Transcript Highlights:

• The budget has always been our top priority, and we have to get it done.
• Yeah, it is a sticking point, but if they want to pass that policy, and they do, it's their priority.
• they<00:13:33.600> do,<00:13:33.839> it's<00:13:34.000> their<00:13:34.240> priority
• <00:13:34.959> It's<00:13:35.120> got they do, it's their priority.
• It's got they do, it's their priority.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ballpark tax, the PGA sales tax exemption, the AARP, victims restitution, SFIA, SAF, which is a priority
• ballpark tax, the PGA sales tax exemption, the AARP, victims restitution, SFIA, SAF, which is a priority
• which is<00:18:37.120> a<00:18:38.160> uh<00:18:39.520> uh<00:18:39.840> priority
• <00:18:41.440> Uh is a uh uh priority of the governors.
• Uh is a uh uh priority of the governors.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• zero target, and we were able to put some money into the state grant program and made some other priorities
• And I also want to share with you our concerns and priorities.
• difficult challenge this year, and I want to say thank you for making the state grant program a priority
• think maybe the Chair will come up and might want to speak to that because it was one of his top priorities
• Rural health research program—I don't know if I would consider. that a priority, given how tight our

Bills: HF2312

Keywords: higher education, college finance, student aid, financial aid, state grants, North Star Promise, scholarships, tuition relief, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, Office of Higher Education, work-study, child care grants, Indian scholarships, tribal colleges, Hunger-Free Campus, student parents, pregnant students, parenting students, sexual misconduct

Transcript Highlights:

• to ensure that Texas won't be left behind and that this challenge will be this Legislature's top priority
• We'd also like to see the inclusion of water loss mitigation under priority strategies for the new water
• Funding for water infrastructure is the number one legislative priority for our partners.
• As you know, mentioned, Funding for water infrastructure is the number one legislative priority for our
• We are encouraged to see that water remains a top priority this session, and we appreciate Governor Abbott

Bills: HB16, HB16, HB1618, HB2692, HB2712, HB2970, HB3609, HB3628

Keywords: judicial administration, court reform, juvenile diversion, court security, mental health services, drug offenses, constitutional amendments, water infrastructure, Texas Water Development Board, financial assistance, water supply projects, rural municipalities, water access assessment, aquifer storage, Edwards Aquifer, water injection, environmental regulations, groundwater management, San Antonio River, pollution control

Transcript Highlights:

• it's in the process where it gets placed on the federal government VA's grant construction project priority
• have a problem with that, but your list is very lengthy, and I just wonder if you have many, many priorities
• at where we are now, that some of the whether it's archiving photos, I'm not sure that that's a priority
• And so I would say pare down your list, choose maybe four or five priorities.
• And when we are in these critical budgets cycles, we have to look at priorities.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you're priority isn't public safety, if your priority isn't road and bridge, if your priority isn't
• And like you said, the priorities, one of you all brought up about a bill that was passed a few years
• one federal clinic that is pulled out of everywhere but one community so those are some of the priorities

Bills: HB336, HB554, HB849, HB 1033, HB1338, HB 1246

Keywords: law enforcement, sheriff, constable, contracts, county governance, HB 554, fireworks, Juneteenth, Juneteenth holiday, retail fireworks permit, Texas Occupations Code, Local Government Code, county commissioners court, drought conditions, Texas A&M Forest Service, fire safety, holiday sales, seasonal fireworks sales, Fourth of July, Independence Day

Transcript Highlights:

• make cuts in our foreign employees from our federal government. employees is it's based on budget priorities
• When we develop our budgets we set the priorities and if your part of DOE doesn't fit in those priorities
• But you do it in almost a two-year process while you develop this budget, because the priorities are
• committee, every one of us works for the American public interest, and given that as our highest priority

Keywords: national security, Department of Energy, foreign espionage, security protocols, Chinese Communist Party, national laboratories, research security

Summary: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee convened to address pressing issues related to research security risks at the Department of Energy, focusing specifically on foreign nationals' access to sensitive information. The meeting highlighted the increasing threats posed by espionage from the Chinese Communist Party, which has sought to infiltrate U.S. national laboratories and exploit American research for military purposes. Discussions included the importance of tightening security protocols to safeguard national interests and maintain technological advantages. Witnesses provided insight into historical contexts and current vulnerabilities, emphasizing that without proper measures, the gaps could jeopardize national security.

