Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 2373 is our proposal for the Labor Committee Finance and Policy Bill.
• Senate File 2373 is our proposal for the Labor Committee Finance and Policy Bill.
• Labor Finance and Policy Omnibus<00:08:10.440> Bill.
• as the bill proceeds forward to finance as the bill proceeds forward to finance and<00:20:05.760
• . finance. finance.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to today's Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 3 on Education Finance.
• Jody Lieberman with the Department of Finance.
• I think this comes down to, sorry, Liz Mine, Department of Finance.
• Hello again, Jody Lieberman with the Department of Finance.
• This is Jody Lieberman, Department of Finance.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance heard an extended discussion on state efforts to recruit, prepare, and retain teachers, with a focus on whether current programs are sustainable and well targeted. Testimony from the Learning Policy Institute, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the Department of Education, and the Legislative Analyst’s Office described persistent shortages, especially in special education, math, science, bilingual education, and high-need schools. Speakers emphasized that residency programs, Golden State Teacher Grants, National Board incentives, classified employee pathways, and undergraduate teacher pipelines have helped increase preparation and retention, but many of these efforts rely on one-time funding and lack long-term certainty. Committee members repeatedly raised concerns about the “leaky pipeline,” working conditions, the burden of student debt, and whether the state should simplify and institutionalize support for aspiring teachers rather than rely on a patchwork of grants. The agencies presented data showing continuing shortages and uneven distribution of fully credentialed teachers. CTC reported projected hiring needs of roughly 20,000 to 25,000 teachers annually, with the highest needs in self-contained classrooms, special education, and certain regions of the state. It also noted that emergency permits, waivers, and intern credentials remain high, and that teachers entering through those routes have higher turnover. LPI cited research showing residency-prepared teachers are more effective and more likely to stay, and argued that Golden State Teacher Grants attract candidates who might not otherwise enter teaching and help them complete preparation. CDE stressed that most new demand comes from attrition and urged support for multiple entry points, tuition assistance, and campus-based coursework. Several members also discussed the role of community college pathways, dual credentialing, and support for school leaders as part of retention. The LAO recommended rejecting the educator pipeline proposals under discussion, citing limited evidence of effectiveness and suggesting that any new spending should be more narrowly targeted to the highest-need schools and long-standing shortage subjects. The LAO also said that if the Legislature funds new programs this year, Proposition 98 would be preferable given the state’s fiscal condition. Committee members pushed back on the idea that declining enrollment or layoffs would solve shortages, noting that shortages and layoffs can coexist in different subject areas and regions. The discussion ended with agreement that staff would continue working with agencies on how to make teacher pipeline investments more consistent, coherent, and easier for candidates to navigate. The committee then turned to the Golden State Teacher Grant Program. Finance proposed $50 million in one-time General Fund support to extend the program for one additional year, while the LAO recommended rejecting the proposal because the first CSAC evaluation is not due until later in the year and because the funding would be non-Proposition 98. CSAC supported the extension, saying demand has been strong, over 20,000 aspiring educators have been served since 2021, and the agency had to pause applications after receiving more than 9,200 this year; it also said more than 2,500 candidates had already expressed interest for next year. Members asked how many students the new funding would serve, and CSAC estimated just under 5,000 awards at $10,000 each. The discussion also covered whether the grant could be moved into Proposition 98 and how the one-time nature of the funding affects confidence among prospective teachers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Brandon Merritt, Department of Finance. Good morning.
• Yes, sir, Department of Finance.
• So Department of Finance, anything? Nothing further to add. Good.
• Brandon Merritt, Department of Finance, I'll kick this off.
• Brandon Merritt, Department of Finance.

