Transcript Highlights:

• each</c><00:09:59.760><c> of</c> build the best public education system in the nation at a cost taxpayers
• Following through is about keeping our word to students, teachers, and taxpayers who all deserve better
• affordable, keeping and attracting more people to live here, reversing our demographics, and adding more taxpayers
• a path out of poverty and a solid chance to make it in the world. demographics, and adding more taxpayers
• demographics, and adding more taxpayers instead<00:40:08.000><c> of</c><00:40:08.240><c> always</c><

Transcript Highlights:

• The division also protects taxpayers by filing claims on behalf of MnDOT and other state agencies against
• You've got the taxpayer, you've got the state agencies who are managing the grants, you've got the grant
• recipients in business as opposed to defending the state agencies and maintaining the integrity of taxpayer
• here is that rather than the focus being on defending your client... upholding the integrity of taxpayer
• what we should be asking is what are we learning to ensure that we are protecting public funds and taxpayer

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• With an average income, including benefits, averaged out at $100,000, this would cost taxpayers.
• fall squarely on the incarcerated person if we change this, but right now, it's squarely on the taxpayers
• Steer responded, "Just all good points you brought up, but it should not be on the backs of the taxpayers
• And by the way, those people are taxpayers.
• When we say this is falling on the backs of taxpayers, they pay taxes.

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• program, a program that serves as a vital source of funding for civil legal aid without the use of taxpayer
• without using ...increases civil legal aid funding and helps reduce the justice gap without using taxpayer
• it will add bank regulation where there is none and create more government and more cost to the taxpayer
• This privately funded IOTA system established by the Florida Supreme Court avoids burdening taxpayers
• Legal aid is able to provide these services and more to Floridians in need at no expense to Florida taxpayers

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Summary: The committee heard several bills and amendments, beginning with CS/SB 498 on trust fund interest for IOTA accounts. The sponsor said a 2023 Florida Supreme Court rule sharply increased interest paid into legal aid funding, creating a windfall and making participation difficult for banks. An amendment was adopted requiring savings institutions to pay the higher of 0.25% or the highest comparable rate offered on certain non-IOTA accounts, and the bill then passed favorably after testimony from banks, legal aid representatives, and other stakeholders both supporting and opposing the measure. The committee also approved CS/SB 232, which clarifies Florida’s consumer collection law applies only to phone calls during restricted hours and not emails or text messages, after a delete-all amendment and supportive testimony from industry groups. It then approved SB 132, as amended, to designate gold and silver as legal tender and set rules for custody, audits, electronic transfer, and government acceptance of payments; supporters called it a sound-money measure, while the banking association said it still had unresolved technical concerns. Later, the committee passed SB 1466 to create a trust fund for the My Safe Florida Home Program, with an amendment funding it from 20% of collected insurance premium tax revenue. It also considered SB 1206 on transportation network company insurance, reducing coverage during the “dead-leg” period before a rider is picked up from $1 million to lower limits; the bill drew sharp opposition from trial lawyers and support from insurers and some business groups, and the committee adopted a clarifying amendment before reporting the bill favorably. Finally, CS/SB 924 on fertility preservation for cancer patients was amended several times to narrow scope and clarify coverage rules, then passed favorably after debate over cost, preauthorization, and post-treatment storage obligations. The committee adjourned after allowing technical and conforming changes to implement the adopted amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• should have billed Medicare" because those are payers of last resort, and those are payers where the taxpayers
• should not be... ...where the taxpayers should not be funding when there is liability insurance coverage
• Well, again, those are government funds—that's taxpayer money, right? Correct.
• interest behind that, the rationale behind that is that... that the rationale behind that is that the taxpayers
• customer caused the accident, they are... customer caused the accident, they are responsible, not the taxpayers

Bills: SB210 , SB225 , HB280 , HB287 , HB94 , HB88 , SB157 , HB7 , HB8 , HB42

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, blood tests, DUI, law enforcement, traffic offenses, chemical analysis, public nuisance, event liability, local government, community health, legal action, transparency, reporting, public safety, regulation, accountability

Transcript Highlights:

• But, of course, the taxpayers are still paying for debt service on buildings. district still receives
• federal funds, which is funded by taxpayer dollars as well.
• The way that a district feels this budget is going to be different. than what the taxpayers spent all
• But taxpayers still do, in fact, pay the rest of that bill, too.
• And so there's money that goes to the buildings, and then the taxpayers are paying federal funds that

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• Just as taxpayers, but as consumers.
• </c><03:26:55.040><c> to</c> dollars paid by American taxpayers to dollars paid by American taxpayers
• And I urge my taxpayer dollars.
• ,</c> rips off the taxpayers, rips off the taxpayers, you<04:07:33.920><c> can't</c><04:07:34.080><c>
• <c> dollars</c><04:13:49.120><c> from</c> These funds are taxpayer dollars from These funds are taxpayer

