Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a general surgery resident physician at UC San Diego.
• So lung cancer screening in general is just a low-dose CT scan of the chest.
• Chair, I'll move the bill when it's appropriate. Thanks, Senator.
• The motion is due pass as amended to the Committee on Appropriations.
• The motion is due pass as amended to the Committee on Appropriations.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• unique identity for future Generations unique identity for future Generations uh<00:20:03.679>
• <00:42:45.599> of investing in the next generation of investing in the next generation of
• <00:42:57.319> to recreation economy for Generations to recreation economy for Generations
• entity receives a direct appropriation entity receives a direct appropriation of<00:54:16.680>
• or an allocation from an appropriation or an allocation from an appropriation<00:54:28.640> for

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the Senate Appropriations Committee—not my client, not me, but the Senate Appropriations Committee
• on to a general where elections are decided.
• because the electorate generally believes that it's the primary which counts versus, or the general
• The motion is due pass to Appropriations.
• The motion is due pass to Appropriations.

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee met without a quorum for much of the hearing and heard several bills out of order. SB 249 by Senator Umberg would move county board of education elections from the primary to the statewide general election. Supporters, including the League of Women Voters and many educators, argued the change would increase turnout and make the electorate more representative. The Orange County Board of Education opposed the bill, saying it would increase costs, reduce local control, and bury education races on crowded general-election ballots. The chair and members discussed turnout, cost, and representation, but the bill was held pending a quorum. Senator Grove presented SB 373, which adds safeguards for California students placed in out-of-state non-public schools through IEPs. The bill would require more robust LEA and CDE oversight, including annual site visits, student interviews, quarterly contact, stronger certification standards, and restrictions on prone, supine, and mechanical restraints. Testimony from a survivor of an out-of-state placement and from advocates emphasized abuse, neglect, and the need for stronger monitoring. There was broad support and no opposition testimony, but the measure was also held pending a quorum. Senator Ashby presented SB 568, the epinephrine in schools modernization act, to clarify and expand requirements for stocked epinephrine so they clearly apply to all public schools, including preschool programs. School nurses and medical experts said the bill would close gaps created by universal preschool and ensure life-saving treatment is available for anaphylaxis. The committee discussed dosing and implementation, and the bill was supported without opposition testimony. The committee also heard SB 414, the Charter School Accountability Act, which would strengthen fiscal oversight, audit standards, and transparency for charter schools and authorizers. Supporters said it responds to fraud and audit findings while preserving charter flexibility; opponents, including school employees and teachers, said it did not go far enough on authorizer accountability and small-district oversight. After discussion, the committee voted 7-0 to pass SB 414 as amended to Appropriations. The committee also briefly heard SB 743 by Senator Cortese, which would create an equalization reserve account to provide additional funding to underfunded school districts and reduce funding inequities tied to ZIP code. The author said the bill would support student achievement and teacher retention over time. The transcript cuts off before testimony or action on SB 743 was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• previously did which was the General previously did which was the General government<00:06:04.440
• Division One is General Government.
• pay attention to is that appropriation pay attention to is that appropriation line<00:10:21.880>
• And that's because if you go down to the appropriation line, you will see that there is an appropriation
• So you're going to have the general fund receive the appropriation or the authorization for that position

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting was an introductory Division One budget briefing led by Legislative Budget Assistant staff Melissa Rollins and Jack Mullen. They explained staff roles and agency assignments within Division One, noting that Jack is taking over the General Government category while Melissa handles Categories 2 and 3, and that members can contact either staffer with questions. They also reviewed the upcoming budget calendar, including the governor’s budget presentation expected in mid-February, agency hearings beginning around February 17–20, a Division One deadline around March 26, and House Finance reporting deadlines in early April. A major portion of the discussion focused on how to read fiscal notes and the difference between expenditures and appropriations. Staff used sample language to explain that a bill may show an expenditure estimate without actually authorizing funding or new positions, and that a zero appropriation means the agency is not authorized to spend the estimated amount unless the bill is amended. Members asked questions about why a bill could show costs but still not authorize spending or hiring, and staff clarified that new positions require specific legislative authorization and classification detail. They also noted that many bills will have expenditure lines without appropriations, and that amendments may be needed if the committee wants to fund or authorize the program. The rest of the meeting walked members through the HB 1 and HB 2 tracking documents used by the division. Staff explained that HB 1 tracking sheets record additional agency requests not included in the governor’s budget, including requests that may be zero-net transfers, corrections, or new spending items, and that grayed-out items indicate actions already taken. They said HB 2 will be handled through a similar tracking process, with amendments routed through LBA staff and the Office of Legislative Services. Members were told that the division will review agency budgets, class lines, and proposed changes over roughly six weeks, with the goal of preparing a detailed change report for full House Finance.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sonerud, you talked a lot about diesel-run generation.
• We've got, I think, seven other buildings within a three-block area that run on generation, diesel generation
• Prior appropriation means first in time, first in right.
• Specific to water appropriation.
• The bedded salts are at the appropriate thickness.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• The maximum award amount for the program is set at $3,500 per student by the General Appropriations Act
• In the program's final year in 2020-21, the maximum award amount was established within the General Appropriations
• Of the $134.8 million total appropriation, $9.64 million was appropriated within the General Appropriations
• And increasing completion by 20% generates $7.5 billion.
• So this year, the total appropriation in the General Appropriations Act was $134.8 million, broken up

