Transcript Highlights:

• So total spending there of about $6.3 billion, and that would lead us. There of about $6.3 billion.
• budget, there's a required minimum balance in this fund as well, which is 15% of our general fund spending
• There's a required minimum balance in this fund as well, which is 15% of our general fund spending on
• Chairman, the required balance in that fund is the $261 million, which is 15% of our general fund spending
• So everything that we spend, we collect back through the fees.

Summary: The Government Finance Committee met with new leadership, approved the December 11 minutes, and received a series of informational updates on the state’s finances and related policy issues. The Office of Management and Budget reported the general fund is tracking very close to forecast, with revenues about $2 million above forecast and an estimated ending balance of about $397 million, higher than previously expected. OMB also reviewed balances in major funds, including the budget stabilization fund, legacy fund, foundation aid stabilization fund, social services fund, and strategic investment and improvements fund, and answered questions about oil tax revenues and fund management. The Tax Department provided updates on taxable sales and purchases by county and industry, noting Cass County as the largest county by taxable sales and that retail trade remains the largest industry sector. Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus also discussed the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its estimated effects on North Dakota income tax collections, explaining that the projected revenue impacts are measured against a 2025 baseline and that some provisions are temporary while others are permanent. He also reported that primary residence tax credit applications were running ahead of last year, with more than 154,000 received so far and an expectation of roughly 160,000-plus applications. The committee also heard fee-study presentations from the Department of Transportation and the Information Technology Department. DOT explained that driver’s license fees cover only about half of program costs and that the shortfall is subsidized by the highway fund, while also noting recent changes such as the blackout plate and motor vehicle excise tax distribution changes. NDIT described its internal service fund model, current billing structure, and possible future changes to simplify invoices and billing frequency. Legislative staff also updated the committee on office space needs in Bismarck-Mandan and on legislative branch space planning, and subcommittees reported progress on fixed-route transit funding and regional jail capacity, including a visit to the Burleigh-Morton detention facility and discussion of future prison bed needs. No formal votes or legislative actions beyond approving the minutes were taken, and the committee adjourned with its next meeting set for June 25.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, turning to page five and the spending overview, the plan before you has $17.8 billion in new spending
• So about 70% of the new spending would go towards...
• So about 70% of the new spending would go towards... Programs.
• reserve that can protect that ongoing spending level.
• To make room for this additional spending.

Summary: The committee heard an overview of the May Revision’s Proposition 98 changes for K-12 and community colleges. The Department of Finance said the minimum guarantee rises by $6.4 billion over the Governor’s Budget across the three-year window, with higher guarantees in each year, full payment of the prior settle-up, and larger deposits into the school rainy-day fund. The LAO said the revenue and LCFF updates were reasonable, but urged caution about the settle-up approach and recommended using more of the available funding to protect ongoing programs and build budget resilience. Members focused heavily on the size of the proposed $3.9 billion settle-up, the $10.3 billion reserve deposit, declining K-12 enrollment, and how much of the new funding should be ongoing versus one-time. The committee then reviewed the community colleges portion of the budget. Finance described the May Revision’s higher SCFF COLA, additional funding for enrollment growth, a student support block grant, apprenticeship adjustments, and continued funding for deferred maintenance, Calbright, Common Cloud, and credit for prior learning. The Chancellor’s Office supported the core investments but asked for more funding for enrollment growth, changes to the growth formula, and a COLA for Student Equity and Achievement. The LAO recommended prioritizing the statutory COLA increase, noted that more than half of districts are already above current-year growth targets, and said the new adult learner demonstration project should be rejected because districts already have tools to support similar services. Members also discussed a $52 million current-year apportionment shortfall, which Finance said was discovered too late for the May Revision and would need to be addressed later. Finally, the committee took up the proposed implementation of the federal Workforce Pell program. Finance proposed one-time funding for the California Student Aid Commission and Cradle to Career to build eligibility and data systems, along with trailer bill changes to set up state approval processes. CSAC said the program is promising but highly complex, that California lacks the needed infrastructure, and that the state will need emergency regulations, data linkages, and ongoing funding beyond the one-time proposal. The LAO agreed that some initial funding is needed but warned that the amounts and ongoing costs remain uncertain and that the Legislature should carefully draft the trailer bill language. Members asked about timing, other states’ actions, and how the state would ensure the program is ready for students and institutions.