Bills: HJR139 , HB1958 , HR556

Keywords: balanced budget, federal government, amendment, taxation, government spending, impeachment, federal judge, judicial misconduct, abuse of power, high crimes and misdemeanors, Charles R. Breyer, Judge Breyer, Northern District of California, U.S. District Court, House resolution, National Guard, Los Angeles, executive power, separation of powers, constitutional crisis

Transcript Highlights:

• If we really care about taxpayer dollars, we say we want to be fiscally responsible.
• The issue I have is that billions of dollars of taxpayer money is going, following students to schools
• They belong to Floridians; they belong to the hard-working taxpayers who paid to build those buildings
• will never be able to regroup because schools belong to the taxpayers.
• The punitive approach would lead... to higher taxpayer costs.

Bills: SB 5 , SJR 3 , HB 11 , HJR 72 , HB 48 , HB 27 , HB 144 , HB 37 , HB 1481 , HB 581 , HB 1696 , HB 2216 , HB 1035 , HB 1633 , HB 742 , HB 754 , HB 1689 , HB 1690 , HB 2669 , HB 391 , HB 517 , HB 1775 , HB 1024 , HB 1607 , HB 252 , HB 1716 , HB 1562 , HB 4116 , HB 1866 , HB 1741 , HB 2103 , HB 2637 , HB 2884 , HB 3707 , HB 503 , HB 1089 , HB 1757 , HB 2986 , HB 972 , SB 365 , SB 1786 , SB 5 , SJR 3 , HB 14 , HB 43 , HB 36 , HB 26 , HB 149 , HB 121 , HB 206 , HB 136 , HB 3114 , HB 2733 , HB 1732 , HB 3700 , HB 467 , HB 1130 , HB 1846 , HB 1442 , HB 1147 , HB 2176 , HB 2701 , HB 805 , HB 2890 , HB 1154 , HB 1644 , HB 2118 , HB 1718 , HB 2488 , HB 2596 , HB 2468 , HB 484 , HB 2578 , HB 3204 , HB 1041 , HB 307 , HB 685 , HB 538 , HB 2525 , HB 3125 , HB 2027 , HB 2894 , HB 3077 , HB 106 , HB 18 , HB 11 , HJR 72 , HB 48 , HB 27 , HB 144 , HB 37 , HB 1481 , HB 581 , HB 1696 , HB 2216 , HB 1035 , HB 1633 , HB 742 , HB 754 , HB 1689 , HB 1690 , HB 2669 , HB 391 , HB 517 , HB 1775 , HB 1024 , HB 1607 , HB 252 , HB 1716 , HB 1562 , HB 4116 , HB 1866 , HB 1741 , HB 2103 , HB 2637 , HB 2884 , HB 3707 , HB 503 , HB 1089 , HB 1757 , HB 2986 , HB 972

Transcript Highlights:

• We've submitted some comments on the measure, noting we have no objection so long as individual taxpayer
• :45.080><c> individual</c> no objection so long as individual no objection so long as individual taxpayer
• privacy is protected thank you taxpayer privacy is protected thank you thank<00:17:49.160><c> you</c
• um needs as well so uh that is taxpayers um needs as well so uh that is another<00:20:50.240><c> position
• Mahalo. of our taxpayer dollars so we hope that of our taxpayer dollars so we hope that the<00:25:26.640

Committee: House Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• It also allows for broader participation from large taxpayers and encourages competitive bidding.
• large taxpayers and encourages competitive<00:35:36.320><c> bidding.
• And so, what we're taxpayers dollars.
• ,<00:55:10.480><c> including</c><00:55:11.040><c> contingent</c> taxpayers, including contingent taxpayers
• And having to comes from the taxpayers.

Transcript Highlights:

• There was no opportunity for we the residents, taxpayers, and stakeholders to offer feedback or even
• ,</c> meaning residents, taxpayers, meaning residents, taxpayers, just<01:36:19.720><c> users</c><01:
• Uh functionally, we're asking taxpayers<01:45:05.040><c> to</c><01:45:05.160><c> pay</c><01:45:05.320
• Affordable both for users and for taxpayers.
• . taxpayers. taxpayers.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> abuse with motans's hardearned taxpayer abuse with motans's hardearned taxpayer dollars.<01:17:58.400
• I don't see why our taxpayers should be providing additional resources to an office that, by its own
• I don't see why our taxpayers should be providing additional resources to an office that, by its own
• I don't see why our taxpayers should be providing additional resources to an office that, by its own
• <02:02:09.840><c> responsibility</c><02:02:10.560><c> and</c> taxpayer responsibility and taxpayer responsibility

