Transcript Highlights:

• </c> would go to the state budget department. would go to the state budget department.
• </c> tourism office from our budgeting tourism office from our budgeting process?
• </c> business council in the budget bill. business council in the budget bill.
• This committee reduced its budget, the governor's budget recommendations, and the court's budget recommendations
• Moving on to the landscape portion. budget. Um but thank goodness we did do budget.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So if you were to look at the past couple of operating budgets, you could see the operating budget and
• you you could see the operating budgets you you could see the operating<00:08:56.880><c> budget</c><
• </c> adjusted authorized is not the budgeted adjusted authorized is not the budgeted amount<00:09:54.440
• In the governor's budget, that was taken out, and as I mentioned, that's on page 881 of the budget.
• </c> DHHS included in its next banian budget DHHS included in its next banian budget 2627<04:08:55.399

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a Division 3 budget work session focused on the Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Economic Stability. Karen Hebert, the division director, and Nathan White, DHHS chief financial officer, walked members through the governor’s operating budget pages and a briefing book, explaining that the division was consolidated in 2018 and serves programs aimed at financial stability, poverty reduction, child care access, and related supports. Members repeatedly asked for clearer breakdowns of general fund spending, historical growth since consolidation, and how the division’s broad mission areas map onto specific budget lines. A major portion of the discussion centered on the Bureau of Child Development and Head Start collaboration and the child care subsidy program. Hebert said the child care scholarship/subsidy helps low- and moderate-income families access daycare so parents can work, attend school, or receive treatment, and that eligibility is based on state median income up to 85%. She reported a 45% increase in utilization, 4,032 children receiving daycare support as of the end of January, and about 15% of eligible children being served. She also described the quality improvement system “Granite Steps for Quality,” with 160 providers enrolled out of 717 licensed programs, and noted that 1,200 child care professionals added credentials in the last year. Members pressed for cost-benefit information, asking for data on how much the state pays, how many providers and children are served, and whether the department could quantify unmet need. The witnesses said some projects were funded with short-term ARPA child care dollars and that detailed cost data for specific examples, such as the Gorm Community Learning Center expansion, would need to be looked up. They also explained that the child care fund is a federal block grant with required spending set-asides of 9% for quality, 3% for infants and toddlers, and up to 5% for administration, and that unused funds remain available. The committee also reviewed slide 10’s accounting units, including that the Child Care Workforce Fund is 100% general funds and was created as a priority item under HB 2 from the 2024 session, while some other child care-related units are 100% federal funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; HERE WE ARE ON OUR FIFTH BUDGET EXTENDER, THREE WEEKS Late on the budget now.
• And, you know, budgets, as you know, all of these budgets are a lot of work.
• AND, YOU KNOW, BUDGETS AS YOU KNOW, ALL OF THESE BUDGETS ARE A LOT OF WORK.
• President. >> On the bill. >> Here we are on our fifth budget extender, three weeks late on the budget
• &gt;&gt; HERE WE ARE ON OUR FIFTH BUDGET EXTENDER, THREE WEEKS LATE ON THE BUDGET TO DATE.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with routine formalities, approved the journal, welcomed a SkillsUSA student delegation, and then moved into budget and policy business. The chamber accepted a Rules Committee report and took up a supplemental budget extender, Senate Print 9963, which would extend state operations through April 22 and authorize $12.7 billion, including about $5.1 billion in new funding for Medicaid, payroll, and school aid. Senator O’Mara questioned the delay in the budget, the lack of public detail, and unresolved issues such as CLCPA changes, auto insurance, and SEQR reforms; the sponsor said negotiations were ongoing and that school aid would likely build on the executive budget. The extender passed 57-1, with Senator Weik voting no. The Senate then adopted Senate Resolution 1887, sponsored by Senator Brisport, memorializing the Governor to proclaim April 2026 as Arab American Heritage Month. Senators Brisport, Fahy, Salazar, and Gounardes spoke in support, emphasizing Arab Americans’ cultural, civic, and economic contributions in New York and condemning anti-Arab and anti-Muslim bias. The resolution was adopted by voice vote and opened for co-sponsorship. The chamber next considered several bills on the calendar, including a bill by Senator Cleare to prohibit state-chartered financial institutions from investing in private correctional facilities. Supporters framed it as a moral response to private prisons and rising federal use of detention facilities, while opponents argued it would overregulate state-chartered banks and affect private investment decisions. The bill passed 36-22. The Senate also passed a bill by Senator Krueger raising the nonprofit lobbying disclosure threshold from $5,000 to $10,000, after debate over transparency and whether the change would reduce oversight; it passed 35-23. Finally, the Senate passed Senator May’s bill on advanced transmission technologies and utility planning, after extensive debate over ratepayer costs, battery storage, and data center growth; supporters said it could lower energy costs through more efficient grid use, while opponents said it would raise rates and duplicate existing studies. The bill passed after being restored to the non-controversial calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• This particular budget has a strong emphasis on affordable housing.
• The strong bipartisanship of this budget continues in this particular budget this session.
• We have one more session for the Capital Budget Committee.
• So we'll have to wait for all of our exciting comments on the capital budget until the final budget gets
• So we'll have to wait for all of our exciting comments on the capital budget until the final budget gets