Summary: The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee heard and advanced House Bill 1145, which clarifies that public charter schools may participate in the CAP Grant Fund. The bill’s amendment expanded a separate “money-back guarantee” concept for state colleges, requiring participating institutions to offer six eligible programs and refund tuition if graduates do not find qualifying employment within six months under standardized job-search requirements. Members asked about refund rates, student notification, fiscal impact, and whether the proposal accounted for disability or out-of-state job searches. Public testimony on the amendment and bill was in support from Nathan Hoffman of the Foundation for Florida’s Future, and the committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute by a 16-1 vote, with Representative Aristide voting no over the charter school issue. The committee then received presentations on the William L. Boyd IV Effective Access to Student Education (EASE) Grant and the private nonprofit college sector. Department of Education staff explained that EASE, created in 1979, provides tuition assistance to eligible full-time undergraduates at participating private institutions, with a 2024-25 maximum award of $3,500 and an additional EASE Plus incentive of up to $850 for students in high-demand fields. The department reviewed the program’s funding history, disbursement process, and accountability metrics, including access, affordability, graduation, retention, and postgraduate employment/continuing education. Members asked about award proration, eligibility for other aid, religious-program restrictions, and why some institutions had low or unavailable graduation-rate data. ICUF President Robert Boyd argued that EASE is a strong return on investment and described ICUF institutions as not-for-profit, four-year schools serving many Pell-eligible, adult, military, and minority students. He said the sector produces a significant share of Florida’s bachelor’s, graduate, nursing, and education degrees, and highlighted ICUF’s dashboard with additional transparency metrics, program earnings data, and net price calculators. Boyd and members discussed graduation and completion rates, NCLEX passage rates, affordability, institutional flexibility, and whether schools with lower graduation rates should be compared differently because of their student populations. The presentations ended with no further business, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we'll get back to them at the appropriate time.
• For the record, Lindsay Perry, the Auditor General.
• So he or she generally has a night job.
• It's roughly an $82 million appropriation per JLBC.
• I would like to give it appropriation beyond the 83%. are not ideal, I would like to give it appropriation

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the LCFF on the K-12 side is continuously appropriated.
• We have a generally, our head count is about 50% of FTES. Right.
• Accompanying this appropriation is $1.3 million one-time General Fund in 2026-27 for the Government Operations
• Additionally, the 2027–28 appropriation increases by $10.6 million ongoing General Fund for the 2026–
• George Harris, Department of Finance: The May revision appropriates $600,000 ongoing Proposition 98 General

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Involving fund appropriations bill.
• This appropriation contained in HB 41 does not impact our state general fund, and I've explained the
• Generally, this is flexible enough, Mr.
• The appropriation amount has been included in House Bill 2.
• Seeing no further debate, General Leader, close. Thank you, Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion is do pass as amended to the Appropriations Committee. Bonta, aye.
• The motion is due pass as amended to the Appropriations Committee. Bonta: aye.
• So I'm sure you're familiar with brand and generic medications.
• So we see this today with different types of generic and brand products.
• The motion is due pass to Appropriations. Bonta? Aye. The motion is due pass to Appropriations.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1831, an act appropriating monies.
• SB 831 relating to 2026-27 General Appropriations Act.
• I shared with the Appropriations Committees last week.
• Introduction and first reading of bills: HB 4138, 2026 General Appropriations Act; HB 4139, 2026-27 amusement
• It generates more revenue than it takes in.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, it would go to the Attorney General, and the Attorney General, I believe, would have 10 days to
• The bill provides DOR with a $5.5 million appropriation from general revenue to reimburse the property
• I think we had a robust conversation two sessions ago about what is appropriate, what's an appropriate
• I think we had a robust conversation two sessions ago about what is appropriate, what's an appropriate
• It is one mill generates less than $5 million. It is one mill generates less than $5 million.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:16:57.760> With inspire the next generation. With inspire the next generation.
• > champions generations of Olympic champions generations of Olympic champions and<00:19:47.440
• and General Services. and General Services.
• governor's recommendation to appropriate governor's recommendation to appropriate 500,000<01:10:
• and cash fund dollars were appropriated and cash fund dollars were appropriated to<01:10:24.320>