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:42:48.960><c> and</c> that both property taxpayers and that both property taxpayers and municipal
• </c><01:43:33.920><c> and</c> understood by the taxpayer and understood by the taxpayer and municipalities
• this don't see where this was going to this should<01:44:05.920><c> reduce</c><01:44:07.040><c> taxpayer
• </c><01:44:07.840><c> money</c><01:44:08.239><c> because</c> should reduce taxpayer money because should
• reduce taxpayer money because we've<01:44:08.960><c> been</c><01:44:09.119><c> to</c><01:44:09.360><

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• Are they going to hit the taxpayers for more?
• Are they going to hit the taxpayers for more?
• We American taxpayer dollars go towards.
• </c><02:58:16.800><c> dollar</c> spending of the American taxpayer dollar spending of the American taxpayer
• She is a taxpayer.

Bills: HR469 , HB2483 , HR458

Keywords: official photography, House of Representatives, session, government transparency, public engagement, opioid crisis, substance use disorder, mental health, treatment programs, recovery services, federal funding, public health, grants

Transcript Highlights:

• upwards of $40 will be costing taxpayers upwards of $40 million.<00:42:42.960><c> But</c><00:42:43.200
• Um, and so it would be odd to taxpayers to look through the revenue code when they're filling out their
• to taxpayers to look through<01:29:32.960><c> the</c><01:29:33.280><c> revenue</c><01:29:33.679><c>
• Then, with respect to the provisions about split credits, where a taxpayer might go in with another taxpayer
• Then, with respect to the provisions about split credits, where a taxpayer might go in with another taxpayer

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• But then you're okay to ask for $5 million of taxpayers' money.
• See, we have to sell this to the taxpayers. You guys don't.
• </c><00:59:14.960><c> See,</c> for $5 million of taxpayers money.
• See, for $5 million of taxpayers money.
• </c> we have to sell this to the taxpayers. we have to sell this to the taxpayers.

Summary: A joint informational briefing of the House and Senate higher education committees focused on how the University of Hawaiʻi athletics department plans to remain competitive in the new NIL era, including the effects of the House v. NCAA settlement, direct institutional payments, and the need to balance competitiveness with the university’s educational mission. Senators and committee members introduced themselves, and the briefing featured remarks from women’s basketball coach Laura Beeman, football coach Timmy Chang, and Athletic Director Matt Elliott. Coach Beeman said NIL has already affected recruiting and retention in women’s basketball, estimating the program has lost six to 10 student-athletes because it lacks the funding to keep comparable talent. She emphasized that the issue is not greed but retention, culture, and keeping student-athletes who value the university and community, while also using NIL as a way to teach financial literacy, privacy, and adult responsibilities. Coach Chang described similar pressures in football, including transfer portal volatility and competing offers from other programs, and gave examples of players whose personal and family circumstances made NIL support important for staying at Hawaiʻi. Athletic Director Elliott said the department’s vision is to create an outstanding student-athlete experience, recruit and retain elite athletes, compete at the top of the Mountain West, and strengthen community ties. He said the department wants to preserve the educational focus while adapting to a system in which student-athletes can share in revenue. Elliott explained that UH is seeking a $5 million annual NIL fund, is fundraising through the community and the “Boost the Bose” account, and is also pursuing individual NIL deals, corporate sponsorship-related deals, and licensing opportunities. In response to Senator Kim’s question, he said NIL compensation can come through two tracks: institutional payments within the department’s discretion and outside deals that must be reviewed for market value under the new reporting system. No votes or formal actions were taken; the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're protecting both the students and the taxpayers at the same time that way.
• And we're protecting both the students and the taxpayers at the same time that way.
• </c><01:00:10.000><c> at</c> both the students and the taxpayers at both the students and the taxpayers
• </c> how much we can ask from our taxpayers. how much we can ask from our taxpayers.
• . taxpayers. taxpayers.