Summary: The committee first heard Substitute Senate Bill 5901, which would change the School Construction Assistance Program formula for school facilities on military bases. Staff explained that the bill would exclude instructional space on military bases from a district’s available inventory and add an extra 15% to the state funding assistance percentage for projects located on a military base. Senator Leonard Christian said the bill was intended to help districts such as Clover Park and Medical Lake, where base facilities reduce eligibility for off-base school construction funding. Testimony was strongly supportive from OSPI, Clover Park, and Medical Lake, while one citizen raised broader concerns about school funding and common school trust lands. The hearing on the bill was then closed. The committee then heard Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5061, which would require annual adjustments to prevailing wage rates in most public works contracts, with exemptions for small works, residential construction, and certain other projects. Staff described the bill’s delayed effective date of July 1, 2028 and reviewed fiscal impacts, including significant L&I operating costs and an indeterminate but potentially substantial capital cost impact. Senator Steve Conway said the bill was a technical fix to align contract wages with regularly updated prevailing wage rates and noted that the bill had been amended to exempt small works and low-income housing projects. Proponents from labor and mechanical contractors said annual updates would better reflect negotiated wage schedules and help retain skilled workers, while opponents from contractor groups warned of unpredictability, higher project costs, and the need for a change-order safeguard if wage increases exceed 5%. L&I testified that the fiscal note reflected the need to rework its IT system to track annual adjustments. The hearing was then closed. The committee also received a briefing on a proposed substitute to House Bill 2295, which would add funding for several new projects and make technical and language changes. Staff said the substitute would increase spending by $611,000 in bonds and $3 million from the Waste Tire Removal Account. The committee then moved into executive session and, by a vote of 18-0 with one excused, reported proposed substitute House Bill 2295 out of committee with a do-pass recommendation. The chair also announced plans for future executive sessions, including one on Substitute Senate Bill 5901, and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Keith Duncan, Caltrans Budget Officer.
• We've come forward with budget requests.
• Madam Chair, Senators, Keith Duncan, Caltrans budget officer.
• for the expenses listed in this budget request.
• budget to pay for high-speed rail or whatever it is.