Summary: The committee hearing focused heavily on CARB’s broad trailer bill request for regulatory fee authority. Finance and CARB argued the proposal would let CARB develop fees to recover reasonable costs for implementing and enforcing regulations, while the LAO recommended rejection because the authority was too broad, could apply to an entire division of code, and would delegate core legislative taxing/fee-setting power without enough guardrails. Members from both parties raised concerns about the breadth of the authority, accountability, affordability impacts, and whether the Legislature would be put in an up-or-down position after CARB had already developed regulations. CARB responded that fees would still go through a budget change proposal and legislative approval before collection, and cited existing examples such as transport refrigeration units and commercial harborcraft fees. The committee then reviewed CARB’s request for permanent resources to implement SB 905 on carbon capture, utilization, storage, and carbon dioxide removal. CARB said the Legislature had previously authorized limited-term positions and funding, but it had struggled to recruit and retain staff with specialized regulatory and technical expertise, and that the work had included pre-rulemaking contracts, technology review, and permit-related preparation. Members questioned the pace of work, the use of limited-term positions, and whether additional permitting authority would be needed. CARB said it hoped to begin rulemaking later in the year if permanent resources were approved. Members also discussed the cap-and-trade spending plan, noting lower-than-expected auction revenues but higher interest earnings, and the need to monitor the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and possible May Revision changes. The committee then heard overviews of the zero-emission vehicle package, the Community Air Protection Program, demand-side grid support, and e-bike incentives. CARB described ongoing investments in community-based transportation equity, drayage trucks, harbor craft, and other clean technology demonstrations, while members pressed on affordability, program duplication, and whether enough funding was being directed to incentive programs. No formal votes were taken during the portion provided, and the chair repeatedly indicated that the hearing was intended to surface concerns for later budget negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, I'm going to go ahead and call the Senate Finance Committee to order.
• Questions on adoption of the amendment as amended from the Committee on Finance.
• Questions on adoption of the amendment as amended from the Committee on Finance.
• This came to us from the House Committees on Government Organization and Finance.
• Chairman, I move the adoption of the amendment from the Committee on Finance.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:54.880> It<00:25:55.120> is finance by the f finance cabinet.
• It is finance by the f finance cabinet.
• Uh we'll be overridden by the finance Uh we'll be overridden by the finance cabinet<00:28:59.600
• committee, I'm confident that finance committee, I'm confident that finance cabinet<00:29:15.360
• uh these contracts will go to finance uh these contracts will go to finance cabinet<00:35:32.079

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the June 9 minutes, then reviewed a deferred personnel contract involving workers’ compensation claims administration. Staff explained that the roughly $50 million figure included about $48 million for claims payments and up to $1.45 million per year for administrative services, with billing based on a fee schedule for specific services rendered. Senator Meredith raised concerns about the vendor’s history, the scoring and bid process, and prior allegations involving the company; the administration responded that the procurement had been conducted under 45A through open competition, with outside scorers and no finding of wrongdoing tied to this contract. Meredith moved to disapprove Contract 167, Hart seconded, and the committee voted 5-2 to disapprove it. The committee then deferred a Western Kentucky University personal services contract because the vendors were still not registered with the Secretary of State’s office. Hart moved to defer the contract until the August 2026 meeting, Meredith seconded, and the motion carried. The committee also approved the agenda covering the various contract lists and deferred items. Next, the committee heard from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services on several personal services contracts for medical staffing and related services. Secretary Steven Stack and staff explained that staffing shortages often require outside vendors, that the contracts were competitively bid under 45A, and that the cabinet uses a streamlined vendor pool for specialized needs such as actuaries, auditors, and technical consultants. The committee approved Contracts 52 through 55 without objection. Discussion then began on Contract 61, with Meredith expressing concern that the committee lacked enough detail to judge whether the services could be performed in-house or whether the exchange of resources was appropriate; Stack said the contract was intended to provide efficient access to specialized outside expertise. The transcript cuts off before a final vote on Contract 61 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• projects is being used as a financing projects is being used as a financing approach<01:43:58.760
• <01:58:06.000> terms advantageous timing and financing terms advantageous timing and financing
• <02:10:50.760> needed and local governments to finance needed and local governments to finance
• help to offset some of that financing help to offset some of that financing costs<02:11:00.280><
• <02:16:51.080> critical they need uh to finance critical they need uh to finance critical

