 2 favorably as amended without objection. The committee next took up House Bill 3, the Omnibus Bond Act, which was described as the financing measure that implements and funds the capital outlay program authorized in HB 2 by repealing prior bond authorizations and authorizing new general obligation bonds through the State Bond Commission. Members voted to report HB 3 favorably without objection. The committee also adopted a motion to make HB 3 special order number three for Thursday, April 16, 2026, so it could be heard with the other money bills. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• All of us who use capital outlay dollars in their community to help with infrastructure projects and
• Just shy of $410 million goes directly into San Juan County for infrastructure, education, capital outlay
• outlay appropriations for projects throughout the state.
• Just looking at Eddy County alone in terms of capital outlay, K-12 schools.
• That funded infrastructure, education, and capital outlay. Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, we appreciate the capital outlay of the state legislature and the governor have provided over
• That was awarded by the governor in 2020 through Capital Outlay that went out to bid twice, and we had
• OK, uh, Secretary Lujan, has, you, you talked about your capital outlay earlier.
• And how current are you on that capital outlay? Are you pretty well?
• The capital outlay has been really, really key in, in, in our success in moving us forward. Um.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then down to Line 8, the number of Capital Outlay Tribal Infrastructure Fund grant trainings or technical
• So we're looking at a number of infrastructure projects, capital improvement plans for the top five capital
• For the second one, the number of capital outlay tribal infrastructure fund grant trainings, I think
• We do a capital outlay training. We do... a TIF training.
• So those are the big ones that we do for capital... outlaying.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• The GSF calculator and the capital outlay formula.
• outlay formula.
• outlay formula.
• Moving on to slide 8, the final component of these three pieces is the capital outlay formula, essentially
• Our public school capital outlay impact over time is in the billions.

Committee: House Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• And capital outlay does take a lot longer than normal projects because there are several different phases
• Facility modifications and capital outlay.
• I'm on the capital outlay side, and the criteria that determines a capital outlay project versus a support
• So there are very clear criteria that determine whether it's capital outlay or support.
• And we do want to ensure that capital outlay has the oversight of the State Public Works Board on these

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor, and Transportation held a hearing focused first on courthouse facility funding and then on the Governor’s proposed court facilities budget. Legislative Analyst’s Office staff outlined the state’s court-facilities funding structure, including the 2002 shift of trial court facility responsibility from counties to the state, the main funding accounts, the insolvency of the construction fund, the move to General Fund support, the backlog of deferred maintenance, and the large estimated cost of needed new construction and repairs. Judicial Council representatives and judges from Los Angeles and Mendocino described severe seismic, safety, ADA, security, and maintenance problems, with examples of floods, elevator failures, asbestos-related closures, and long-delayed or underfunded projects. They argued that chronic underinvestment is making facilities less safe and more expensive to maintain, and that courthouse conditions directly affect access to justice and public confidence. Committee members pressed witnesses on how projects are prioritized, whether population and filing volume are adequately reflected, why reassessments have not been updated since 2019, how long acquisitions and construction take, and what level of funding would actually close the gap. Members also questioned the fixed county contribution, the use of General Fund backfills, and whether the state should set a clearer long-term funding target for the judicial branch. LAO staff emphasized that any new General Fund commitment would require tradeoffs with other budget priorities and said the Legislature must decide its appetite for funding. Judicial Council staff said the current prioritization was based on the 2019 reassessment and trailer bill language, that a new reassessment would cost about $14 million, and that acquisition delays are often driven by willing-seller issues and CEQA requirements. The chair asked for written testimony and indicated the committee would consider a future field hearing. In the second panel, Judicial Council and Department of Finance representatives reviewed the Governor’s budget proposals for court facilities. They said the proposal includes continued backfill for the State Court Facilities Construction Fund, several new construction and reappropriation items, relocation of Los Angeles courtrooms from the Spring Federal Building, and completion of a fire/life-safety project in Orange County. A court executive from Ventura testified that courthouse conditions affect public trust, employee morale, and the quality of service, citing roof leaks, elevator breakdowns, and HVAC failures as examples of why sustained facilities funding is needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• During the 2024 interim, LESC and LLC made a joint recommendation to the Public School Capital Outlay
• To understand that capacity, we have to look at the main engine driving the public school capital outlay
• Versus schools in any of our laws regarding Zuni or capital outlay? Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair.
• Chair, look at some as we're looking at this in the whole scope of capital outlay for our public schools
• outlay.