Transcript Highlights:

• spend it, which we can't do.
• spend it, which we can't do.
• spending, and accountable government. spending, and accountable government.
• and public finance and the spending and public finance and the spending that's<00:24:43.039>
• of spending here or of foregone revenue. of spending here or of foregone revenue.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 3524 and House File 3525 and laid both over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill, with no amendments adopted and no vote taken at this stage. HF 3524 would conform Minnesota law to the federal overtime tax deduction, and HF 3525 would conform to the federal tip-income deduction. The author argued both bills would help workers keep more of their earnings, simplify tax filing, support labor-force participation, and provide relief to workers in hospitality, trades, health care, and other industries. The committee heard testimony in support from a restaurant owner, Sandra Weiss of the Finnish Beastro in St. Paul, who said the bills would help tipped workers keep more of their income and would support hospitality businesses. She described her staff as roughly half men and half women, including students and long-term employees, and said front-of-house tipped workers and back-of-house workers face different pay levels. She also said Minnesota’s tip rules and lack of a tip credit create challenges for the industry. During questioning, members discussed wage disparities, the makeup of her workforce, and the practical effects of the proposals. Opposition testimony came from Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project and Eric Bernstein of We Make Minnesota, both of whom argued the bills are regressive, poorly targeted, and costly. They said the deductions would mainly benefit higher earners, violate horizontal equity by treating similar incomes differently, and could encourage compensation restructuring. They also warned the combined cost would exceed $500 million over the 2028-29 biennium and could pressure funding for health care, education, and other public services. Mark Havenman of the Minnesota Center for Fiscal Excellence similarly criticized the bills on tax fairness and administrative grounds, noting the federal tip deduction framework is still under development and could create enforcement issues. Nonpartisan staff provided revenue estimates showing HF 3524 would reduce general fund revenue by about $365.9 million in fiscal 2027 and HF 3525 by about $126 million in fiscal 2027, with smaller ongoing impacts in later years. Members also raised questions about how the bills would be paid for and what income would qualify under the overtime deduction.

Transcript Highlights:

• You don't want to do the spending. I want to do the spending. All right.
• <01:54:58.639> All spending. I want to do the spending. All spending.
• I want to do the spending.
• more spending. I'm encouraged. more spending. I'm encouraged.
• spending. So, I go and I vote, right? spending. So, I go and I vote, right?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing on CACR 30, a constitutional amendment that would make Public Utilities Commission members elected rather than appointed. Representative Thomas Opel testified in support, arguing that rising energy costs and the utility rate-setting structure make the PUC too insulated from ratepayers, and that elected commissioners would be more accountable. He also said the proposal should ideally include a ban on contributions from regulated utilities to PUC campaigns, and acknowledged the draft had errors and needed work. Representative Lane questioned whether a contribution ban would be constitutional, and Opel said there may be ways to structure one to survive legal challenge. The hearing closed with five online supporters and two opponents reported, and no one else testified. The committee then went into executive session on House Bill 1062, authorizing the Secretary of State to conduct random audits of voters’ citizenship qualifications. Representative Newsome offered an amendment to clarify how voters with no evidence either way would be treated and to require a public report on audit results, including referrals, costs, and databases used. Representative Aqua opposed the amendment, saying the bill should pass as written. The amendment failed 9-7, and after further debate over privacy and the purpose of audits, the committee voted 9-7 to recommend ought to pass on HB 1062. Representative Barry was assigned the majority report and Representative Newsome the minority report. The committee next considered House Bill 1388, which would clarify the form of ballots for constitutional amendments. Representative Weary said the bill simply provides clarity for voters and imposes no hardship on the Secretary of State’s office. The committee unanimously voted 17-0 to recommend ought to pass and placed the bill on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee opened a public hearing on House Bill 1125, enabling school districts to adopt partisan school district elections. Representative Weary said partisan labels would help voters understand candidate positions and address low turnout in local elections. He emphasized the bill is enabling, not mandatory. Members questioned why the change was needed if few municipalities have used existing authority, and whether it would increase divisiveness. Weary said many voters are unaware of the option and that partisan labels would give them more information. The hearing closed with five online supporters and 184 opponents. The committee then began executive session on House Bill 1187, concerning the filing deadline for special-election candidates for state representative, but discussion was still ongoing in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• increased state spending by $19 billion. increased state spending by $19 billion.
• <00:37:32.640> in received huge increases in spending in received huge increases in spending
• large increases in spending in the bill. large increases in spending in the bill.
• <02:24:59.760> our<02:25:00.080> money we spend our money we spend our money on.<02
• Mr. president is it reduces the spending Mr. president is it reduces the spending from from from

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are elected here to spend it. And you might say, 'What is a red barn question?'
• Now we're facing a $6 billion deficit because of reckless spending.
• And Senator Fateh votes aye. stop this spending. These inmates that stop this spending.
• Louis Park that I have been spending hours and hours trying to find a way to get it through.
• that they can just take back and spend that they can just take back and spend as<04:26:25.600>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've heard many times that they've increased spending on the other side in a trifecta government, which
• 50.840> that<00:02:51.239> they've<00:02:51.480> increased<00:02:51.920> spending
• times on that they've increased spending times on that they've increased spending on<00:02:52.400
• :02:57.879> when<00:02:58.040> they<00:02:58.200> increase<00:02:58.640> spending
• <00:02:59.319> by and and when they increase spending by and and when they increase spending