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:57:52.000> for highlight that our mean of financing for highlight that our mean of financing
• Thank department of budget and finance.
• Uh just director of budget and finance.
• We look forward to budget and finance.
• Uh we have the Committee on Finance.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The methods of finance, if you would. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good afternoon, members.
• As the chair stated, the first items for your review today are the methods of finance.
• As the chair stated, the first items for your review today are the methods of finance.
• This is an amendment to an existing method of finance for baseball stadium improvements.
• These are the methods of finance, Mr. Chair.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Finance. Tom Kahn, Department of Finance.
• I don't think we have a specific fiscal estimate this time, but I'll defer to finance.
• Yeah, and I'll come to permanent finance.
• Department of Finance, do you have anything?
• Department of Finance, Kayla Knott. Nothing further to add. LAO, Angela Short.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Committees. and Vice Chair of the Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development and of Finance
• Among many other committees, she has served as a member of Business and Commerce, Finance, State of the
• HB 152 by Raymond relating to the provision of funding under public school finance system on the basis
• Relating to the use of average enrollment for purposes of the public school finance system referred to
• Relating to the small and mid-sized district. under the public school finance system referred to the

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• language is in Section 13.65, subdivision 1, which is Not fall under the purview of State Government Finance
• lucky for everybody on State Government, it prevents—there's no need for it to go State Government Finance
• And be re-referred to the Committee on Human Services, Finance, and Policy.
• House Bill 1093 will be recalled from the Committee on Human Services Finance and Policy and be referred
• to the Committee on Health Finance.

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows for alternative ways to finance infrastructure. It is the Build Act.
• It allows for alternative ways to finance infrastructure for mainly residential developments, but for
• And I also think that developers, since they're the ones taking the risk and they're financing this at
• Fourth, this bill is written to benefit large-scale development financing interests.
• This is a sophisticated financing architecture.

Bills: SB1290, SB1530, SB1847, HR1050, SB169, SB1377, SB1990, SB1991, SB1778, SB1579, SB1992, SB3, SB2028, SB1928, SB2127, SB2117, SB1439, SB1930, SB330, SB1191, SB2110, SB2134, SB2069, SB2095, SB1613, SB1246, SB1976, SB1346, SB1509, SB2071, SB259, SB1314

Keywords: 2-1-1 services, revolving fund, Department of Human Services, crisis pregnancy, abortion, legal funding, research funding, development rebate, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, tax incentives, higher education partnerships, Medicaid, ADvantage Waiver, home-based services, eligibility criteria, healthcare, senior services, Taiwan, Oklahoma, sister-state relationship

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Agbaje to the committee, and I move that House File 1010 be referred to the Judiciary and Finance
• Thank you, Co-Chairs Bierman and Backer, and members of the House Health Finance and Policy Committee
• Thank you, Co-Chairs Bierman and Backer, and members of the House Health Finance and Policy Committee
• <00:23:54.240> and be referred to the Judiciary finance and be referred to the Judiciary finance
• <00:24:06.919> and is referred to the Judiciary finance and is referred to the Judiciary finance

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill is being referred to the Committee on Transportation Finance and Policy.
• The bill is being referred to the Committee on Agriculture Finance and Policy.
• But who knew it just took a Republican author to get bipartisan support for a campaign finance bill?
• referred to the Committee on Transportation Finance and Policy.
• , and Policy and be re-referred to the Committee on Commerce, Finance, and Policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so people are rightfully very protective about when and how they discuss money and finances.
• Rightfully so, people are very protective about when and how they discuss money and finances.
• Be vigilant about your finances. Our colleagues and our family. Be vigilant about your finances.
• Premium finance, kind of a... Premium finance, kind of the same scheme in a different variant.
• So we... ...want somebody to think that I can't handle my own finances anymore.