Summary: The subcommittee heard several California transportation and public safety budget proposals. Caltrans requested a one-time $225 million augmentation to continue replacing its aging fleet and build out zero-emission vehicle infrastructure. Caltrans said the funding would replace about 1,100 vehicles, including many heavy-duty units, and acknowledged its overdue report on zero-emission fleet efforts would be delivered by mid-to-late April. The LAO said the request raised no concerns, but one senator strongly criticized the cost and policy emphasis on making the fleet the “greenest” rather than prioritizing road maintenance. The chair pressed Caltrans to submit the overdue report within 30 days, saying it was necessary for oversight before the request could be considered. The committee also discussed a Caltrans proposal tied to SB 150 and the High Road Construction Careers Program. Because federal highway funds could not be used as originally intended for workforce training, Caltrans and the Department of Finance proposed replacing the federal dollars with $30 million in state Highway Account funds. The Workforce Development Board said the program had a track record of connecting participants to apprenticeships and jobs, while one senator questioned why the original $50 million federal set-aside had not been implemented and asked for more detail on where the remaining funds would go. Finance said the state funds were already set aside and expected to begin flowing in May over a two- to three-year period. The California Highway Patrol presented two requests. First, CHP sought $60 million from the Motor Vehicle Account for equipment and operating costs, citing inflation, higher vehicle prices, and the end of its ability to cover costs through vacancy savings as hiring improved. The LAO recommended rejection, arguing the costs were not new, CHP still had a substantial equipment budget, and the Motor Vehicle Account faces insolvency by 2028-29. Second, CHP requested $885,000 ongoing to fund seven crime analyst positions for the Highway Violence Task Force. CHP said the task force had reduced freeway shootings from 477 in 2021 to 179 last year, though some data categories had changed over time. The LAO did not object, but noted the request would create a permanent funding commitment. The DMV presented two modernization items: the State-to-State verification system required for Real ID compliance and the DXP system to replace aging legacy technology. The LAO raised no concerns with either, but noted DXP has had cost overruns and delays and will require continued legislative oversight. Senators focused heavily on privacy and data-sharing concerns in the State-to-State system, especially the use of Social Security number digits and the role of the AAMVA network. DMV said the system is required for Real ID compliance, uses encrypted data, and is intended to prevent duplicate credentials across states. The committee also discussed customer service improvements from DXP, with DMV saying the project should better integrate systems and improve service delivery by the end of the calendar year.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've got state budget pressures here.
• at that time when uh counties the budget at that time when uh counties faced<00:04:07.360><c> budget
• <c> situation,</c><00:15:00.399><c> what</c> but the state budget situation, what but the state budget
• happened to your personal budget?
• </c> have the incorrect budget. have the incorrect budget.

Bills: HF3396

Keywords: property tax, task force, assessment, state revenue, local government, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> up the uh the budget up the uh the budget bill.<00:01:17.159><c> Um</c><00:01:18.159><c> I've</c
• </c> budget uh conversation. Lay that over. budget uh conversation. Lay that over.
• </c> our budget omnibus. our budget omnibus.
• ><c> budget</c><01:31:41.120><c> is</c> This budget is forward-looking.
• </c> the context that we have on our budgets. the context that we have on our budgets.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, and Representative Manwaring, I believe for this first RS it goes through the budget cycle,
• I'm the Division Manager for Budget Policy Analysis.
• So another example would be if there were savings, ...to the legislature's budget at that point.
• And so I think that will be the work that your budget analyst, your staff, will do, and the committee
• in that budget that requires some sort of statutory change, he has to submit with that budget submission

Summary: The committee heard and introduced several RS measures, all focused on state budgeting and legislative oversight. Representative Monks presented RS 33238 to shorten the time agencies have to liquidate encumbrances crossing fiscal years from one year to one quarter, and RS 33241 C1 to limit non-cognizable spending to a $10 million cumulative cap, with exceptions for declared emergencies, certain National Guard construction projects, and tuition-related funds. Both were moved for introduction and approved by voice vote. Representative Ehlers presented RS 33247, which would require agencies to report long-vacant full-time positions, reduce budget requests for positions vacant a year or more, adjust requests for positions vacant 180 to 364 days, shift some eliminated positions to the legislative branch, and add more detailed travel reporting. Members raised questions about how the proposal would affect JFAC and agency staffing flexibility, and Keith Bybee explained that budget analysts would determine how savings could be applied. The committee then voted to introduce the RS. Representative Ayler’s RS 33352, which would cap requested increases for compensation and benefits for agencies with 50 or more employees by applying a five-year average factor to the request, was also introduced without opposition. Finally, Representative Petzke presented RS 33494, requiring the governor’s budget submission to include draft legislation and sponsoring House and Senate members whenever the budget contains items needing statutory changes. He said the proposal was prompted by policy changes included in the governor’s budget without accompanying draft language. Members expressed support, and the committee voted to introduce the RS. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is based on Governor Ayotte's budget.
• </c> putting aside we were cutting the budget putting aside we were cutting the budget by<01:10:07.239
• <01:10:39.520><c> in</c><01:10:39.719><c> the</c><01:10:39.880><c> figure</c> budget in the figure budget
• That's not the governor's entire budget; that's the bonded area of the budget that this committee is
• <04:11:12.840><c> no</c><04:11:13.560><c> in</c><04:11:13.760><c> that</c> budget no in that budget no