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• better for us to spend money on this<00:30:17.080> session.
• that we met those minimum spend thresholds.
• And we are in deficit spending this year.
• Schools have wide latitude in how to spend these dollars.
• We're spending a lot of time discussing those options on the task force.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I think they've been cautiously spending those dollars.
• Of the 2.25 ADM, they want to know what the CTED is spending.
• years, and spend it on your Move On When Reading plan.
• Instead of passing fair laws, lawmakers should are trying to control how educators spend their, spend
• Chair, may I spend my vote? Please proceed. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so unless we're spending over that threshold, it wouldn't trigger a commission review, like a Over
• There has to be oversight anytime you're spending taxpayer funds, and I would venture to say that for
• However, because we do want to ensure we are spending these funds appropriately, if there are things
• So I'm spending more money... Rules are basically already being enforced.
• So I'm spending more money trying to do that.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so the fact that we're spending money on this is not bad.
• on this fact that we're spending money on this is<00:19:28.640> not<00:19:29.280> bad.
• <00:26:16.280> And And would that still fall under the excess spending threshold?
• Uh, so there is no provision for this to count toward or against the excess spending threshold.
• Um it would be a spending threshold. Um it would be a budgetary<00:26:51.520> expense.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The caucus of the whole received an update from Representative Kornheiser on House Bill 955, focusing on the Ways and Means amendment and how it aligns with Act 73 and the House Education Committee’s broader education transformation work. She said the amendment was assembled from separate pieces developed earlier in the session and covers three main areas: planned property tax updates, steps needed for the future education finance system and foundation formula, and policy changes to support collaborative education service agencies and district mergers. She emphasized that the bill is aimed at the future state of the system, with many provisions tied to later effective dates and pending reports. Kornheiser described the property tax provisions as further defining the new non-homestead/second-home classification so the Tax Department can continue form development and data collection before rates are set, and she said the bill also advances regional assessment districts and a more regular reappraisal cycle. On education finance, she said the amendment adds school construction and school debt provisions, reserve guidance, pre-K funding study language, special education funding protections, and transportation-related follow-up work so those pieces can fit the foundation formula. She also framed the bill as reducing cost drivers in the system, citing health care savings, reference-based pricing, mental health coordination, special education scale, deferred maintenance, and larger-scale school organization. During questions, members asked about merger support funding, transportation timelines, private equity ownership of school transportation, tuition restrictions for approved independent and public schools, and the timing and finality of the second-home tax definitions. Staff explained that merger support would be reimbursed through AOE for committee expenses and would not count against excess spending thresholds, that transportation and other grant categories will be addressed in future reports and decisions, and that the transportation study does not explicitly name private equity but could encompass staffing and cost issues. They also confirmed that the tuition-related provisions apply to approved independent, in-state public, and out-of-state public schools receiving tuition, but only when the foundation formula takes effect. No votes were taken during the caucus; the update was informational, with the bill noted as having been referred to Appropriations and expected to come up for action later in the week.

Transcript Highlights:

• While we are sensitive to making organizations spend more time reporting on the work they're doing rather
• we are sensitive to<00:04:10.080> making<00:04:10.319> organizations<00:04:10.959> spend
• organizations spend more time reporting<00:04:12.080> on<00:04:12.319> the<00:04:12.480
• In fiscal year 2829 in the spending.
• the spending total broken up between appropriations<00:17:02.639> from<00:17:03.199> DED

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This money, we're confident we can spend and we accepted, we accept the challenge, not that we had an
• Uh, spend the money, but spend it in a way that's really making a difference in communities, and we can
• Uh, just to give you just a little bit more breakdown of how we're aiming to spend that money.
• So I, I mean, are we able to spend some of that 20 million on characterization? Uh, Mr.
• Chair, I'd, I'd say no, uh, that we're not going to spend anything on characterization of sites other

Transcript Highlights:

• , spending time with parents that have. have kids with special needs, spending time with teachers.
• We're going to be taking money that could go to the bank. spending that billion dollars, I guess it's
• $7 billion in the next biennium, instead of spending that $7 billion. on public schools, on our basic
• One of my biggest challenges is with this bill. is that it takes $1 billion that we could be spending
• They're all not spending money.

Bills: HB3, HB3

Keywords: education savings account, educational expenses, certified educational assistance organization, school choice, funding, special education, tuition reimbursement, emergency communication, public safety, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, grant program, emergency communications, public safety radio, first responders, radio system, dispatch, 911, emergency management, Texas Division of Emergency Management

Transcript Highlights:

• And we spend so much time talking about the top of the ladder that we forget that most of us have to
• with regard to the agency's discretionary spending in many cases.
• But I fully agree with President Trump's decision to stop wasteful spending.
• It's in his right to address wasteful spending.
• Businesses secure and ensuring wasteful taxpayer spending is not driving up inflation.