Summary: A joint House-Senate Insurance and Commerce meeting focused on the growing threat of financial fraud in Arkansas, with members and witnesses describing scams targeting seniors, small businesses, and working families. The committee first approved the November 3, 2025 minutes, then heard from the Arkansas Bankers Association, the American Bankers Association, banks, the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, the Arkansas Mortgage Bankers Association, the State Bank and Securities Department, the Insurance Department, and AARP. Witnesses described common schemes including spoofed bank calls and texts, government imposter scams, romance and investment scams, business email compromise, fake job postings, gift card scams, check fraud, wire fraud, reverse mortgage scams, identity theft, and insurance fraud. Several witnesses emphasized that cryptocurrency kiosks and crypto transfers make recovery difficult or impossible, and that artificial intelligence is making scams more convincing and scalable. Witnesses repeatedly stressed education, verification, and coordination among banks, law enforcement, regulators, and consumers. Bank and mortgage representatives urged consumers to slow down, independently verify wire instructions, avoid clicking unexpected links, use tap-to-pay rather than chip or swipe when possible, and never share account credentials or one-time codes. The Attorney General’s office said it investigates consumer complaints, mediates disputes, works with social media platforms to remove scam ads, and recently created a Financial Fraud Task Force with bankers and other stakeholders. The State Bank and Securities Commissioner highlighted the Safe AR Act, the state’s crypto kiosk framework, and fraud education efforts such as “fraud bingo,” while the Insurance Department described its law-enforcement role and a range of insurance-related fraud schemes it prosecutes. AARP said fraud is widespread and underreported, especially among older adults. Members asked about reporting scams, how losses are handled, whether tap is safer than chip, how crypto fraud works, whether Arkansas has model legislation to address telecom and social media impersonation, and how local law enforcement and state agencies coordinate investigations. Witnesses said banks generally absorb much of the financial loss under federal rules, while consumers bear the inconvenience and account changes. Several witnesses said Arkansas should consider additional legislation to hold telecom companies and social media platforms accountable for spoofed caller IDs and impersonation ads, and one witness said a federal Scam Act is moving in Congress. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approval of the minutes, but witnesses agreed to share consumer education materials and model legislation with committee staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee. ...endorsed by the bicameral, bipartisan subcommittee of that Legislative Finance Committee
• , as well as the Legislative Finance Committee as a whole, both bicameral, bipartisan endorsement.
• And that was done to help those in rural communities... ...finance administration.
• The Board of Finance has an emergency funding program. You all have recently... ...funding program.
• Madam Chair, Representative, that was intended to capture the New Mexico Finance Authority, which is

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If the committee has some feelings related to that, they should probably let Finance members know in
• So a suggestion I might make is that the chair of this committee could let the chair of Finance, who
• committee for a was serving that finance committee for a number<00:15:49.959> of<00:15:50.079
• <00:17:08.439> who<00:17:08.679> also could let the chair of Finance who also could
• chairs happen to be sitting in finance chairs happen to be sitting in the<00:22:59.360> room<

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Capital Project Overview Committee held an organizational meeting. Members elected Rep. Miltz as chair and later nominated Sen. Mark McConkey as vice chair, but that appointment was carried over because he was not present to accept it. Mike Edgar was nominated and accepted as clerk. The committee also adopted its procedures and guidelines, which set deadlines for agencies to submit capital project materials and establish reporting thresholds intended to keep small projects out of the quarterly report. The main discussion centered on the Department of Administrative Services’ quarterly capital budget project report for the quarter ending December 31, 2024. Staff explained that the report compiles statewide capital projects under the committee’s guidelines and includes new projects plus large DOT projects. Several members raised concerns about projects listed as on hold or lacking updates, including the Big E agricultural building rebid, a prison woodworking facility, Pease pier projects, the General Sullivan Bridge removal, Sunapee State Beach parking lot work, and a closed-loop referral contract. Members asked for better status updates, especially on projects with no agency response, and the chair said agencies could be asked to appear before the committee if needed. Members also discussed the governor’s proposal in HB 2 to change the report from quarterly to annual. Several members opposed the change, saying quarterly reporting is more useful for oversight, and suggested the committee ask Finance to remove that section or consider raising the reporting threshold instead. There was also discussion of toll credits, with staff explaining that any other use of toll credits requires committee approval, and of the Department of Corrections’ prison planning funds, including $50 million currently available for site feasibility and design work. The committee agreed to schedule its next meeting for April 14, with June 23 to be revisited later, and then adjourned by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• House File number 3719, an act relating to campaign finance requiring the Campaign Finance and Public
• House File number 4239, an act relating to campaign finance.
• An act relating to campaign finance, modifying certain requirements for reports and disclaimers.
• Changes requested by the Campaign Finance Board, mostly to respond to court decisions.
• <01:45:28.400> time<01:45:28.680> on Campaign Finance time on Campaign Finance time