Transcript Highlights:

• going to be very quick that we'll take care of, and then we'll turn it over to Chairman Bacala on capital
• outlay.

Bills: HB2 , HB3 , HB799 , HB1039

Committee: Senate Revenue & Fiscal Affairs

Keywords: bond authorization, capital improvement, general obligation bonds, financial management, state treasury, boiler safety, inspection, licensing, state fire marshal, operating certificate, regulations, local sales tax, local use tax, sales and use tax, tax audit, local collector, tax collector, prescriptive period, prescription waiver, interest suspension

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of those projects are in capital outlay anyway. We'll be likely making that recommendation.
• It's being provided through capital outlay.
• Well, when I was looking at capital outlay and deferred maintenance, I was wondering.
• You know, as we borrow money, as we go into the capital outlay bill and issue bonds, I mean, you have
• You know, as we borrow money, as we go into the capital outlay bill and issue bonds, I mean, you have

Summary: The committee first took up the fiscal status statement, certification of the state surplus, and the five-year baseline budget. Officials from the Office of Planning and Budget and the Division of Administration said the January fiscal status statement had no changes, and the commissioner certified a surplus of $577,073,871. They also reviewed the baseline outlook, noting projected imbalances in later years driven by declining revenue, including the redirection of motor vehicle sales tax, and rising costs such as inflation and Medicaid-related expenses. The fiscal status statement was approved without objection. The governor’s executive budget was then presented as a third consecutive standstill budget, with administration officials emphasizing efficiency savings, no reduction in services, and no reduction in state workforce. They said the budget relies on prior savings efforts and incorporates agency-level cuts and reorganization, while also addressing higher costs in corrections, DCFS, and health care. Major items highlighted included funding for LA GATOR, the high-impact jobs program, DCFS modernization, corrections population and overtime needs, nursing home and managed care adjustments at LDH, and additional support for the MJ Foster Scholarship Program. Members asked about the impact of inflation, the use of federal versus state funds, the future of voucher and GATOR funding, and whether more support should go to DCFS and the Hero Fund. The committee also received the calculation of the FY27 expenditure limit, set at $20.1 billion, and the annual comprehensive financial report for FY2025, which received a clean audit opinion. Members approved a BA-7 increasing federal funds for an executive office transportation grant, approved additions to the Act 751 higher education deferred maintenance project list and a Baton Rouge Community College project combination, and approved contract amendments for CPRA with Coastal Estuary Services and Access Sciences. The committee also corrected a legislative intent item naming the New Orleans Recreational Development Foundation. Finally, the judiciary presented a weighted caseload study for district and appellate courts, explaining it as an updated tool to assess judicial workload and potential judgeship needs; members discussed its limits, the role of specialty courts and commissioners, and the need for further legislative-judicial collaboration before any changes are made.

Transcript Highlights:

• improvement by $100 million and swapped it with public school capital outlays.
• No capital outlay. We didn't even know it existed.
• Why would we be doing that through DFA as opposed to capital outlay?
• Would have assumed to have been in capital outlay. Mr.
• How much money did each chamber get for capital outlay? Too much. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 152, which would create a low-income telecommunications assistance program and continue support for rural broadband operations and maintenance through the State Rural Universal Service Fund. Senator Padilla and Office of Broadband Access and Expansion Director Jeff Lopez said the bill responds to the loss of federal affordability support and would help low-income households pay for broadband, while also preserving funding for rural carriers and maintenance. Supporters included the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, the New Mexico Exchange Carrier Group, tribal telecom representatives, and several rural providers, who said affordability is the main barrier to service and that the bill would help families, students, and rural communities. A few witnesses opposed parts of the bill, arguing that the ARS funding should be redirected entirely to broadband affordability and that legacy POTS-line support should sunset. Committee members asked about ETC requirements, satellite and wireless options, rural density, and the sunset provision; the sponsor said the sunset on ARS would be removed and that stakeholder discussions would continue in the interim. The committee voted due pass on the Senate Finance Committee substitute for SB 152. The committee then took up Senate Rules Committee substitute for Senate Bill 132, which would add software planning and replacement to the state’s equipment replacement fund. The sponsor and expert said state agencies now rely heavily on software for core services and that planning for software alongside hardware would improve efficiency, security, and long-term sustainability. There was no opposition, and the committee voted due pass on the substitute. The meeting then shifted to a lengthy discussion of Senate changes to House Bill 2, the budget bill. Senate Finance staff described roughly 300 changes, including additional funding for fire response, early childhood, housing, health care, quantum initiatives, public safety, courts, transportation, education, and several social service programs. Members questioned cuts or reallocations affecting state employee pay, public school capital outlay, the state fair redevelopment, CARA, personal care services, the Office of Child Advocate, and other items. The presenters repeatedly defended the Senate’s use of funds as a way to preserve reserves while prioritizing health care, housing, education, and other recurring needs, and said reserves would remain above the target level even with the changes discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll revert now to our discussion and public testimony on capital outlay.
• I thought it was important for our committee just to get an update on the capital outlay bill.
• And with me is Margaret Hill, FPC Assistant Director over Capital Outlay and the non-state program.
• And with me is Margaret Hill, FPC Assistant Director over Capital Outlay, and the non-state program.
• Okay, let's go back to our capital outlay presentation.

Bills: HB214 , HB217 , HB514 , HB593 , HB618 , HB732 , HB908 , HB961 , HB1010

Committee: Senate Revenue & Fiscal Affairs

Keywords: property tax, blighted properties, urban rehabilitation, tax exemption, local government, financial incentives, blighted property, derelict property, property tax exemption, local redevelopment plans, rehabilitation standards, ad valorem tax, community development, senior citizens, homestead exemption, Louisiana Constitution, motor vehicles, local fees, transaction fees, funding

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we're focusing on the small local public bodies that have capital outlay withheld.
• Local public bodies that have capital outlay withheld.
• Remember, it's not just about accessing capital outlay.
• Spending capital outlay, however, I don't believe we have a very accurate, robust capital outlay tracking
• And a capital million in a capital outlay request now.

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• outlay fund.
• outlay?
• outlay.
• I have a feeling that Capital Outlay would be part of that process.
• From those Capital Outlay enrollments, I think that was a little bit rushed, and I think where we landed

Committee: House Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• In terms of operations, we expended $14.7 million in capital outlay last fiscal year.
• We've used both individual capital outlay and statewide capital outlay to do a number of historic preservation
• My questions are in relation to capital outlay, and similar to my predecessor, I have given a lot of
• capital outlay, and there is still some capital outlay from my predecessor on the books.
• And then I am wondering, there was some capital outlay for purchase up on Museum Hill.

Transcript Highlights:

• We think it's more efficient than trying to go and hit-and-miss requests for capital outlay.
• The trend is that they're going away from capital outlay and towards this fund because it's more orderly
• So it was capital outlay and then matching money from, I believe, the federal government.
• And I know the acequia people work through capital requests and other fundings that are available.
• You know, the completion rate is very high in comparison to other capital outlay or other projects, so

Bills: SB193

Committee: House House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources

Summary: The committee heard Senate Bill 193, which would increase the recurring transfer from the Irrigation Works Construction Fund to the Acequia and Community Ditch Infrastructure Fund from $2.5 million to $5 million annually. The sponsor and supporters said the fund is the only recurring source for acequia infrastructure, helps complete projects efficiently through a planning/design and construction process, and has a strong completion rate. They also said the proposed increase reflects recent spending levels and growing need, especially after fires, flooding, and erosion damage in acequia communities. Public testimony was uniformly in support. Representatives of the New Mexico Acequia Association, local acequia and water users groups, conservation advocates, and community members described urgent infrastructure needs, the importance of acequias to agriculture and local economies, and the value of the fund’s application process and project readiness requirements. Several speakers said the fund helps communities recover from wildfire-related damage and prepare for future flooding and erosion. Committee members asked about how the money is structured, whether the bill would affect other earmarks or the irrigation fund balance, and how the $5 million figure was determined. Witnesses explained that the bill changes the recurring allocation only, that the acequia fund and other earmarks remain separate, and that the irrigation works fund has sufficient balance and recurring revenue to support the increase. They also noted that current annual spending has been in the $5 million to $6 million range and that the unmet statewide need is much larger. The committee voted do pass on SB 193, and the bill was approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, Chair Ghea, members of the Public School Capital Outlay Committee, staff, and the PSFA.
• outlay awards.
• One of them was recently completed in the last couple of years, a Capital Outlay Award for Mesa Middle
• We have two other middle schools that are not within ranking position to apply for Capital Outlay.
• We have a new deputy director of capital operations, Mr. Sean Murray.

Committee: House Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• They have as capital outlay.
• And so this removes their reliance on capital outlay and ensures they have something to do.
• The speaker then said that being entirely reliant on capital outlay really slows down the process and
• The speaker asked whether this takes them out of the capital outlay process altogether.
• So by your new approach, you are not limiting or otherwise undermining the capacity of the capital outlay

Bills: HB145 , HR1 , HB80 , SB29 , SB37 , HB206 , SB193 , SB58 , SB64 , HB153 , HB195 , HB234 , HB248 , HB255 , HB279 , HB287 , HB292 , HB303 , HB309 , HB371 , SB30 , SB35 , SB40 , SB43 , SB48 , SB96 , SB143 , HJM1 , HM7 , HM17 , HM4 , HM22 , HM23 , HM24 , HM26 , HM2 , HM16 , HM32 , HM13 , HM47 , HM20 , HM51 , HM1 , HM31 , HM35 , HM36 , HM46 , HM53 , HM54 , HM39 , HM29 , HM43 , HM59 , HM11 , HM14 , HM21 , HM34 , HM50

Summary: The meeting opened with prayers, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of announcements and personal remarks. Members then spent a large portion of the session honoring Representative Joanne Ferrary, who announced she will not seek re-election. Speakers from both parties praised her persistence, mentorship, and work on public safety, environmental protection, health care, women’s rights, and advocacy for workers and families. Ferrary thanked colleagues and said she hoped to continue supporting initiatives in the interim and beyond. The House also recognized Representative Matthew McQueen, who is running for commissioner of public lands and will leave the legislature after this term. Members highlighted his work on conservation, land grants, wildlife protection, legislative drafting, and his reputation for principled, detailed review of bills. McQueen thanked colleagues and said he hoped to remain involved in the building in another capacity. The House then moved to third reading and passed House Bill 371, the House Appropriations and Finance Committee substitute creating a temporary funding source for land grants and acequias from remaining sponge bond revenues. Supporters said it would provide a more stable, long-term funding mechanism for acequia and land grant infrastructure while preserving existing funding streams and requiring legislative appropriation and annual reporting. Some members raised concerns about oversight and the lack of a sunset or review clause, but the bill passed 63-2. The chamber also passed House Bill 248, authorizing $392 million in general obligation bond capacity, by a vote of 65-0. The House then debated House Bill 153, a committee substitute creating a market-based framework for carbon reduction and economic development. The bill includes an environmental product declaration act, a low-carbon materials rebate, and an industrial carbon reduction grant program. Supporters said it would reduce greenhouse gas emissions while encouraging economic development and new technology at industrial facilities. Members questioned the timing of the grants, anti-donation concerns, and whether companies would receive funding only after making investments, and sponsors explained that entities must pre-certify and then apply after beginning production or retrofits. Debate was ongoing at the end of the excerpt, with no final vote shown on HB 153.