Summary: The committee met to hear from the New Hampshire Association of School Principals as part of its review of a proposal involving statewide administrative consolidation and changes to school governance. Members first discussed how school board witnesses would be selected, with the chair saying the committee would seek a mix of district sizes and structures and would also accept emailed input. The principals’ association said it represents more than 550 principals and assistant principals and urged caution about any mandatory consolidation, arguing that successful consolidations are gradual and voluntary. Association leaders and principals testified that principals already handle a wide range of responsibilities, including instructional leadership, student discipline, safety, staff supervision and evaluation, family and community engagement, and day-to-day crisis response. They argued that shifting more legal, budgetary, and administrative duties onto principals would reduce time for coaching teachers and supporting students, increase burnout and turnover, and create legal and training risks, especially in areas such as special education, privacy, and labor issues. They also said the roles of superintendents, principals, and school board members are distinct and require different training and expertise. Members asked detailed questions about how responsibilities are divided between principals and SAUs, whether principals recruit and evaluate staff, and how much time principals work. One principal said she works about 60 to 70 hours a week and that additional duties would be difficult to absorb. Another principal described his school’s structure, the importance of community building, and the need to preserve district-wide alignment if consolidation moves forward. No votes were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The division also protects<00:09:51.760><c> task</c><00:09:52.160><c> taxpayers</c><00:09:52.959><c>
• by</c><00:09:53.200><c> filing</c><00:09:53.600><c> claims</c> protects task taxpayers by filing claims
• protects task taxpayers by filing claims on<00:09:54.160><c> behalf</c><00:09:54.399><c> of</c><00:09
• And so of the parties that are involved here, you've got the taxpayer, you've got the state agencies
• Taxpayer funds that are going to these recipients for the purpose of providing services to people.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, the school district is the taxpayers, correct?
• Taxpayers were put into the library as an overflow space.
• Taxpayers don't want to pay for oversexualizing kids; they'd rather protect them.
• Taxpayers were put into the library as an overflow space.
• Taxpayers don't want to pay for oversexualizing kids; they'd rather protect them.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 763, an early bill concerning AED access at athletic events and venues. Representative Morris offered amendment 0743H to clarify the bill by removing charter schools from the language and tying AED placement to American Heart Association guidance, emphasizing that AEDs should be readily accessible within a reasonable walking distance rather than mandated on every field. The amendment and then the bill as amended both passed 17-0, and the bill was reported out as Ought to Pass with Amendment. The committee then considered House Bill 781, requiring school districts to adopt cell phone-free education policies, and a related bill, House Bill 131. HB 781 was amended to include charter public school boards, cover other personal electronic communication devices, require at minimum restrictions on student personal cell phones during class instruction, allow superintendent-approved exceptions for medical or language needs, protect students with medical needs or disabilities under Section 504, and set an effective date of July 1, 2025. Some members argued the amendment was too prescriptive and limited local control, while supporters said it still left districts flexibility outside classroom instruction. The amendment passed 16-1, and the bill then passed Ought to Pass as Amended 16-1. HB 131, described as a mirror bill, was then retained by a 17-0 vote. House Bill 398, a title bill requiring Holocaust and genocide studies to include impacts on people with disabilities, was moved to ITL after Representative Selig reported the genocide commission believed the topic was already being covered. That motion passed 17-0. The committee also agreed to hold several bills for later consideration, including HB 754, HB 1221, HB 360, and HB 699, citing the need for more review or missing copies. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 361, prohibiting mandatory mask policies in schools. Supporters argued the bill would preserve individual choice while preventing statewide or districtwide mandates in future public health emergencies, and cited a Department of Health and Human Services letter saying masks remain effective but decisions should be based on individual choice and risk assessment. Opponents emphasized local control and the need for districts to respond to different public health conditions. The transcript cuts off before the final vote on HB 361 was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• uniquely, I don't know if everybody in the body realizes this, they also receive, talking about taxpayer
• dollars, direct taxpayer dollars, community colleges receive property taxes.
• And I think that's a very responsible thing that we ought to do and we owe to the taxpayers of Missouri
• I put an effort in committee and an effort on the floor to not allow taxpayer dollars to be used for
• the familiar and cavalier when we're talking about using taxpayers' money during a budget crunch.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of the prior day’s journal, and numerous introductions of visiting groups and guests, including schoolchildren, Republican women’s organizations, county commissioners, and family members of legislators. Members also suspended House Rule 98 to allow baseball apparel in celebration of opening day, with the motion passing 118-22. The chamber then took up the state budget bills. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2002, covering elementary and secondary education and child care, drew the most debate. Supporters said it maintained record funding for the foundation formula, transportation, and early childhood programs, while critics argued it still fell short of fully funding the formula and underfunded child care subsidies by about $51 million. After extended debate over statutory obligations, school funding, and child care policy, the bill passed 85-70. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2003, the higher education and workforce development budget, also prompted substantial debate over a proposed shift to an FTE-based funding model for colleges and universities. Supporters called it a fairer, more equitable system that follows students and encourages efficiency, while opponents warned it would sharply reduce funding for some institutions, including community colleges and regional universities. The bill passed 83-66. The House then passed House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2004, covering revenue and transportation, 91-50, despite objections over a public transit cut and constitutional concerns raised about MoDOT appropriations. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2005, the Office of Administration and employee benefits budget, passed overwhelmingly after members discussed state worker compensation, deferred compensation, and benefits funding. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2006, covering agriculture, natural resources, and conservation, passed 133-17 after members highlighted restored funding for agriculture business development and food insecurity grants, while others criticized cuts to natural resources and parks funding. The chamber then moved on to House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2007, covering economic development, commerce and insurance, and labor and industrial relations, with the budget chair introducing the bill and outlining its major departmental appropriations.