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional reading by poet April Osmon, who read two poems focused on bridging political divides and shared humanity. Members then recognized the final day of service for the legislative pages, thanking them for their work during the 2026 session and presenting each page with a pin and a photo opportunity. The chamber then handled bill referrals: Senate Bill 193, creating a forensic facility for certain criminal justice-involved persons, was referred to Judiciary; Senate Bill 198, regulating tobacco products and tobacco substitutes, went to Commerce and Economic Development; Senate Bill 214, concerning pre-kindergarten education in geographically isolated school districts, went to Education; and Senate Bill 218, reducing chloride contamination in state waters and carrying an appropriation, was referred to Appropriations. The House also read and adopted two concurrent resolutions: HCR 237 congratulating Vermont-associated 2026 Winter Olympic medal winners, and HCR 238 honoring the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired on its 100th anniversary. Much of the remainder of the session consisted of tributes and guest recognitions tied to those resolutions. Members highlighted Vermont’s Olympic skiers and coaches, including Ben Ogden, Paula Moltzan, Ryan Cochran-Siegle, Jessie Diggins, Mikaela Shiffrin, Barbara Ann Cochran, Bill Koch, and others, and read a note from Diggins thanking Vermont for its support and emphasizing teamwork and community. Speakers also praised VABVI’s century of service and its role in helping blind and visually impaired Vermonters, and several members offered personal remarks honoring retiring Representative Francis “Topper” McFaun for his long service, mentorship, and family legacy.

Transcript Highlights:

• As well, if you saw the FIRs, the bill asks for an appropriation, a special appropriation that is of
• I mean, do we know we have the appropriation laid out?
• Strike the appropriation bill, but you're right.
• I don't know if she has the authority to strike the appropriation bill; this is not an appropriation
• If that funding is appropriate.

Transcript Highlights:

• So uh with that, we got appropriately.
• No, it's going to the general register. So, oh, it's going to Ways and Means. Okay.
• Chair Koznick: Could the authors discuss the open appropriations at the end of those lines?
• <00:23:34.320> does, safety, which this bill generally does, safety, which this bill generally
• know if it's appropriate or not. know if it's appropriate or not.

Bills: HF3919, HF3791, HF1781, HF3908, HF4233, HF3966, HF3430

Keywords: veterans benefits, Secret War, Laos veterans, eligibility process, burial fees, veteran designation, security, protective services, state officials, Capitol complex, state patrol, public safety, legislative protection, threat assessment, transportation, electronic attestation, traffic signals, accident reporting, legislative routes, agricultural aircraft

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1059, Archuleta, do pass and re-refer to Committee on Appropriations.
• I respectfully ask for a aye vote at the appropriate time. Thank you.
• I respectfully ask for an aye vote at the appropriate time. Thank you.
• Felipe Fuentes, here on behalf of the Associated General Contractors of California.
• Motion is do pass and re-refer to Committee on Appropriations. Ward? Aye. Ward aye.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I do have some questions, if that would be appropriate.
• The request has no impact on the agency's legal rates or the General Fund.
• The request has no impact on the agency's legal rates or the General Fund.
• . rural Oregon right now who we can relieve with this appropriation.
• It is not, we're not requesting additional general fund at this time.

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• highest priorities for General Fund?
• highest priorities for General Fund?
• And so right now we're just moving the appropriation from the General Fund to DSGS.
• avenues like the General Fund.
• were several hundred million dollars appropriated out of the General Fund.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• wonderful, beautiful day that you have given us, this final day of the fiscal session of the 95th General
• An act for the Department of Health appropriation for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
• An act for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock appropriation for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
• An act for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock appropriation for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
• Assembly is organized for the 96th General Assembly, when the Senate is organized for the 96th General

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Out of Senate Appropriations.
• General, and Erica Connolly, Deputy Attorney General, to answer any technical questions.
• AB 515, Pacheco, to appropriations; AB 521, Carrillo, to appropriations; AB 559, Berman, to appropriations
• AB 515 Pacheco to appropriations, AB 521 Carrillo, two appropriations, AB 559, Berman to appropriations
• Motion is do pass to Appropriations. Motion is do pass to Appropriations. Calderon, Dixon. Aye.

Summary: The committee heard several bills, beginning with AB 2, which would create enhanced civil penalties for large social media companies when negligence proven in court causes harm to children and teens. The author and supporters argued the bill is needed to address addictive algorithms and harmful content, while opponents warned it was vague, could chill speech, and might be preempted by federal law. Members largely focused on whether the bill changed the standard of care or burden of proof; the bill passed out of committee on a roll call vote, with some members noting concerns but supporting it to continue the discussion. AB 282, dealing with housing vouchers and source-of-income discrimination, would clarify that housing providers may prioritize applicants who qualify for rental assistance without violating fair housing law. Supporters from housing authorities, local governments, and advocacy groups said it would help voucher holders find units and improve use of housing funds. There was no opposition, and the bill passed to Appropriations on a roll call vote, with two no votes. The committee also considered AB 882 on court reporter availability and electronic recording in certain cases when a court reporter is unavailable. Supporters said the bill is a temporary, narrowly tailored response to a shortage of reporters and would preserve access to accurate records, while opponents argued it was too narrow, raised access-to-justice concerns, and should be broadened. Members from both sides emphasized the importance of court reporters and electronic recording as a backup; the bill passed with an urgency clause and was sent to Appropriations. The committee then heard AB 325 on algorithmic price fixing, AB 935 on civil rights data clarity, AB 1414 on tenant choice of internet service provider, and AB 67 on Attorney General enforcement of the Reproductive Privacy Act; each drew support from sponsors and advocacy groups, opposition centered on overbreadth or policy concerns, and each advanced on committee votes, with several members requesting further amendments or clarification.