Transcript Highlights:

• Advocates have repeatedly said that suicide prevention is one of the VA's top priorities.
• Veterans, and not funding structures, should remain the top priority in the care of veterans.
• A bipartisan issue and the VA's top clinical priority is suicide prevention, yet it does not mandate
• The letter to these Inspectors General stated that priorities were changing—that's what the Trump administration
• What greater priority is there than ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used well?

Transcript Highlights:

• But education was still a priority.
• David values cooperation over conflict, service over self-interest, and the priorities of Texans over
• The only Speaker candidate that has pledged to fight these priorities is Representative Ana Maria Ramos
• By making these ideals our priority, we resurrect the American dream and give Texans the tools and resources
• Our timeline for priority legislation will be transparent, and every Texan will know their house is working

Transcript Highlights:

• But education was still a priority.
• David values cooperation over conflict, service over self-interest, and the priorities of Texans over
• our state under the leadership of David Cook. over conflict, service over self-interest, and the priorities
• By making these ideals our priority, we resurrect the American dream and give Texans the tools and resources
• Our timeline for priority legislation will be transparent, and every Texan will know their house is working

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the next stage of negotiations, we will keep fighting and advocating to include additional Senate priorities
• So while this was not in the Senate plan, it is still a priority of many members, including myself, to
• make sure that we It is still a priority of many members, including myself, to make sure that we include

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on Corrections, Public Safety, Judiciary, Labor, and Transportation met with a quorum present and took up a vote-only agenda. After public comment, including testimony from Edward Hasbrook of the Identity Project opposing the DMV state-to-state Real ID proposal and related data-sharing concerns, the committee moved through multiple blocks of budget items in Parts A, B, and C covering labor, public safety and judiciary, and transportation. Staff recommendations were adopted on each set of issues, with several roll calls passing unanimously and others passing with one no vote or one member not voting. Before adjournment, members highlighted issues they want to continue pursuing in negotiations for the final budget. The chair raised concerns about the Real ID state-to-state system, privacy, and sharing Californians’ driver data, and also urged continued support for rehabilitation programming and expansion of the wildfire mitigation grant program. Senator Durazo emphasized the need for funding for justice-system programs, trauma recovery centers, public defenders, CDCR-based community programming, and more sustained workforce training investments. Senator Seyarto focused on transportation funding for inland regions, court capacity and Prop. 36 implementation, and workforce development tied to business attraction and changing labor needs. The chair thanked the consultants, sergeants, administration staff, and public participants, and asked members to submit additional comments in writing so they can be reflected in the record and considered in ongoing budget negotiations. The subcommittee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've spoken with many members, many of you and many outside of our committee about their specific priorities
• As stated in the bill analysis, the Strategic Intermodal System, the SIS, is Florida's high-priority
• Florida's high, In the bill analysis, the strategic intermodal system, the SIS, is Florida's high priority

Summary: The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met to consider its recommended fiscal year 2025-2026 budget and a conforming committee bill. Chair Shove presented an $18.5 billion TED budget, describing it as about 8.5% below the prior year’s TED budget and emphasizing recurring savings, reductions to vacant positions over 90 days old, and a focus on core agency needs. He highlighted funding for economic development, Visit Florida, Space Florida, affordable housing programs, military affairs, libraries, cultural and historic preservation grants, emergency management, and a $14.1 billion transportation work program. The committee then took up PCB TED 2501, which changes documentary stamp tax distributions by redirecting certain revenues to general revenue. The bill would reinstate the general revenue service charge on the supplemental housing-related dock stamp revenue, eliminating a recurring $150 million source for the State Housing Trust Fund, and would also redirect about $466 million from the State Transportation Trust Fund to general revenue. Chair Shove said the measure has no net zero fiscal impact on state revenues and does not alter the longstanding standard dock stamp funding for affordable housing or eliminate FDOT programs, arguing the bill preserves flexibility for future legislatures. Public testimony was split. Representatives from the Florida Transportation Builders Association and the Florida Public Transportation Association warned that the transportation trust fund reduction would significantly affect FDOT’s five-year work program, especially the Strategic Intermodal System, and could reduce planned capacity improvements and transit funding. Several members also raised concerns about the housing-related changes, arguing the bill undercuts commitments made through the Live Local framework and could weaken affordable housing efforts. In closing, Chair Shove defended the bill as a necessary tightening of recurring spending and said existing affordable housing and transportation programs would still be funded through other appropriations. The committee approved PCB TED 2501 on a 10-2 vote and reported it favorably before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• know, I spent 40 plus years working for an electric co-op, so I know safety is their number one priority
• I feel like I can confidently say safety is their number one priority in serving their... ...number one
• priority, and then serving their customers, their members, is second.