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing and work session on House Bill 25A, the capital improvements appropriations bill, which Representative David Mills said was based on Governor Ayotte’s budget and included appropriations for capital improvements and extensions of prior appropriation lapses. The hearing drew testimony on several requested additions to the bill, with the chair noting the unusually large turnout and moving quickly through speakers. No questions were taken on the initial bill presentation, and the public hearing on HB 25A was later closed. The Community College System of New Hampshire asked for an additional $2.6 million, including $800,000 for IT infrastructure, $1.3 million for critical maintenance, and $500,000 for energy management systems. The witness said the money would address cybersecurity and online learning needs, replace failing boilers and a roof at several campuses, and prevent costly damage such as frozen pipes. The New Hampshire Veterans Home requested $1.5 million for ADA compliance and safety improvements, including floor replacement and wider doors, citing an upcoming VA inspection and the importance of preserving federal funding. Testimony also focused on career and technical education and airport funding. Milford CTE sought to keep $9.9 million in the budget for renovations after a local vote fell short, explaining the project had been scaled down from an earlier $60 million concept and that the school board wanted another chance to seek voter approval. On aviation, Concord, the New Hampshire Municipal Association, and Department of Transportation representatives urged restoring state matching funds for FAA airport grants, saying roughly $3.6 million in state money would leverage about $62 million to $65 million in federal funds for safety and infrastructure projects at public airports. Committee members asked about project selection, matching requirements, and the airport priority process, and witnesses said the program is driven by FAA-approved capital improvement plans and safety needs rather than business-return rankings.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is our operating budget.
• Streamlined budget.
• Budget Division.
• budget.
• Carswell mentioned, be a flat budget.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we went from a $52 billion state budget up to a $72 billion state budget in two years.
• And it's going to look more like a $66 billion budget.
• You know, we are still stuck on a couple of things on our health budget, but our human services budget
• , but our human on our health budget, but our human services<00:14:01.600><c> budget,</c><00:14:02.000
• And I wonder where all this budget.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:54:06.040><c> let's</c> to fund their $2 million budget let's to fund their $2 million budget
• </c> decided to use that U fill that budget decided to use that U fill that budget Hole<00:55:07.799>
• </c> their budget you know it's their budget their budget you know it's their budget it's<01:10:19.560
• </c><01:45:10.599><c> and</c><01:45:10.800><c> that's</c> District budget and that's District budget
• school budget.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a work session focused on school funding formulas, adequacy aid, and special education aid, with the chair outlining a schedule for the next several Tuesdays and noting that the committee would likely need multiple executive sessions to narrow down the bills. Members discussed the FY 26 formula, including base cost, differentiated aid, extraordinary needs grants, hold harmless provisions, and the roughly $28 million in excess statewide education property tax (SWP) funds that are not currently returned to the state under the existing formula. The first bill discussed was HB 137, which would allow excess SWP funds to remain with the local municipality for school and municipal purposes. Representative Spilsbury argued the issue is fundamental and suggested the state should require excess funds to be remitted back to the state, while Representative Damon said the bill appears to codify current practice and may be unnecessary, especially given possible court action. The discussion then shifted to a related bill from Representative Fellas that would redefine SWP as local money rather than state money and keep the current adequacy aid numbers revenue-neutral for now. Representative Fellas explained that SWP was created in 1999 after the Claremont lawsuit as part of the state’s effort to show increased school aid, but that it effectively labeled part of the local property tax as state money without changing property tax bills. She argued the state should not be tapping local property tax revenue and said her bill would preserve the current distribution while removing the SWP tax label, with future work possible on a different measure of local capacity such as income, home values, or poverty rate. Members also referenced prior discussions of fiscal capacity aid, relief aid, and other formula changes as part of the broader effort to restructure school funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• fiscal year 27 recommended budget.
• 26 existing operating budget.
• That comprises 47% of their budget and 18.5% of their budget.
• The only budget that is provided to us, that does...
• that affected the budget.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If we just make this a product of budget discussions and we pass a budget at the same time we pass it
• A couple of things regarding the budget: we will do a budget this year.
• It will be a balanced budget.
• Budgeting in the Arizona legislature should budget for services for Arizona.
• to balance the budget, and I am willing to commit that... ...million dollars a year in this budget to