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House first took up House File 1794, which would remove the post-graduate collaborative practice requirement for advanced practice registered nurses. The author and several supporters argued the bill would reduce barriers to practice, improve access to primary care and mental health services, especially in rural areas, and align Minnesota with other states. Supporters cited backing from APRN organizations and said the Board of Nursing had no concerns, while opponents, led by Representative Liebling, argued the current one-year collaborative period is a patient-safety safeguard that gives new APRNs needed experience working with physicians before practicing independently. After debate and questions about how the current requirement works in practice, the House passed the bill 119-12. The House then considered House File 4595, which changes licensure reciprocity rules for marriage and family therapists. Representative Schumacher said the bill would expand access to mental health care at no cost by making it easier for qualified out-of-state therapists to obtain Minnesota licenses, eliminating a five-year waiting period and other barriers while maintaining standards through background checks and a jurisprudence exam. Supporters, including Representatives Bierman and Gilman, emphasized workforce shortages and the value of more therapy access for families and relationships. The Board of Marriage and Family Therapy was noted as neutral, and the bill passed unanimously, 133-0. Finally, the House began debate on House File 4493, which would authorize pharmacists to initiate, prescribe, administer, and dispense certain drugs for opioid use disorder, including buprenorphine/Suboxone. Representative Baker said the bill would save lives by allowing people to access treatment immediately through local pharmacies, especially in greater Minnesota, and help them through withdrawal when they are most likely to seek help. The transcript cuts off during the opening of discussion on this bill, before any vote or final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• To the finance committee report.
• We're simply writing that amount into statute. finance uh after which no elements of finance uh after
• Um again, what we did in uh finance.
• <01:24:58.239> committee the adoption of the finance committee the adoption of the finance
• finance committee report.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to be covering a variety of legislative proposals today about administration, finance, and
• And it's essentially to allow us to put together a commission for finance and the wastewater.
• We need an opportunity to get a group together to figure out how we can finance it.
• However, ultimately, it's going to be a change in the way we finance wastewater.
• The creation of a financing commission represents a timely, thoughtful, and promising first step.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing covered several bills related to environmental, natural resources, and maritime issues. Representative Markey testified in support of H. 1000, which would create a commission to study financing wastewater infrastructure, especially in southeastern Massachusetts and the South Shore, citing combined sewer overflows and impacts on aquaculture. Members agreed the core challenge is finding long-term financing for wastewater solutions. The committee also heard testimony on H. 902 to establish an Office of Outdoor Recreation, with supporters describing its role in expanding access, supporting underrepresented communities, and helping grow the outdoor economy. Related testimony also supported H. 986, which would codify the Division of Ecological Restoration and the Office of Fishing and Boating Access within the Department of Fish and Game, with witnesses emphasizing habitat restoration, flood reduction, public access, and boating/fishing opportunities. A major portion of the hearing focused on H. 901/S. 597, “An Act Providing Nature for All,” which would dedicate existing sporting goods sales tax revenue to a new conservation fund. Supporters from Mass Audubon, Environmental League of Massachusetts, Appalachian Mountain Club, Trust for Public Land, Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, and conservation groups argued the bill would provide a sustainable revenue stream for land conservation, parks, trails, wetlands, water protection, and climate resilience, while also advancing environmental justice and outdoor recreation. They said the state needs roughly $300 million more per year to meet land conservation goals and that the bill could generate about $100 million annually without raising taxes. Committee members asked about balancing conservation with housing and development, and witnesses said the goals are compatible and that the bill includes safeguards. Witnesses also noted similar funding models in other states. The hearing also included H. 1053, a bill to create a Merrimack River Collaborative. Regional planning and watershed advocates said the river faces bacterial contamination, heavy metals, combined sewer overflows, and other pollution, and that a formal collaborative would help coordinate municipalities, state agencies, and nonprofits across the watershed and possibly across state lines. Another bill, H. 4109, would relocate harbor lines in New Bedford Harbor to allow reconstruction of deteriorating bulkheads at a waterfront industrial site; the New Bedford Port Authority, engineers, and the property owner said the change is needed for permitting and would support port modernization and jobs. Finally, the committee heard extensive testimony on S. 641 regarding marine pilotage in New Bedford. Supporters argued the bill would remove a District 3 pilotage restriction and improve port flexibility and offshore wind operations, while opponents warned it would undermine the state’s compulsory pilotage system, weaken safety, and allow ship owners to shop for pilots. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.