Bills: SB42, HB323

Keywords: abandoned roads, land ownership, government regulations, property rights, transportation, electric utility, oversize vehicles, transport permits, state highway system, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:33.200> of And whereas the national priorities of And whereas the national priorities
• > Alabama national priorities, the Alabama national priorities, the Alabama chapters<00:10:50.480
• So, what do you think their priorities were?
• I think our priority is our number one.
• None of our priorities are communities.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Two years ago, I believe I was here for a meet and greet, and at that time I had my strategic priorities
• for the year of my strategic priorities for the year of 23<00:13:14.160> when<00:13:14.320>
• are for 24 and 25 um so I'll priorities are for 24 and 25 um so I'll start<00:14:11.199> with
• But that is what we're focusing on and striving for when we look at our budget priorities.
• <02:30:53.399> um for the above mentioned priorities um for the above mentioned priorities

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then in terms of priorities, I mean, I know there are thousands of bills filed each session.
• We are encouraged to see this committee making air quality a legislative priority this session and look
• The committee will continue to make this a priority and do a deeper dive on it, because the challenge
• S. 1546 and H. 2427 are a top priority for both our hundreds of 350 Mass members across the state and
• If I could just make one more plug as chair of the Women's Caucus, this is one of our priorities, as

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health heard testimony on a wide range of bills focused on environmental health, disease prevention, and access to care. Major topics included restricting polystyrene use, creating a pancreatic cancer awareness and early-detection initiative, improving indoor air quality through a task force and new regulations, expanding access to epinephrine in public places, improving access to health care for people with long COVID, creating an OBGYN loan repayment program for underserved areas, expanding access to hygiene products, modernizing licensure for dietitians and nutritionists, updating school postural screening requirements, and restricting harmful diet pills and muscle-building supplements. Several legislators also testified in support of their own bills, including measures on menstrual product access and ingredient disclosure, and surgical smoke protections. Testimony on the polystyrene bill emphasized local municipal bans and the need to reduce plastic pollution. Pancreatic cancer advocates and patients described the disease’s low survival rate, the difficulty of early diagnosis, and the need for an awareness campaign and implementation of commission recommendations. Indoor air quality supporters from environmental justice groups, public health organizations, and residents described asthma, mold, pollution, and the need for a task force with technical expertise; some witnesses urged adding remediation professionals to the task force. On epinephrine access, family members of a man who died after a bee sting and an allergy organization stressed that anaphylaxis can be sudden and fatal and that stock epinephrine in public venues could save lives. Long COVID advocates said the condition affects hundreds of thousands of residents and called for better surveillance and access to care, with a request to include MECFS in the bills’ scope. Other testimony focused on workforce and equity issues. Supporters of the OBGYN loan repayment bill said it would help address maternal health disparities and provider shortages, especially in rural and underserved communities. Hope and Comfort described widespread hygiene insecurity and a long waiting list for basic products, urging a task force to study statewide solutions. Dietitians and nutritionists supported modernization of licensure to clarify standards for medical nutrition therapy while allowing broader wellness counseling. School nurses backed reducing mandatory postural screenings, arguing the current law is not evidence-based, is not reimbursed by MassHealth, and takes time from other student health needs. On the supplement bill, the industry trade group opposed restrictions as overbroad and burdensome, while a public health expert cited research linking weight-loss and muscle-building supplements to serious harms and urged passage. The committee also heard support for menstrual product access and surgical smoke protections, with legislators and advocates describing those bills as longstanding priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• And because the enormous power needs that they have and the highest priority on that power, the data
• First off, like I mentioned, they reviewed an order of priority, so in order of first in time, first
• And then the other part of our advantages are partnerships and then our priorities.
• So certainly the priorities of the state of North Dakota are key, but also beyond that to benefit the
• I talked about our priorities.