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The joint House Ways and Means and Senate Finance committees met to hear identical conformity bills, HB 2153 and SB 1106, which would align Arizona tax law with the federal Internal Revenue Code as of Jan. 1, 2026, including some retroactive provisions for tax year 2025. Staff explained that the bills would exclude three federal provisions: the higher federal SALT deduction, the new senior deduction as written in H.R. 1, and the deduction for interest on new car loans. They would instead include a $6,000 retirement-income deduction for taxpayers age 60 and older, a $6,000 Roth IRA contribution deduction, a higher dependent tax credit, and a deduction for child and dependent care expenses above the federal credit. JLBC estimated the package would reduce general fund income tax revenue by about $441.3 million in FY 2026. Members also discussed that the Department of Revenue’s forms had been issued assuming full conformity, and staff and supporters argued the bills were needed quickly to avoid confusion and amended returns during filing season. Committee members and sponsors largely framed the bills as tax relief and a way to provide certainty for taxpayers and preparers. Supporters said the package would help families, seniors, and workers, and noted that the Arizona version was negotiated to keep the overall tax relief roughly comparable to full conformity while shifting benefits away from the SALT deduction and toward child credits, retirement income, and child care. The sponsors also criticized the governor’s executive action and urged prompt passage so taxpayers would know how to file. Opponents argued the bills would reduce state revenue, worsen the budget outlook, and disproportionately benefit higher-income taxpayers and corporations. Several witnesses and members also raised concerns about the child care deduction, the retirement-income deduction, and the business expensing provisions, while supporters responded that the bill was designed to help working families and encourage saving and investment. Public testimony was mixed. The Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants and the Arizona Free Enterprise Club supported the bills, emphasizing early conformity, filing certainty, and reduced confusion for taxpayers and software providers. Opponents included Save Our Schools Arizona, the Arizona Center for Economic Progress, Opportunity Arizona, and several individuals, who argued the package would deepen budget problems and favor the wealthy. One witness objected to a federal school-choice-related provision she said was being tied to the bill, though committee members said the measure before them was a tax conformity bill and not a school finance bill. The hearing included extended debate over the fiscal impact, the governor’s prior requests for some of the same tax changes, and whether taxpayers would need to file amended returns if the legislature later changed course. The transcript ends during testimony from NFIB, with no final committee vote or action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, in this budget, we will invest an historic $1.5 billion.
• So we, in this budget, will invest an historic $1.5 billion.
• That is a core priority of this budget as well.
• and supporting this budget.
• This is a budget that will take care of this upcoming year.

Bills: SCR8410, SCR8410

Keywords: returning bills to house of origin, sine die, end of session, legislative procedure, Rules Committee, third reading, unfinished business, pending bills, joint resolutions, concurrent resolutions, joint memorials, special session, bill numbering, legislative records, House of Representatives, Senate, Washington Legislature, session adjournment, procedural resolution, 904

Transcript Highlights:

• Subcommittee Four of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee will come to order.
• If all of our budget proposals before you are approved, our total budget would be about $198 million.
• And is that also taken into account with this budget ask? It is.
• Our budget proposal operationalizes that in two ways.
• So the Senate Budget 724 is now adjourned.