Transcript Highlights:

• The state of Texas will never deficit spend, and we never do. We never spend.
• All of the money we spend less than what we have and we never spend more than we have have.
• We don't need to spend more money on this nonsense.
• This is a budget that is not spending anywhere near what we need to spend on things but at the same time
• We adopt a budget that only spends money that we have.

Bills: SB1, HB500, SB1, HB1400, HB 1094, HB365, HB 1109, HB647, HB500

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• uar code for every single penny we spend uar code for every single penny we spend as<00:18:16.559
• <00:18:51.600> in my benefits how much we're spending in my benefits how much we're spending
• In fact, I spend more time each day with my students than their special ed teacher spends with them in
• In fact, I spend more time each day with my students than their special ed teacher spends with them in
• In fact, I spend more time each day with my students than their special ed teacher spends with them in

Bills: HF957, HF877

Keywords: education, mandate relief, school funding, local control, state laws, fund transfers, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• To the extent we are increasing spending, we must prioritize making sure that we're making it more affordable
• To the extent we are increasing spending, we must prioritize making sure that we're making it more affordable
• To the extent we are increasing spending, we must prioritize making sure that we're making it more affordable
• To the extent we are increasing spending, we must prioritize making sure that we're making it more affordable
• closing, I just want to say that the Assembly Minority remains committed to fiscal responsibility, spending

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Conference Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Housing opened budget negotiations for the 2026-2027 enacted budget, with Senate and Assembly leaders outlining their one-house proposals and committee members giving brief remarks. The discussion covered environment, agriculture, housing, parks, and energy, with repeated emphasis on affordability, climate resilience, and support for rural and urban communities. Senate and Assembly chairs described the process and noted the agencies present, while minority members criticized the overall size of the budgets and urged more attention to housing affordability, building stakeholders, and energy costs. On the environment and energy side, the Senate highlighted proposals for $138 million in additional clean water infrastructure funding, a $75 million increase to the Environmental Protection Fund, $95 million in restored parks capital, $200 million for the Energy Affordability Program, and $1 billion for Sustainable Futures 2.0, including a proposed revival of the NY STUN program. The Assembly said it increased the EPF to $500 million, raised clean water infrastructure funding to $800 million, and included targeted amounts for cities, rural housing-related water projects, Cornell Ag Tech, and the Center for Sustainable Materials Management. Democrats argued that high utility bills are driven by natural gas costs rather than clean energy, while Senate and Assembly Republicans said the CLCPA and other energy mandates are increasing costs and should be reconsidered. Agriculture remarks focused on research, farm support, and resilience. Senator Hinchey described funding for Cornell’s COWS program, Farm to School amendments, $7 million for farm worker housing, and a new $20 million Farm Weather Resiliency Grant Program. Chair Lupardo said the Assembly added $16 million over the Governor’s proposal for educational research and outreach, restored support for beginning and disadvantaged farmers, and backed dairy, livestock, hemp fiber, and natural fibers initiatives, while also accepting $30 million in farmer tariff relief if guidelines are set. Minority Assembly Member Tague supported dairy infrastructure funding but criticized the farm labor overtime phase-down and the CLCPA’s impacts on farms. Housing discussion centered on major capital and assistance programs. The Assembly proposed $200 million more for the Housing Access Voucher Program, $100 million for Mitchell-Lama and NYCHA, $50 million for down payment assistance, $4 million for fair housing testing, land banks, and $40 million for the Homeowner Protection Program. The Senate outlined similar priorities, including $500 million for NYCHA, $100 million for Mitchell-Lama preservation, $250 million total for HAVP, and additional funding for mixed-income rental development, vacant rentals, senior housing, and block-by-block infill. Chair Rosenthal said rent stabilization was not being changed in the budget, while Republican members argued that affordability requires lower taxes, lower utility costs, and fewer regulatory burdens. No votes were taken; the meeting was an opening round of budget negotiations and ended with closing remarks from both sides.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, today, Texas governments are heavily subsidizing driving, adding up state and local spending.
• We spend over $10 billion a year from general taxpayer funds, not gas taxes, not vehicle fees, to build
• They have to spend half a day commuting. This could cut that time dramatically.
• We have places to go and people to see, and we weren't meant to be spending the 21st century inching
• Uh, not a good way to spend your, your personal time.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you want to ever spend that, you're going to have a structural imbalance because if you take in as
• So it gave an opportunity to do a lot of one-time spending, which makes a structural imbalance, and we
• If you want to ever spend years ago.
• If you want to ever spend that,<00:01:39.040> you're<00:01:39.200> going<00:01:39.280><
• which makes a lot of one-time spending which makes a structural<00:01:48.880> imbalance<00:01

Keywords: 1187, senate, all