Summary: The committee met in Grand Forks, approved the February 26 minutes by voice vote, and recessed for a tour of Minnkota Power Cooperative before hearing presentations on large energy consumers and related infrastructure issues. The first presentation, from the North Dakota Transmission Authority, focused on the need for better local decision-making tools for counties, townships, and planning and zoning boards facing major projects such as transmission lines, pipelines, data centers, wind, solar, and large-scale agriculture. The speaker urged more objective, data-driven analysis, noted that local officials often have limited time and resources, and said the state should support training and tools through groups like the League of Cities and the Association of Counties. Members asked about proactive outreach, data center ordinances, and how to avoid subsidizing large loads or causing reliability problems. The Division of Air Quality then discussed environmental oversight of data centers, emphasizing that North Dakota’s air remains among the cleanest in the country and that the agency’s role is limited to air, water discharge, stormwater, and waste—not zoning or water use. The presentation explained that data centers generally have low direct emissions but may rely on diesel backup generators when the grid is unavailable, which creates air-quality concerns; the department said it is requiring air monitors at some projects to collect real-world data and guide future decisions. Members asked about generator emissions, misinformation, monitoring costs, and staffing succession, and the agency said permit applicants pay for the monitors while the state handles some QA work. The Department of Water Resources followed with an overview of North Dakota water law and data center water use. The director explained the state’s prior-appropriation system, the public-interest review for permits, and the large overall water supply available from groundwater and the Missouri River. He said most proposed data centers use closed-loop cooling systems and generally request relatively small amounts of water compared with other uses such as power plants, irrigation, and oilfield operations, and that even a worst-case data center scenario would use only a tiny fraction of Missouri River flow. Questions focused on downstream impacts and comparisons to fracking water use, and the director said the state’s use is too small to materially affect downstream users. Later, McLean County State’s Attorney Ladd-Erickson testified online about data center zoning and permitting. He asked the committee to have Legislative Council gather information on how other states handle data center permitting and to keep the topic on the interim agenda. He argued that local zoning should remain local, but said counties lack the technical and legal resources to manage complex reclamation or bonding requirements and that state-level enabling legislation may be more appropriate. He also recommended eliminating tax incentives for data centers. The committee chair said staff would prepare a document on other states’ zoning and permitting approaches. After a lunch recess, the committee reconvened at the EERC, where CEO Charles Gorecki gave an overview of the center’s 75 years of work and its role in oil and gas, carbon management, and other energy technologies, highlighting enhanced oil recovery and carbon dioxide utilization as major opportunities for future production and tax revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do we have— General Fund priorities? Thank you.
• we have adequate funding to fill the vacancies that will still be there, that's a more important priority
• this report was released to really get the feedback on whether these six action priorities are right
• When we talk about affordability, these are the types of priorities that we talk about, and these are
• When we talk about affordability, these are the types of priorities that we talk about, and these are