Summary: The subcommittee heard a series of Department of Food and Agriculture budget proposals, beginning with ongoing funding and trailer bill language for the Farm to School program and related climate-smart agriculture work. CDFA described the program’s goals of linking California producers with schools, expanding access to local and nutritious food, and supporting underserved farmers through technical assistance and outreach. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposal as presented because of the state’s budget condition and suggested that some activities might instead be supported through Proposition 98. Members questioned whether the program is reaching the schools and communities with the greatest need, how grants are scored, and whether the proposal’s goals are measurable enough to justify ongoing funding. The item was held open. The committee also discussed CDFA’s climate bond expenditure plan, which would allocate remaining Proposition 4 funds to existing programs such as SWEEP, Healthy Soils, urban agriculture, fairground emergency response upgrades, and invasive species work, as well as new or developing programs including year-round certified farmers markets, mobile farmers markets, regional farm equipment sharing, and tribal food sovereignty. CDFA said the funds would be released in stages based on program readiness, with audits and performance metrics tied to each program. The LAO found the plan reasonable and consistent with bond requirements. Members asked about audit responsibility, performance tracking, and whether the bond programs should be front-loaded or spread over a longer period. A third CDFA item addressed the elimination of vacant positions under prior budget reductions. CDFA and the Department of Finance explained that the positions were selected because they had been vacant for long periods or were hard to fill, and that departments identified the positions based on their own operational knowledge. The LAO supported retaining the special-fund positions and suggested the General Fund positions be weighed on their merits. Members raised concerns about the impact on core functions such as audits, investigations, milk marketing, and grape pricing reports, and asked for follow-up on how the department determined which positions could be removed. The committee then heard a CDFA IT proposal to add funding and four positions for information technology operations; the LAO had no concerns, and members discussed cybersecurity, legacy systems, and future risks such as AI and quantum threats. The committee took public comment and then voted to approve items 9 through 13, which included CDFA dog importation certificates, livestock carcass disposal, Gambling Control Commission IT support and tribal grant funding, and an ABC district office relocation. The hearing then moved to the Department of Cannabis Control, which presented a request to strengthen enforcement against the illicit cannabis market by adding a North State field office in Redding and three non-sworn support positions. DCC said the illicit market remains far larger than the legal market, with a large backlog of cases and significant public safety and environmental concerns. Finance supported the targeted expansion, the LAO had no comment, and members asked about regional coverage, officer safety, and whether a larger, more transformational enforcement effort might be warranted in the future.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, Senator, I worked with the budget chair.
• When we are making budget decisions to fund or... ...when we are making budget decisions to fund or to
• a resolution than budget language.
• So I shared that plan with the budget.
• So I shared that plan with the budget.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So my sense is that we're getting close to the end on this budget.
• No, this is a study to tack on to the budget. Oh, it's attached? Yeah.
• So I am not aware it was not in the governor's budget.
• But it would take the money out of our budget and put it in here.
• Well, we would rather the House not be pulling money out of your budget.

Bills: SB2399

Keywords: mental health, psychiatric treatment, reimbursement, medical assistance, legislative report, 908, all