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard a budget item on vehicle license fee backfill funding, where the Department of Finance said the administration was not proposing the requested $119 million for San Mateo County, Alpine, and Mono, arguing the payment is discretionary and that existing excess ERAF formulas should remain unchanged. Senator Becker and former Senator Jackie Speier testified that the money is owed under the VLF swap arrangement and that San Mateo County faces major service cuts without the backfill; Senator Cabaldon raised broader policy questions about county boundaries and the structure of the formula. The chair held the item open after public comment. The committee then reviewed Secretary of State budget proposals. The department requested funding for SB 851 implementation, including additional duties related to election litigation notice, voting system standards, and vendor reporting, with $1.1 million General Fund in 2026-27 and $807,000 ongoing for four positions and software. Members asked about election security, federal HAVA funding, staffing, and implementation timing; the department said current federal funds are expected to run out in 2027-28 and that it hopes to hire quickly once funded. The item was held open. The Secretary of State also presented the Cal Access Replacement System (CARS), seeking $11.8 million General Fund to finish the project and begin operations, and the notary automation replacement project, seeking $9.795 million in Business Fees Fund for continued development of the outdated notary system. Members focused on project delays, stakeholder input, and whether the funding requests matched prior plans; the department said both projects were still on their original funding tracks but had shifted timelines due to planning needs and election-related workload. Both items were held open. CalVet presented its department overview and then discussed the new 240-bed skilled nursing facility at Yountville, which is nearing completion and will replace the aging Holderman Hospital building. Members asked about the future of Holderman, other campus capital projects, and a payroll/fringe-benefit issue affecting some employees; CalVet said Holderman will continue to house some functions, the roofing and steam projects remain in progress, and the tax issue has been addressed with new procedures and repayment arrangements. The committee also discussed eliminating vacant positions under Control Section 4.12, with CalVet saying the positions were long-vacant CNA and related jobs and the LAO noting the Legislature had not concurred; Senator Cabaldon said he had no objection, and the item was held open. Finally, the California Arts Council gave an overview of its work and its cultural districts program, describing grants and technical assistance in all 58 counties and citing examples of local impact. Senator Smallwood-Cuevas strongly supported additional funding, including a proposed $50 million General Fund investment and a $10 million carve-out for cultural districts, arguing the program supports economic development, preservation, and community identity; council staff said the program is currently unfunded and has only been able to designate a fraction of applicants. Senator Cabaldon noted that many parts of the state still lack cultural districts and urged broader geographic representation. The item was informational and no vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• , where we're kind of at with the negotiations is the House Democrats have indicated that a high priority
• have uh indicated that a high priority have uh indicated that a high priority for<00:26:03.600><
• Um, knowing where our priorities are. And I'm not just speaking for myself.
• Um, knowing where our priorities<00:45:08.560> are.
• And I'm not just priorities are.

Bills: HF858, HF2577, HF2576

Keywords: bioincentive payments, agriculture, job creation, environmental compliance, financial reporting, waste handling, sewage sludge, PFAS regulation, environment, record retention, fertilizer disposal, pesticide disposal, environmental impact, safety regulations, burning prohibition, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• committee and encourage these agencies to undertake the work reasonably necessary to carry out these priorities
• 00:02:02.159> carry<00:02:02.399> out<00:02:02.640> these<00:02:02.960> priorities
• necessary to carry out these priorities necessary to carry out these priorities whether<00:02:04.159
• > start<00:31:36.480> funding<00:31:36.799> the<00:31:37.039> things priority
• and start funding the things priority and start funding the things that<00:31:37.519> are<00:

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee reconvened in open session after a closed discussion of sensitive security details and reviewed the public executive summary of the Minnesota State Capitol Complex Security Assessment by Axtel. Members discussed weapon screening and access control at length, including testimony from Capitol security and judicial center staff about screening procedures, prohibited items, and how screening is managed for visitors and authorized personnel. The chair emphasized that the committee was voting on high-level recommendations to be included in the final ACAST report and that the Department of Public Safety and Department of Administration would be encouraged to pursue the necessary work, including any legislative or budget requests. The committee then took a series of roll-call votes on the Axtel recommendations. Access control screening and visitor management (5.11) passed 4-2, while authorized access control and credential oversight (5.12), internal circulation and zoning controls (5.13), perimeter and exterior grounds (5.14), staffing models/post orders/operational readiness (5.15), technology and system integration (5.16), and protective intelligence (5.18) all passed unanimously 6-0. Each approved item was added as a recommendation in the final report. After the votes, the Department of Administration, Department of Public Safety, and House and Senate Sergeant-at-Arms offices walked through the draft final report. They highlighted staffing improvements, security infrastructure already installed, and remaining needs, including an estimated $41.008 million request for future enhancements such as kiosks, glass-resistant film, door access controls, cameras, lighting, bollards, and an updated distributed antenna system. The report also includes recommendations on trauma-informed safety drills, conduct rules for hearings, and designating the Minnesota State Patrol Capital Security Division as the primary investigative authority for potential criminal activity on Capitol grounds.