Summary: The committee reconvened and first reconsidered House Bill 1612, the aerospace medical and mental health support center bill. Senator Cleary offered an amendment to reduce the general fund appropriation from $500,000 to $250,000 and require the university or project sponsors to find the remaining funding from other sources. The amendment passed, and the bill was then recommended do pass as amended, with members citing concerns about university funding, but others supporting the project as a one-time seed investment. The committee also discussed a possible future FMAP increase beginning October 1, 2026, which could reduce general fund costs by roughly $9 million, though members noted the figures were still preliminary and could be addressed later if needed. The committee then returned to Human Services budget items, including early childhood and child care funding, a community cultural center grant, and several other adjustments. Members discussed reducing the “best in class” amount, changes to child care grants and quality/infrastructure funding, and clarifying that prior child care assistance appropriations were in fact being spent. They also agreed to reduce the 1915(i) Medicaid waiver line by $2 million, with the understanding that the entitlement would still be funded as needed. The committee also considered taking guardianship funding out of House Bill 1012 because a separate bill, Senate Bill 2029, would move that funding elsewhere; members agreed that removing it from the budget could help the overall bill and could be restored if the separate bill failed. Several study amendments were discussed. Senator Cleary proposed adding a maternal health study related to prenatal services, doulas, midwives, and Medicaid, and members expressed support. The committee also discussed a software/case-management study proposal, but the department said it had not requested it and would not support it as presented, so members leaned against advancing it unless the department first evaluated it. Another amendment would authorize the department to work with the city of Grafton on a long-term plan for the LSTC campus and require a report back to the legislature; members supported that as legislative intent. The committee also agreed to remove a truancy study section for later conference discussion, and it reviewed other possible study ideas, including assistive technology, before adjourning to await updated long sheets and bill text.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> available under publications and budget. available under publications and budget.
• </c> &gt;&gt; operating budget. &gt;&gt; operating budget.
• </c> and uh that's in the operating budget. and uh that's in the operating budget.
• </c> now is the capital budget. now is the capital budget.
• </c> budget and taxation committee. Mr. budget and taxation committee. Mr.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with 42 members present and a quorum, opened with an invocation by Pastor Jaylen Robinson, and recognized several guests and honorees. Early floor remarks included a welcome to students from Forest Oak Middle School, a young Senate shadow from Woodlawn High School, and guests from Charles H. Flowers High School. The chamber also noted a doctor of the day and announced that panoramic photos in the Senate lounge were available for order by March 27, with eye exams available in the State House. The main legislative business was Senate Bill 283, the President’s Maryland Consolidated Capital Bond Loan of 2026. The Senate Budget and Taxation Committee presented 291 amendments, described as funding priorities for jobs, infrastructure, and reliability while staying within debt affordability limits. The amendments covered school construction, natural resources, higher education, housing, Maryland Environmental Service, miscellaneous grants, local Senate bond initiatives, jails and detention centers, and pre-authorizations for fiscal 2028. Four amendments were separated for individual roll calls: 30, 35, 46, and 241, all of which were adopted. The remaining committee amendments were adopted without objection, and the favorable committee report as amended was then taken up. During debate on the capital budget amendments, one senator raised concerns about the bill and the difficulty of tracking the amendments on the electronic system, prompting discussion about technical issues and the availability of the documents on the website and in paper form. The chair said the committee had been working on the bill for months and urged the body to proceed. A question was raised about Amendment 264, which deauthorized a Willing Helper Society renovation project in Charles County; the chair explained the money had not been spent, was about to expire, and was repurposed to a Boys and Girls Club of Southern Maryland project to keep the funding in Charles County.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is a little smaller budget.
• That's a decrease from the maintenance budget, and we can add to the maintenance budget.
• in the IDLA budget.
• So if you choose to vote for this budget, it does have a cap. And that's how budgets work.
• We have voted on the IDLA enhancement budget.

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Senate convened with 31 members present and approved the previous day’s journal. After committee reports and messages from the Governor and House, the chamber moved through several bills, including House Bill 968 being introduced and referred to Finance, and multiple bills being advanced to second or third reading. The Senate also took up House Bill 930 on campaign finance, which would require separate campaign accounts, restrict certain investments, and require self-loans over $1,000 to be deposited into campaign accounts. Supporters framed it as a transparency measure, while opponents raised enforcement and practical concerns. The bill passed 19-14. The Senate then considered budget and policy measures tied to education and state agencies. House Bill 949, consolidating the STEM Action Center into the Workforce Development Council and shifting related appropriations, passed 33-0. House Bill 950, a one-time $200,000 appropriation for a consultant to support the legislature’s Medicaid review work, passed 24-10. House Bill 952, the Secretary of State appropriation bill with a reduced ongoing general fund amount, passed 33-1. Senate Bill 1444, the public schools educational support program appropriation, passed 25-9 after debate over federal funds, endowment funding, and school health insurance costs. A major focus of the meeting was Idaho Digital Learning Academy. House Bill 940, a policy bill revising IDLA’s mission, limiting certain uses, and reducing funding for elementary, driver’s ed, private school, and fully virtual students, passed 31-3 after extensive debate about rural access, double-dipping, and the impact on enrollments. Senate Bill 1438, the companion appropriation bill, then passed 28-6, with supporters saying it aligned the budget with the policy changes and opponents arguing the cap and restrictions could limit access and local control. The Senate also passed House Bill 516, as amended, on a 20-14 vote after a lengthy debate over prohibiting public funds from supporting teachers’ union activities; supporters said it protected taxpayer dollars, while opponents said it was punitive and harmful to educators. The chamber then began consideration of House Bill 897, revising the Idaho information technology equipment sales tax exemption, with debate just starting as the transcript ended.